Episode 209: The Dreadful Taste Test

The Blind Taste Test occurs, and some chefs palates are excellent, while the chefs cook for charity and one chef lacks skill and leadership.

## Intro

The chefs had returned to the dorms, Phillip mentioned how scared he was during the Cook For Your Life Challenge, and he was glad that he didn't go home, which Ross patted him on the back and said to him that he did well. Yanny boasted about her not going home, and shouted to the red team and blue team that she was coming for them. Kennedy felt annoyed and went to the patio, and Tara soon joined her. Kennedy expressed to Tara how pissed she was at Yanny, and stated that she is complete dead weight. Tara agreed before saying that Yanny just needs to stop being on a high horse all the time. Jennifer was shown bonding with Spencer, and Jennifer asked Spencer about his childhood, he said that he'd had a rough back after his parents splitting up when he was 9 years old, and then stated that he'd worked as a Sous Chef when he was 15 years old before becoming an Executive Chef.

## Challenge

The chefs arrived downstairs, and Vaughan asked all the chefs how good were their palates. Yanny said she has the best palate, while Brent noted that his palate was mediocre. Vaughan then told the chefs that their palate needed to be good, and Vaughan then announced the Blind Taste Test, where each chef would be guessing ingredients blindfolded. Declan said that he'd been practising with his friends, and deemed himself to be an expert at it. Vaughan called Spencer and Tara up first, and the first ingredient was cabbage. Spencer identified it, while Tara guessed zucchini, and Yanny wondered if Tara was completely stupid. The next ingredient was chicken, and both of them didn't guess it. The next ingredient was tomato, and Spencer identified tomato, while Tara guessed celery. The last ingredient was squash, and Spencer guessed squash correctly, while Tara guessed artichokes. Next up was Declan and Brent, and the first ingredient was carrots, Brent was able to identify it, while Declan guessed parsnip. Next ingredient was pork and Brent identified it, while Declan guessed chicken. Brent managed to guess kale, while Declan guessed radish. The last ingredient was squash, and Brent identified it correctly, while Declan guessed sweet potato. Vaughan then praised Brent for his amazing palate, then Brent said in his confessional that he was amazed that he'd got a perfect score and was shocked, and Declan expressed how sad he was with himself getting a low score, and stated that he was disappointed. Next up was Phillip and Kennedy, and their first ingredient was filet, and while Kennedy identified it, Phillip guessed steak. The next ingredient was apple, and Phillip guessed it while Kennedy said banana. Both of the chefs identified cream leaks, while the last ingredient was mussels, and both of the chefs failed to identify the last ingredient which was peas. Ross and Rachel were the fourth pairing, and Rachel was identify shallots, while Ross guessed mango. The next ingredient was raspberries, and Rachel managed to identify it, while Ross guessed blackberries. The next ingredient was pineapple, and while Rachel identified pineapple, while Ross guessed kiwis. The last ingredient was hazelnuts, and both of the chefs got it right. The last two up were, Jennifer and Yanny, and Yanny guessed parsley, while Jennifer guessed parsnip. The next ingredient was kiwis, and Yanny guessed it correctly, while Jennifer guessed melon. Yanny managed to guess shrimp, correct while Jennifer took a long time, before guessing scallops. Since the blue team were so far behind on points, the red team won the challenge.

## Reward

The red team were rewarded by going on a private-jet to Vdara Hotel & Spa at ARIA Las Vegas, Then got to eat at Gordon Ramsay Steak. Brent said that he loved the view, and was so ecstatic going onto a private-jet. The red team arrived at the hotel, and they all screamed very loud once arriving. Yanny stated that she couldn't believe the view, and said that she was so happy and shocked at the same time. Kennedy stated that she felt like pinching herself, and wondered if she was in a dream. The chefs then arrived at Gordon Ramsay Steak and Gordon surprised them, and they were all shocked seeing him. Rachel said that Gordon Ramsay was her idol when she was 4 years old, and stated that she was so happy seeing him. The chefs sat down to eat lunch, and Ramsay soon joined them and told the chefs that they have to work hard and do well enough to stay in the competition. Tara thought that the advice was useful, and was glad that she could eat lunch with one of the most famous chefs.

