Ep 12. Chopped Gastropub

In Chopped season 26 episode 12, titled Chopped Gastropub, four new contestants arrive in the kitchen ready to compete for the top prize and the coveted title of Chopped champion. But this time, the menu is set to focus on the trendy and popular genre of gastropub cuisine.

As usual, the judges -- Marcus Samuelsson, Amanda Freitag, and Scott Conant -- explain the rules of the game. The contestants must prepare three courses of dishes from a basket of mystery ingredients with each course containing a protein, a vegetable, and a unique ingredient. But this time, the ingredients are set to showcase the best of gastropub goodness.

The first basket contains items like chicken gizzards, smoked trout, and red onions. The contestants must use these ingredients to create a delicious appetizer that offers a glimpse into their gastropub inspiration. With only 20 minutes on the clock, they must use their best techniques and creativity to get the job done.

Once the buzzer rings and the plates are ready, the judges ask probing questions, examining the choices each contestant made. They taste and scrutinize each appetizer, eliminating one contestant based on this round's performance.

For the entree, the next basket includes ingredients like venison loin, rainbow carrots, and bone marrow. The contestants must use these to create a hearty main course that showcases their skills in the gastropub genre.

As the contestants race against the clock, tension and excitement fill the kitchen. The judges observe the contestants as they make crucial decisions, working in unison to deliver creative dishes.

After the entree round, there's no time to waste. As the contestants move on to the dessert round, they must create the ultimate gastropub inspired sweet dish, incorporating unexpected ingredients like blood oranges, stout beer, and frozen waffles.

As the countdown reaches its end, the chefs work furiously, trying to create the most delicious and innovative dessert in just 30 minutes.

Once the buzzer goes off, the plates are presented to the judges, who prepare to taste and scrutinize each dessert. But before the final decision is made, the judges have to choose one chef to be eliminated based on their dish's performance.

In the end, only one chef emerges victorious, holding the title of Chopped champion for this round. They will move on to the next round of the competition, hoping to build upon their victory and make it to the final round and take home the grand prize.

Overall, Chopped season 26 episode 12 is an exciting and fast-paced competition that showcases the incredible potential of gastropub cuisine. The contestants push themselves to the limit, working with a variety of ingredients to create innovative and unique dishes that set their skills apart. The judges are unrelenting, posing tough questions and scrutinizing each dish to determine which chef deserves the coveted title of Chopped champion.