Last week’s episode of “Yes, Chef” gave viewers an unexpected Top 6 to watch compete in the chefs next challenge that resulted in one of the returning chefs, Julia, getting sent home for a second time.  This week, the current Chefs are determined to stay true to their word and get the second returning chef sent home.  That chef is Petrina.

This week’s challenge in the “Yes, Chef” kitchen certainly tested Petrina’s perfectionism and anxiety.  So much so, at one point during the judging portion, it seemed like she might have a complete melt-down.  Luckily that didn’t happen.

Pictured: (l-r) Emily Brubaker, Petrina Peart, Zain Ismail, Jake Lawler, Lee Frank — Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC

Judges Martha Stewart and Chef Jose Andres asked the remaining five chefs, who are:  Jake, Lee, Emily, Zain, Petrina,  for a dish at a high-end fine dining restaurant.  Petrina’s jam is vegan and she stuck with it, serving a vegan surf and turf.  Zain chose a rack of lamb dish.  Emily went with a prong entree.  Jake gave the judges a venison strip loin.  Lee came through with a very complex dish.  Perhaps as a show-off.  Zain was intimidated by Lee’s dish because she’s a self-taught chef.  

This Twist is Sinister! 

Lee’s high caliber meal really came back to bite him in the rear-end when they actually got to the twist of their challenge.  Martha Stewart alerted the chefs that this challenge will have them dealing with a new “monkey wrench” of sorts involving culinary students.  The twist is that the chefs had to instruct the students on how to cook  their dishes to a tee, without touching anything and without tasting anything as well!

Chef Jose Andrew spread his wisdom by telling the chefs, “we need to delegate in order to be successful,” and “we’re only as good as the people we have working under us.” 

Jake was called-out as not being good in particular at communication.  Another rule, before the clock started, the students were allowed to ask as many questions as they wanted.  But, once the clock starts on the challenge, they can only say “yes, chef,” or “no, chef.”  

Pictured: (l-r) Mukund Goyel, Emily Brubaker — Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC

More Than Skills Are Tested!

At first, it seemed that Chef Lee screwed himself on this challenge by having the most complex dish.  When Lee was not able to communicate with his student on how to use a food processor to make his potatoes, he had to pivot to another technique and almost lost his sh—t.  This occurred right after viewers saw interview snippets of Lee talking about how it’s typical of him to lose his temper in the kitchen.  But, that was the past, and in the present, he’s trying to be a better person.

Judges Martha Stewart and Chef Jose did a “walk around” the kitchen “Master Chef” style to talk to the contestants for updates on the progression of their fine dining dishes.  Only one can imagine what it was like for the students to be cooking alongside not only experienced chefs, but then Martha Stewart and Chef Jose Andres came walking into their kitchen to observe them!! Talk about nerves and sweating bullets.

Jake said before he came to the show he was “somewhat of a control freak” and managed to keep his cool on instructing the much taller than himself female student.  Petrina and

Emily took-on a fun, exuberant style of teaching to come across positively and motivational to their students.  Remember that “no tasting” rule. Well, turns out the judges were just kidding. Because towards the end of the challenge, the chefs had two minutes to take quick tastes.  Lee was seriously stressing on getting his student Jack to plate quickly and precisely.

THE JUDGING:

Each chef praised their students for following directions.  However, when it came to Petrina, she allowed her student to do his “own thing” which was the marination. Martha noted that it was one of the “best things” on the plate. When Petrina was questioned about that, she said she’s able to let go of her “perfectionism” easier when she’s in a teaching position.  

So, this seemed like a huge red flag in not winning the challenge because the rule was to instruct the student to create THEIR dishes.  Lee and his culinary student named Jack turned out to be an incredible team.  So much so that Lee was rewarded with MVC (Most Valuable Chef) this week which saved him from elimination.

It was advantageous that using the food processor in Lee’s dish did not work out because Martha said she prefers hand-grated potatoes over using a food processor and her mother would never allow that.

Pictured: (l-r) Martha Stewart, José Andrés — Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC

DISH EVALUATIONS:

Emily’s dish lacked a sauce and butter, Petrina missed having a “crack” in her dish like her chips in the previous challenge last week.  Zain’s lamb chop was hard for Martha to cut with it being placed in a bowl.  Jake’s venison was well-prepared, but lacked more cranberries.  The judges wanted to see Jake challenge himself more and thought he was playing it safe.

Lee got high praises for not only his dish but also his mentoring style. Most important, for not losing his cool while teaching Jack.  He got more kudos for his presentation along with well cooked and tasty food, which is why the judges awarded him the winner and MVC of the challenge.  The judges said Emily came in a “close second.”  And, because Lee won the challenge, this not only kept him safe but also forced him to choose two chefs to be in the Cook-Off.  So, in Lee’s eyes, Emily was also safe

OBVIOUS CHOICES:

Lee had to select the two chefs who would be going head-to-head in the cook-off.  The obvious choices were Zain and Petrina.  It seemed that Lee saw it that way too.  As long as it’s not Jake again!  Because clearly the man needs a break from Cook-Offs and a nap in general.

Lee selected chef Zain for “missing the mark by a good margin in fine dining,” said Lee.  He put Zain against chef Petrina.  He noted her “raw pastry” from last week should have put her in the bottom. But because she landed on a winning team she was able to skate by.  This is when Petrina stated to the judges that she’s the outsider after coming back.

THE COOK-OFF

Pictured: (l-r) Lee Frank, Emily Brubaker, Zain Ismail — Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC

Martha announced that this challenge is also themed in “lack of control.”  They were presented with a Lazy Susan with a technique and a time for the Cook-Off.  Lee’s spin of the Lazy Susan landed on American cheese and Wagyu Beef.  He gave Zain the cheese, and Petrina got the Wagyu Beef.  Lee figured Petrina would have difficulty with meat, being that she cooks a good number of vegan dishes each week.  

Lee also tried to sabotage Zain with the hardest ingredient, cheese since she has the lowest rated dish this week.  While watching-on, the other chefs were resting on if Petrina wins this, she will have earned her place to stay.  And, it seems that this was their biggest credence with Petrina.

Zain elevated a hamburger style dish and placed the cheese in the potatoes.  Petrina cut the steak and rolled it into “ribbons.” Martha was very puzzled by it.  “The giant mistake that Martha said Petrina made was using Tonka beans with the Wagyu steak because it overpowered the meat.  

The Cook-Off Winner…and FINAL FOUR!

Pictured: (l-r) Zain Ismail, Petrina Peart — Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC

The winner of this challenge would solidify themselves into the final four.  Just before the judging proceeded, Petrina was highly emotional that warranted chef Jose to ask her if she was alright?  Petrina answered something to the effect that she’s naturally a highly emotional person.

Apparently, Martha doesn’t care for grilled asparagus, which was part of Zain’s dish. But, this didn’t affect the judging.  Because while Zain’s presentation lacked, especially from a chef of her caliber, the judges preferred her dish.  Petrina’s downfall, Chef Jose Andres pointed-out, was her Wagyu Beef not being good.

Viewers might be looking at only two more weeks of this show. The final four are Jake, Zain, Emily, and Lee who are focused on taking each other out!  In next week’s episode, it teases that sabotage isn’t off of the table as a winning tactic!

“Yes, Chef!” airs Mondays at 10 pm ET/PT on NBC and streams on Peacock.