## Punishment

The blue team were punished by baking 200 macaroons, then had to set up the dining room Declan felt embarrassed after his poor performance in the challenge, before saying that he needs to bounce back. Spencer said he'd never made macaroons before, and Phillip stated to his team that they were in the lead, but just let the lead slip from them. Jennifer expressed how sad she was that she wasn't on the red team anymore, then saying that she wished to go back on the red team. The chefs started setting up the dining room, and Ross noted how tiring pushing the tables, and also said that it's his time to start emerging as one of the strongest chefs on the blue team.

## Before Service

Vaughan lined up both of the teams, and told them that tonight's service would be very different to the usual dinner services, Vaughan announced that tonight's service is charity night where they'll be cooking a five-course meal for fourteen-top celebrities. Vaughan announced that the chefs would each be running a course. Kennedy and Phillip would be leading the fava bean risotto course, Yanny and Spencer would be leading the scrambled eggs course, Rachel and Jennifer would be leading the lamb rack with eggplant and carrots course, Tara and Ross would be leading the pan-seared scallops course, and Brent and Declan would be leading the lobster carbonara course, and everyone would be responsible of making the apple and grapefruit apple crumble.

## Service

Hell's Kitchen had opened for the celebrities, and the first course was a fava bean risotto, and it would be lead by Kennedy from the red team, and Phillip from the blue team. Kennedy and Phillip agreed on 7 minutes. Phillip started motivating his team and told Declan to cook the risottos, then asked Jennifer to help him with plating. Kennedy asked Brent to taste the risottos, and Brent confirmed that the risottos were good and the red team starting plating. Meanwhile, Phillip realised that two of the risottos were undercooked, Phillip sent the two risottos back and berated Declan for serving risottos that weren't cooked. Vaughan asked Declan that he thought he could trust him, and the latter responded that he was sorry and Vaughan demanded him to refire it. Phillip then told Kennedy that her team needed to wait 80 seconds, because of Declan under cooking two risottos. Kennedy expressed how mad she was with Declan, and now has to wait for them to finish the risottos. Back with the blue kitchen, Ross brought up the risottos but one of the were a rice full of bullets, which led Vaughan into berating Ross. Ross said in his confessional that he wanted to beat himself up after screwing the pace of the kitchen. Eventually the blue team managed to cook the risotto, and both courses left the kitchen and the diners enjoyed the fava bean risotto.

The next two people to run their course were, Yanny and Spencer, and Spencer told Yanny that the scrambled eggs were gonna be 8 minutes, but Yanny said 14 minutes and Vaughan berated her for not agreeing with Spencer and thought she was trying to sabotage him. After that, They both agreed on 8 minutes and Spencer told Declan to help Phillip with the scrambled eggs, and asked Ross and Jennifer to help him plate. Meanwhile with the red kitchen, Vaughan saw that Yanny hadn't spoken a word to her team and was busy cooking the scrambled eggs, which led Vaughan into telling her to speak up to her peers and not drop her head. Brent noted that Yanny's communication is completely off. Yanny then tells Rachel to cook the lamb rack, Vaughan overheard and asked Yanny why she was telling Rachel to cook the lamb, the latter responded that she wanted to prepare for the next course. A frustrated Vaughan tells her to wait for all the courses to be served, before moving onto the next course and then she can cook the lamb. On the blue side, Spencer was shown delegating his team and telling them to help him plate the scrambled eggs, while Yanny plated hers and Vaughan noticed that their was one burnt scrambled egg, and he told the latter to redo the scrambled egg and. Eventually, Yanny and Spencer managed to plate their eggs , and serve them to the hungry diners.

The next course was being run by, Rachel from the red team and Jennifer from the blue team, and their course was a lamb rack with eggplant and carrots. They quickly agreed on a time, and Rachel was shown leading her team and told Yanny to cook the lamb rack. Meanwhile, Jennifer was having strong leadership by telling Ross to cook the carrots, Spencer and Phillip to help her plate, and Declan to cook the lamb. Ross sent up the carrots, and Jennifer asked him where was the lamb, which he responded that he just brought up the lamb. Vaughan then berated him for not communicating with Declan, then Declan said in his confessional that he didn't even tell Ross to bring up the carrots, and also said that Ross does not listen. On the red side, Yanny sent up the lamb, and Rachel praised the cook on it. Yanny said that she's on a roll, before saying that she is having a great service. While Rachel was waiting for the carrots, and Kennedy sent them up and the red team started plating, the blue team caught up and also starting plating with their lamb rack and carrots. Both teams finished plating, and the guests received their lamb rack course.

