MasterChef

Gordon: Previously on "MasterChef"...

We're going to play recipe telephone.

These duos are separated

in the cooking of a dish over one hour.

One starts, one brings it home.

You've really got to set your partner up for success.

Some were perfectly aligned.

Flavors are great. Techniques are great.

You read each other's minds.

Congratulations, Rachel and Julio.

Yeah!

While others were out of sync.

Don't put it on the fish!

I'm doing the best I can with what I got here.

Cait, the sauce!

Ryan Kate really left Kayla a mess.

The steaks are still in the package.

Wish she'd put the carrots on for me.

Ladies, sadly, filet mignon is overcooked.

- And also this asparagus, it's just... - Joe: Mush.

Ryan Kate, you didn't do enough.

The duo leaving "MasterChef" tonight is Kayla and Ryan Kate.

Say goodbye.

Tonight, it's full steam ahead

in the second team challenge of the season.

You'll be cooking for a VIP fine dining experience.

- Ooh. - These are full-on Michelin star dishes.

- Oh, boy. - But this is no ordinary service.

One duo from each team will be cooking on the moving train.

- (groans) - It's a race against the clock...

The diners are boarding the train.

Come on, come on. We got to go faster.

We got to get these out before that train stops.

...to make sure everything stays on track.

- Should be medium rare. - That's black and blue.

Do you both know what you're doing?

All these ducks are overcooked.

There's gonna be hell to pay.

This is a fricking train wreck!

- (train whistle blows) - (birds squawking)

Tonna: This is far from the MasterChef kitchen.

Cait: Yeah. Where are we?

- (muted chatter) - A train?

It's down to the top eight

and it's getting harder and harder.

Last week, we were in the bottom.

The margin of error is shrinking, so--

- Nowhere to hide. - Nowhere to hide now.

MasterChef Station.

This is our second field challenge.

We know we're in for a tough one.

So we really got to step up today and knock it out of the park.

- MasterChef gravy train. - Oh, my gosh.

Choo-choo!

Excellent. Oh, my God.

Last field challenge,

Gordon's riding around on a water ski.

And this challenge, he's in the conductor's seat?

- Like, what can't he do? - What a ride.

- Oh, my God. - Another unique entrance!

Oh, boy. Oh, boy. How cool is that, by the way?

Amazing!

- Good morning, guys. - Morning!

- Feeling good? - Yes!

Listen up, because it's time for our next big field challenge.

Today, you'll be cooking for a one-of-a-kind

VIP fine dining experience.

VIP fine dining. Hmm.

Gordon: That's right. You'll be serving nearly 60 VIP guests.

Right here.

- Wow. - I love it.

These are discerning guests that are willing to pay a big premium

for impeccable service and excellent food.

In this challenge, each team will have to cook an elegant meal

featuring an amuse-bouche and a main course.

- That's right. Two courses. - That's going to be tough.

Now, listen up, because the duos on the winning team

will be safe from elimination when we return to the MasterChef kitchen.

However, if you find yourself on the losing team today,

you will fight for your survival inside that dreaded pressure test next time.

- Don't won't be on that. - Another one.

...where unfortunately, at least one duo will be leaving the competition.

Okay, guys, now we need teams.

Today, to keep things really simple, we're going to split you right down the middle.

So that means we have four duos on each team.

- Let's do this. - This is going to be cool!

All right. Here's the Blue Team aprons. Good luck, guys.

All right! Come on, Team Red.

So we have Zach and Michelle, Rachel and Julio,

Timothy and Athena, Tonna and Cait.

You are gonna be the Red Team.

Jessica and Jesse, Azu and Javier,

Adam and Joel, Tina and Aivan,

you are going to be the Blue Team.

- Mm. I like red. - All right.

Nothing keeps you running on schedule quite like a captain.

So please take a minute amongst yourselves to pick one duo to lead your team to victory.

- We've both been bartenders. - I think we should do it, too.

- No, yeah, yeah. - I mean, this guy runs

million-dollar sales all the time.

- Yep. Yep. We feel good. - Let's go.

