With half of the first round battles completed, Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 3 continued a pattern that emerged in the first two episodes. Chefs who know how to play the game rose to the occasion.
Certain concepts are universally known in food competitions. Risotto is never a good idea in a limited timeframe. Pineapple is often the kiss of death. Dual dishes on a plate are never a good idea.
Plating two dishes on a single plate leads the judges to compare those two items instead of pitting the two chefs against each other. It is almost impossible to make two equally stellar dishes on one plate. More often than not, this chef mistake leads to an elimination.
For the first battle of the episode, Chef Joe Sasto took on Chef Fabio Viviani. Everyone expected that this round would be the battle of Italian dishes. The Randomizer did not play into that type of cuisine.
The Randomizer offered shrimp, okra, crinkle cutter, glazed and hard-boiled eggs. This combination of ingredients was bizarre. Hard-boiled eggs might be nice in a salad, but not with these ingredients.
Chef Joe made chili glazed shrimp with egg yolk cream polenta. He used okra three ways and the crinkle cutter was used on almost every element. It was well-balanced and thoughtful.
Chef Fabio offered a two dishes, a dual plate. It was baked shrimp and grits and a shrimp crudo. Unfortunately, the judges compared the two dishes and determined that the crudo needed more acid. But, certain elements, like the mayonnaise was a smart choice for the hard-boiled eggs.
The duality curse continued and Chef Fabio lost in his first Tournament of Champions. Chef Joe pulled out a big win in the battle of the Italian chefs.
In the second battle of the night, Chef Lee Ann Wong took on Chef Chris Scott. The Randomizer offered lamb loin chops, Romanesco, Halogen oven, colorful and orange marmalade. These ingredients made sense together.
Chef Lee Ann played into the colorful element. The playful salad topping the dish offered both the colorful element as well as textural element. While the judges felt that the lamb loin was well cooked and the orange marmalade worked well. With the Romanesco puree bringing the whole dish together, it was successful.
Chef Chris decided to submit the tale of two tostadas. While he thought it was a smart way to play into the Randomizer, it was a mistake. The duality curse strikes again.
While the judges like his grilled lamb tostada, the tartare needed both salt and acid. He would have been better leaving the tartare off the plate.
Earning the win in the second battle of Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 3 was Chef Lee Ann Wong. Even though her last second plating was dicey, she pulled out the win.
In the third battle of Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 3, Chef Jonathon Sawyer took on Chef Karen Akunowicz. Their Randomizer ingredients were beef chuck, beers, box grater, spiced, and butter crackers. To clarify, spiced is not spicy.
Chef Jonathon created a spiced beef ragu. Although the chuck was a little chewy, the judges appreciated the gnocchi with the beet. The biggest complaint was that the dish needed to be spiced a little less.
Chef Karen made a kefta with beet chips. The judges all agreed that it was conceptually a good dish. Unfortunately, the dish was over-seasoned. The saltiness took away from all the other good elements.
Even though both dishes had errors, the saltiness of Chef Karen’s dish could not be overlooked. Chef Jonathon earned the win, 82 to 79.
The final battle of Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 3 was Jet Tila versus Pyet DeSpain. Chef Jet Tila longs to win the title. After getting to the finale multiple times, could Tournament of Champions Season 6 finally be his year?
The Randomizer offered venison rack, oyster mushrooms, juicer, loaded, and crystalized ginger. These ingredients played into Chef Jet’s wheelhouse. It almost seemed destined that he would move into the next round.
Chef Jet offered a loaded venison rack with oyster mushrooms. The judges described the dish as smart, well-played and craveable. It was a prime example why Chef Jet has made the final four chefs multiple times.
Pyet made a wajapi venison chop. The judges felt that it was well cooked and the deep fried oysters were night. But, the dish needed more ginger.
Scoring the highest score of the night. Chef Jet beat Chef Pyet in a score of 91 to 84. This battle was the perfect end of the episode.
Only a few more opening round battles are left. Be sure to tune into Tournament of Champions Season 6 next Sunday night on Food Network at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes are available to stream on MAX on Monday.