Ep 5. Gefilte Dish

In this episode of Chopped, season 41 episode 5, titled "Gefilte Dish", four new contestants step up to the chopping block in hopes of taking home the $10,000 prize. They are all tasked with creating unique and flavorful dishes using a basket of mystery ingredients that are purposely challenging and offbeat.

The chefs have just 30 minutes to create an appetizer that showcases gefilte fish, pickled onions, kelp noodles, and goat milk feta cheese. While some contestants struggle to incorporate these unusual ingredients, others manage to showcase their creativity by transforming them into unique dishes that impress the judges.

Next up, the chefs must prepare a main course using beef brisket, horseradish sauce, Szechuan pepper, and quinoa. The chefs must also incorporate a surprise ingredient found under the lid of a box - a basket of fresh figs. The contestants are given just 60 minutes to create a dish that is both flavorful and visually appealing.

Finally, the four remaining chefs must create a dessert using sliced almonds, cardamom, Medjool dates, and whiskey. They must also use a special machine that turns any liquid into an instant frozen treat. With just 30 minutes on the clock, the chefs must get creative to make a delicious dessert that perfectly incorporates all of the mystery ingredients.

As always, the contestants are judged on the creativity, taste, and presentation of their dishes. The judges for this episode are Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, and Marcus Samuelsson, all seasoned chefs and restaurateurs. They scrutinize every dish closely, looking for standout flavors and unique combinations.

In the end, only one chef will be named the winner of the $10,000 prize and earn bragging rights as the latest Chopped champion. Tune in to this exciting episode to see which chef will come out on top and impress the judges with their culinary skills and creativity.