Suvechha Sarkar
The heat in season 15 of Fox’s ‘MasterChef: Dynamic Duos’ kitchen just got turned up a notch. In episode 5, titled ‘Mister-y & Mrs. Box,’ the contestants are going to compete under the watchful eyes of the judges, Gordon Ramsay, Tiffany Derry, and Joe Bastianich for the $250,000 grand prize. The episode brings a signature test that’s both dreaded and revered by contestants – the first Mystery Box Challenge of the season. With no room for mistakes and higher stakes, the competitors must now evaluate how creatively and skillfully they can navigate the unknown ingredients in front of them.
The Competition Starts With the Chefs Facing Their First Mystery Box Challenge
As the judges welcome the contestants, they bring their attention to the two mystery boxes kept before them on the station. Joe then explains that for the night, it’s their job to use the ingredients under their individual boxes and combine them into one cohesive dish. As the chefs lift their boxes, Gordon informs them that while one box consists of sweet ingredients like maple syrup, fresh cherries, and chocolate, the other includes spicy components like horseradish, mustard greens, and Carolina Reaper peppers. Tiffany elaborates that their job is to use at least two ingredients from each box and blend them naturally in their dish. Regarding the missing protein, Gordon and Joe roll out a table with 11 proteins set on them. However, this makes Darce and Courtney nervous since they are a vegan team.
Gordon then reminds Michelle and Zach about the advantage they gained by winning the previous challenge. They can choose a protein for each duo tonight. Michelle notes that this is going to give them an advantage over everyone, and hopefully, they are going to use it wisely. For Courtney and Darce, they pick chicken because they don’t often cook with proteins, and the other competitors are familiar with it. For Azu and Javier, Zack selects the venison because they want to keep their opponents away from seafood. However, this makes Javier tense as he remarks that the protein has to be cooked medium rare. Michelle and Zach give Tonna and Cait the scallops. Michelle reveals that her and Zach’s strategy is to provide their opponents with the proteins they are unfamiliar with or overthink and complicate them.
While Timothy and Athena are given Pork Tenderloin, Joel and Adam receive the cod. Since Ricky and Ashley had already cooked a steak the previous week, Zach provides them with the filet mignon. Julio and Adam get the octopus right after, since the last winners perceive them as tough competition. Although Zach and Michelle select prawns for Jesse and Jessica, presuming it may be a tough option, they are soon proven wrong. It turns out that they are actually from Boston and cook prawns nearly every other day. When Zach and Michelle pick the short ribs for Aivan and Tina because it’s harder to cook in a shorter time, Gordon promptly asks them to use a pressure cooker. However, Tina reveals that she has never cooked in a pressure cooker. Zach and Michelle select the snapper for Ryan Kate, and Kayla, leaving a duck breast for themselves.
As the Clock Starts Ticking, the Duos Race to Craft Sweet and Spicy Dishes
Michelle and Zach disclose that they chose duck breast because it is something they have been cooking lately. The contestants now have one hour to prepare their dishes. While the duo that prepares the best dish is going to receive an advantage in the next challenge, the ones with the worst dish are going to be eliminated. As the time begins ticking, Joel and Adam divulge that they are excited about the challenge because this is how they usually cook at home. They further add that they are perfectly capable of cooking southern cuisine and elevating it, for which cod is the perfect protein. Jesse remarks that the prawns are a blessing to them, and it will be their redemption round to show that they are here to stay. Similarly, Ashley notes that she and Ricky are not too mad about getting a filet mignon since they often prepare it on special occasions.
Meanwhile, Gordon observes that for this challenge, the correct combination can be pretty risky if they are not blended correctly. Tiffany remarks that they are testing the contestants’ culinary instincts and whether they can get on the same page. Right after, Joe adds that since there are so many variations for this challenge, it is going to prove how experienced each duo is. However, Tiffany quickly adds that Zach and Michelle have a lot of strategy going on. It is clear by how he gave Tina and Aivan, Julio and Rachel, and Javier and Azu the tough proteins. However, Gordon notes that they saved the duck, one of the hardest proteins, for themselves. Joe acknowledges that they have to ensure to render the fat and not overcook it, which only raises the challenge for them.
With 10 minutes already gone, Aivan and Tina are growing anxious since they have a tough protein, and the latter is reluctant to use a pressure cooker. As Gordon approaches them, he learns that they are not using a pressure cooker. Hence, he advises them to be careful and ensure the pan is quite hot while cooking. Tina remarks that they are sticking to what they know, but not following the chef’s advice makes them nervous. Another five minutes pass before Tiffany approaches Michelle and Zach and expresses the judges’ surprise at their protein choice because most people don’t prepare it correctly. Upon asking, Michelle reveals they are a little scared of Julio and Rachel since they look confident with the octopus. Hence, they want them to be eliminated.
Tensions Rise in the Kitchen as the Duos Struggle to Perfect Their Proteins
In the meantime, Gordon asks Julio and Rachel how they feel about getting one of the toughest proteins. They quickly state that it means their opponents are afraid of them. Similarly, Tonna and Cait are also excited about preparing the scallops and note that the tables are going to turn. With 30 minutes already gone, Tiffany informs the other judges how Zach and Michelle chose the duck breast because they are comfortable with it. While Joe remarks that it has a lot of variables, Gordon adds that if they get it wrong, it can turn out badly. The latter then states that Aivan and Tina are not using a pressure cooker and are instead going for bulgogi (Korean-style barbecue). When he further points out how Julio and Rachel can easily overcook the octopus and make it rubbery, Joe observes that it is a very challenging protein if one has never cooked it before.
