Hell’s Kitchen Season 19 episode 10 recap: Black jackets are only for big chefs

With just eight chefs left in Hell’s Kitchen Season 19 episode 10, the black jackets are just within everyone’s grasp. But, if you don’t have your big boy pants on, that opportunity will go up in flames. Which chef’s dream was doused by another poor decision?

After Adam’s departure in the previous episode, the reality is that the Blue Team is spiraling. Just like the one bad apple spoils the bunch analogy, the reality is that the Marc and his brash personality is adding a sour note to the Blue Team’s morale. While Marc is a good chef, he keeps irritating his teammates. Granted, each chef should fight for his position, but that advocacy shouldn’t come at the detriment of everyone else.

To start this episode, there was a little slight of hand. Another Caesars entertainment collaboration brought celebrated magician Seth Grabel to Hell’s Kitchen. While many chefs would love to have a perfectly cooked burger magically appear under a cloche, that illusion never happens in a kitchen.

For the first challenge, the chefs had to create the perfect burger. After a game of 52 pick for ingredients, the creative combination of ingredients seemed to show that these were not the typical back yard burger from the home cook’s grill.

What makes the best Hell’s Kitchen burger?

The biggest takeaway from the burger challenge was that the burgers were fairly even in both delicious flavors and execution. There were no huge mistakes. Granted, Marc’s whole grilled jalapeno was too spicy for words, but it was the only mis-step.

In the end, it came down to the battle of the lamb burgers. Jordan’s lamb burger beat Cody’s lamb burger to earn the Red Team the win. As the Blue Team was sent to peel and prep enough potatoes to serve an Irish football team, the tension with those four chefs was coming to a boiling point. Dinner service was set to be dicey.

At the start of Hell’s Kitchen dinner service, each team was able to assign their own stations. Given the recent garnish station jinx, it was interesting that Cody choose that option. Maybe it was finally time to break the jinx.

While the Red Team seemed to easily flow into their strengths, the bickering with the Blue Team continued. Although all the chefs want to prove their worth to Gordon Ramsay, the reality is that smart choices get chefs to the next round. Being a good leader isn’t always about the easy choice.

From the first moment of Hell’s Kitchen dinner service, the Blue Team was falling apart. At this point in the competition, Marc should not be serving under-cooked or under-seasoned risotto. Even more importantly, a chef at this level should not be serving scramble carbonara.

Harkening back to episode of the potato-gate, there was almost burner gate on the Blue Team. Somehow Marc’s burners were turned off. How something like this scenario happens is baffling. It appears that the deck was stacked again Marc and it could be his time to go.

At the same time, Declan and Amber struggled on both the fish and meat stations. Instead of playing to their strengths, they took stations to prove themselves. If a chef craves the black jacket, this Hell’s Kitchen strategy is a poor choice.

After multiple mistakes, the Blue Team was shut down and removed from Hell’s Kitchen dinner service. Luckily, former winner Scott Cummings was served his dinner by Blue Team sous chef Jay Santos.

The Red Team soared to another successful dinner service. Even Niki was individually praised by Gordon Ramsay for her growth over the season. Even if she doesn’t earn the title, Niki will be a force in the culinary industry. Between her palate and her creativity, she will go far.

As the Blue Team debates their nominees, it is clear that Marc is in the minority. Although many chefs can have egos, that personality needs to foster a desire for the brigade to achieve. When everyone is against that big voice, the mutiny is coming.

When Chef Ramsay asked Cody for the Blue Team’s nominees, the response is strategic. In addition to Marc, Cody nominates himself. If Cody had picked either Declan or Amber, the outcome could have been different. But faced with Cody or Marc, it was clear that Marc was going home.

Between his abrasive relationship with his teammates and his cooking errors, Marc could not deliver on his big promises. He needs more growth to earn that coveted black jacket.

With seven chefs remaining and only two men, Hell’s Kitchen is set with the potential of a familiar outcome. Will another woman chef earn the Hell’s Kitchen Season 19 crown? Only time will tell.

Do you think that Marc should have been eliminated sooner? Was Cody’s decision the best move from Season 19?