Ep 11. Sprouting Victory

In this episode of Beat Bobby Flay season 18, titled Sprouting Victory, two talented chefs go head-to-head for the chance to defeat culinary superstar Bobby Flay.

First up is Chef Tanya Holland, the owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, California. Chef Holland is known for her Southern-inspired dishes that are influenced by her African-American and Jewish heritage. She is confident in her abilities and has experience cooking for high-profile clients like President Barack Obama.

Her challenger is Chef Cassidee Dabney, the executive chef at the Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. Chef Dabney is passionate about using locally-sourced ingredients in her dishes and often draws inspiration from her Appalachian roots. She has trained under some of the best chefs in the industry and has won numerous accolades for her cooking.

The competition begins with the chefs being tasked with creating a dish using the secret ingredient of the day: sprouts. Chef Holland decides to make a sprout and okra gumbo with shrimp and andouille sausage. She believes that the bold flavors of the gumbo will balance well with the delicate sprouts. Chef Dabney, on the other hand, decides to make a dish that features roasted Brussels sprouts with a maple-mustard glaze, bacon, and a poached egg. She hopes that the combination of savory and sweet flavors will impress the judges.

Next, the chefs must create a dish that represents their culinary style and showcases their skills. Chef Holland decides to make a dish that is inspired by her upbringing in Oakland. She creates a pan-seared trout with a tomato and corn relish, served with a side of black-eyed peas and collard greens. She believes that this dish represents the melding of cultures that she experienced growing up.

Chef Dabney decides to make a dish that highlights the fresh ingredients available at the Barn at Blackberry Farm. She creates a grilled venison loin with a cherry and rosemary sauce, served with a side of roasted root vegetables. She believes that the simplicity of the dish will allow the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through.

As the clock ticks down, both chefs rush to finish plating their dishes. They present their creations to the judges, who are impressed by the creativity and skill on display. However, only one chef can move on to the final round and face off against Bobby Flay.

In the last round, the remaining chef must create a dish using an ingredient chosen by Bobby Flay himself. This time, the secret ingredient is lamb. The chef has just 45 minutes to create a dish that wows the judges and defeats Bobby Flay.

Chef Holland decides to make a spice-crusted lamb chop with a peach and jalapeno chutney, served with a side of black-eyed pea succotash. She believes that the sweetness of the peach chutney will balance well with the spiciness of the lamb. Chef Dabney decides to make a seasoned lamb loin with a side of roasted parsnips and Brussels sprouts. She hopes that the simplicity of the dish will allow the quality of the lamb to shine through.

As the judges taste the final dishes, they are blown away by the skill and creativity of both chefs. But in the end, only one can emerge victorious and take on Bobby Flay. Will it be Chef Tanya Holland or Chef Cassidee Dabney? Tune in to find out in this exciting episode of Beat Bobby Flay season 18, Sprouting Victory.