Suvechha Sarkar
Season 24 of Fox’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ returns with the world-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay as the host and judge. Episode 4, titled ‘There’s Something Fishy Going On,’ picks up right where the previous episode ends — with the elimination of Paul and Elaina. The Red Team is unhappy, considering Alexandra’s behavior towards Elaina during her departure, stirring up some controversy. Tonight, not only do they face communication problems, but they also encounter the enormous challenge of preparing fish. Each service becomes harder, every mistake more costly, and in Gordon’s kitchen, even the slightest slip can mean the end of the journey.
The Episode Begins With a Fierce Showdown Between the Two Teams at the Dock
As the Red Team makes its way to its dorm at the beginning of the episode, Anaiya expresses her anger because Alexandra flipped off Elaina when she was leaving. However, Alexandra tries to defend herself, stating that the eliminated competitor disrespected her. However, Lisa notes that it is unprofessional to do so before Gordon. In her confessional, Alexandra states that she isn’t willing to get “tone-policed” by 24-year-olds, who are unable to regulate their emotions. As the next day rolls in, both teams are asked to get into their outfits and prepare to see what the judge has in store for them. They arrive at the docks in Stonington, Connecticut, where Gordon welcomes and introduces them to a local fisherman, who had gone fishing in the morning.
Since fish is a fantastic source of protein, Gordon is testing everyone’s creativity and precision with it today. As a vast amount of fish is revealed, the judge informs everyone that they must sort through the fish and identify the ones they will be cooking. The first team to grab all seven fishes will earn a 5-minute advantage in the day’s challenge. In the first part of this challenge, the chefs will go head-to-head in seven rounds to search for the fish they will be cooking later. It finally begins with Alexandra and Henry, during which Cydni remarks that although the former isn’t on good terms with anyone, the Red Team still needs her to win. Although the girls take an early lead, the Blue Team soon catches up with them. Ellie is the last one to go from the Red Team and hits a snag when she falls on the ground before putting her fish on the counter.
Fortunately, Ellie manages to get up in time, securing the win for the Red Team. They get a head start and begin their cooking with 40 minutes to spare. Amid the hurry, Cara Marie admits that she hasn’t been performing well during the challenges. So, she wants to prove to Gordon that she can do this. As 5 minutes pass, the Blue Team also rushes to begin preparing their dishes. Bradley expresses his confidence as a Southern boy who is preparing a Cajun-marinated sea bass for Gordon. With 20 minutes already gone, Anaiya reveals that she is nervous since she is up against Antonio. Meanwhile, Anthony opens up that although people have misconceptions about people from Iowa not knowing how to prepare fish, he will make the best dish of the day.
In a Nail-Biting Fish Challenge, the Blue Team Gets a Well-Earned Triumph
Cat and Ellie are both preparing sea bass, and the former is confident that her preparation will be better than her opponent’s. In the last minute, Bradley faces a predicament as the skin of his fish comes off while taking it off the grill. He confesses that it is not good since the key to cooking a sea bass is to get a good sear on its skin to make it crispy. As the countdown reaches the last few seconds, the contestants rush to complete plating their dishes. With the cooking out of the way, the Red Team now has to decide whether they want to put up Cat’s or Ellie’s sea bass, as they have an extra member. After an intense discussion, they pick Cat’s dish, prompting her to say that she needs to get a point to prove herself. Gordon then welcomes Chef Jeremy Sewall from Row 34, who feels more than ready to taste the preparations.
First up are Bradley and Cat, who have prepared the sea bass. Jeremy notes that Bradley has failed to keep the skin on, which helps keep the fish moist. On the other hand, he remarks that although the skin of Cat’s fish isn’t cooked all the way through, the skin itself shows great technique, helping her secure a point for the team. Right after them are Jada and Chris with their monkfish preparation. Jeremy praises both the dishes and provides points for both of them. On tasting Cydni and Jon’s bluefish dishes, the Chef finds the former’s dish to be a little overpowering. However, he compliments how the delicate flavors make the fish pop more, earning the Blue Team a point. It is now the turn for Jayden and Lisa with their John Dory dishes. Although Jeremy points out that Lisa’s fish can have a little more seasoning, he admits it’s flavorful.
On the other hand, Jeremy finds Jayden’s John Dory to be a little overcooked, which helps the Red Team get the point. Next up is the sea bream prepared by Alexandra and Henry. Since Jeremy is impressed by both of the dishes, the point goes to both of them. Following them are Antonio and Anaiya with their flounder preparations. While the Chef finds the latter’s fish lacking in seasoning and acidity, he praises the flavors of her opponent’s creations. Ultimately, the point goes to the Blue Team. In the end, it’s the turn of Cara Marie and Anthony with their mackerels. Jeremy finds that the components in Cara Marie’s dish are a little muddled, but it is cooked perfectly. In the end, Anthony impresses the judge, earning him the point. Hence, Gordon announces that the Blue Team is the winner of the challenge.
While the Blue Team Enjoys the Rewards, the Red Team Toils in Punishment
Gordon informs everyone that the Blue Team will take an overnight trip to the seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island, followed by a journey to Greenvale Vineyards, concluding with a night at a private mansion. There, he will be preparing an exquisite dinner for them. On the other hand, the Red Team shall stay behind and swab the deck. When Gordon asks Anaiya if she wants to use her punishment pass to enjoy the overnight trip, she declares that she will be utilizing it. After much consideration, she announces that she wants to swap places with Antonio, as he beat her in the fish challenge. The focus shifts to the Blue Team and Anaiya, enjoying their time at the vineyard, where Jon refuses to drink without his wife. In his confessional shot, he expresses that she has sacrificed so much for him over the past 15 years.
