Episode 212: Gateway to Black

Potato is the key feature for the challenge, and in service, both teams rice to the occasion, but another early front-runner gets sent home.

## Intro

While being dismissed, Brent expressed how stoked he was making it this far into the competition, and said that he couldn't wait to be announced as the winner of season two. Jennifer said that the blue team completely kicked the red team's ass, and was happy of her team's performance, before hugging Declan. Kennedy noted how good she was doing throughout the competition, and claimed that Vaughan knew who he was looking for as his next head chef, which the latter pointed at herself. The chefs then toasted being the top 7 of the season, with Rachel saying how proud her family would be back home watching.

## Challenge

The chefs woke up and headed downstairs for the next challenge, Vaughan greeted the chefs and told them that their main ingredient was potatoes and had to create a stunning potato dish. The time started and the chefs started preparing their dishes, Sous Chef Ivette asked Rachel what she had going which the former replied that she will be making a twice-baked potato with salsa, Rachel explained that she wanted to make a dish that will be up to Vaughan's liking and was confident she could impress him. Brent said he had it in the bag, and noted how he was not nervous of the challenge. Sous Chef Gage told Jennifer to slow down and stop being frazzled, Jennifer mentioned how frazzled she was and wondered if she was going to plate her dish on time. Meanwhile, Spencer stated in his confessional that he was calm and relaxed, then said that he knew what potato dish he was doing. Back with the red kitchen, Tara expressed how stoked she was making her dish with potatoes, then stated she grew up eat potatoes. The chefs eventually finish and plate their dishes on time.

Vaughan then told the chefs that he'll not be judging alone, and brought in British celebrity chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay, which Kennedy was shocked and called him handsome. Declan said that it was a dream come true seeing Gordon Ramsay, and then noted how much he watched him on Kitchen Nightmares. Vaughan then told the red team that one of them had to sit out due to having a extra member, Tara then volunteered herself to sit out of the challenge. The first two called were Declan and Kennedy, Declan presented his truffade with a touch smoked paprika, Vaughan liked the dishes texture and Gordon praised the flavours. Kennedy presented her Shepherd's Pie, and Vaughan found the pie to be extremely raw, then Gordon added that he wouldn't even serve it to his dog and Declan got the point which made the former happy as he put in so much effort and it payed off. Rachel presented her artic char with sweet potato squash was deemed spectacular and Gordon told the former that she cooks like him, while Spencer's potato croquette with Caesar salad was deemed weird and nothing special and ultimately Rachel won the round tying the teams 1-1. Brent was next and presented his lasagne with garlic, and both Vaughan and Gordon were impressed with the cook of the lasagne. Last up was Jennifer and she stated in her confessional that she needed to pull of a win for her team, or else the blue team are stuck in Hell's Kitchen. Jennifer's gnocchi was deemed disgusting and lacked flavour, which made Vaughan give the point to Brent and the red team won 2-1.

 Rachel
 Brent
 Results

## Reward

The red team were rewarded by visiting a shopping centre, Brent expressed how he did not shop that much and stated it will be a new experience for him. The red team arrived at the shopping centre and started shopping, Tara mentioned to her team that she wanted to buy clothes for her nine kids. Rachel said she couldn't believe she was shopping and wondered if she was dreaming, which Kennedy stated she wasn't.

The red team then sat down and had lunch, the red team were toasting their victory and playing darts. Brent said how much an expert he was at darts, then stated that his family called him the dart king. Brent was making his team laugh by cracking a lot of jokes, with Kennedy saying Brent was the best team member to have on her team and she was glad that he was on the red team. Rachel ended up winning and the red team celebrated Rachel's victory, and Rachel said after winning the reward she felt great and relaxed for service.

## Punishment

The blue team's punishment was delivery day and they had to carry 100 boxes of lemons, Declan said the punishment was very tiring, and hard to carry the boxes because they were so heavy. Spencer expressed how bummed he was not getting a point, but stated that in service he can bounce back. The blue team kept on carrying more lemons, and Jennifer wished she could go shopping right now but Spencer told her to focus on the punishment, and not get distracted by any causes.

## Before Service

Both teams started prepping for dinner service, and Brent told the red team to bring it in service, with Rachel adding that the red team needed to all be perfect. Vaughan then gathered both teams and told them that black jackets were around the corner, and asked them to impress him and shine in service. Vaughan told Aldo to open Hell's Kitchen.

## Service

 **Meat** | Tara
 **Fish** | Brent
 **Garnish** | Rachel

Both teams received their first ticket, and Tara sent up her veal which got accepted, while Kennedy's scallops were rejected for being half-seared which annoyed Vaughan and he told Kennedy to refire the scallops. Meanwhile, Declan sent the halibut to the pass and it was accepted. Back with the red kitchen, Kennedy brought up her refired scallops, but they were still rejected for being half-seared which annoyed the red team. Rachel sent the garnish up and that was accepted, Vaughan then asked Kennedy how long were the scallops which Kennedy responded 2 minutes. Kennedy sent up her third attempt of scallops, and they were finally accepted. Back with the blue kitchen, Spencer brought up the lamb and it were rejected for being raw, which Vaughan urges Spencer to bounce back and says that he'd never expected a mistake from him after being a front-runner. Spencer said how embarrassed he was making his first mistake, then stated that all chefs make mistakes and said he can bounce back after one simple mistake. Spencer brought his refired lamb to the pass, which it got accepted and Vaughan commended him for bouncing back. Jennifer sent the salmon to the pass, and that got rejected for being raw in the middle, which that frustrated Vaughan and warned her to wake up. On the red side, the red team moved onto entrees and Kennedy brought up the flatbread which got rejected for being doughy and that annoyed Brent as he was about to bring his halibut to the pass. Brent brought up his halibut anyway, and that got accepted impressing Vaughan and Rachel then commended him.

