Next Level Chef episode 6 recap: Brunch order not up?
Much has been said about the various kitchens on Next Level Chef but the brunch episode had a first for these cooks. One rule that any restaurant chef appreciates that an order needs to be in the window in a timely fashion. What happens when a cook’s brunch missed that platform?
While the previous Next Level Burger episode might have introduced everyone to a new sauce and a few burger tips from the judges, this Next Level Chef episode tackled a favorite meal that seems to make everyone happy, brunch. In some ways, brunch is a vibe, not just a meal. When done well, it is the meal that makes Sunday even sweeter.
For this challenge, the cooks had to create a brunch meal that had both a sweet and savory component. Asking for the duality could have tripped up a few cooks. Finding that right balance with savory and sweet takes a deft hand.
Looking at the various ingredients for this dish, it is curious that some ingredients fell to the lower kitchen. How does the filet get missed? At this point in the competition, the cooks should know the drill. Although new twists and turns will be coming in subsequent episodes, the nerves should be gone at this point in the culinary competition.
Just like the judges need to employ some strategy when picking cooks for the elimination challenge, the cooks need to think wisely about their dishes. The judges were clear about their expectations. These dishes weren’t meant to sophisticated, fine dining plates They have to be hearty, full of flavor. Not necessarily a late night eat, but there is something welcoming on the plate.
Overall, the majority of the dishes were good. There was even a new dish presented, the crepe-ritto. That cross between a crepe and a breakfast burrito needed a little more air time. It could be the next great brunch dish or food trend.
Similar to last episode, Pyet impressed with her dish. The fry bread with strawberry salsa was smart. It seems that she is a rising star in the kitchen.
Other cooks had comebacks, too. Jonathan’s biscuits and marmalade won over the judges. After the disaster with his burger, it was good to see him rising back to the top.
Still, the winning dish was neither of these offerings. From Gordon Ramsay’s team, Reuel secured the win with his lobster biscuits. It is clear that he is the strength of Gordon’s team.
https://twitter.com/NextLevelFOX/status/1487995392474193921
Next Level Chef episode 6 had a huge mistake that no one saw coming.
Over the first couple of episodes, there has been a mad dash to the platform, but everyone had succeed on presenting their dishes. Unfortunately, that streak ended. From Richard Blais’ team, Mariah didn’t get her plate on the platform.
Throughout the challenge it was clear that Mariah was in the weeds. Blais kept telling her to watch her time. But, the multitude of ingredients and her lack of urgency left her standing on the sidelines.
Even worst, her dish was the best one for Team Blais. Although the judges’ tasted it, it wouldn’t save her from the elimination round. While it wasn’t her first mistake in the kitchen, the hope is that it would be her last.
Facing Mariah in the elimination round was Amber. It is the second time that Amber entered the head to head battle. While aspects of her brunch dish were ok, it wasn’t balanced. Too much sweetness on the plate was not appetizing. Nyesha Arrington warned her during the cook, but the advice wasn’t heeded.
https://twitter.com/NextLevelFOX/status/1487991408216662019
For the elimination battle, the cooks had to create a coffee inspired dish. Given that a coffee rubbed protein has become a more common dish, this challenge shouldn’t have been too difficult for the cooks. The key was to create a well-composed plate.
Given that coffee adds some bitterness, it is important to highlight the coffee flavor but not let the dish become one note. Both dishes seemed to under-play the coffee by covering it up with other flavors. From Mariah’s salsa to Amber’s overly spicy sauce, both judges commented that their palates were scorched.
In the end, Amber’s “voracious” heat was too much for the judges and she was eliminated. Now, Team Blais has the most cooks, but that could change in the next episode. More twists and turns away in the Next Level Chef kitchen. Could it be time for a favorite to fall?
A new episode of Next Level Chef airs on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.