Ep 13. Shucking the Competition

In season 16, episode 13 of the popular cooking competition show Beat Bobby Flay, titled "Shucking the Competition," two contestants battle it out for the chance to take on celebrity chef Bobby Flay in the ultimate culinary showdown.

The episode begins as host Ted Allen introduces the first contestant, a chef from Maine named Evan. Evan specializes in seafood, particularly oysters, which he intends to use as the star ingredient of his dish. His challenger is a chef from Oklahoma named Mary, who describes her cooking style as Southern comfort food with a modern twist.

As the contestants begin their 45-minute cook-off, tension runs high in the kitchen as they chop, sauté, and season their ingredients to perfection. Evan starts by shucking a fresh batch of oysters, which he plans to use in a flavorful stew. Mary, meanwhile, opts for a protein-packed dish by searing a prime cut of beef and serving it with a side of crispy mashed potatoes.

As the clock ticks down, the plates start to come together. Evan's oyster stew is creamy and fragrant, with a hint of lemon and the briny tang of the fresh oysters. Mary's steak is done to a perfect medium-rare and is topped with a tangy chimichurri sauce that perfectly complements the hearty flavors of the meat.

Once time is up, it's on to the tasting round. The guest judges, two Food Network personalities, are impressed with both dishes but ultimately declare Evan the winner. He advances to the next round, where he'll go up against Bobby Flay himself in a head-to-head cook-off.

Before the final showdown, Evan has a chance to briefly consult with his sous chef and get some last-minute tips from Bay Area seafood expert Soterios (also known as Chef "Sota") who has come in as Bobby's sous chef. The two chefs then head to the market to shop for their ingredients, with Bobby picking out ingredients for his signature dish which uses salmon as the main ingredient while Evan goes for some classic comfort food ingredients like bacon.

The two chefs return to the kitchen to start their final cook-off. Bobby moves quickly, deftly preparing his salmon dish with a tangy, herbaceous salsa verde. Evan takes a different approach, taking his time to braise some short ribs for his dish and pairing it with a classic potato gratin.

As the clock ticks down, the judges gather to taste the two dishes. They are blown away by both, commenting on the perfect execution of the protein in both dishes, but in the end, there can only be one winner.

After much deliberation, the judges reveal that Evan has managed to Beat Bobby Flay. Bobby congratulates his opponent and they both share good wishes. The episode ends on a high note, with Evan proving that he has what it takes to compete with the best and emerge victorious.