In this episode of MasterChef, the Top 8 duos face a challenging dining experience aboard a moving steam train, testing their teamwork and culinary skills.
The Contestants
See the full list of Season 15 contestants below (with previously eliminated chefs crossed out).
- Name: Adam & Joel – Relationship: Brothers – Hometown: Athens, Ga.
- Name: Ashley & Ricky – Relationship: Siblings – Hometown: Orlando, Fla./Buffalo, N.Y.
- Name: Azu & Javier – Relationship: Divorced Exes – Hometown: Miami Beach, Fla./Miami
- Name: Darce & Courtney – Relationship: Animal ER Nurses – Hometown: Chicago
- Name: Jessica & Jesse – Relationship: Long Term Relationship – Hometown: Boston
- Name: Kayla & Ryan Kate – Relationship: MasterChef Junior Besties – Hometown: Moriches, N.Y./Grapevine, Texas
- Name: Kevin & Trey – Relationship: Best Friends – Hometown: New Bern, N.C./Charlotte, N.C.
- Name: Rachel & Julio – Relationship: Married – Hometown: Naples, Fla.
- Name: Timothy & Athena – Relationship: Newlyweds – Hometown: Bowie, Md.
- Name: Tina & Aivan – Relationship: Aunt & Niece – Hometown: Fountain Valley, Calif./Fairplay, Colo.
- Name: Tonna & Cait – Relationship: Mother & Daughter – Hometown: Brandon, S.D.
- Name: Zach & Michelle – Relationship: Married – Hometown: Minneapolis
The Challenge
Judges Gordon Ramsay, Tiffany Derry, and Joe Bastianich arrived in dramatic fashion aboard a locomotive to kick off the second team challenge. This time, the contestants are tasked with delivering a fine-dining experience for 60 VIP train passengers. The challenge requires each team to serve an amuse-bouche and a main course, crafted with precision and elegance. For the winning duos, safety from elimination is the reward, while the losing duos must face off under the intense spotlight of the season’s second Pressure Test.
For the challenge, the contestants are divided into two teams based on where they happen to be standing. The Red Team, captained by Zach & Michelle, includes Rachel & Julio, Timothy & Athena, and Tonna & Cait. The Blue Team, led by Jessica & Jesse, is comprised of Adam & Joel, Azu & Javier, and Tina & Aivan. The menu assignment is predetermined, pushing both teams to work cohesively with no creative input on the dishes themselves.
The Menus
Red Team:
Amuse Bouche: Crab Vol Au Vent with Crème Fraîche, Dill, and Salmon Roe Caviar.
Main Course: Filet Mignon with Sautéed Mushrooms, Mashed Potatoes, Wilted Greens, and Peppercorn Sauce.
Blue Team:
Amuse Bouche: Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Crisp with Avocado Purée and Pickled Onions.
Main Course: Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Butternut Squash Purée, Roasted Carrots, and Port Wine Sauce.
Let’s get cooking!
For this task, one duo from each team will be cooking and serving the amuse-bouche on the moving train. It’s cramped, Joe will be breathing down their necks, and the ride lasts 45 minutes. By the time the train returns, the main course — served by the remaining team members — must be ready to serve. The diners will then cast their votes for the best team based on both courses. Hopping on the train for the Blue Team is Adam & Joel, while Rachel & Julio covering the amuse-bouche for the Red Team.
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Right off the bat, Tiffany and Joe notice Tina isn’t properly seasoning or cooking the tuna, so they ask Jesse to step in and help her. Meanwhile, Gordon warns Zach & Michelle that their teammates, Tonna & Cait, have no idea how to properly sear steak. Yikes!
During the taste test, Joe tells the Blue Team that their tuna is overcooked and the sesame seeds are not toasted “at all.” Gordon says the duck is beautiful, but the carrots are undercooked and under-seasoned. Over at the Red Team’s station, Joe says both courses look “technically sound” but “sloppy.” Gordon says the crab is under-seasoned and the steak is undercooked. Once again, he tells Zach & Michelle that he’s not confident in Tonna & Cait cooking the filets.
With some adjustments made, the train leaves the station and this contest is officially underway. Service onboard goes relatively smoothly, with the Blue Team’s tuna looking like the favorite amuse-bouche. Next, passengers leave the train and sit down for their entree. Both teams are frazzled to get 60 main courses on the table, but Gordon is especially fed up with the red team. He chucks the greens at the train saying they’re “ice cold.” Despite that, most diners appear to enjoy the Red Team’s filet more than the Blue Team’s duck. As dishes keep being served, Gordon unleashes on the Red Team over their “watery, lumpy, bland” mashed potatoes. He screams, “This is a frickin’ train wreck!” After a stressful day, the challenge comes to an end and it’s time for the patrons to vote.
The Winners
Despite some devastating critiques, the Blue Team prevailed, winning the majority of the votes for their “style and finesse.” They’re all now guaranteed a spot in the Top 7.
Next Week
The Red Team’s duos — Zach & Michelle, Rachel & Julio, Timothy & Athena, and Tonna & Cait — will face off in a high-stakes Pressure Test, where at least one pair will be sent home.
