Suvechha Sarkar
Creating incredible dishes under relentless pressure can be a significant challenge, which is on display in season 5 of Fox’s ‘Next Level Chef.’ At the helm of the competition are world-renowned chefs: Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais, who mentor, judge, and decide who has what it takes to rise to the top. Following Tim’s elimination in the last episode, the competition tightens its grip as the Top 10 contestants move one step closer to the finish line. Episode 9, aptly titled ‘Ale’s Well That Ends Well,’ raises the bar as the chefs must incorporate beer in their elevated dishes, pushing their creativity and technical skills to the test.
The Top 10 Contestants Battle Initial Mishaps During the Pub-Inspired Challenge
The episode begins with the three judges/mentors welcoming the Top 10 contestants of the season. Wasting no time, Gordon announces that today the chefs are heading to the pub because today’s challenge revolves around cooking with beer. Each chef’s pouring skills may give them an advantage, since all beers will be served on tap. Since Nyesha’s team won the last challenge, they will cook in the Top Kitchen. While Gordon’s team heads to the Middle Kitchen, Richard’s team ends up in the Basement Kitchen. As the mentors arrive at their team’s kitchen, everyone prepares for the ingredient grab. The platform drop starts with the Top Kitchen, and by the time it reaches the Middle Kitchen, Gabrielle begins struggling to pour the beer into her glass. From the start, her beer starts to foam up, leading her to grab another glass mid-grab.
Amber grabs venison but admits she has never cooked it before. By the time the platform reaches the Basement, the chefs there have only chicken liver, squid, and corned beef left. Once the ingredient grab concludes, the 30 minutes for the challenge begin ticking. Richard first approaches Darian and advises him not to overcook the chicken liver, as it should be a little pink inside. As attention shifts to Christian, he reveals he has grabbed corned beef because he grew up eating the protein. Unlike his team members, Jared tells Richard he has never cooked squid before and is still unsure what to do with it. So, the mentor suggests he make a classic fried squid dish and even helps the contestant cut the protein. Jared also divulges that he has actually been brewing beer for 15 years.
In the Top Kitchen, Gordon learns from Andy that she is making a German pancake and is quite impressed with her creativity. However, he asks her to be cautious with the cherry beer, as it is slightly bitter. Andy feels that mentors really admire when someone takes risks, and she knows a German Pancake has never been cooked in the competition before. When the judge arrives at Amber’s station, Gordon asks her to ensure the meat isn’t seared too harshly. She wants to prove herself in this challenge after coming off an Elimination cook-off, but she is scared because she has never cooked venison. In the Top Kitchen, Nyesha first focuses on Danielle, asking her to keep cooking her beer while she continues building her sauce.
Surprise Beer Pong Challenge and Rising Tensions Test the Chefs’ Focus and Composure
Nyesha eventually arrives at Machete’s station, where he reveals that he is preparing an onion soup. In his confessional, he reminisces about his time as a kid, when he and his mother used to go to a restaurant for delicious French onion soup. Machete adds that his father originally taught him to make steak, which makes his dish a favorite of both his parents. Soon after, the contestants receive a mid-round platform drop, during which they must play beer pong to get only one ingredient from their respective cups. While Connor succeeds in getting bone marrow, Machete wins a block of cheddar cheese. Unfortunately, Danielle fails to grab any extra ingredients. In the Middle Kitchen, Andy succeeds in getting the bacon, but the other three contestants eventually give up trying to take any components.
Ultimately, in the Basement, Christian and Jared give up their attempt to win the beer pong game, but Darian gets some pomegranate molasses. The spotlight then falls on Danielle in the Top Kitchen, where Nyesha asks her to caramelize some white sugar and add some stock to her dish. However, the contestant opens up that she is becoming confused and wants to be in control of her dish. Nyesha then asks Danielle to organize herself and points out that she needs to add butter to her dish at the end. It makes the chef realize that she’s not executing things correctly. Hence, out of frustration, she bluntly tells Nyesha that the mentor is getting in her head. However, instead of being fazed, the judge calmly explains that it is her job to help the competitors and tries to ensure they are communicating well.
