Chopped "Tapas Time" Recap (12/17/13)

Tonight's episode of Chopped features the following four chefs competing for the title of Chopped Champion and $10,000:

Alex Moreno, Executive Chef at Border Grill Restaurant, Santa Monica, CA
Gemma Gray, Executive Sous Chef at Andaz Restaurant, West Hollywood, CA
David Viana, Chef de Cuisine at Daryl Restaurant, New Brunswick, NJ
Andres Figueroa, Executive Chef at Antojeria La Popular Restaurant, NYC

The theme of tonight's episode is "Tapas" (small plates). Each chef is given 30 minutes to prepare more than one dish for each round.

For the Appetizer Round, the chefs must prepare at least 2 dishes using the following ingredients:
Boquerones (salty anchioves)
Pan de leche
Gazpacho
Head on shrimp

Alex prepares 1) Shrimp with Chile de Arbol & 2) Boquerone Pan de Leche
Gemma prepares 1) Strawberry & Raspberry Gazpacho & 2) Picada Catalana
David prepares 1) Pan de Tomate with Boquerones & 2) Grilled Head on Shrimp with Gazpacho Pear Sauce
Andres prepares 1) Mexican Escabeche & 2) Deep Fried Head on Shrimp

Chopped: Chef Andres. The judges felt that he did not make two different tapas.

For the Entree Round, the chefs are required to cook a minimum of 3 dishes using:
Spanish Tortilla
Serrano Ham
Squid
Chayote

David makes 1) Fideo with Fried Squid Tentacles & 2) Stuffed Squid & 3) Chayote/ Ham Salad
Alex makes 1) Squid with Chayote Salad & 2) Stuffed Squid with Chili Ancho Puree & 3) Fried Squid Head
Gemma makes 1) Grilled Calamari & 2) Fried Spanish Tortilla with Serrano Ham & 3) Chayote Salad

Chopped: Chef Gemma. The judges felt that her fried tortilla dish showed little creativity and the squid was undercooked

In the Dessert Round, the chefs again must prepare at least 2 different dishes using the following ingredients:
Catalan Creme
Cava
Oranges
Marcona Almonds

David bakes an 1) Almond, Orange and Cava Yogurt Cake &  2) Orange & Cava Ice Cream
Alex makes 1) Churros & Mexican Hot Chocolate & 2) Cava and Lime Granita

Chopped: Chef David. The judges felt that in the Entree Round his squid was undercooked and in Appetizer Round his Pan de Tomate fell apart.

Winner & Chopped Champion: Chef Alex Figueroa