With a spot in the final eight on the line, Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 6 had unexpected outcomes. In these challenges, the Randomizer reared its power. Which chef had the solution to the perplexing ingredients?
This Tournament of Champions season has had some highs and lows. The “whammies” from the Randomizer have been few and far between. It seems that the chefs are finding the flavorful solution to that food puzzle. But, the Randomizer is never predictable and it was ready to strike back.
In the first battle, Adam Sobel faced Kevin Lee. Last season, Chef Kevin made a huge splash in his debut. The same scenario was true with Chef Adam. While both had success, the Randomizer was ready to take one person down.
The Randomizer offered pork porterhouse chops, delicata squash, Guy’s birthday and tortilla press. The Wildcard was lower seed re-spin. Chef Adam re-spun but still got tortilla press.
Also, the Guy’s birthday theme needed clarification. Each chef picked an adjective that would describe what he thought should be served at Guy’s party. The chefs had to combine messy with sweet and spicy.
Chef Kevin leaned into the messy with the ultimate dish, nachos. Creating a Korean inspired chorizo, the pork nacho epitomized the idea of a hot mess. While it was a fun food to eat, it was rooted in smart techniques and packed with flavor.
Chef Adam took a more traditional approach. Although there was splatter on the plate, the pork with squash three ways was a little disjointed.
With a huge margin of victory, Chef Kevin beat Chef Adam by seven points. Chef Kevin knows how to play the Randomizer for the win.
In the second battle of Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 6, Chef Carlos Anthony took on Chef Nini Nguyen. With another chef re-spin, the style category changed from champagne brunch to updated classic. That theme was much harder than the original option. The chefs had to combine beef tenderloin, shishito peppers, immersion blender, and updated classic.
Chef Nini played with a classic dish, steak au poivre. The cook on the beef was perfect. While there were few drastically different elements, the dish did feel fresh and new. It was a smart choice.
Chef Carlos swung for the fences with his take on a steak tartare. The judges appreciated the well cut food and the dish’s playfulness. The use of the aji amarillo sauce as a “yolk” created that updated vibe. But, the choice to sear the tartare like a tataki style was slightly confusing.
With just one point separating the chefs, Chef Nini earned the win. Could she be the Cinderella store of season 6?
For the third battle of Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 6, Sara Bradley faced David Viana. As they faced the cornucopia of confusion, known as the Randomizer, the chefs had a stroke of good luck. The required elements were rack of lamb, dandelion greens, meat grinder, and date night dinner. They chose not to re-spin.
Chef Sara created a rack of lamb with a whipped meyer lemon and pistachio crust. Served with dandelion greens, the presentation screamed date night. One judge called it the “take me to the altar” dish.
Chef David took a different approach to the date night lamb dish. This concept focused on dual sauces that balanced the bitterness of the dandelion greens. But, the cook on the lamb was a little over.
Earning the win was Chef Sara. She will face Chef Nini in the next round.
In the final battle of Tournament of Champions Season 6 episode 6, Antonia Lofaso battled Rocco Dispirito. For the first time in this round, the audience influenced the dish. The audience voted for a total re-spin. It produced sturgeon, Tuscan kale, mortar and pestle, and gastropub. These ingredients seemed to be chosen just for Chef Antonia.
For her dish, Chef Antonia created a gastropub version of fish and chips with tartar sauce. The judges raved over this dish. The fish was perfectly cooked, the mushy peas with kale was smart, and it was clearly the best gastropub fish and chips.
Chef Rocco offered a bacon wrapped sturgeon with braised kale. The judges described the dish as high end and well-played.
Unfortunately, Chef Antonia’s fish and chips were just too good to beat. She won the battle handily.
Could it finally be Chef Antonia Lofaso’s year? Watch new episodes of Tournament of Champions Season 6 every Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Episodes can be streamed the next day on MAX.