- Blue Team on three. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

- One, two, three. - Blue!

- Red Team! - Okay, so, Red Team,

please tell us who you picked as captains and why.

- We volunteered to be captains. - Okay.

We're ready to show that we have some leadership skills,

and we're excited about working with this team.

Okay, Blue Team, who's the captain?

All right, Jesse and Jessica. Tell us why.

We both have experience, especially in bartending,

running the ship, if you will.

And we do not put out poor food.

So tonight is going to be the best food possible.

- Okay. - Right, Red Team, Blue Team, listen up.

Today, we want to ensure that the diners

get the highest quality of service.

So we've created your menus for you today.

- Oh! - Ooh.

Red Team, you'll be cooking a delicious crab vol-au-vent

finished with crème fraîche and dill,

topped with salmon roe caviar.

- Okay. - Okay.

After that, your main course

is a beautiful medium rare filet mignon

with sautéed mushrooms, mashed potatoes,

wilted greens, finished with a beautiful peppercorn sauce.

Blue Team, you'll be cooking a beautiful sesame crusted

ahi tuna crisp served with an avocado purée,

and pickled red onions.

The entrée is a delicious pan-seared duck breast

with butternut squash purée, roasted carrots,

and a port wine sauce.

- Yeah. - Understood?

Yes, Chef.

But this is no ordinary service,

because once our VIP guests arrive,

one duo from each team will be responsible for cooking

and serving the amuse-bouche on the moving train.

Oh, my God.

Gordon: Yes, the train's gonna be moving.

Yes, it's cramped.

Yes, you've got Joe Bastianich breathing down your neck.

We have never served food in a moving train. Are you kidding me right now?

The train does a loop around this stunning scenery for 45 minutes.

So by the time it returns,

your main course must be ready to serve.

And the diners will be casting their votes

for the best team based on both courses.

Right, Red Team, Blue Team, are we ready?

- Yes, Chef. - Let's do it.

Your time starts...

- ...now! Let's go. - Come on, guys. Let's go, let's go

- Let's go, let's go, let's go. - Go, Red Team!

Let's go, guys.

Let's get it, let's get it, let's get it.

All right, you guys feeling good about what you're tasting here?

The appetizer, the amuse-bouche, crab, crème fraîche, dill.

We have the duck, and it's cooked a perfect medium rare.

The skin is super crispy.

It is going to be really difficult

to replicate these dishes.

Fine dining is all about precision,

and there's nothing really to hide behind here.

I like Joel and I to take the train,

'cause precision and consistency is right up my alley.

- Yep. - Okay, Joel and Adam, you guys will get on the train

and kick ass over there, okay?

To sear the tuna and the duck,

I'm gonna have Tina and Aivan start that, okay?

- Tina, my name. Tuna, my game. Don't worry, brother. - Yes, I love it!

Azu and Javier, we're going to have you work on the vegetables.

Our style of leadership is straight to the point.

Absolutely. There's no time to mince words here.

I want to get the job done, and I want us to win.

We taste everything, every component, all right?

If it's not good, we don't serve it, okay?

If we have to, we're gonna get real Boston, real quick in this challenge.

Look at me. I am the captain now.

All right, we ready to dig into the steak?

This is gonna be a really difficult challenge,

because the key to replicating this menu is nailing the steak.

If we're off there, the whole dish is gonna be off all day long.

So, who feels really comfortable with the amuse?

Rachel and Julio, we'll put you guys on the train.

Having been captains already, that's your ship.

- That's your train. Just run with it. - We got it.

Athena and Timothy, you guys have done potatoes now a couple of times.

- Yeah, we can sauté that for sure. - Yeah.

- And then my South Dakota ladies. - Yes.

- Let's go. - You guys are on the meat.

Michelle: I'm taking the lead on this challenge,

but we're gonna have to take turns, you know,

being in that leadership role.

Let's just communicate, you guys.

We need to communicate. All be kind to each other, but communicate.

Our leadership style is gonna to be to protect the emotions of our team,

and we're going to show that we have confidence in them

so they can have confidence in themselves.

- One, two, three. - Go, Red!