Reprinted with permission from www.healthywaytocook.com

Does it seem like this show will never end? There are seven contestants left, and a giant Mystery Box filled with their loved ones. They have to cook their loved ones?! No, that would be too awesome. The cooks have to prepare dishes inspired by their loved ones with up to fifteen items from the pantry, plus a whole lot of other staples. Except for Krissi, whose family didn’t bother to show up. Instead, she receives a recorded message from her son and a giant dog.

The judges ask to taste Natasha’s dish. She prepared green curry with coconut, corn and rice. Joe calls it light and assertive, Graham thinks it’s beautifully balanced, and Gordon goes to his old standard “delicious.” Next, the judges taste Jessie’s seared duck breast with brussel sprouts and blackberry reduction. Graham is blown away and thinks it’s the best she’s made in the competition, and Gordon tosses out a “beautiful.” The final dish is from Luca. He cooked pan seared halibut with white asparagus risotto. Gordon enjoys the dish, and Joe thinks it is delicious.

The winner of the Mystery Box challenge is Luca, which is surprising because the judges didn’t seem all that into it. The loved ones say goodbye, and Luca is taken into the pantry. He will not be choosing what the contestants are cooking in the Elimination Challenge because the judges have already selected Japanese cuisine. Tempura, sushi, rolls…Luca will not have to cook in the competition, but he will get to decide which contestants will work together in three teams of two to replicate the dishes. So let’s see who Luca paired up:

• James and Jordan
• Natasha and Krissi (duh)
• Jessie and Eddie

Surprise! It’s a tag team challenge. Each team will have sixty minutes to replicate the plate of Japanese classics. Natasha, Jordan, and Jessie bark directions from the sidelines while their teammates take the first round. Live sea urchins are a challenge for everyone, and Gordon chastises Jordan for washing uni which you are apparently never, ever, ever supposed to wash. Natasha is cranking out the dishes with Krissi acting as her sous chef, Eddie looks confused, and Jordan and James, who everyone thought would be the Dream Team, is semi-crumbling under the weight of their own egos. In the final five minutes, you can almost hear Luca’s cackling from up above.

First up is Natasha and Krissi. The plating is visually beautiful, and the rice is cooked perfectly. Gordon is amazed that the plate was pulled together in the last few minutes, and Joe has gained a new respect for Natasha. James and Jordan present their plate. Joe notes the excellent cut of fish…except for the shrimp which look like they’ve been stepped on, and Gordon calls it bland. Jessie and Eddie present their sushi. Graha picks at the uni and finds the sea urchin’s intestinal tract, and the rice is overpowered by the vinegar, and Joe calls it gross.

Natasha and Krissi are safe, so Luca’s catfight strategy failed. James and Jordan are also safe, saved by their technical ability to filet the fish. I think we all know what is going to happen next. Eddie is going home.

Next week, it’s a night of second chances with the return of Lynn, Bime, and Bri.