Suvechha Sarkar
Just like the other seasons, Fox’s ‘MasterChef: Global Gauntlet’ sets the stage for turning home cooks into culinary contenders. All the contestants hope to impress a panel of expert judges, including Tiffany Derry, Gordon Ramsay, and Joe Bastianich. The competition is intense in episode 13, titled ‘Tag Team,’ in which the Top 10 competitors face their first Tag Team Challenge. They must work together to create three dishes inspired by the judges’ fondest food memories. However, with a double elimination looming, there is little room for miscommunication and technical mistakes.
The Top 10 Contestants Pair up For a 75-Minute Tag Team Challenge
Once the contestants enter the welcoming area, they are greeted by vibrant tropical decor. Gordon quickly announces that the Top 10 contestants will face a special challenge inspired by an upcoming animated film, ‘Forgotten Island.’ He reveals that tonight, the contestants will face the Tag Team Challenge alongside a friend. Tiffany then adds that they will be cooking dishes based on the judges’ fondest memories. For Gordon, it is Shepherd’s Pie, while Tiffany has chosen Striped Bass, served over Dirty Rice. Lastly, Joe picks Veal Milanese as his fondest dish. He then informs the chefs that, in this challenge, one team member will cook while the other waits at the end of the station.
Joe further adds that when the judges say “Switch,” the team members will swap places with their partners. Adding to the tension, Gordon reveals that there will be a double elimination tonight. Since the competitors receive the option to choose their partners from any territory, they promptly form their teams. The Grey Team consists of Tkaiya and Peter, while the Pink Team includes Jake and Dave. The Blue Team is formed by Julia and Heidi, the Yellow Team consists of Basia and Foo, and the Red Team includes Jaime and Aishu. Gordon announces that the two home cooks who produce the best dishes will each receive an advantage in the next challenge and earn two tickets to the premiere of ‘Forgotten Island.’
The contestants are given 75 minutes to replicate the judges’ three-course meal inspired by their fondest food memories. As the allotted time on the clock starts, Heidi, Foo, Peter, Jake, and Aishu begin cooking. Julia is excited to work with Heidi because Julia feels her partner is the group’s “mama bear.” Yet, Julia is worried about their communication, since both are confident cooks. Foo is usually reserved, and his biggest concern is that Basia may get flustered under pressure and get off track. Jake is ecstatic to work with Dave as his teammate, since they have worked together on team challenges before. However, the former is worried since they are no longer protected by territories, and if they don’t give their best, they may end up at the bottom.
Communication Breakdowns and Cooking Mistakes Mount as the Challenge Intensifies
On the panel, Joe remarks that cooking three dishes that the contestants have not cooked before can push them to draw on their skill sets. Eventually, the three judges discuss the best way to prepare their dishes. With just two minutes left before the first switch, Jaime notes that she and Aishu can sometimes be chaotic, so they have to communicate properly, or things may go awry. As the judges declare the first switch, the team members exchange their places with their partners. At the panel, Gordon tells his fellow judges that they are being tested on timing and communication skills. He also wonders whether Heidi and Julia, who have a mother-daughter-like dynamic, will pose a threat. He is unsure if Julia will push back or if Heidi will dominate.
Tiffany and Joe then approach Jake to assess his team’s progress and remind him that it’s time to put his Shepherd’s Pie in the oven. After the second switch, Gordon and Tiffany notice that Basia and Foo are focused on their preparations. As the third switch takes place, Tiffany mentions to Aishu that her team is quite disorganized and falling behind. Shortly after, Gordon arrives at Basia’s station and points out that her team’s potatoes don’t look properly cooked. When she realizes they are still lumpy, Foo instructs her to cook them longer. He then explains to Gordon that their plan is to tackle one dish at a time, but the judge suggests they complete the dishes’ preparation first.
