Ep 11. Raw Enthusiasm

In Chopped season 3 episode 11, titled "Raw Enthusiasm", four new contestants faced the challenge of creating a three-course meal using only raw ingredients. The chefs were tasked with utilizing ingredients that are typically served cooked, such as meat, vegetables, and grains, in their raw form.

The first round saw the chefs working with raw beef liver, plantains, sunchokes, and pickled cherry peppers. One chef created a Latin-inspired dish with a plantain puree and pickled cherry pepper sauce, while another opted for a French-inspired liver tartare. One contestant's dish fell short due to a lack of seasoning and undercooked sunchokes.

Moving onto the entree round, the chefs had to work with raw chicken, forbidden black rice, artichokes, and snap peas. One chef had trouble cleaning their artichokes and ultimately had to abandon them from their final dish. Another chef created a unique take on chicken and rice by incorporating a raw egg yolk and snap pea puree. The judges found some of the dishes too simplistic, while others were praised for their creativity.

For the final round, the remaining contestants had to create a raw dessert using raw chocolate, figs, rhubarb, and cashew butter. One chef attempted to make a raw coconut cream pie, while another tried their hand at raw chocolate truffles. The judges were pleasantly surprised by the level of creativity and execution in this round, although one chef's dessert fell short due to under seasoning and texture issues.

In the end, one chef stood out as the clear winner of "Raw Enthusiasm" and took home the $10,000 prize. The judges praised their ingenuity and ability to push the boundaries of raw cuisine. However, all the contestants showcased their versatility and culinary skills by creating flavorful dishes using only raw ingredients.

Overall, "Raw Enthusiasm" was a unique and challenging episode of Chopped that tested the chefs' abilities to think outside the box and create delicious dishes without the use of cooking techniques.