Chopped Season 17 Episode 4 Hero Chefs

In this episode of Chopped, season 17 episode 4, titled "Hero Chefs," four chefs with military backgrounds go head-to-head in the competition to prove that they have what it takes to be a hero chef. Host Ted Allen explains that these chefs have served their country, but now it's time to serve up their best dishes in the Chopped kitchen.

As the competition begins, the chefs are given a basket of mystery ingredients that include chicken tenders, corn flakes, Swiss chard and quail eggs. They have only 20 minutes to create an appetizer that will impress the judges.

The chefs get to work and tensions run high as they race against the clock. One chef experiments with making a ranch dressing from the corn flakes, while another creates a unique dish using the quail eggs as a garnish. One chef struggles to incorporate the Swiss chard into their dish, but manages to salvage it in the end.

Next up, the chefs are tasked with creating an entrée using goat cheese, squid, sweet potato noodles, and cherry tomatoes. They have 30 minutes to create a standout dish that incorporates all of the ingredients.

One chef decides to make a stuffed squid featuring the goat cheese and sweet potato noodles, while another chef creates a seared squid and sweet potato noodle salad with a cherry tomato vinaigrette. The judges are impressed with the creativity on display, but one chef's dish falls short due to overcooked squid.

Finally, the chefs move on to the dessert round, where they must use pita bread, poached pears, tahini, and cranberry liqueur to create a sweet dish that will impress the judges. With only 30 minutes on the clock, the chefs get to work on their desserts.

One chef decides to make a pita bread and poached pear bread pudding with a tahini sauce, while another chef creates a cranberry liqueur-soaked poached pear tart. The judges are wowed by the creativity and flavor profiles of the dishes, but one chef's dessert is deemed too sweet.

In the end, only one chef can be chosen as the winner and take home the $10,000 prize. The judges make their final decision based on the chefs' creativity, use of the mystery ingredients, and overall taste. The hero chef who takes home the prize is one who has truly proven their culinary skills in the Chopped kitchen.