Gordon then moves on to Julia, where he discovers that Heidi has forgotten to put egg yolk in the mashed potatoes. This leaves Julia with no other choice but to remove the piping from the pie. The judge then reminds the team to stop rushing in their preparation. The error leaves Heidi frustrated, and both teammates are unraveling under intense pressure. Tiffany becomes concerned while observing Foo and Basia, noting that both appear clueless about their next steps. Once the fourth switch is completed, Gordon declares that the cooks should start preparing their fish and veal. Shortly before the final switch, Jaime notices that the pan isn’t hot enough, delaying the fish’s cooking process.
Several Dishes Earn Praise While the Others Face Criticism During the Tasting
Once the final switch happens, Tkaiya brings out her team’s Shepherd’s Pie and is disappointed to find it a little burnt because it was left in the oven a little too long. In the final few seconds, the contestants rush to finish plating their three dishes. As the time comes to an end, the judges turn their attention to tasting the preparations. The tasting begins with Tkaiya and Peter’s dishes. While tasting the Shepherd’s Pie, Gordon notes that it has been cooked too long but is delicious. Tiffany and Joe praise the Dirty Rice and Bass preparation, although the former notes that the rice isn’t dirty enough.
Lastly, Joe remarks that although the veal is thick, he loves how perfectly it has been cooked. The judges then move on to Julia and Heidi’s dishes, and Gordon promptly points out that the mashed potatoes look all over the place. However, he compliments the lamb but is disappointed with the excessive amount of mashed potato. As Tiffany examines the Bass and Dirty Rice, she notes that the dish has no garnish or sauce, making her feel it was rushed. Lastly, Joe remarks that the Veal dish is the best of the three and is properly cooked.
The next turn is for Aishu and Jaime. Gordon promptly points out that the Shepherd’s Pie is visually unappetizing and greasy. The team reveals that they had not drained the fat from the meat before piping, which explains the excess oil. Tiffany is also disappointed with the bass dish, noting that it lacks herbs, the fish is raw in the center, and the rice is undercooked. When it’s Joe’s turn, he says he likes the cooking on the veal, but the tomatoes aren’t properly charred. Gordon also chimes in that Aishu and Jaime have experienced a breakdown in communication tonight.
Tasting Round Concludes With Aishu and Jaime’s Emotional Elimination
When Jake and Dave present their dishes before the judges, Gordon promptly praises the presentation of the Shepherd’s Pie. He points out that although the potatoes could use slightly more salt, the dish is delicious. Although Tiffany doesn’t find the sauce as vibrant as the one from her own version of the dish, she doesn’t shy away from complimenting the dish’s flavors. Similarly, Joe is left impressed with the seasoning, color, and execution of the Veal Milanese. Lastly, it is the turn for the Yellow Team, including Basia and Foo. As soon as Gordon sees the Shepherd’s Pie, he notes that the piping looks poorly executed. While tasting, the judges also find several thyme stems inside the lamb.
It prompts Tiffany to note that the lamb is filled with rosemary and thyme. She further adds that the Yellow Team had issues with time management. Although Tiffany finds the fish and sauce in her dish perfectly prepared, she points out that the rice is undercooked. During Joe’s turn, he remarks that the Veal Milanese is too thick and that the meat-to-breadcrumbs ratio isn’t right. After an intensive discussion among the judges, Gordon announces that two teams have stood out tonight with their dishes: the Grey Team—Tkaiya and Peter—and the Pink Team—Dave and Jake. The judge then reveals that the team to win the advantage for the next challenge and the premiere tickets is the Pink Team.
Gordon calls the remaining three teams to the front before announcing that the Blue Team, consisting of Heidi and Julia, has survived the challenge. When the choice comes down to the Yellow Team and the Red Team, the judges eliminate the Red Team—Aishu and Jaime—with Gordon noting that all three of their dishes were incomplete. After an emotional goodbye, Aishu says in her exit interview that representing India was the best part of the competition for her and that she believes she is now a better cook. In Jaime’s exit interview, she expresses her happiness in having been able to showcase her father’s authentic cooking and Malaysian cuisine. She is also shocked, as she never expected she was capable of reaching the Top 10.
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