Tournament of Champions Season 4 episode 4 recap: More first round upsets

With four first round battles remaining, no one wants to go out without a fight. Although there has already been one big upset this season, anything is possible on Tournament of Champions Season 4 episode 4. Could the streak of women winners finally be broken on this Food Network competition?

For the last first round battles, some familiar and some new faces have come to the kitchen. Some people might feel that Tournament of Champions has become a Top Chef reunion battle. Culinary competitions do take a particular skill. Quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness are required qualities in this environment.

The first battle had Leah Cohen face off against Tobias Dorzon. While Leah has been judging The Great American Recipe, Chef Tobias earned a lot of praise in Tournament of Champions Season 3. He has quickly built his name recognition.

The required elements were ground lamb, jalapenos, panini press, and sour. Looking at the two dishes, they were very different. Chef Leah stayed in her comfort zone with a lamb larb. While she stayed with the traditional approach, the lamb may have needed a little more fat to round out the flavor.

Chef Tobias went with ground lamb meatballs with a curry sauce. Although the dish could have more sour, it had a lot of cohesion. Plus, the judges were impressed with its presentation. Based on a totally composed dish, Chef Tobias moved onto the second round.

For the second battle, Elizabeth Falkner took on Joe Sasto. The requirements were chicken thighs, rutabaga, metal skewers, and buttery. Overall, these ingredients could go in a variety of ways.

Chef Elizabeth took a Next Iron Chef approach where each of the ingredients were used in multiple ways. Her Turkish chicken thigh with hummus was beautifully plated. The only complaint was that the hummus might need a punch more flavor.

Chef Joe’s offering was a buttery chicken with a rutabaga faux pasta. Overall, the feedback was quite positive and a well-conceived idea that was out of his comfort zone.

By one point, Chef Joe beat Chef Elizabeth. It is unfortunate because Chef Elizabeth has never really had her moment to shine on Tournament of Champions. As probably the most versatile chef in the competition, it would have been nice to see her have a longer run.

In the third battle of Tournament of Champions Season 4 episode 4, Christian Petroni took on Karen Akunowicz. With an audience re-spin on protein, the chefs had to take on pancetta, arugula, ricer, boozy. Given that pancetta is often a flavor enhancer not a main ingredient, it might not be as easy as it seems.

Chef Karen sought to use the pancetta in a variety of ways. From a component in her stew to crispy pieces on top, each use helped to add a complexity of flavor. She used boozy in multiple ways, too. But, her use of the ricer as a strainer was not smart. She could have been a little more creative with that option.

For Chef Christian’s dish, the plating was a little chaotic. The arugula crown surrounding the freeform lasagna was not well received. The judges found the concept a little too rustic. In addition, the bechamel was not quite executed perfectly.

The judges chose Chef Karen’s dish as the winner. It sets up a rematch between Chef Karen and Chef Tobias. In some ways, round two is all about the rematches.

For the last battle of Tournament of Champions Season 4 episode 4, Chef Antonia LoFaso takes on Chef Shota Nakajima. This battle was ripe for an upset. Given that there has only been one big upset this season, ending the first round with another number one seed getting ousted could be good for the competition.

The chefs had to make a dish with Flaken short ribs, butternut squash, blow torch and herbaceous. The two dishes were quite different. Chef Shota offered a two and two approach to his dish. With short ribs and butternut squash used in two ways, he captured a variety of textures and flavors.

Chef Antonia presented a Flaken Moroccan spiced short rib. While this dish took the judges to “flavortown,” there was a balance was a little off with some components being a little heavy handed. It was a hot mess, but it was a good hot mess.

In a two point difference, another upset occurred on Tournament of Champions Season 4 episode 4. Chef Shota beat Chef Antonia. Another number one seed was eliminated. The time might be coming for a male winner on this season.

What will happen in round two? Tune into the next episode of Tournament of Champions Season 4 on Sunday at 8 p.m. on Food Network.