Ep 5. Grill Masters: Finale Battle

In the season 34 finale of Chopped Grill Masters, four grilling experts compete for the ultimate prize of $50,000. The contestants are no strangers to the pressure cooker environment of the competition, having already won their respective preliminary rounds and the semi-finals leading up to this final face-off.

The first round begins with a mystery basket of ingredients that includes zucchini blossoms, cherry cola, buffalo steaks, and shrimp. The contestants have 20 minutes to create a dish that makes full use of these seemingly disparate ingredients in a cohesive and flavorful way. As the clock ticks down, the chefs scramble to think of innovative ways to incorporate the cherry cola into their dishes, as it presents a unique challenge in terms of balancing the sweetness and acidity with the other ingredients.

The judges take their time in tasting each dish, noting the complexity of flavors and creative use of the mystery ingredients. Ultimately, one chef is eliminated, based on the quality of their dish in comparison to the others.

Round two sees the remaining three chefs given a second mystery basket, featuring a whole hog, candied jalapenos, peaches, and romanesco cauliflower. The chefs have 30 minutes to break down the hog and incorporate the various parts into a dish that showcases their grilling skills and creativity. The judges are looking for dishes that highlight not only the texture and flavor of the meat itself but also the accompaniments selected.

One chef impresses the judges with a dish that features a perfectly cooked pork chop with a crispy crust, served alongside a vibrant peach salsa with the candied jalapenos adding a subtle heat. Another chef presents a succulent pork tenderloin, marinated in a blend of spices and served with grilled romanesco cauliflower and a tangy herb sauce. The judges deliberate before the least successful dish is named, and another chef is sent home.

For the final round, the two remaining chefs face off with a mystery basket that includes a variety of unusual ingredients, some of which they have never seen before. They must each create an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert in a set amount of time. The chefs strategize while surveying the basket, which includes ingredients such as smoked ice cream, frozen corn, salmon skin, and wagyu beef.

The judges observe as the chefs sweat over their grills, perfecting the execution of each dish. One chef creates an appetizer dish with a smoky, spicy salmon crudite that packs a punch, followed by a perfectly executed wagyu steak with roasted corn and chimichurri, finished off with a sweet corn dessert with a smoked ice cream topping. The other chef presents an inventive appetizer dish of seared salmon skin with frozen corn and beet sauce, followed by a complex entree of wagyu beef with pickled radish and a kale and mustard green salad, before finishing with a refreshing dessert of macerated peaches with candied ginger and a smoked ice cream.

The judges rave about both chef's final dishes, commenting on their creativity, execution, and overall taste. It's a tough decision, but ultimately, only one chef can be named the winner of Chopped Grill Masters season 34. The judges announce the winner of the $50,000 grand prize, and the celebrations and congratulations begin.

Overall, the episode is a testament to the impressive talent and skill of the competing chefs. With innovative dishes and impressive grilling techniques, the chefs keep the judges and audience on the edge of their seats until the very end. The finale of Chopped Grill Masters is a fitting end to a thrilling season of culinary competition.