Next Level Chef Season 4 Episode 12 Recap: Bad to the Bone

The pressure is palpable as Fox’s ‘Next Level Chef’ season 4 takes another step closer to the finals. Episode 12, titled ‘Bad to the Bone,’ features the six remaining incredibly gifted culinary artists who battle for a spot in the final three. In this showdown, each ingredient and choice counts as all of them have their eyes set on the $250,000 grand prize. After all, they also have a chance to win a transformative year-long mentorship under the show’s legendary mentors/judges, Richard Blais, Gordon Ramsay, or Nyesha Arrington, which further makes them gear up for the competition.

The Challenge of Using a Traditional Cooking Technique Stirs Tension in the Kitchen

The episode starts with Gordon announcing that the day’s challenge will involve one of the purest forms of cooking — bone-in. He then asserts that preparing meat on the bone is one of the oldest cooking techniques. However, it is challenging since it tests the essential skills of proper temperature control and determining ample time for the protein to rest. The focus then shifts to Megan, who has to determine what she will do with the crucial Time Token she had earned at the end of the previous challenge. The home cook notes that since she is cooking for herself, she has chosen to have the 10 seconds added to her ingredient grab period. Although she nearly deducted 10 seconds from Beatrice for betraying Austin in the last challenge, she ultimately decided to use the token for her own advantage.

Richard is immensely excited that Austin and Megan, his original team members, will compete in the Top Kitchen, with him as the presiding mentor. Beatrice and Ryan are heading to the Middle Kitchen with Nyesha. Last but not least, Gordon will oversee Bobby and Brandon during this round in the Basement. As these chefs reach their respective stations, Austin jokes with Megan about her 40 seconds of ingredient grab. He then confides in her that it will be hard to stop himself if he spots a tomahawk during the grab, considering what a great ingredient it is, but it’ll be hard to cook. Although it can be cooked in 30 minutes, Austin says it would need proper resting time, which he may not have. Meanwhile, in the Basement, Brandon is delighted to find a pressure cooker, and Bobby honestly discloses that he does not possess the knowledge of how to use it.

The judges then arrive at their respective kitchens too, hyping the contestants. As the ingredient grab begins, Megan gets the head start, which she tries to take complete advantage of, and Austin follows soon after. The energy is electrifying as the platform gradually moves to the middle kitchen and then to the Basement. Although Brandon is thrilled to get the tomahawk, Bobby is disappointed in finding the least desirable ingredients of the other chefs. He got ribs, which would be a great pick any other time, but cooking them bone-in in just half an hour would be hard. The 30 minutes on the clock eventually start ticking, and the competitors waste no time jumping into action. Gordon is surprised to discover Brandon’s tomahawk and expresses his wonder by asking how it ended up in the subpar setting of the Basement. The contestant is highly confident about his dish, even though it is challenging to prepare.

As Pressure Rises, the Chefs Keep Pushing Through Uncertainty

Brandon is beyond excited as he remembers how he turned everything around when he received a halibut head in one of the earlier challenges in the competition. He believes his hands give birth to magic whenever he is in the dire surroundings of the Basement. Gordon compliments his choice of ingredients and next shifts his focus to Bobby. He is extremely nervous, wondering how he will manage to salvage the preparation within 30 minutes when the protein originally requires hours of slow cooking. The mentor instantly points out the pressure cooker to him, and Brandon gladly provides him with the utensil. However, the contestant is still worried owing to the fact that he has never used the utensil before and is skeptical if his dish will be cooked in time.

In the meantime, Richard cautions Austin to ensure that his veal chop is not overcooked or undercooked by the end. He then approaches Megan, who reveals that she has chosen to cook a venison rack inspired by her Northwest family roots and winter camping experiences. The judge is impressed by the vision, and Megan further reveals that her family has been going to the same campsite in the Northwest since the 1950s. In the Middle Kitchen, Nyesha observes that Austin is comfortable cooking steak. Upon noticing the mixed vegetables, she advises him to add some flair. The mentor next moves her attention to Beatrice, who is creating a Latin-inspired dish with salsa on the side. Nyesha asks her to focus on adequately preparing the protein and suggests placing it into the oven when required.

With 22 minutes to go, the atmosphere in the Basement feels incredible as Gordon remarks how the tomahawk is being cooked beautifully. However, things are not quite similar for Bobby. The mentor observes that cooking in the pressure cooker is nerve-wracking and adds that when the ribs are cooked properly, the meat can be pulled off the bone seamlessly. The contestant struggles to focus on other aspects of his preparation, although his protein is already on the stove and cooking. In the meantime, Austin reveals how he had to put his job and life on the line to get to this competition and is doing everything for his wife and furry pup. The platform again arrives for the second ingredient grab, where the chefs have to select a component for a flambé in their dish.

A Sudden Twist and Slipping Time Paves the Path to an Important Decision

A sudden twist leaves the contestants shocked as they find the mentors leaving the kitchens. With 20 minutes left on the clock, all three judges arrive in the Basement to witness how the contestants are doing with their preparations. Richard is thoroughly impressed with Brandon’s cooking skills, while Nyesha seems a little concerned about finding that Bobby has pork ribs. The mentors visit the Middle Kitchen next, and as they inquire about Ryan’s preparation, it overwhelms him. When Nyesha tastes his soup, she points out that it is salty, leaving another tinge of panic within him.

