Episode 208: The Brutal Cook-Off

The chefs make desserts and one team has fun at the reward, while the other deals with a terrible punishment, then Vaughan reveals something shocking which causes four chefs place in the competition at risk.

## Intro

While being dismissed, Phillip stated that he still had passion, and noted that he needed to have a redemption. Brent said that he was pumped for the next challenge, and stated that he was going to give it his all. Yanny was shown raging at her team and claimed that her team sabotaged her, Kennedy told Yanny to suck it up and stop complaining. While Declan and Spencer were shown bonding, and Declan asked Spencer who were the weak links on the blue team. Spencer noted that Phillip and Ross were clearly the weakest links and hoped that they would not bring down the blue team. AJ told Jennifer that she was getting sick of Yanny, and thought that she should get schooled, and then the conversation ended in laughter.

## Challenge

The chefs were awoken by the two sous chefs, and told to go downstairs. Vaughan then greeted them and told them that they would be making their own desserts and he would be judging them, Vaughan then told Yanny to sit out of the challenge, which Yanny said that she wanted to participate and was upset about sitting out. The time started, and Brent stated that he had the perfect dessert and hoped that he'd be able to pull it off. Kennedy noted that she was the dessert queen, and stated she made thousands of desserts in her childhood. Spencer expressed how petrified he was in this challenge, before revealing that he never made a dessert in his life. Phillip noted that he needed a redemption, and wants to prove himself. Eventually time was up, and everyone plated on time.

First up was Kennedy and Declan, Kennedy's pinapple crepe was deemed to be a mess, and the taste was so sweet. While Declan's apple and banana tart was deemed beautifully presented and tasted nice, which got him a point and he won the round. AJ and Spencer were up next, and AJ's chocolate mint cheesecake was deemed heavy and burnt, while Spencer's mint caramel pie was said to be a masterpiece, and Vaughan told Spencer that his caramel pie was his best dish yet an he won the round. Brent and Jennifer were next, and Brent's apple crumble was deemed delicious and very tasty, while Jennifer's upside down cheesecake was raw in the middle and Brent clearly won the round. Rachel and Ross were next, and Rachel's deconstructed strawberry cheesecake was beautifully presented and tasted delicious, and Vaughan stated that he would give Rachel's dish to his mother. Meanwhile, Ross's chocolate tart was deemed dry and tasted awful and Rachel won the round. Last up was Tara and Phillip, and Tara's strawberry shortcake was deemed by Vaughan simple, but the taste was delicious. Phillip's kiwi slime pie was said by Vaughan to be a weird concept, but tasted nice. Vaughan noted that both dishes impressed him, but gave the point to Tara making the red team win the challenge 3-2.

## Reward

The red team were rewarded by visiting Jeffrey's in Malibu. Rachel said that she felt happy being privileged by Vaughan, and also felt honoured having her dish praised by Vaughan. Brent called the reward amazing, and stated that he'd never seen a much beautiful view before. Yanny said that she felt like she was in heaven. The red team toasted and congratulated each other for doing well in the challenge. The red team sat down and ate, AJ called the food a delicacy and was so glad that her team won the reward. Kennedy called the reward a dream, and wondered if it was actually real and stated she was pinching herself.

## Punishment

The blue team were punished by cleaning out bins, Declan stated that he couldn't believe how rancid the smell was, with Spencer saying that he's used to the punishments. Jennifer said in her confessional that she missed the red team, and wished that she could go back onto her original team. Ross was shown struggling, and Phillip offered to help and Ross let Phillip help him. Spencer told his team to do pick up the pace and not stop, Jennifer compared Spencer to a school teacher based on how he was directing the blue team.