With just 11 minutes left on the clock, Gordon learns from Andy that she plans to crisp off the bacon she won in the beer pong game and add it to the stew in the end. As 2 more minutes pass by, the attention shifts to the Basement, where Richard asks Jared to test his squid rings to ensure he is happy with the results. He then approaches Darian and asks him to put a little more salt in his stew. In the Top Kitchen, Gordon instructs Amber to let her venison rest before she slices it. Meanwhile, as Richard tastes the stew that Darian is preparing, he points out that it is quite spicy. On the other hand, the mentor praises Christian for his incredible idea to use a propane stove to bring color to his potatoes since he doesn’t have a torch. In the final few seconds, all the chefs rush to plate their dishes and successfully place their preparations on the platform.
Connor Claims the Top Spot While Amber and Darian Head to the Elimination Round
The judges finally arrive for the tasting round of the carefully prepared dishes by the Top 10 chefs. They start with the Top Kitchen dishes, the first being Machete’s New York Strip with French Onion Soup. As soon as Gordon and Richard taste it, they shower the contestant with compliments, but the latter points out that the dish could use a little more sweetness. Next up is Danielle’s seared duck breasts, which also receive praise from Richard and Gordon, but the former remarks that it is missing a garnish. Upon tasting Connor’s glazed chicken, Gordon and Richard compliment its flavors, noting that the bone marrow ties the dish together.
The Middle Kitchen tasting begins with Amber’s venison dish. Both Richard and Nyesha quickly note that although the venison is cooked well, the rest of the components are not cohesive. Upon tasting Gabrielle’s pan-fried haddock, Richard remarks that he wants more sweetness, but Gordon quickly notes that he likes the spice. Cole’s seared halibut and Andy’s German pancake receive immense praise from all three judges. The tasting for the Basement Kitchen dishes begins with Jared’s battered squid. Although both Nyesha and Gordon love the dish, Gordon adds that the potatoes are slightly slimy because they weren’t cooked enough. Meanwhile, Christian’s pilsner corned beef shepherd’s pie thoroughly impresses the judges.
Lastly, the judges taste Darian’s crispy chicken liver dish, but Gordon observes that the breading is too thick and the livers are slightly overcooked. He further adds that the dish is quite spicy. The judges then excuse themselves to discuss the dishes they have just tasted. After a challenging debate, Gordon announces that the top dish of the night is cooked by Connor, marking Nyesha’s team safe. As her team heads to the lounge, Nyesha asks Gordon and Richard to select one chef from each of their teams. After much consideration, they decide to pick Amber and Darian. Without further ado, Nyesha announces that for this Elimination Cook-off, the contestants must prepare a dish using champagne within 25 minutes.
The Nail-Biting Elimination Cook-Off Concludes With Amber Bidding Goodbye
Once Amber and Darian reach the kitchen with their teammate, both say they are going to give it their all to win. The ingredient grab finally begins after Nyesha arrives in the kitchen. Although Amber initially aims for the turbot, Darian grabs it first, forcing his competitor to grab the sole. Once the 25 minutes begin ticking, both chefs rush to begin preparing their dishes. Nyesha first approaches Amber and asks her to start working on the sauce, since the fish will not take long to cook. Meanwhile, Darian focuses completely on his sauce reduction. As 10 minutes pass by, Amber’s teammates begin giving her advice on her dish. The contestant quickly remarks that she will listen to her teammates because “Four heads is better than one.”
With half the time on the clock already gone, Nyesha instructs Darian to be aware of the viscosity of his sauce, as it is breaking. To salvage the situation, he quickly adds more cream to the dish. In the final 5 minutes, both Darian and Amber begin searing their fish. As the challenge time comes to an end, Richard and Gordon arrive to taste the dishes. Upon trying Amber’s preparation, Gordon points out that the beurre blanc needs a touch more champagne and the potatoes are slightly undercooked. Richard remarks that he doesn’t like how the acidity from the dish’s components clashes. Moving forward, after tasting Darian’s dish, Gordon observes that, since the fish is heavily seasoned, it shouldn’t be topped with caviar, as it adds saltiness to the dish.
Richard remarks that since Darian’s fish is seared so nicely, he would’ve preferred the vegetable slightly less cooked. Finally, after intense deliberation, Gordon and Richard settle on eliminating Amber’s dish. After learning of the decision, Gordon expresses that he will truly miss her. The contestant opens up that many people get their start in culinary school and other kitchens, but she found her start in the competition. In her exit interview, Amber mentions that her story is just beginning because she wants to keep pushing herself, take more culinary classes, travel the world, and grow as a chef. After she bids everyone goodbye, Gordon praises the nine remaining chefs. The mentor then asks them to get some rest, as they will be heading home to the ranch for the next challenge.
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