Episode Report Card Daniel: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT There’s No 'Nedra' In 'Team'
By Daniel | Season 11 | Episode 12 | Aired on 05.23.2013
Look, I know Nedra's not the most refined person, but when it comes to cooking she could still probably avoid saying she's going to "pull something out of [her] ass." She also needs a reminder from Zach to start referring to Blue as "we" and not "you." Over in Red, Susan babbles nonstop and can't figure out the rice cooker. Zach, meanwhile, has never cooked Japanese, but not having any idea what he's doing hasn't stopped him yet, so he's ready to use "bok chewie." Then he makes what I guess is a joke, saying that Japanese food is just like Chinese food, which he knows because his one Korean friend told him so.
Time's up, and the cheftestants plate. Ramsay announces that the guest judge is the executive editor of Every Day with Rachel Ray: Dana Bowen. "This woman knows her food -- inside or out -- and around the world. It was a little intimidating," Anthony says.
They start with Indian: Mary's got a pan-seared lamb loin, crusted with garam masala, with grilled eggplant puree. She's nervous, because at the last minute she burned her basmati rice and couldn't use it (but we spent a chunk of time making fun of Susan for not knowing how to use a rice cooker). Bowen calls it beautifully done, and Ramsay says the lamb is delicious. "Maybe rice is overrated!" she squeaks. Then the judges try Jon's tandoori chicken with honey raita and pistachios, glazed the chicken with some honey. It's tender and delicious, and Bowen says the dish instantly announces it's Indian. She likes both dishes, but awards Blue the point.
Nedra brings up her curry broth with deep-fried calamari. Ramsay points out you don't often see that in Thailand, so Nedra pretends that she was trying to think outside the box and did that intentionally. Bowen says it's highly seasoned but she's not getting a lot of flavors. Ja'Nel has made a steamed halibut with lemongrass coconut broth. Nedra practically gags at how much Bowen praises it, and it's no contest: point for Red. Bowen's still complimenting Ja'Nel even after Ja'Nel has taken her place back in line.
Cyndi and Anthony's Greek: Cyndi has made a stuffed chicken roulade, and an orzo salad with mint. Bowen says it's delicious. Anthony has made a seared lamb, with yogurt sauce with plum and mint. They like it, but Bowen says the plum is muddying the flavor a little bit. Point for Red.
So Zach needs to beat Susan to salvage a tie. Susan has made a white miso dashi with sautéed baby bok choy, a sesame seared ahi with ponzu daikon salad on top. "It's very... that's fantastic," says Bowen, and Ramsay similarly loves it. Zach has made noodles with pan-seared chicken, napa cabbage and "bok chewie," and Ramsay's surprised look at Zach's pronunciation is, hilariously, the cliffhanger we go out to commercial on.