Ep 2. Cocktail With a Twist

In Top Chef: Just Desserts season 1 episode 2, titled "Cocktail With a Twist," the contestants are tasked with creating desserts inspired by classic cocktails. The chefs must choose a cocktail and create a dessert that complements its flavors and ingredients. They have 90 minutes to complete their dishes.

The judges for the challenge are head judge Johnny Iuzzini, renowned chef and mixologist Jim Meehan, and special guest judge Sherry Yard, a pastry chef and mixologist. The judges taste each dessert and assess how well it represents the chosen cocktail and how well it tastes.

Some of the contestants struggle with this challenge as they have little experience with creating desserts that incorporate alcohol flavors. One chef, for example, chooses a margarita cocktail as their inspiration and creates a lime and tequila-flavored cake with a salted caramel drizzle. However, the judges note that the tequila flavor is too strong and overpowers the rest of the dessert.

Other chefs have more success with their creations, such as one chef who chooses a classic Manhattan cocktail and creates a chocolate cake with cherry filling and a bourbon-infused whipped cream topping. The judges are impressed with how well the flavors of the cocktail are translated into the dessert.

There are also several surprises in this episode, such as when one contestant breaks down in tears after struggling to create a dessert that meets the judges' expectations. Another chef impresses the judges with their ability to incorporate a rare type of liquor into their dish that is difficult to work with.

In the end, the judges select the top and bottom desserts of the challenge, and one chef is eliminated from the competition. Those who excel in this challenge earn immunity from elimination in the next round.

Overall, "Cocktail With a Twist" is a challenging episode that tests the contestants' creativity and ability to translate complex flavors into delicious desserts. The mix of emotions and surprises throughout the episode keeps viewers engaged and invested in the competition.