Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 episode 3 recap: Confetti, lies, and raw meat

While this season is all about the American Dream, the Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 episode 3 recap did not have a happy ending for one chef. Although the hopes were high at the start of the episode, the laughter in the kitchen faded to a distant memory.

In the beginning of any Hell’s Kitchen season, the chefs are looking to find their footing. From the speed of dinner service to the taxing nature of the punishments, this FOX culinary competition is unlike any cooking experience. It is as taxing on the mind as it is a test of cooking execution.

The pressure to perform time and again is not for the meek. With Gordon Ramsay and his team watching every move, there is no hiding. And, no one better lie to the chefs in charge. Trust is essential in any kitchen.

As the episode opens, the celebration for new American citizens sets the tone. While Claudia felt a special connection to this event, there was no time raise a glass and enjoy the moment. An All-American brunch was on the menu. The first team to ring the bell would earn the coveted prize.

Overall, the brunch well went. Although these chefs might not be as quick on the grill as that local diner, the reality is that they can be efficient. Even with a few bumps in the road, both teams finished almost simultaneously. It was a mad dash to see who would bring the last component to the pass.

In the end, the Blue Team earned victory. Unfortunately, the Red Team was tasked with picking up every piece of confetti by hand. A cumbersome task that really was a test of detail. Any missing piece would result in a bag being dumped back out.

As Chef Christina walked around Hell’s Kitchen, an errant confetti piece was spotted. But, Melissa picked it up and said it was a piece of tape. When asked again by Chef Christina, it was a lie. Putting aside the extra confetti dumped back on the floor, the lie is a bigger issue.

Lying to a superior does not gain trust in Hell’s Kitchen. It is as bad as trying to sell a poorly cooked steak. Own up to the mistake. How this situation will impact Melissa’s chances remains to be seen.

For dinner service, the chefs struggled, again. It seems baffling that the classic proteins, like steak and chicken, can be presented to the pass with cooking errors. Communication can break down, but raw chicken is not acceptable. Even though some chefs tried to help their teammates, the weak links have to step up or get cut.

Mattias struggled in both challenges. There were too many improperly cooked proteins sent to the pass. Raw, burnt, and just wrong are not acceptable in Hell’s Kitchen.

On the Red Team, the fast start quickly went sideways. More raw proteins and blue steaks caught the disdain of Gordon Ramsay. No one is saying cooking in Hell’s Kitchen is easy. It is the pressure of the moment, the gravity of the situation, and a new environment. But, these experienced chefs need to perform.

Unfortunately, Claudia seemed to be struggling not just with the cooking but to understand the complexities of the kitchen. While her moment before the brunch challenge explained her connection to the American Dream, her personality did not blend with the Red Team. Language barriers and nervous laughter did not endear her to the team or Gordon Ramsay.

Claudia was eliminated in Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 episode 3. Her story would have made for a great American Dream triumph, but her skills were not worthy of that coveted crown.

What will happen in Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 episode 4? All chefs have a little bit of ego, but that bravado needs to be earned. In this scenario, the big dog is Gordon Ramsay and everyone better respect that pecking order.

Be sure to watch new episodes of Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 Thursday nights at 8 p.m. on FOX. In addition, episodes can be streamed on HULU.