Ep 5. Midnight Snack Attack

Chopped is a reality cooking game show that airs on the Food Network. In each episode, four professional chefs compete against each other to create a three-course meal using a basket of mystery ingredients. Each round, one chef is eliminated, and the winner takes home a cash prize.

In season 31, episode 5 of Chopped, titled "Midnight Snack Attack," four chefs must create dishes using unexpected ingredients. The first round's basket consists of Rocky Mountain oysters, pickled green beans, cream cheese, and salt and vinegar potato chips. The chefs have only 20 minutes to create an appetizer using these ingredients.

As the chefs work, they show off their different approaches to the challenge. One chef decides to take a risk, creating a beef tartare with cream cheese and using the pickled green beans as a side. Another chef decides to feature the Rocky Mountain oysters, deep frying them and serving them with a creamy dip made from cream cheese and potato chips.

At the end of the round, the judges taste each dish and choose which chef will be eliminated. The remaining three chefs move on to the entree round, where they must create a dish using a basket of cornish hen, Korean bok choy, black garlic, and cucumber water.

In this round, the chefs have 30 minutes to create a dish that highlights the unique flavors of the ingredients. One chef decides to make a Korean-inspired dish, seasoning the cornish hen with gochugaru and serving it with bok choy and a black garlic sauce. Another chef decides to take a more traditional approach, roasting the cornish hen and serving it with roasted bok choy and a cucumber water dressing.

As the judges taste each dish, they note how the chefs have adapted to the challenge. Each dish shows off the versatility of the ingredients and the skill of the chef who created it. After much deliberation, one chef is eliminated, and the remaining two move on to the dessert round.

For the final round, the two remaining chefs must create a dessert using a basket of mascarpone cheese, frozen mixed berries, black sesame seeds, and champagne. The chefs have just 30 minutes to create a dessert that is both delicious and visually stunning.

As the chefs work, they show off their creativity and technique. One chef decides to make a mascarpone cheesecake with a mixed berry compote and a champagne reduction. The other chef decides to make a black sesame semifreddo, topping it with a mixed berry coulis and a champagne foam.

The judges taste each dish and evaluate the flavor, texture, and presentation. As they make their final decision, they note how each chef has brought their own style and flair to the challenge. In the end, one chef is declared the winner of Chopped season 31 episode 5, "Midnight Snack Attack."