MasterChef season 13 episodes 13 and 14 recap: August 30, 2023

Tonight on “MasterChef,” the chefs face their toughest Mystery Box challenge yet – fish! When the chefs with immunity are able to switch up the other contestants’ type of fish, the competition starts to fire up. Then, the top 10 home chefs are challenged by season 11 winner Kelsey Murphy to take traditional stadium food to new heights. The all-new “Fish Out of Water Mystery Box / Kelsey’s Stadium Food” two-hour episode of “MasterChef 13” airs Wednesday, August 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Entering its 13th season with an all-new theme, “MasterChef: United Tastes of America” sees Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich returning for the ultimate cook-off, as the top home cooks from four parts of America (West, Northeast, Midwest and South) battle it out for their region. The home cooks will face a multitude of cooking trials, including a State Fair challenge, a series of iconic Mystery Box challenges, cooking a meal at Dodger Stadium, and the fan-favorite Tag Team event, where they must create a Michelin-star quality three-course meal! Only one home cook will win it all and take home the cash prize of $250,000 and the title of America’s MasterChef.

SEE Charles Calvino (‘MasterChef 13’) elimination interview: ‘I felt like I wasn’t being heard’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “MasterChef”! Chef Andre Rush (“Kitchen Commando”) joined as a guest judge for a Mystery Box Challenge featuring army rations. Nina, Wayne and Charles were the worst, but it was Nina’s Indian-inspired dish that sent the Maine native packing. Then, the remaining home chefs tackled a classic MasterChef test: the tag team challenge. The contestants took turns preparing a delicious three course meal, working together to ensure they are on the same page every step of the way. Charles and Jennifer landed in the bottom, with Charles being sent home in 12th place. Sav and Madame Donut took the top spot, earning immunity for tonight’s Mystery Box challenge.

SEE Nina Interlandi Bell (‘MasterChef 13’) elimination interview: Mystery Box dish ‘was just an ugly first draft’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

8:10 p.m. — The top 11 home cooks walk into the MasterChef kitchen and see large mystery boxes on each station. Sav and Madame Donut head up to the balcony since they received immunity in the last challenge. Gordon reveals that each mystery box hides a different fish, so they won’t know what they’re cooking until they lift it up. Reagan explains she’s not looking forward to this challenge because she’s highly allergic. I wonder how that will work? Next, Gordon tells Sav and Madame Donut to choose two cooks who must swap fish. Madame Donut has Grant exchange his striped bass for James‘ mackerel. Sav has Kennedy swap her salmon with Reagan’s sardine. Shots fired! Each chef has one hour to filet and cook their fish dishes. The clock stars now!

8:25 p.m. — Gordon says Kennedy and Grant have the toughest fish to work with because they’re the smallest. Meanwhile, Reagan is concerned that she won’t be able to taste the dish because of her allergies. She just has to hope the flavors are good. In general, the entire kitchen looks full of home cooks who aren’t used to filleting fish. Meanwhile, Lizzie admits she doesn’t know how to open a bottle of wine and asks for Joe’s help. She looks like she’s having a rough time. As the judges look around the room they seem the most worried about Grant. Up in the balcony, Madame Donut says she’s worried about Lizzie, who has red snapper. It’s not a fish she’s used to cooking in Alaska. She also didn’t cook out the alcohol from the wine she used. James didn’t realize you had to cook wine out either. I’m shocked people at this stage of the competition don’t know that.

8:45 p.m. — Time has expired and hands are in the air. Sav knows she missed the mark by targeting Kennedy, whose dish looks delicious. But Sav’s opinion no longer matters, it’s up to the judges. After taking a look around the kitchen, Gordon says everyone should be proud of themselves because they all look good. The first name called forward in the top three is Wayne. He prepared Blackened Catfish with Spicy Potato Hash, Remoulade, and Pickled Green Tomatoes. Joe says the cook on the catfish is “spot on.” Aarón says all of Wayne’s decisions were smart. Gordon says he “nailed that catfish.” Next up is Kolby‘s Harissa Spiced Halibut with Squash & Carrot Puree and Tabouleh. Aarón loves that Kolby stepped away from the obvious by going a Mediterranean route. Gordon calls it his “best plated” dish of the competition. Joe thinks it’s perfectly conceptualized and executed. The final dish in the top three is Kennedy’s Fried Sardines with Herb Panzanella and White Wine & Raisin Sauce. Gordon loves what she’s done and says she’s “unphased.” Joe says it’s perfect and it’s “quite delicious.” Aarón compliments her for making something “uniquely Kennedy.” After a quick deliberation, the judges declare Wayne the winner. He will have immunity at the next challenge.

8:55 p.m. — Now it’s time to see the worst three dishes. First up is Grant’s Pan Seared Mackerel with Sautéed Kohlrabi and Mackerel Mousse & Potato Soufflé. Joe says it looks like he didn’t consider the fish he was using. Aarón appreciates the flavor of the mousse, but the broth is a misfire. Gordon says the sear of the fish is good, but the broth doesn’t work. Next up is Lizzie’s Pan Seared Red Snapper with Orange & Saffron Sauce, Couscous, Charred Bok Choy and Orange Supremes. Gordon thinks the dish looks unfinished. Joe says it looks like a 20-minute dish and asks, “What did you do in an hour?” The red snapper is perfectly cooked, but the couscous “tastes like a mimosa.” Last up tonight is James’ Pan Seared Striped Sea Bass with Pickled Romanesco, Parsnip Puree, Sautéed Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes. Gordon says the dish wasn’t thought out properly. Joe says basically everything is wrong. Aarón says the best bite is the mushrooms, but that has nothing to do with fish.

