Food Network Star Episode 4 Recap: Fashion Plates and Platters

Linkie comes out and fails to introduce herself (perhaps it could have been the editing?) and starts to recite her pre-rehearsed script. Then…uh oh, she stumbles, and she just can’t get back on her memorized script.

I seem to have forgotten my lines…

It’s a disaster. The judges, however, really like the curry flavor in her Chicken Pot Pie Redux.

Martita Senorita salsas in- and boy she really turns on Mexico when she needs to and she is so lovely. (Wait. Who said that? I said something genuinely nice about someone. I apologize, I must have a fever.) Her Arroz con Pollo, according to the judges is beautiful and delicious and they think Martita is generous with love. Maybe the judges have a fever also… or maybe Martita slipped us a littlle Spanish Fly.

Strap it on like a feed-bag, Susie

In the Mentor’s Room, Bobble Head remarks that Martita was great, Yvan was a lunatic, Ippy was too laid back and Linkie, once she falls off her script, doesn’t know how to recover.

Bobby tells his team that it was a food grand slam! Nikki’s food was the best, Malcolm got the crowd excited, but Gangster didn’t finish her story and Eric needs to be more excited.

Alton was excited that everyone listened to the challenge. Vampoor had a completely new spin on Beef Stroganoff, Frenchie stayed completely true to the challenge and wore a bacon toupee. Martie, even though she left the ring molds on, made a great dish. And Judson, Alton asks “What was up with that mantra?”

The teams are called before the Judges, and Susie notes that the challenge was all about looks and that some were great, and some were a hot mess- and Susie would know, judging by her blouse.

I fell out of the “Hot Mess Tree” and hit every limb on the way down… twice

Vampoor wins the challenge and he is $10,000 richer!! Team Alton wins and all members are safe from elimination.

Awwwww, Sookie

Bobble and Bobby lose, and they call out Eric for not delivering anything memorable- personality-wise and Ippy for being too laid back. They tell Ippy he needs “put a stake in the ground!” And Ippy is like “mmmmm, steak.”

Eric and Ippy must compete in The Producer’s Challenge.

The Producer’s Challenge is about “Bringing Food to Life” through descriptive commentary. They will NOT be cooking anything, but they will be presented with the same prepared dish and they will need to describe it in a 1 minute video presentation. The selected dish is “French Toast with Strawberry Compote.”

Eric feels a ton of pressure and he knows he has to “go for it.” Eric welcomes the audience to “Hand Crafted In the Wine Country.” He relates the dish back to his childhood and a memory of his mother making him french toast for Valentine’s Day. He talks about the ingredients, but doesn’t describe the flavors. The judges don’t really know what makes Eric tick. They are looking for a spark.

I’d give my left hand-crafted nut to stay on this show

Bobble Head tries to psych Ippy up, telling him it needs to be FUN!!! And Bobble wants to know where he is going to take her and Ippy replies “We are going to paradise, baby.” Ok, a little creepy, but there is something so endearing about Ippy. On camera, Ippy takes a gigantic bite of the French Toast… but it was too big of a bite. So he’s describing the dish, whilst choking on the food.

Does someone know the Heimlich?

It’s disturbing but relays to me (at least) that this guy really loves food and it is what makes him tick.

The judges say it’s clear both men love to be in the kitchen but they both struggle on camera. Bobble thinks that Ippy could take people to paradise on a weekly basis. Sounds like someone has sipped a little Ippy-Kool Aid. Eric just isn’t as interesting and Ippy describes the flavors well.