Chopped "Hoffin It" Recap (1/21/14)

  

Tuesday's episode of "Chopped" featured the following four chefs competing for the title of Chopped Champion & $10,000:

 

Chef Maxcel Hardy, Personal Chef to Amar'e Stoudemire

Chef Ashley Fahr, Free Lance Chef & Food Stylist, NYC

Chef Laurie Potts, Executive Chef of WildHorse Saloon, Nashville, TN 

Chef Joe Yuokhan, Executive Chef & Owner of Tasting Spoon Food Truck, Orange County

The chefs must prepare and plate an Appetizer, Entrée, and Dessert for a panel of judges using the mystery basket ingredients and any additional kitchen and pantry items. After each round, the judges critique the dishes based on presentation, taste, and creativity. The chef whose dish the judges like the least will be Chopped.

In the Appetizer Round, the chefs were tasked with using Pickled Pig's Feet, Butter Beans, Coleslaw Mix, and Sweet Potato Chips.

Joe: Butter Bean and Pig’s Feet Cassoulet with Sour Slaw

Maxcel: Curried Pigs Feet with Tropical Slaw & Candied Sweet Potato Chips

Laurie: BBQ Pickled Pigs Feet with Southern Slaw

Ashley: Butter Bean and Pig’s Foot Hash with Coleslaw Salad

Chopped: Chef Ashley. The judges were unable to taste her dish since she cut herself and her blood may/may not have gotten on the plate.

 

For the Entrée Round the mystery basket ingredients included: Venison Tenderloin, Watercress, Eggplant, and Pecan Pie.

 

Maxcel: Rosemary Roasted Venison with Eggplant Pecan Risotto

Laurie: Pecan Pie Crusted Vension Tenderloin with Watercress & Eggplant Puree

Joe: Five Spiced Seared Venison with Potato Gnocchi & Eggplant Caponata

 

Chopped: Chef Laurie. The judges felt that her eggplant & watercress puree lacked flavor and made her venison soggy.

 

The Dessert Round challenged the chefs with Chai Tea Latte, Lady Gala Apples, Black Licorice, and Puff Pastry. 

 

Maxcel: Apple Struedel with Chai Tea Black Licorice Crème Anglaise

Joe: Deconstructed Apple Strudel with Chai Tea Black Licorice Cream

 

Chopped: Chef Maxcel. The judges felt that his appetizer course lacked pigs feet and his venison in the entrée round was overcooked.

 

Chopped Champion: Chef Joe. He wins $10,000.