The Balcony of Safety is invaded by food critics
America, say hello to your Final Five!
To ease our pain, Gordon and Christina welcome a new guest judge: Chef Richard Blais.
It was probably something really insightful about authorship of your food, but I was distracted by said glasses.
Credit: Greg Gayne/Fox
MYSTERY BOX
First up is a Mystery Box Challenge.
Each chef is given one ingredient handpicked by their visiting family member to showcase in a restaurant-quality dish.
Better hope your family knows you as well as you think they do, huh?
Hes had success with turnovers before, so why not?
Once again, the judges are fans of the flaky pastry and delicious filling.
Gordon thinks Dans made his mom proud with this dish and thats all that matters, right?
It tastes good, too!
Christina loves the caramel sauce and Gordon is pleased to see one of his home cooks grilling peaches.
Its always a good day when you impress Gordon Ramsay.
The only real gripe is the shortcake is underbaked.
Otherwise, its another great southern dish from Tanorria.
The guy likes to swing his ego around the kitchen, but deep down, hes a softie.
Theres also good reason for his ego: Hes a great cook.
Both Richard and Gordon give the Vegas DJ rave reviews.
Once again, its no real surpriseShaunis the big winner here.
NEXT: Whos next to join Shaun in the Top Four?
Theyre allowed to select any 20 ingredients they want to create the perfect meal for the judges.
If it sounds too easy for aMasterChefchallenge, thats because it is.
Thats devious and wonderful, isnt it?
Even better: Shaun gets to select how the baskets are moved around.
The other four cooks are not enthused.
He stages a walkout, but Gordon runs after him and convinces him to keep cooking.
To this I ask: Why?
If David is going to act like this every time something doesnt go his way, let him leave.
Gordon tells David to cut the crap, and Ive never loved our host more.
The judges applaud her presentation as well as the flavors.
This decision doesnotplease the judges.
They want to see Dan use his imagination a bit more and cook something meaningful to him.
The judges want a second helping of Brandis ravioli and thus declare her the winner of this elimination challenge.
She and Tanorria join Shaun in the Top Four, leaving Dan and David in the bottom two.
Ultimately, the judges send our resident Frat GuyDanhome, but Im baffled.
Sure, this is a cooking competition, but shouldnt David be held accountable for his temper tantrums?
Even Gordon is a little bit scared.
The 17 critics march themselves over the Balcony of Safety to flash some intimidating mugs at the cooks.
The balcony is safe no more.
As the last challenge winner, Brandi gets to select her cooking partner and goes with Shaun.
Thats a stacked team right there.
They salvage what they can and are able to get all of their plates out.
Halibut is a fickle fish, but when done correctly, its a hit with the foodie crowd.
Brandi and Shaun promise Gordon theyll be getting this one right.
OnMasterChef, as in life, you cant win them all.
The only question remaining is who will be joining these two as they duke it out for kitchen glory.
To fill that final spot, Tanorria and David head to the Pressure Test.
PRESSURE TEST
The Pressure Test du jour: Pork three ways.
So, yeah, not the easiest challenge to face.
The biggest threat to a win here is timing.
Or, you know, not cooking your pork well.
Tanorria recreates the three dishes exactly, but her pork is subpar for the most part.
David wins round three (and the final spot in theMasterCheffinale) andTanorriais sent home.
Were left with the Vegas boys and our Kentucky gal going head-to-head-to-head for the big prize.
To each their own, I guess.
See you at the finale!
