Ep 2. Bacon, Burgers and Beer!

In season 42 episode 2 of Chopped, the theme of the competition is "Bacon, Burgers and Beer!" Four chefs from across the country enter the Chopped kitchen ready to battle it out for a chance at the $10,000 prize.

As the clock starts, the chefs hurry to grab their baskets, which are filled with the mystery ingredients they must use in their dishes. The first basket contains bacon, jalapeños, green plantains, and goat cheese. The chefs must put their creativity to the test as they figure out how to incorporate all of these unique ingredients into one dish.

One chef decides to go with a daring move and makes a plantain smoothie with goat cheese garnish, a risky choice but one that could pay off. Another chef decides to make bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with goat cheese and plantain, a bold and spicy option. The remaining chefs take a safer route and decide to incorporate the ingredients into classic dishes like bacon-wrapped plantain fritters and goat cheese stuffed burgers.

As the judges taste the dishes, they are impressed with the level of creativity and flavor that each dish showcases. However, one chef's plantain smoothie proves to be too out of the box for the judges and results in their elimination.

Moving onto the entrée round, the remaining chefs are presented with a new basket. Inside they find pork belly, sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, and beer. The chefs have 30 minutes to create a mouth-watering dish that incorporates all of these ingredients.

One chef decides to create a sweet potato puree to compliment their crispy pork belly. They add a hint of smoked paprika for added depth and finish the dish off with a beer glaze. Another chef decides to create a beer-battered pork belly and serve it with a sweet potato hash. As the judges taste the dishes, they are impressed with the creativity and flavor that each chef showcases.

As the final round begins, the chefs are presented with yet another basket, this time containing chocolate stout, brioche buns, tart cherries, and chorizo. The chefs have 30 minutes to create an unforgettable dessert that incorporates all of these unique flavors.

One chef decides to create a beer-infused cherry sorbet and serves it on top of toasted brioche buns. They add a sprinkle of chorizo for a spicy kick and garnish it with dark chocolate shavings. Another chef decides to create a decadent chocolate tart and tops it with tart cherry compote and candied chorizo.

As the judges taste the dishes, they are impressed with the level of creativity and flavor that each dish showcases. However, one chef's dish does not meet the judges' expectations, resulting in their elimination.

In the end, one chef reigns supreme and is awarded the $10,000 prize. This episode of Chopped showcases the creativity and innovation that these talented chefs bring to the table, as they work to incorporate unique ingredients into their dishes and create unforgettable flavor combinations.