Ep 3. Viewers' Choice Ingredients

In season 22 episode 3 of Chopped, Viewers' Choice Ingredients, the competitors are thrown a curveball as they must work with ingredients chosen by the show's viewers. The mystery baskets include unusual and challenging items such as chocolate covered insects, seaweed salad, and rainbow colored popcorn. The contestants must think on their feet and use their culinary skills to create unique and tasty dishes using these unconventional ingredients.

With only 30 minutes on the clock for each round, tension runs high as the chefs race against the clock to create their dishes. The first round focuses on appetizers, and the chefs must use shrimp, collard greens, gochujang sauce, and the dreaded chocolate covered insects. Some of the chefs struggle with the odd ingredient, while others embrace the challenge and create unique and inventive dishes. One chef impresses the judges with a collard green wrap filled with shrimp and gochujang sauce, while another earns high praise for his insect fritters.

Moving on to the entree round, the chefs are presented with even more challenging ingredients: duck breasts, seaweed salad, black garlic, and rainbow colored popcorn. The chefs are able to showcase their creativity and culinary skills, with one creating a delicious duck breast salad with black garlic vinaigrette, and another using the popcorn to create a crunchy coating for the duck breast. As the judges taste each dish, it becomes clear that the chefs have truly risen to the occasion and created dishes that are both inventive and delicious.

Finally, in the dessert round, the chefs must use pistachios, strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and a surprise ingredient chosen by the viewers: ghost pepper hot sauce. The chefs must use the hot sauce sparingly, as it could easily overpower their dishes. One chef thinks outside the box and creates a unique strawberry and pistachio gazpacho, while another opts for a more traditional strawberry shortcake with a balsamic reduction. As the judges taste each dish, they are impressed by the chefs' use of the ghost pepper hot sauce, which adds just the right amount of heat without overwhelming the other flavors.

Through each round, the judges offer their critiques and support, pushing the chefs to be their best and showing true appreciation for the creativity and hard work that goes into each dish. Finally, after all three rounds are completed, a winner is chosen based on their performance throughout the entire competition. It is clear that the decision was not an easy one, as each chef brought their own unique perspective and talent to the competition.

Overall, the Viewers' Choice Ingredients episode of Chopped is a thrilling and exciting episode that showcases the creativity and talent of the chefs competing. The challenging ingredients add an extra level of difficulty, but also allow the chefs to showcase their culinary skills and creativity. Whether you're a fan of the show or simply love cooking competitions, this episode is sure to entertain and inspire.