Although Julio and Rachel are trying to keep a positive mindset, the former notes that the pressure of the competition sometimes builds up anxiety and doubts. Furthermore, watching the clock is proving to be more nerve-racking for them. He gets worried about the possibility of the octopus being overcooked. As the final 15 minutes begin ticking, Tiffany approaches Ricky and Ashley, who informs her that cooking brings both siblings together. The judge then advises them to ensure not to overcook the filet mignon. Meanwhile, Joe arrives at Jesse and Jessica’s station to get a clear picture of their preparation. When he tastes the sauce they are making, he compliments it but points out that it is a little sweet. So, he asks them to balance it out properly. Right after, Gordon approaches Azu and Javier and discovers they are preparing protein and mashed potatoes.
Gordon bluntly states that if this is their choice of preparation, it is going to send them home. Azu doesn’t spare a minute to rush and brings the ingredients to create a salad. With just five minutes remaining, Gordon goes back to the panel and informs the other two judges about Javier and Azu’s situation. Joe quickly remarks that the sauce they are preparing is tricky, and he wants to see how it comes together. When Tiffany reveals that Ricky and Ashley have coated their filet in spices, Gordon grows concerned because doing so can easily burn the protein. As the final 2:30 begins ticking on the clock, Zach grows nervous about the uneven searing and rendering of the fat on all the pieces of their protein. Michelle takes note that it is easier said than done to bring the dish they originally envisioned to life.
The Judges Find Strategy Alone Can’t Outshine Skill in the MasterChef Kitchen
As the time comes to an end, each duo rushes to finish plating their dishes. While Azu remarks that although she is Javier, he is not doing so, Zach is disappointed regarding the plating of their dish. He opens up that they tried to steer the toughest proteins to their biggest competitions, but it feels their best-laid plans may have blown up in their faces. They can only hope that it is not going to send them home. With that being said, the judges carefully examine all the dishes by going to each station. After an intense discussion, Gordon declares that the first-best dish of the night is the one that highlights seafood with immense finesse. It is none other than Jesse and Jessica’s seared prawns. As soon as they bring up their dish, Gordon remarks that it is visually appealing and harmonious.
All three of the judges compliment the deliciousness of Jesse and Jessica’s dish, and Gordon notes in the end that Zach and Michelle made a mistake by handing them the prawns. The second dish to have impressed the judges is Rachel and Julio’s seared octopus. After hearing how long they cooked the protein, Tiffany compliments how it is tender inside and crispy outside. Joe remarks that it is better than some of his restaurants. Although Gordon adds that he loves the dish, the octopus could’ve done with a little more moisture. The third and final dish to be in the top three is Tina and Aivan’s Korean-style barbeque short rib. While Tiffany loves the preparation, she points out that adding one more sauce may have benefited the dish. Above all, both Joe and Gordon greatly complement the dish.
While Rachel and Julio Gain the Victory, Ashley and Rick End up Getting Eliminated
After a very intense discussion, Gordon announces that the winning duo of the night is none other than Rachel and Julio. He reminds them that they are going to have a huge advantage for the next challenge. Since all three top duos are safe from elimination for the night, he instructs them to head to the balcony. Gordon then turns his attention to the three duos that the judges feel have created dishes that fall below the standards. The first duo is Azu and Javier, who have prepared spiced venison. Gordon quickly points out that the elements on the plate don’t go well together, but the venison is cooked beautifully. While Tiffany states that they failed to communicate as a duo regarding what to prepare, Joe remarks that the dish is not unified and balanced.
The next duo among the bottom three is Ricky and Ashley, who have prepared spice-rubbed filet mignon. It is important for them not to go home for the night, and they are hoping for the flavors to come together, besides the protein being cooked medium rare. Joe instantly observes that the protein is overcooked and that the use of the fruits on the plate is wrong. When Gordon cuts into the protein, he is underwhelmed to find that it is medium instead of medium rare. It turns out that Ricky had put it inside the oven for the second time since it was not cooked properly. While Tiffany singles out the imbalance of the sweetness on the plate, Gordon notes that the filet is quite spicy. The last duo to be in the bottom three is Zach and Michelle, who find it quite disappointing since they came into the challenge with an advantage.
Joe remarks that Michelle and Zach’s advantage seems to have backfired. The duo has prepared crispy skin duck breast, but Gordon is disappointed to find that there is much fat on the protein, and the plating is a mess. While Joe adds that the sauce doesn’t have the right consistency, Tiffany observes that everything on the plate is sweet and the balance is missing, unlike their previous dishes. Unfortunately, after a serious deliberation, Gordon announces that Ricky and Ashley are the duo to be eliminated. The judge mentions how their dish just didn’t work out, but asks them not to let it define them. They ultimately bid an emotional goodbye and acknowledge that cooking in the competition has been an honor for them. In their exit interview, Ashley accepts that although this is sad, they did make an amateur dish.
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