Next Level Chef recap: Good fortune comes in the form of an immunity pin

When Next Level Chef Season 2 premiered, a new twist to the competition came in the form of the immunity pin. Although the broad implications of the reward were assumed, fans of the FOX culinary competition were anticipating when the first immunity pin would be invoked. In this Next Level Chef recap, one chef was fortunate to have luck on his side.

In Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 4, the cooks tackled Chinese food. While this cuisine might be the most popular, abundant food in the U.S., there is a difference between great Chinese food and those takeout boxes that satisfy a late night craving. Not to knock takeout, but there are levels of food and flavor, just like a quick service hamburger is different from a gourmet burger.

Although it is only the fourth episode, the cooks are not necessarily getting into a groove. Although there have been some stellar dishes, it has been hard to designate some clear front runners. Given that there are still many cooks in the competition, it might be a while.

Still, Gordon Ramsay’s team holds the distinction of still being intact. Although his team was not cooking in the top level in this episode, he was proud that his group had not lost a cook.

Richard Blais is back in the Blais basement. Even though that team has suffered from eliminations, it has also had top dishes. Sometimes that mantra of go big or go home can be work out in the end.

Looking at the challenge, it is surprising that the cooks are still making mistakes with the platform. Forgetting proteins should have been an episode one mistake. Don’t most chefs start with the protein and then compose a dish?

It seems that some of the chefs are lacking focus. Cooking in this environment is far different from cooking on social media where there is take three, four, five takes. It is see, react, and create on this FOX food competition.

In this Next Level Chef recap, the line between the good and the mediocre is starting to become more clear. Although any cook can have a bad day, some cooks are not getting the memo. It might not be an idiot sandwich from the previous challenge, but there needs to be some urgency in their efforts. The house might not be on fire, but there better be some quicker reactions.

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After struggling in previous challenges, Pilar rose to the top with her Mongolian Beef. She was able to bring an elevated approach to the well-known dish. It earned Team Arrington another week in the top kitchen.

Unfortunately, Mark, from Team Ramsay, and Matt, from Team Blais, are put up for elimination. Mark had undercooked sea bass and Matt’s lack of presentation coupled with off putting flavors earned his criticism.

In a first for Next Level Chef Season 2, Matt chose to redeem his immunity pin. Unlike those unfortunate contestants in Survivor who go home with an immunity idol in their pocket, Matt was going to give himself another chance.

By redeeming his immunity pin, Richard Blais had to choose another team member to battle for elimination, which is Chris. This method seems fair, instead of instantly eliminating Mark. It will be interesting to see if Team Blais gets another immunity pin in the future. Maybe when the teams go away, there will be another round of immunity pins.

In the elimination battle, Mark and Chris has to create globally inspired dumplings. For an elimination battle, this concept is far from easy. Luckily, these two cooks seemed to handle the pressure well. The flavors were well composed and overall the dishes were well received.

Unfortunately, Mark’s dumpling had a slight technical error which caused him to be eliminated. He is the first chef from Team Ramsay to go. Luckily for Team Blais, they will get a reprieve from being in the Blais Basement next week.

Did the immunity pin change the course of the competition in this Next Level Chef recap? In this instance, it might not have had a huge impact. Over time, there might not be an alternative on a team or it could put a favorite up for elimination. Only time will tell how the two remaining immunity pins influence the outcome.

Be sure to watch Next Level Chef Season 2 on FOX Thursday nights at 8 p.m. or stream episodes on Hulu.