Meanwhile, Austin notes it is his first time cooking a veal chop and then slicing it onto a plate. As the countdown of the final 4 minutes begins, Nyesha again informs Ryan that his soup has too much salt. The contestant is baffled and feels that he is trying to overachieve at this point in the competition. On the other hand, Bobby is quite nervous, noting that if his protein is not cooked adequately, it may turn out to be the reason for him heading into the elimination round. Similarly, Brandon panics because he is running out of time. As Gordon and Bobby open the pressure cooker, they are delighted to find the pork to be quite tender and properly cooked. The chefs hurry to complete their plating as the platform starts collecting the preparations from the Basement.

After the successful placement of the dishes on the platform, it is now time for the judges to taste the incredible creations of the six exceptionally talented chefs. As they finish tasting the dishes one by one, they excuse themselves for their crucial discussion. Gordon points out Austin’s thinly sliced veal chop and then remarks that Megan’s protein was cooked unevenly. Nyesha adds that she was also disappointed since the sauce was not appropriately prepared. However, they unanimously agree that Bobby’s pork ribs and Brandon’s tomahawk were incredibly prepared. The mentors further discuss the saltiness in Ryan’s soup and the lack of flavor profiling in the vegetables he provided. After a long deliberation, the judges return to the chefs, and Gordon announces the most awaited result.

Two Chefs Head to the Elimination Round, Where Adaptability is of High Priority

Gordon announces that the two top dishes to earn their deserved place in the Top Kitchen are Brandon’s tomahawk and Bobby’s pork ribs. Furthermore, Brandon ends up winning the time token, which gives him an incredible advantage in the competition. The judge finally makes the most dreaded announcement about who will be moving to the elimination round. To their dismay, Ryan’s fillet and Megan’s venison rack are chosen for the elimination round. In her frustration, Megan divulges that her time token eventually turned out to be a complete curse for her. Beatrice and Austin will be competing in the next challenge in the Middle Kitchen. For the elimination challenge, the chefs will have 25 minutes to prepare an entire fish along with its bones. Megan and Ryan prepare themselves for the ingredient grab when Nyesha arrives at the Top Kitchen.

While Ryan is completely satisfied with his sea bream grab, Megan chooses to go for mackerel since it is a protein that she can identify. As the 25 minutes on the clock start ticking, Nyesha approaches both of them to understand their vision for the dish. With 20 minutes to go, Brandon urges Ryan to start cooking his fish, but the mentor intervenes, cautioning the latter to be gentle with his protein. Nyesha reveals that she had worked at a fish station in a two-Michelin-star restaurant for two years. Soon after, she tastes Ryan’s sauce and notes that it is quite tangy to the taste palate. The judges compliment Megan on her focus and remark that she adapts quickly. Nyesha further expresses her disbelief that the contestant is a home chef and not a professional culinary expert.

Emotions Run High With an Elimination and an Unexpected Opportunity

The mentor next approaches Brandon and Austin and asks their opinion on Megan’s cooking skills. They all unanimously agree that she always knows what she is doing. As the time gradually ticks away, Megan becomes increasingly worried about her fish being overcooked. With the last 3 minutes left, the atmosphere in the kitchen is quite intense, and Megan finds her mind to be in overdrive. As the countdown of the final 2 minutes begins, a predicament befalls Ryan. He ends up ripping his fish’s tail while trying to take it out of the pan. Ryan and Megan finish plating their dishes beautifully, and it is now time for Gordon and Richard to taste them and determine who they want to send home.

While tasting Ryan’s sea bream, Richard points out its lost tail, and Gordon remarks that although the fish is cooked beautifully, it has the wrong and abundant fragrance of rosemary. The mentor explains that it is a flavor that goes better with lamb or beef, but not fish. Both judges love how Megan’s mackerel is cooked beautifully and observe the smart choice of pairing the oily fish with bread and tomato. However, Richard points out that the plate has too many ingredients, which is perplexing for him. Ultimately, after much contemplation, both of them decide to send the sea bream back home. When Nyesha reveals that Ryan prepared it, it becomes a tough blow for Gordon. He remarks that Ryan is destined for success with his level of expertise at just the age of 22.

Gordon declares that in order to help the chef in his journey, he will offer him a job opportunity at one of his restaurants in Boston. It becomes his gesture to help Ryan take the next step towards a bright future and help him and his family. The contestant becomes extremely emotional after hearing this declaration and states that it highlights the fact that Gordon truly believes in him. After expressing his heartfelt gratitude and an emotional goodbye, the mentor congratulates the top five contestants of this season. He sets the ominous mood as he announces that the chefs are now just one cook-off away from the grand finale. Gordon further mentions that the road to winning will not at all be easy. As the contestants move to the next round, all the eyes are now on them to find out what will entail in the semi-final.