Back with the blue kitchen, Jennifer brought up her refired salmon and that too was sent back for being still raw in the middle, and Vaughan asked Jennifer what the fuck she was doing. Jennifer walked her third salmon attempt and it was finally accepted and Vaughan praised her for finally nailing it. Spencer then headed onto the garnish station and walked the garnish to the pass, and that too got accepted. Meanwhile with the red kitchen, Brent arrived to the pass to sent his salmon and it was deemed perfectly cooked which made Brent high five the camera, Rachel's garnish was also accepted and Vaughan praised the red team for stepping up their game. Tara's chicken was then too accepted and she said how proud she was of herself, but unfortunately Kennedy served doughy flatbread again and that made Vaughan bring the whole red team into the pantry to sort it out. In the pantry, Brent reminded Kennedy about her mistakes and needed her to bounce back, with Rachel adding the red team needs to focus and come together, then the red team headed back into the kitchen. Meanwhile with the blue kitchen, Jennifer accidentally dropped her salmon onto the floor, and Vaughan screamed at the blue team to get it together. Declan then went onto Jennifer's station to serve perfectly cooked salmon, and Vaughan praised Declan for emerging when it was needed. Declan stated in his confessional that the blue team were on a downward spiral after one mistake, and said that they needed to improve quickly. Meanwhile, Kennedy served raw flatbread this time, and Vaughan told the red team that if they made one more mistake they'll be kicked out of the kitchen and Vaughan urged them to get it together.

Kennedy managed to perfectly cook the flatbread and sent it, while Tara asked Brent how long on the fish station which he responded 4 minutes, Brent sent his halibut and Tara sent her chicken, and both components were accepted. Jennifer then served perfectly cooked salmon and the blue team finally moved onto entrees, Jennifer then misheard Declan's time and Vaughan warned her to listen. Both teams then served all the hungry customers and finished service. Spencer stated that he was glad service ended peacefully and wanted to cry. Rachel said in her confessional that she was happy that she finished service, and was proud of the red team for bouncing back.

## Post-Mortem

Vaughan then rounded both teams, and told them that while there were some mistakes, they did finish service and named both teams joint-winners. Vaughan asked both teams to come up with one nominee from each team they can do without, and then dismissed the chefs. Declan stated in his confessional that he was the only one who was safe after not making a mistake, and then saying it was a hard decision. Spencer said that Jennifer deserved to go up after her multiple mishaps on the fish station, but Jennifer said Spencer should go up after starting service on a bad foot with his lamb. Spencer stated that he'd bounced back after one mistake and was not the weakest link, Declan told them that the decision would be up to him.

Meanwhile with the red side, Brent said that it was simple who would be going up for elimination after Kennedy was the only one who messed up, Kennedy stated in her confessional that she knew she was going up, but then said she was going to fight and not give up no matter what it takes even if she has to die for it. Rachel then remarked of how Kennedy completely shutdown and recovered at the end of service. The red team then were shown talking about the black jackets, and how the stage was near.

## Elimination

Vaughan told both teams that they bounced back after so many mistakes, and congratulated them for improving. Rachel announced Kennedy as the red team's nominee, while Spencer nominated Jennifer for her multiple mishaps with the salmon. Vaughan then called Kennedy and Jennifer down. During their pleas, Kennedy said that she'd been strong up to this point, and stated she was a force to be reckon with. Jennifer apologised for her mistakes with the salmon, then said that she promises not to do that again and begs Vaughan to give her another chance. Vaughan then tell's Jennifer that he's struggling to believe she won't make any mistakes again, and wondered if she's done which she replies she's not. Vaughan reveals the black jackets and hands them out to Brent, Declan, Rachel, Spencer and Tara. In the end, Vaughan eliminates Kennedy and Vaughan states to Kennedy that he thought she would go further, and says he's disappointed. During her exit interview, Kennedy states how sad she is not getting a black jacket, then says how proud her friends and family would be of her making it very far.

Vaughan then hands the last black jacket to Jennifer, and states to her that she'd dodged a bullet. Vaughan then congratulates the black jackets, and says that there is no more hiding and he expects the highest standards. Then Vaughan dismissed the chefs. After being dismissed, Brent expressed how his dream came true, and is stoked being in the elite club. Jennifer feels relieved after nearly being sent home, and says she needs to not disappoint Vaughan anymore. Rachel claimed the other black jackets would be hard to beat, but then states that she know she can do it.

Vaughan's comment: ''Kennedy couldn't even cook flatbread tonight, so her chances of even winning Hell's Kitchen fell flat.''