Therefore, Jon hopes to make her proud every day and can’t wait to hug her again. In the meantime, the Red Team struggles in the heat and the foul smell of the fish while cleaning the deck. As everyone’s attention on the Blue Team goes to what Antonio is up to, Cara Marie expresses her disapproval back on the boat, stating that Antonio doesn’t deserve to be here. With the Blue Team and Anaiya returning from their overnight stay, they now get in the zone for tonight’s dinner service. Anthony and Cara Marie, from their respective teams, will be responsible for preparing a tableside appetizer, a seafood cioppino, for the guests. While the Red Kitchen is set to serve former NFL quarterback Tiki Barber, the Blue Team will prepare dishes for NFL offensive tackle Jordan Mailata.
Once the service begins, Henry states that he is not worried about having Jayden beside him since both of them are great chefs. Shortly after, the focus shifts to Cara Marie, as her team members inform Gordon that some of the dishes cannot be served since the competitor is still preparing the tableside dish. The judge quickly calls Cara Marie and instructs her to pick up the pace. Soon, the appetizers begin flowing smoothly out of both kitchens, and Anthony hurries back to the Blue Kitchen to help his team. Although Bradley is excited to be at the meat station, he soon faces a challenge when he realizes that the Wellingtons to be served are not yet in the oven. When Gordon asks him if they are prepared, Bradley tries to explain that he thought it was already in the oven. He further states that he thought Anthony was handling it.
Overcooked Salmon and Undercooked Carrots Slightly Derail Both Teams Mid-Service
Things heat up in the kitchen as Anthony tells Bradley that he will remember how Bradley just behaved. However, the latter is unsure what the contestant means, but he eventually diverts his focus to the Wellington. Meanwhile, they receive an order for salmon and lamb, as the Wellingtons are taking a long time to prepare. Gordon quickly instructs Bradley to speed up. As the Blue Team catches up, the Red Team is busy preparing the entrées. Jada is in the meat station with Alexandra, and the former has taken up the leadership role. Jada feels that Alexandra doesn’t want to communicate, and so, she is providing the latter with easy tasks. Gordon arrives at their kitchen and urges everyone to communicate and engage with one another. However, Alexandra feels that tonight she is silent because she is listening more to the girls to understand how they work.
Chris is cooking the fish tonight and wants it to be perfect, but unfortunately, when he sends out the salmon, Gordon gets agitated because it is overcooked. While he gets back to preparing it again, Cat can be seen preparing the garnish for the dishes. When the judge checks it, he quickly calls her out because the vegetables are undercooked and not seasoned. This upsets Jada because this is holding up the meats, and she doesn’t want them to get overcooked. Even after two more trials, Gordon sends back the carrot garnish twice. Almost two hours into dinner service, Cat is struggling to get her carrots cooked, but ultimately, the Red Team manages to serve the last entrée of the night. Both teams complete their service, but Gordon declares that he isn’t feeling up to announcing the winning team. Hence, he will reveal the losing team instead.
Cat’s Garnish Station Mistakes Ultimately Lead to Her Elimination
Gordon announces that the losing team tonight is the Red Team because they made fundamental mistakes. He then asks them to return to the dorm and nominate three chefs for elimination. As they head back to the dorm, most of the girls vote for Cat, Alexandra, and Cara Marie. However, Alexandra remarks that she is being targeted. On the contrary, Cara Marie admits that she hasn’t won a single challenge yet, so she is taking responsibility for that. During Alexandra’s turn, she nominates Cat, Cara Marie, and Anaiya. She walks away from the table before the situation gets heated and remarks that it isn’t just about her performance but rather the girls playing “high school politics” with her.
Back in the room, Alexandra tries to explain to Cat and Cara Marie that she is entitled to her opinions. However, when she doesn’t allow Cara Marie to finish her sentences, the latter walks out of the room, displeased. Both teams finally take their position before Gordon, who asks Ellie to announce the nominees. She reveals that the nominated people are Cat due to her rocky service tonight at the garnish station, Alexandra, because she isn’t a team player, and Cara Marie because she caused a delay with her tableside appetizers. When the judge asks Cara Marie why she deserves to stay, she states that she is a fully dedicated employee and chef who strives to improve every single day. Upon questioning, Alexandra tells Gordon that tonight she let Jada lead and tried to listen to her as a team player, but she feels she has a target on her back.
Alexandra believes she deserves to stay because she has earned her place. Lastly, Cat pleads that she is passionate about her work and food and will take whatever it takes to impress Gordon. Although it is a hard decision, the judge sends Alexandra and Cara Marie back in line, which means Cat is eliminated. He tells her that her performance at the garnish station shows she isn’t yet ready to be his Head Chef. In her exit interview, she confesses that tonight’s service was hard for her and opens up that if she received more time, she could’ve learned from her mistakes. She is disappointed about not making it to the Top 10. Back inside, Gordon asks Bradley to stay behind and instructs the others to return to the dorm. With the shroud of mystery on Bradley’s head, the audience has to wait for yet another episode to find out what unfolds.
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