## Private Interviews

The phone rang, and Spencer picked it up and Vaughan asked him to come down to his office. Spencer wondered what was going to happen, and stated that he was concerned. Spencer arrived, Vaughan asked him how he was doing, and he said that he was awesome. Vaughan told Spencer that he'd been doing well and he never gave up once, Vaughan then asked him where that passion came from, and Spencer said that he'd been doubted by his family and in his entire life. Vaughan then told him not to give up then asked him to bring Declan into his office. Vaughan asked Declan how he was feeling, and he said that he was fine. Vaughan then reminded him of how his leadership was on-point and his hard work is paying off. Declan said that he been preparing before coming to Hell's Kitchen, and was dedicated to win. Vaughan was glad that he prepared before coming, and told him to keep doing good on his team. Next into Vaughan's office was Jennifer, and Vaughan told her that she'd been doing extremely well on both teams, and told her that she was one of the strongest links. Next into the office was Phillip, and Vaughan said that he's a good cook, but was concerned about his last service, but he promised that he can bounce back and do better. Next up was Ross, and Vaughan said that he was concerned of him after making some mistakes from the beginning, but Ross told Vaughan that he can prove to Vaughan that he's a force to be reckon with. Up next was AJ, and Vaughan was still a bit concerned about her last service, but AJ said that she's a strong cook and stated that she would grow. Next to be called to Vaughan's office was Brent, and Vaughan praised him for doing well so far, despite being the youngest of the competition. Brent noted that he'd been trying to lead his team to victory, but couldn't because of them screwing up. Vaughan urged him to keep up his great performance, and his leadership. Brent said in his confessional that being noticed by Vaughan meant everything to him and was thankful. Kennedy was next called in, and not much was shown except from her being told by Vaughan that her voice needed to be heard more. Rachel was next in the office, and Vaughan told her that she was solid but Vaughan said that she needed to emerge and step up, then Vaughan also found her very chilled. Rachel promised Vaughan that she would stop relaxing, and prove to Vaughan that she's not very chill. Tara was next, and she said in her confessional that she was nervous seeing going into Vaughan's office and stated that she has never been in his office before. Vaughan said to Tara that she was taking too many risks in challenges and services and needed to calm down. Tara told Vaughan that she'll try to be more assertive and taking less risks. Last in the office was Yanny, and Vaughan said that she could talk the talk but couldn't walk the walk. Vaughan then told her to be confident in herself and stop pushing the blame on others. Then Vaughan asked all chefs who they considered the weakest on their team.

## Cook For Your Life Challenge

Vaughan asked the chefs to line up, and Vaughan asked them who was the weakest links on their team. Vaughan announced the weakest links were Phillip and Ross from the blue team, and AJ and Yanny from the red team. Vaughan told the four chefs that they'll be competing in the Cook For Your Life Challenge, and stated that whoever produced the worst dish will go home. Yanny expressed how pissed she was, and claimed that she didn't deserve to be in the challenge, and thought that the red team were threatened by her. Vaughan told the chefs that they'll be making his shrimp and grits with collard greens and sweet potato puree. Phillip expressed that he was scared, but stated that he needed to do a good dish recreation to stay in the competition. Vaughan asked the other seven chefs to go back to the dorms. Vaughan told the four chefs that they have 38 minutes to recreate his dish. The time started, and Ross noted that he was in go-mode, then stated that he knew how to make shrimp and grits, while Yanny's pan caught on fire, and she managed to put it out. Vaughan told the chefs that there was 8 minutes left, and AJ said how overwhelmed she was and needed to do her best. Eventually, time was up and the chefs plated on time, and Phillip's shrimp and grits was tried first and the presentation was spot on, but Vaughan asked Phillip to try the collard greens and they were slightly burnt. Ross was up next, and his shrimp and grits was deemed delicious, but the potato puree was ruined by the raw flour and was deemed to be a technical error. Ross expressed how nervous he was that the puree might of cost him, but hoped that he could have another chance to stay. Next was AJ, and Vaughan immediately saw the shrimp had a poop sack still on it, and Vaughan noted that poop sack was disgusting. Vaughan then told her to get back in line. Last up was Yanny, and she revealed that she put orange soda on the collard greens. Vaughan tasted it and Vaughan criticised it for being overly sweet because of the orange soda, and the shrimp was raw.

## Elimination

After Vaughan judged the dishes, Phillip was the first one to be sent back to the dorms after having the best dish out of the four. Phillip expressed how proud he was of himself, and wanted to cry. Both teams congratulated Phillip, and they all had a group hug. Meanwhile, Vaughan told Ross that he was the second person safe. Ross stated that he made his grandparents proud, and his parents proud. The blue team welcomed Ross back, but Kennedy realised that they'll lose a member of their team. Vaughan called the ladies to the front, before calling the decision hard. Yanny was deemed the final person safe, therefore eliminating AJ. Yanny said that she felt like a champion, but still felt pissed at the red team for nominating her. Yanny returned to the dorms, and the blue team welcomed her, but Tara stated that she didn't want to see Yanny because how arrogant she was. Vaughan told AJ that she'd done well in Hell's Kitchen, and then she was asked for her jacket. During her exit interview, AJ stated how proud she was making it far into the competition, and said she had nothing to be ashamed of.

Vaughan's comment: ''AJ came in passionate and determined, but as she forgot to clean the shrimp, it made me forget her chances of running my restaurant.''