Ep 7. Short Order Cooks

In season 21, episode 7 of the hit cooking competition show Chopped, titled "Short Order Cooks," four contestants who are seasoned short order cooks compete to see who can come up with the most creative and delicious dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients. The episode features host Ted Allen and judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, and Chris Santos.

For those who aren't familiar with the format of Chopped, each round of the competition consists of the contestants receiving a basket of four mystery ingredients that they must incorporate into their dishes. The first round is typically an appetizer round, the second round is a main course, and the final round is a dessert.

What makes Chopped so entertaining to watch is the diversity of the contestants, both in terms of their backgrounds and their cooking styles. For example, in the "Short Order Cooks" episode, viewers get to meet four short order cooks who each bring a unique perspective to the competition.

The first round of the competition starts off with a bang as the contestants open their baskets to find ingredients like quail eggs, kumquats, and pancetta. With only 20 minutes to prepare their dishes, the contestants must think on their feet and show off their culinary skills. As they chop, fry, sauté and plate, the judges taste and critique the dishes, hoping to find the perfect appetizer.

Moving onto the entree round, the contestants are given a basket of ingredients that includes a rack of lamb, haricots verts, and a can of cream of mushroom soup. While some of the short order cooks are more familiar with these ingredients than others, all of them are determined to create something truly delicious that will impress the judges. As they race against the clock, we see some creative plating, unique flavor combinations, and a few dishes that may or may not hit the mark.

Finally, in the dessert round, the contestants must face off with a mystery basket that includes flan, plantains, and candied ginger. This round is especially challenging because it requires not only a skillful hand in the kitchen, but also a strong sense of creativity and foresight. As the contestants mix and bake and slice, the judges watch closely, ready to critique the dishes and ultimately decide which cook will become the champion of the "Short Order Cooks" episode.

Throughout the show, we get to glimpse into the personalities and backgrounds of each of the short order cooks. We see some who are more familiar with high-end cuisine and others who are masters of making greasy spoon classics. We learn about their histories, their motivations, and their cooking philosophies, all of which add depth and personality to the competition.

Overall, the "Short Order Cooks" episode of Chopped is a fun and frenzied episode that highlights the diversity and creativity of short order cooks. With surprising ingredients and intense time limits, this episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.