The next course was pan-seared scallops which would be led by, Tara from the red team and Ross from the blue team. Ross said that he needed to have a good service, or else Vaughan will eliminate him next. Ross forgot the ticket and Vaughan called him a donut, and Vaughan told him to go back and check the ticket. Meanwhile, Tara called out the ticket with no flaws, and Vaughan commended her for her powerful voice. Back with the blue kitchen, Ross was shown being quiet and his teammates were communicating, which forced Vaughan into telling him to speak up and give some direction to his teammates. Tara asked Brent to help Yanny with the scallops, which infuriated Yanny and she told Tara to go fuck herself. Tara ranted about Yanny's arrogant behaviour, and stated that Yanny needed to listen to her for once. Vaughan reamed Yanny for acting very aggressive towards Tara, and then asked her to shut the fuck up. The blue team started plating, and Vaughan asked Ross to count all the plates to make sure that there was fourteen, and Ross forgot one of the plates. Phillip explained how Ross was already in the weeds coming into the service, and said that Ross has just gone more further into the weeds. Ross sent up his last plate of scallops, but they were rejected for being overcooked, Ross sent up the refired scallops, but his second attempt was rejected for being raw. The red team were seen plating, but the blue team were waiting for Ross. Eventually, Ross served his third attempt of scallops, and they were accepted, finally both teams served their scallop courses to the celebrities.

The lobster carbonara was the last course, and it was being run by Brent from the red team and Declan from the blue team. They both quickly agreed on 6 minutes, and Brent was shown assigning Kennedy and Rachel to the lobster carbonara which made Vaughan impressed. Meanwhile, Declan was shown telling his teammates to do their own thing, and Vaughan berated him for not delegating and allowing them to do whatever they wanted. Declan called 8 minutes, while Brent was 4 minutes out and Declan had to tell the red team that his team were far behind. Spencer said in his confessional that Declan's direction was way off, and needed him to communicate to him properly. Meanwhile, Brent asked Kennedy how long on the carbonara, which the latter didn't respond and Vaughan told her to talk, she then responded 2 minutes. On the blue side, Declan was starting to come out and gave his team strong direction, Vaughan then commended him. Back with the red kitchen, Kennedy sent her carbonara but Vaughan deemed it broken, which led Yanny into accusing her of sabotaging the red team. Ross sent up his carbonara, and it was deemed by Vaughan salty, which led Vaughan into mocking him. Brent started giving his team strong direction, and they began plating their carbonaras, while the blue team were waiting for Ross's third attempt of his carbonara was finally accepted, and both teams served the apple and grapefruit crumble and finished service.

## Post-Mortem

Vaughan lined up the teams, and then told the chefs that they had some slip-ups, but ultimately did well. Vaughan said the red team had a better service, Vaughan then told the blue team to come up with two nominees for elimination.

During deliberation, Spencer said that Ross was the worst leader, and had a lot of dishes come back, and also was very obviously the first nominee. Spencer also felt like Declan should be the second nominee for serving two undercooked risottos, and the power of his voice. Jennifer mentioned to Declan that this was his first time being up for elimination and needed to fight for his place, Declan said he completely understands of what Jennifer's saying, and states that he will give it his all during elimination.

## Elimination

Vaughan called tonight's service a blessing, but still needed to cut the fat. Jennifer announced Ross as the first nominee for his lack of voice and mutiple of his dishes coming back, and Declan as the second for him serving two undercooked risottos, and his lack of voice. During their pleas, Ross stated that he takes accountability of his mistakes, but said that he was a very hard worker and wasn't done in Hell's Kitchen. Declan said that this was his first bad night, and then he stated that he promises to Vaughan that he's gonna take initiative and that he's gonna show his potential as a chef. In the end, Vaughan eliminated Ross for his lack of leadership and completely stalling the kitchen with his two bad carbonaras. During his exit interview, Ross said that he felt so ashamed of himself after he failed to win for his family, but stated that he will keep cooking until the day he dies.

After Ross left, Vaughan reminded the chefs that they did good tonight, but stated that he won't accept any flaws. Then Vaughan dismisses the chefs, After being dismissed, Declan said that he needs to get back on his feet, or else he'll be eliminated next. Brent expressed how happy he was with the red team, and noted that the blue team were starting to crumble.

Vaughan's comment: ''When it was his turn to run his course, Ross lacked leadership, and then served me broken carbonara, in return i say sayonara.''