9:00 p.m. — The judges take some time to deliberate and decide James will be eliminated. Gordon says watching him come out of his shell has been “inspiring.” James says he loved being in the competition and he’s disappointed he didn’t make the top 10.

9:07 p.m. — For the second half of this double-header, Gordon introduces season 11 winner Kelsey Murphy to the kitchen for tonight’s stadium food challenge. Since winning the show, Kelsey has signed a contract to cook at the stadium the Indianapolis Colts play in. She does a high-quality take on game day food. Colts fans are eating good! As examples she shows off her wagyu beef hot dog, cuban sandwiches and Asian sticky wings. Joe explains that tonight’s home cooks will be tasked with elevating stadium food. Aarón says they should highlight their own region of the country and make sure it’s MasterChef-worthy. Lizzie is the first to say she’s worried about this challenge because there aren’t many stadiums in Alaska. Gordon also explains that Wayne, who is safely up on the balcony, can throw a flag and give one home cook a five-minute penalty whenever he chooses. There is 60 minutes on the clock and time starts now!

9:15 p.m. — Wayne says his eyes are on Grant, Kolby, Kennedy and Jennifer. Those are his biggest threats he is considering penalizing tonight. Reagan says she’s excited for this challenge and is very familiar with tailgating in New Orleans. Kolby’s dad played in the NFL so he’s also quite familiar with stadium foods. In fact, everyone but Lizzie seems pretty stoked about this challenge. Over at Jennifer’s station, she plans to make pulled pork sandwiches by using the pressure cooker. She knows she needs to get them in as fast as possible because at home she would smoke this pork for hours. Just before she’s able to get the pork in the pressure cooker, a ruthless Wayne penalizes her by five minutes. By the time she can begin cooking again only 45 minutes will remain. Will Jennifer have to rethink her dish completely?

9:25 p.m. — Once Jennifer is able to start cooking again she goes straight back to the pressure cooker. She is holding on strong to this dish and will just have to hope the meat is tender. Meanwhile, Madame Donut is taking this opportunity to make a dessert she’s known for — donuts! I’m excited to see this, but she’s a little insecure. If she fails she will be mortified. Kennedy looks calm, cool and collected as always. She never looks concerned and has to be considered the biggest front-runner this season. Over at Jennifer’s station Kelsey gives her a pep talk and tells her not to let that penalty derail her. Jennifer says she gave up 13 years of her life to have kids and this is her time to go after her own dreams. The judges seem concerned about Jennifer and Lizzie. Gordon is concerned about Madame Donut and doesn’t consider donuts stadium food. Kelsey pushes back, saying she would love stadium donuts and sells cookies at her restaurant.

9:35 p.m. — With 15 minutes remaining the judges walk around the kitchen to scope out everyone’s dishes. Kolby is in a bit of a panic over his sliders. After finishing in the top three the last three challenges, this is the first time he’s really struggled. The judges think both Sav and Grant are overcomplicating their dishes. Later, in the moment of truth, Jennifer opens her pressure cooker. The pork is beautifully cooked! Time winds down and everyone throws their hands in the air. Kolby is convinced he’s going home. Jennifer is absolutely confident. The judges take a closer look at all the dishes before deciding who is in the top three.

9:45 p.m. — First up is Madame Donut. She looks shocked to be in the top three and begins to cry, saying she’s doubted herself. MD presents them with her Mixed Berry Cake Donut Trio with Fresh Rosemary, Fruity Cereal and Edible Flowers. Gordon compliments her as the only one with the tenacity to do a dessert. They look stunning. Kelsey loves them. Joe calls them a very “professional creation” with amazing icing. Next up is Brynn‘s Lobster Roll with Tempura Battered Lobster Claw, Sweet Potato Chips and Celery Slaw. Gordon says it looks delicious. Kelsey calls it “tender” and delicious. Joe thinks it was executed to perfection. Aarón loves the flavor. Last up is Jennifer’s Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich with Blackberry BBQ Sauce and Tangy Slaw. Gordon calls it delicious. Kelsey loves the heat. Aarón thinks it’s impressive considering the adversity she faced. After thinking it over, the judges declare Brynn the winner. She will have immunity at the next challenge.

9:55 p.m. — It’s now time for the worst three dishes. Up first is Kolby’s Texas Style Patty Melt with Coleslaw and French Fries. Joe says everything about it is wrong. A patty melt should be more meat than bread, and this is the opposite. Aarón and Kelsey say it tastes better than it looks. Next up is Grant’s Pulled Pork Stuffed Tetelas with Red & Green Salsa and Queso Blanco. Aarón says the tetelas have way too much masa. The dough is totally raw and Joe says “it hits you like a sledgehammer.” Kelsey says he should have made a tester to avoid the mistake. Last up is Lizzie’s King Crab Hushpuppies with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce and Sweet Potato Chips. The hushpuppies are raw and basically inedible. The chips are burnt. The hushpuppies are dense. Gordon says she took the most expensive crab in the world and turned it into something that looks like it came out of a can.

10:00 p.m. — The judges take a moment to deliberate. They decide the home cook leaving is Lizzie. Gordon says he smile lights up the kitchen and they’ll miss her. She calls “MasterChef” the most incredible experience of her life. She’s proud to have made the top 10.

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