Hell’s Kitchen Season 18 episode 4 recap: Experiment is over

In Hell’s Kitchen Season 18 episode 4 recap, it might have started with hell freezing over but the kitchen drama quickly got overheated.

Hell’s Kitchen Season 18 episode 4 recap took an unexpected twist in the final minutes. While the chefs thought that this season was all about new experiments, the tried and true Hell’s Kitchen challenges are back. Which chef found that the line was too hot to handle?

After last week’s epic meltdown and departure by Jen, this week’s episode started with a little cooler heads. With new jackets in hand, the chefs started the week with something different in Hell’s Kitchen, a sled race. While the tag-team race was amusing, an advantage was at stake.

While not winning many challenges in the kitchen, the blue team won the sled challenge and earned the advantage in the reward challenge. The advantage was a 10 second head start in the pantry. While this time was minimal, the chefs would need every second to perfect the dish, a winter soup.

HELL”S KITCHEN: Chef / host Gordon Ramsay (C) with the contestants in the “Hell Freezes Over” episode of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Friday, Oct. 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2018 FOX Broadcasting. CR: Patrick Wymore / FOX.

With only 45 minutes, the chefs had to serve Gordon Ramsay and celebrity guest judges, Brian Boitano and Traci Desjardin impeccable winter soups. Truthfully, the idea of creating a robust, elevated soup in just 45 minutes seems incredibly hard. I was expecting more stumbles from both kitchens.

Even with the limited time frame, the majority of chefs did a surprisingly good job on the winter soup challenge. Also, the variety of soups from each kitchen was astonishing. From comforting chowders to bold broths, these soups sound quite appetizing.

While the variety was great, the red team trounced the blue team in this challenge. Through each round, the red team consistently scored two to three stars. In the end, the red team had won the challenge prior to its last chef being judged.

The blue team made some mistakes that were questionable. While Roe’s pho lacked acid, Bret’s roasted tomato soup was over salted. Bret made the mistake of using canned tomatoes in his soup. That choice lead to an over-salted soup.

While the soup could have very well been over-salted, using canned tomatoes in a soup doesn’t always have to be a poor choice. Some canned tomatoes are good, especially when tomatoes are out of season. The focus didn’t have to be on canned tomatoes, rather it should have been on a poorly seasoned dish.

Although two blue chefs earned poor marks, Bret took the loss personally. As seen in the preview clip, Bret continually berated himself and profusely apologized for the loss. It was too much. Sure, everyone appreciates a chef accepting the blame. But, this declaration was more about attention than a mea culpa.

The red team’s reward was a day and night at a Palm Springs hotel and spa. The blue team had to shovel all the snow out of Hell’s Kitchen and prep for the next night’s dinner service. I wonder if Bret wishes that he had kept that punishment pass. Not only is he eating his words about a loss, he has a far worse punishment than cleaning octopus.

Of course, this first challenge is only part of the Hell’s Kitchen Season 18 episode 4 recap. The dinner service is usually where the sparks fly. For this episode, the tempers were hotter than the dishes.

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Looking at the red team, there seems to be a power struggle between the Scotley and Mia. While Mia has impressed in the first couple of episodes, Scotley doesn’t seem to appreciate her talents nor her authority in the kitchen. The dynamic between the two chefs seems to cause friction in the kitchen.

The red team’s biggest error came from Chris. When Chef Ramsay put the pork in the oven, Chris forgot to take it out. How a chef didn’t see a burnt to a crisp piece of pork is beyond me. Additionally, wouldn’t the burning smell be abhorrent? How Chris, or any other chef on the line, didn’t catch this issue is shocking.

Even with this mistake, the red team was able to complete service. A few issues happened throughout the night, but nothing to have the kitchen shut down. Still, the communication on this team needs some big changes.

For the blue team, Kevin had a horrible service. A former runner-up on Hell’s Kitchen, he couldn’t cook a lamb correctly. The meat was over, under and even raw. Instead of taking help from a fellow chef, he chose to stand alone. This idea wasn’t a smart choice.

The meat station struggled and struggled. Since a kitchen line is only as strong as its weakest link, the blue team didn’t have a smooth rhythm. It is surprising that these veterans can’t seem to communicate better.

A couple interesting aspects from the blue team’s service. Chef Ramsay pulled them aside to talk about the poor cook from the meat station. Where’s the kitchen berating that everyone expects? Hearing Chef Ramsay shout, criticize and shut down a kitchen is what fans expect. The calm, back room discussion was a little unusual.

After service was completed, Chef Ramsay declares that neither team won. Also, both teams need to nominate two chefs for elimination. With four chefs up for elimination, could this episode be a double elimination? Of course, nothing is ever that predictable in Hell’s Kitchen.

The red team nominates Chris and Gizzy. I don’t agree with nominating Gizzy. Although she was in the kitchen when she should have been cooking tableside, it was a team error not her own. If she wasn’t in the kitchen to hear the ticket, why didn’t someone tell her? Again, the red team has communication issues.

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Nominated for the blue team were Kevin and Trevor. While Kevin had a bad service, he is one of the better blue team chefs. Also, he admitted his errors. Trevor didn’t cook anything during service. Also, he struggled poaching eggs during prep. Trevor seems more of a weaker link to the blue kitchen.

As the teams anxiously await Chef Ramsay’s decision, the first name called is Kevin. A collective gasp comes from both teams. But, a twist is coming. No one is going home. The teams are changing.

The Hell’s Kitchen experiment is over. The rookies versus veterans teams are done. Going forward it will be classic Hell’s Kitchen, girls versus boys.

Looking at the two new teams, it will be interesting to see how the chefs communicate going forward. Can the veteran chefs put their egos in check and work with the rookies? Or, will the rookies assert their leadership in the kitchen?

Personally, I would have liked to see the rookies versus veterans scenario play out a little longer. This concept showcases a more realistic component to a kitchen. I want to see the best chef, regardless of gender, prevail.

Lastly, given that no one was eliminated in this episode, could a double elimination happen next week? If that is the case, could it be a chef from both the red and blue teams? Maybe the switch will expose both the leaders and the weakest chefs, regardless of gender.

Scott Popovic, first chef eliminated from Hell's Kitchen Season 18, talks to FoodSided. light. Related Story

While Hell’s Kitchen Season 18 episode 4 recap comes to a close, next week’s episode looks to have a Halloween theme. What tricks are in store for these chefs?

Don’t forget to check back for the weekly episode preview of Hell’s Kitchen Season 18. Who do you think will be the next chef to go up in flames?

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