In this week’s episode of MasterChef, the Top 5 contestants face the iconic Wall Challenge, testing their culinary skills and teamwork under pressure.
Let’s Get Loud: MasterChef Top 5 Clash in Wild ‘Wall’ Challenge
This week, the recipe calls for equal parts skill, patience, and yelling — because the Top 5 are taking on MasterChef’s dreaded “Wall Challenge.”
Both cooks in each duo must make the exact same dish – while divided by a giant eight-foot-high wall, communicating by shouting over it. The pairs must be in sync every single step of the way to ensure their dish not only looks the same but tastes exactly the same as well. The team who makes the worst dish will be eliminated in the “The Wall” episode of MasterChef: Dynamic Duos airing Thursday, Sept. 4 (8 p.m. ET/PT) on Fox.
The Contestants
See the full list of Season 15 contestants below (with previously eliminated chefs crossed out).
NameRelationshipHometown
Adam & Joel Brothers Athens, Ga.
Ashley & Ricky Siblings Orlando, Fla./Buffalo, N.Y.
Azu & Javier Divorced Exes Miami Beach, Fla./Miami
Darce & Courtney Animal ER Nurses Chicago
Jessica & Jesse Long Term Relationship Boston
Kayla & Ryan Kate MasterChef Junior Besties Moriches, N.Y./Grapevine, Texas
Kevin & Trey Best Friends New Bern, N.C./Charlotte, N.C.
Rachel & Julio Married Naples, Fla.
Timothy & Athena Newlyweds Bowie, Md.
Tina & Aivan Aunt & Niece Fountain Valley, Calif./Fairplay, Colo.
Tonna & Cait Mother & Daughter Brandon, S.D.
Zach & Michelle Married MinneapolisThe Challenge
Judges Gordon Ramsay, Tiffany Derry, and Joe Bastianich introduce “The Wall” — as if anyone needs a refresher on the show’s most iconic challenge. Gordon explains they’re looking for flawless dishes and to see how well each Dynamic Duo knows each other in the kitchen.
Azu and Javier are especially fired up. Divorced for 15 years, Azu laughs that yelling is just their “normal” form of communication. After a quick five-minute scramble in the pantry to plan their dish, the clock starts ticking on their one-hour cook.
Tensions rise quickly in the kitchen as all the teams start shouting to be heard. With the noise level off the charts, it’s clear that cooler heads will have the advantage. No one is more frustrated than Michelle, who can’t hear a word Zach is saying despite begging him to “speak louder than he’s ever spoken in his life.”
After the loudest, most frantic hour of the season, the challenge ends — and confidence is nowhere to be found. Now it’s time to see which duo delivered matching dishes.
Judgement
Jessica & Jesse
Dish: Pan-seared trout with butternut squash purée; wilted kale, bacon and mushrooms; sautéed asparagus; and lemon vinaigrette
Gordon: They look beautiful, but the purees are different. Jesse’s has finesse, Jessica’s looks a little bit rough. Both dishes are delicious and the trout are cooked beautifully.
Tiffany: This is a really good dish. You did a lot of work.
Joe: The dishes are delicious. The differences are aesthetic — if I ate them blind I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Great job.
Tina & Aivan
Dish: Vietnamese “Shaken Beef” with fried noodle nest and pickled onion salad, and sautéed mushrooms
Gordon: I’m underwhelmed. The dish looks sparse. Where’s the beef? There’s too many noodles.
Tiffany: Is this the level to make the semi-final?
Joe: Aivan’s beef is cooked more appropriately. They’re both good, but the differences are disappointing.
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Zach & Michelle
Dish: Potato and leek crusted snapper with lemon beurre blanc, wilted spinach, blistered tomatoes, and roasted asparagus
Gordon: They look identical. Both fish are delicious, but Zach’s asparagus is a little undercooked.
Tiffany: They feel almost like the same person made both.
Joe: I tasted Michelle’s beurre blanc and I thought it was excellent — and then Zach’s was even better.
Azu & Javier
Dish: Black mojo hamachi with mashed potatoes, citrus asparagus, maple carrots, and salsa macha
Gordon: Azu, your fish is delicious, but the skin is rubbery. Javier — you hammered your fish. It’s dry. Such a shame.
Tiffany: The plates look very similar. Javier’s mashed potatoes are delicious, but Azu’s are so salty.
Joe: Azu’s hamachi is properly cooked, but Javier’s is overcooked. The dishes taste very differently from each other.
Rachel & Julio
Dish: Pan-seared venison loin with mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, roasted carrots, and red wine sauce
Gordon: Rachel’s sauce isn’t anywhere near finished. It looks like raw red wine. The seasoning on both dishes is on point, but Rachel’s venison is exquisite.
Tiffany: I enjoyed Rachel’s potatoes. I enjoyed Julio’s mushrooms and the seasoning on the steak.
Joe: Each dish has what the other one is missing. If I could put the two sauces together, I’d have a perfect sauce.
Elimination
After a brief deliberation, the judges revealed the four duos advancing to the semi-finals, announced in order of their performance: Zach & Michelle, Jessica & Jesse, Rachel & Julio, and Tina & Aivan.
That means Azu & Javier, the divorced couple from Miami, have been eliminated in fifth place. “Just being here was a dream,” Azu said. Javier added, “This competition positively changed our relationship.”
Next Week
The duos take on a familiar challenge: keeping up with Gordon, tag-team style. Only three will advance to the Season 15 finale.
