Chopped “Waste Not” Recap (1/5/14)

 

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

 

Chef Pip Freeman, Chef & Owner of Three Letters, Brooklyn, NY;

 

Chef Sarah Pouzar, Exec. Chef of Il Forno: Iron Bar, NYC;

 

Lauren Von Der Pool, Personal Chef to Venus/Serena Williams; &

 

Chef Damon Gordon, Exec. Chef of Water Grill Santa Monica

 

The Challenge: Create a dish using mystery baskets filled with “wasted” ingredients.

The chefs are allotted 30 minutes per round to cook and plate their dishes for the judges.

The Appetizer Round called for the chefs to use Lobster Bodies, Juicer Pulp, Stale Pita Bread and Used Tea Bags

Damon serves Lobster & Heirloom Tomato Salad with Lobster/Tea Vinaigrette

Sarah serves Lobster Caprese Salad

Lauren serves White Bean Lobster Soup Infused with Maple Lemon Gastrique

Pip serves Lobster Panzanella Salad with Beet & Black Tea Vinaigrette

Chopped: Chef Pip. The judges felt that his dish lacked salt

The Entrée Round featured Brownie Edges, a Near Empty Bottle of Ranch Dressing, Onion Ends, and Rotisserie Chicken Picked to the Bone

Sarah prepares Chicken Tacos with Ancho Brownie Bread Pudding & Charred Onion Broth

Damon prepares Rotisserie Chicken with Dark Chocolate Brown Mole

Lauren prepares Chicken Tacos with a Cilantro-Spinach Infused Ranch Sauce

Chopped: Chef Lauren. The judges felt that the ranch sauce she placed under her taco made the taco soggy. She also failed to put onions on each plate.

Lauren addresses the judges and tells them that she strategically placed the sauce underneath the taco to prevent it from getting soggy unlike her competitor [Sarah] whose “sh** was soggy.”

The judges stick to their decision to chop her and reiterate that her plates lacked consistency. She leaves, but not before stating she does not agree with their decision.

The Dessert Round required the chefs to use Pineapple Skin and Core, the Last Piece of Cheese, Cucumber Peels, and Brown Avocado

Damon makes Avocado & Berry Compote with Cheese Fondue

Sarah makes Cheddar & Cornmeal Blini with Avocado Marscapone

Chopped: Chef Damon. His first course lacked tea and his third course failed to impress the judges.

 

Winner & Chopped Champion: Chef Sarah