RTR4LTXG
Executive producer and judge Gordon Ramsey (L-R) speak as fellow judges Christina Tosi and Graham Elliott look on during the panel for Fox's "MasterChef Junior" at the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter 2015 presentations. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

It’s going down the wire in “MasterChef US” Season 7, as only five home cooks are in the running for the coveted title. On Wednesday’s episode, tempers flare yet again when the remaining contestants are pushed to their culinary limit. In what could be could be the most shocking turn of events this season, one contender decides to ditch the competition, stunning everyone in the kitchen, including judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi.

After a series of seemingly impossible tasks, only five remain to battle it out for another day: Shaun O’Neale, Brandi Mudd, Tanorria Askew and David Williams. Shaun and David – both hailing from Las Vegas – has proven so far to be serious threats in this year’s “MasterChef US.” However, David’s quick temper constantly overshadows his skills as a budding chef, and it may just prove to be his downfall.

Spoiler Alert! This article contains "MasterChef US" 2016 spoilers. Read only if you want to know more about it.

Fox posted a sneak peek of Wednesday’s episode, wherein the top five are in for the biggest surprise of the season. They all turn emotional as Gordon introduces the special guests for that evening, which suggests that the contestant’s family and loved ones show up.

However, tears are soon replaced by hot temper when the home cooks are pushed to their culinary limit. Christina seems to be calling out David for copying Tanorria’s dish, making him absolutely furious. Guest chef Richard Blais notices that David takes his apron off. As he walks out of the kitchen, Gordon runs after him.

“MasterChef US” Season 7 recap

“MasterChef US” 2016 aired another double-episode feature with guest chef Kevin Sbraga. Episode 14 opened with a mystery box, which contained only a cast-iron pan, a wooden spoon, and a paring knife. The remaining contestants – alongside Gordon – must use only these tools to make their dish in 60 minutes.

At the end of the challenge, the top three dishes belonged to Tanorria, Brandi and David. Despite such a close call, Brandi's togarashi spiced rib eye with mango slaw and mushroom turnovers was deemed the best dish, giving her a massive advantage.

For winning the mystery box challenge, Brandi got to pick the teams for the elimination test – the “MasterChef” classic tag team challenge. The home cooks were tasked to recreate a generous, romantic spread of picnic basket, including sliders, lobster rolls, scotch eggs, cookies and tuxedo strawberries. Targeting to eliminate Shaun, Brandi paired him off with Nathan Barnhouse. She also selected Katie Dixon as David’s partner, leaving Tanorria with Dan.

Hot tempers flared in the kitchen and tension was definitely high. All teams encountered their respective difficulties, but not more than Shaun and Nathan. Throughout the challenge, Nathan was in a state, crumbling down the pressure. It wasn’t long before Nathan let stress overwhelm him and he collapsed. Gordon came over to help him and successfully calmed him down.


Source: YouTube/Fox

However, when Nathan faced the judges with Shaun, the team knew they were in trouble – some elements of their picnic basket were missing, and the ones they were able to serve were not good enough. Gordon even called their picnic spread a “bloody mess.”

Meanwhile, despite David’s display of anger right when then their hour was done, their picnic basket was judged the best for the night and they headed off to safety. Tanorria and Dan were also deemed safe, leaving Shaun and Nathan on the chopping block. For not contributing enough to the team and for letting the challenge get the best of him, Nathan was sent home.

On Episode 15, the top six contestants found themselves in a pop-up restaurant at the grand ballroom of the historic Arc Plaza Hotel. For coming up with the best picnic basket in the previous episode, David and Katie were tasked to be the team captains.

Source: YouTube/Fox

Both teams were told to prepare a 1920s-themed menu with two appetisers and two entrées: pan seared scallops with quail eggs, parsnip puree and caviar and oysters Rockefeller with spinach and hollandaise sauce, as well as poached lobster tail with tagliatelle and sautéed asparagus and filet mignon with mashed potatoes and root vegetables.

David led the blue team composed of Brandi and Tanorria, while Katie selected Shaun and Dan for the red team. Gordon acted as the expediter for both teams, adding more intensity to a professional kitchen. Both teams were struggling during the challenge, both marred with their own respective problems. Over on the blue team, David lacked communication with his team, leaving Tanorria frustrated and seething mad.

Source: YouTube/Fox

When it was time to serve the entrée, David decided to use his poker skills to breeze through service. Their smooth-sailing momentum got derailed, however, when they put out raw elements on their plates. On the other hand, the red team continued to struggle under Katie’s leadership and they were completely running behind. Katie insisted to plate their dishes despite being called out by Christina earlier. At the end of the challenge, the blue team was declared the winner, sending David, Brandi and Tanorria to top five.

Katie, Shaun and Dan traded their red aprons to black for the pressure test. At this stage of the competition, the challenges are getting harder more than ever. The three contestants in the firing line were shocked when they learned they had to replicate three desserts featuring chocolate. Under just 60 minutes, they each had to prepare milk chocolate cheesecake, white chocolate éclair and dark chocolate molten lava cake.

From the beginning of the pressure test, Katie was already emotional, completely overwhelmed with the daunting three challenges. Dan, on the other hand, seemed to be falling apart from the word go. Shaun, meanwhile, seemed focused while he breezed in through each dessert. His grace under pressure paid off and he was called first to safety. It boiled down to Dan and Katie. While both had major flaws in their dishes, Katie’s mistakes proved to be the most crucial and she was promptly eliminated.

Find out what happens next on “MasterChef US,” and stay tuned for episode spoilers. “MasterChef US” Season 7 airs on Wednesdays, 8/7c on Fox.

RELATED STORIES