Ep 14. Squashed

In Chopped season 4 episode 14, titled "Squashed," four chefs entered the kitchen ready to compete against each other for a chance to win $10,000. For the appetizer round, the contestants had to work with a variety of squash and a variety of seafood. The judges were looking for dishes that showcased the squash and incorporated the seafood in a creative way.

The chefs had to think on their feet and come up with innovative dishes in just 20 minutes. Some contestants struggled with the seafood, while others struggled with the squash. However, the judges were impressed with the overall creativity and flavors of the dishes.

Moving on to the entrée round, the remaining chefs had to use pork tenderloin and root vegetables in their dishes. The judges were looking for dishes that were well-balanced and highlighted both the pork and the root vegetables. The contestants had 30 minutes to cook their dishes, which provided a bit more time to develop flavors and execute their ideas.

The chefs had a variety of ideas for their dishes, including braised pork tenderloin with a root vegetable puree and roasted pork tenderloin with a root vegetable hash. The judges were impressed with the complexity of the dishes and how each chef used the required ingredients in unique ways.

Finally, in the dessert round, the remaining chefs had to use chocolate and fruit preserves in their desserts. The judges were looking for dishes that balanced the sweetness of the chocolate with the tartness of the preserves. The contestants had 30 minutes to create their desserts, which meant that they had to work quickly and efficiently to complete their dishes on time.

The chefs' ideas for their desserts were diverse, including chocolate mousse with fruit preserves and chocolate dipped fruit with a fruit preserve dipping sauce. The judges were pleased with the creativity of the dishes and how each chef incorporated the required ingredients.

Throughout the episode, the judges critiqued each dish based on taste, presentation, and creativity. They were tough but fair in their evaluations, providing feedback that was both constructive and insightful.

In the end, only one chef was named the winner, receiving $10,000 and the title of Chopped champion. The other contestants left with valuable experience and lessons learned from their time in the Chopped kitchen.