Ep 8. They Had Style, They Had Food

Beat Bobby Flay is a popular cooking competition show where chefs come from all over the country to compete against Iron Chef Bobby Flay. In season 22 episode 8, titled "They Had Style, They Had Food," two chefs go head to head to see if they have what it takes to dethrone Bobby Flay.

The first challenger is Chef Arturo McLeod from Atlanta, Georgia. He is the head chef and owner of the celebrated restaurant American Cut Steakhouse, known for its modern steakhouse cuisine and award-winning bar program. McLeod has 25 years of experience in the culinary industry, having worked in some of the best restaurants in the world, including The Ritz Carlton, The St. Regis, The Four Seasons, and The Waldorf Astoria. He is confident in his culinary skills and plans to showcase his creativity and versatility in the kitchen.

The second challenger is Chef Sarah Wade from Dallas, Texas. She is the executive chef and owner of the popular restaurant, The Wade, which serves contemporary American comfort food with a Southern flair. Wade is a self-taught chef, known for her unique culinary combinations, bold flavors, and commitment to using seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. She has won many accolades for her culinary talents, including being named one of the Top 100 Chefs in the country by Best Chefs America.

This episode's theme is all about style and food, and the secret ingredient chosen for the competition is one that will challenge both chefs to get creative with their dishes. The judges for this episode are Anne Burrell, who is known for her appearances on Iron Chef America and Worst Cooks in America, and Scott Conant, a renowned chef, and restaurateur who has been a judge on many of Food Network's popular shows, including Chopped and Best Baker in America.

The first round of the competition begins, and both chefs are given 20 minutes to create a dish featuring the secret ingredient. Chef McLeod creates a steak tartare mixed with the secret ingredient and served on a crostini with a quail egg on top. Chef Wade prepares a shrimp and grits dish, with the secret ingredient blended into the grits, and topped with sautéed shrimp and a homemade creole sauce.

The judges are impressed with both dishes, but ultimately Chef McLeod's steak tartare wins the round. However, in the second round, Chef Wade comes back strong, creating a unique dish that impresses the judges with its bold flavors and inventive combination of ingredients. But, as always, both chefs must face the ultimate challenge of the competition - going head to head against Iron Chef Bobby Flay.

Chef McLeod and Chef Wade each have one hour to create a dish that will beat Bobby Flay's signature dish. Chef McLeod decides to go with a surf and turf dish, featuring herbed crusted tuna and a tenderloin with a fresh herb salsa verde. Bobby Flay is known for his signature dish of Mesa Grill's southwestern spices-rubbed ribeye steak, with a smoked tomato sauce and shoestring potatoes. Chef Wade decides to take a risk and create a vegan version of Bobby's dish, using portobello mushrooms and eggplant as the base, with a chipotle tomato sauce and crispy sweet potato strings.

In the end, both chefs present their dishes, and the judges have a tough decision to make. Will Chef McLeod's surf and turf dish impress the judges and defeat Bobby Flay's steak dish? Or, will Chef Wade's bold and inventive vegan dish prove to be the ultimate winner?

Overall, "They Had Style, They Had Food" is an exciting and thrilling episode of Beat Bobby Flay, showcasing the culinary talents of two exceptional chefs competing against one of the best in the business. The secret ingredient and the theme of style and food make for an interesting and challenging competition, with unexpected twists and turns along the way. Ultimately, it all comes down to who can create the best dish and take home the coveted title of "Beat Bobby Flay" champion.