‘MasterChef’ season 14 episode 14 and 15 recap: Who was eliminated in ‘Feel The Burn/The Wall’? [LIVE BLOG]
Tonight on “MasterChef,” “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans brings the heat as guest judge. The MasterChef kitchen heats up as the top 10 contestants are faced with a fiery mystery box challenge! Later on, the top eight chefs face an unexpected surprise and discover that they must work in pairs to cook identical dishes from opposite sides of a wall in the all-new “Feel the Burn – Mystery Box / The Wall” two-part episode of “MasterChef: Generations” airing Wednesday, September 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Season 14 of “MasterChef” brings together amateur cooks from four generations – Millennials, Baby Boomers, Gen Z and Gen X – to prove that age does not matter in the kitchen. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, Joe Bastianich eliminated contestants each week until one winner is crowned with the title of MasterChef and the $250,000 grand prize. Follow our live blog for tonight’s episode below.
8:00 p.m. — Previously on “MasterChef”! In Episodes 12 and 13, the 12 remaining chefs worked in pairs and switched off cooking back-and-forth during the infamous tag team challenge. Later on, the contestants were given only 45 minutes to prepare a restaurant quality dish that featured coffee. At the end of the night, Jeet and Daniela had been eliminated. Who will go home next?
8:07 p.m. — The Top 10 enter the MasterChef kitchen with Mystery Boxes on fire! Gordon explains, if things weren’t hot enough already, two individuals will be eliminated. When they lift their Mystery Boxes they’re filled with all kinds of hot peppers, sauces and spices. Tonight they must incorporate spicy ingredients into a restaurant quality dish. They must use at least three items. Next, Gordon introduces “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans as the guest judge. They cooks have 45 minutes. As the winner of the last challenge, Kamay will get to ice out one competitor during tonight’s challenge. The clock starts now!
8:15 p.m. — After 10 minutes expire, the judges begin circulating around the kitchen. Horacio is a lover of Indian food and hopes to wow the judges this week, but Gordon looks a bit concerned about the Baby Boomer’s time management. Becca admits she doesn’t like spicy food, and Joe looks perplexed that she’s decided to make a spicy fish. Becca says the mild flavor of fish adheres nicely to spice. With 30 minutes remaining on the clock, Kamay decides to ice out Becca for five minutes. She turns everything off at her station and stands by waiting.
8:30 p.m. — After five minutes, Becca is back at it and I don’t think it will impact her too much. She said she prepared to be sabotaged and worked extra fast to make sure everything was prepared. Meanwhile, Sean likes the sound of Hallie‘s dish, but Gordon tells her to “be smart” and not overcook the chicken. Murt is making a spicy pork chop and reveals he likes spicy food. Adam is having fun as well, hoping to impress the judges tonight after a couple of tough weeks. Michael is flying through this dish, making shrimp and grits with spices he admittedly knows very little about. He’s not a huge fan of spicy food. Kimberly is making a spicy chicken sandwich, which sounds good to Sean, but if you make something as simple as a chicken sandwich, it better be elite! Especially since Rebecka is making her own chicken sandwich just a few feet away. As the clock ticks down the judges look concerned about Kimberly. Joe and Aarón also seem disturbed by how long it took Warren to add the spices to his chili.
8:45 p.m. — With time expired, the judges will call forward the best three dishes of the night. First up is Murt’s Seared Pork Chop with Bourbon & Hot Glaze, Crispy Onions, Spicy Mustard & Parsnip Puree and Mustard Greens. It’s beautifully plated and Gordon calls cooking the pork a “bold move.” Sean loves the trail of heat left behind with just one bite. Next up is Michael’s Hot Honey Shrimp & Grits with Creole Tomato Gravy. Joe calls it one of the most sophisticated shrimp and grits he’s seen in the history of “MasterChef.” Aarón calls it one of the top three shrimp and grits he’s ever tasted, but Sean says Michael could have cranked up the heat a little bit. Last up is Adam’s Jerk Chicken Thigh with Pineapple & Banana Pepper Slaw, Hot Honey Cornbread and Yogurt & Herb Sauce. Gordon commends him for taking a risk with the Scotch bonnet pepper. Sean calls the dish perfectly balanced, adding it’s the best cornbread he’s ever had. Joe says it’s a “delicious, properly cooked dish.” After a brief deliberation, the judges declare the winner of this challenge is Adam!
8:55 p.m. — It’s now time to call forward the bottom three dishes, beginning with Hallie’s Spicy Fried Chicken with Lemon & Wasabi Rice, Chines Honey Mustard Sauce and Seared Bok Choy. Joe says it looks off-putting and Aarón thinks it needs more sauce. Sean says it’s “pretty hot,” but dry and tastes like spicy sand. Next up is Kimberly’s Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich with Roasted Jalapeno Slaw and Cayenne Kale Chips. Aarón is disappointed by the ingredients and says he wishes the trend of kale chips would “go away.” Gordon points out that the chicken is overcooked and there’s no heat. The third dish in the bottom is Warren’s Brazilian Fish Stew with Steamed Rice and Avocado Salad. Gordon says it looks like it was plated in the 1970s. Joe says the halibut is overcooked. Sean says Warren held back and the dish needs more life.
