MasterChef Season 10 episode 18 preview: Mind Blowing Food

In this MasterChef episode, the contestants are introduced to the innovative, creative and masterful food of Alinea’s Grant Achatz. Who will blow the judges away?

It has been said over and over, MasterChef Season 10 was going to be bigger than any other season. This week’s special guest, Grant Achatz is a culinary legend. Do these top nine cooks understand the significance of this experience?

According to FOX, this week’s episode, “Mind Blowing Food” features the following:

"The MasterChef set gets a futuristic spin as the Top Nine enter the kitchen, surprised to see laser lights and smoke machines. There, the judges blow the contestants’ minds by introducing acclaimed chef and future of food connoisseur Grant Achatz. With Gordon’s help, Grant shows the contestants the art of unconventional plating. The home cooks must use their newfound skills to cook and plate a dish of their choice using an array of props found in the magnificent MasterChef pantry. One will win immunity and a special prize, while the others will face elimination in the all-new “Mind Blowing Food” episode of MasterChef."

A couple of items are interesting about this episode. Yes, at Alinea you can have edible balloons, or at least they did. Several years ago, I had one and it was a fun experience. It is a taffy balloon filled with helium.

Second, the “Picasso” dessert has been an Alinea signature. It expresses how food is art. By asking people to see beyond the plate and focus on the experience, that dessert is a lasting memory to the meal.

While this episode is meant to be about plating, Chef Achatz is more than just innovative presentation. Every trick, gadget and plate has a purpose and meaning. It isn’t extreme for extreme sake. The presentation only comes after the food is on point.

For a cook to win this challenge, it isn’t just about pretty tweezer food. It is a beautifully crafted plate, both taste and image. A pretty plate without substance cannot win.

As for the special prize, maybe someone gets dinner at Alinea. If that is the prize, that home cook is one very, very lucky person. If there’s an extra seat at the table, I would love to join you.

Ready to watch this visually creative and impressive episode of MasterChef? Here’s how.

Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Start Time: 8 p.m. ET

Episode: “Mind Blowing Food”

TV Channel: FOX

Live Stream: Watch live on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial. You can also watch on FOX’s website or app.

MasterChef Season 10 will air on Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/PT.