9:00 p.m. — The judges deliberate and will send two home cooks packing. The two chefs leaving now are Kimberly and Hallie. With Kimberly going home, Gen X is completely gone!
9:05 p.m. — The Top 8 enter the MasterChef kitchen and discover it’s the famous wall challenge! They’ll have to pair up and cook identical dishes with a wall between them. As the winner of the last challenge, Adam gets to choose his partner, and he takes Michael. Next, everyone must decide amongst themselves who they want to work with. Here are all the final teams: Adam & Michael, Becca & Murt, Kamay & Rebecca and Horacio & Warren. Warren is immediately concerned about Horacio’s ability to “receive information.” I guess we’ll see how this goes! Oh, and this is another DOUBLE ELIMINATION, but the two eliminated cooks don’t necessarily have to be from the same team. They have one hour to put together identical dishes. The clock starts now!
9:10 p.m. — After planning their dishes and collecting ingredients from the pantry, the home cooks begin working. Michael is already frustrated by how loud Horacio is and tells him to “Shut up!” The judges are excited to see Adam and Michael together, saying they’re two of the most exciting cooks in the competition. They’re skeptical that Rebecka will allow Kamay to take the lead like they’ve planned, since both are type A personalities. Joe says Becca has to lead Murt in this challenge because she’s the better cook. Horacio and Warren could be a hot mess.
9:20 p.m. — As expected, Rebecka is barking orders at Kamay just minutes into the challenge she designated Kamay the leader of. Kamay now says, “I’m going to follow your lead!” Becca is feeling confident about her partnership with Murt, but soon realizes they forgot lemons, forcing them to pivot. Next, Gordon confronts Rebecka about taking over this challenge and she laughs, saying, “I can’t help it.” Warren and Horacio are hilarious to watch, and seem to be doing okay so far!
9:30 p.m. — Horacio butchered one of his fish and asks Warren if he has a spare. He doesn’t. Meanwhile, Michael is having difficulty hearing his soft-spoken partner, Adam. Just 20 minutes remain on the clock. Gordon tells Adam that his steak looks boiled, not seared. Horacio is struggling with the beurre blanc sauce, admitting he’s never made one before, but didn’t want to tell Warren and make him nervous. Gordon informs Horacio that he would have better luck if he turned the gas on his stove, lol. Horacio gets the gas going and sets his pan on fire. Oh, boy! With just minutes remaining, the cooks must decide which identical plates they’ll use. Will they choose the correct ones? Time expires and this wall challenge is over! It’s time to find out how each team did.
9:35 p.m. — Becca & Murt serve Spice-Rubbed Pork Chop with Sweet Potato Puree, Brussel Sprouts, Flambeed Red Onions and Chimichurri. The presentation is nearly identical, with Becca’s plate being just a bit prettier. Gordon says they’re nearly identical and calls it a job well-done. The cook on both pork chops is beautiful and they taste delicious. Joe calls their performance “really special.”
9:40 p.m. — Kamay & Rebecka serve Striped Sea Bass with Sweet Potato Puree, Asparagus, Squash, Okra and Champagne Herb Vinaigrette. They look nearly identical. Joe says what they’ve done is a “major, major accomplishment.” Both of them cooked the fish perfectly, but the vinaigrette needs more acidity. Overall, both of them taste great.
9:45 p.m. — Horacio & Warren serve Crispy-Skin Trout with Creamy Polenta, Asparagus, Balsamic Endive and Beurre Blanc Sauce. Unfortunately, they’re served on two completely different plates. The food is not situated the same on the plate either. Gordon says they should not have served beurre blanc with fish, and Horacio’s sauce is broken. Warren’s fish is a touch undercooked, but the sauce is good. Horacio’s fish is cooked beautifully, but the polenta is too rich. Joe said Warren made an error in judging Horacio’s ability to cook his conception.
9:52 p.m. — Adam & Michael serve Pan-Seared New York Strip with Parsnip Puree, Honey Beets, Asparagus and Red Wine Mushroom Sauce. They look relatively similar, but Michael’s steak has a much better crust. Joe expected something more “cutting edge” from these two and Gordon criticizes the white fat on Adam’s steak. Adam’s steak is also undercooked, but Michael’s is perfect. Overall, the judges are extremely impressed with Michael’s dish, but slightly underwhelmed by Adam’s.
10:00 p.m. — The judges step away to deliberate. When they return, they reveal that Becca & Murt have won this challenge. Kamay & Rebecka were also exceptional. With just four home cooks left, the judges reveal that the two going home right now are Horacio and Warren. Sadly, it’s a Baby Boomer bloodbath at the wall. It wasn’t a good night for Horacio and Warren, but they sure were fun to watch this season!