Ep 2. Hibachi Heroes

In Worst Cooks in America season 14 episode 2, titled "Hibachi Heroes," the remaining 13 recruits begin the episode being thrown directly into the fire with their first skill drill task, in which they must cook a protein dish using a gas-powered hibachi grill. The hibachi grill is a great equalizer for the recruits who are not accustomed to using a barbecue. Success in this challenge requires quick thinking, flexibility, and skill. The recruits are shown how to cook fish, shrimp, and steak and are then left to their own devices to create their version of the dish.

The judges, Chefs Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli, closely observe each recruit's technique and offer guidance where necessary. They are both impressed with the improvement of some of the chefs from the previous episode, but others are still struggling. One recruit even sets her food on fire and has to be quickly reminded to cover it to extinguish the flames.

For the main dish challenge, the recruits are tasked with creating their own hibachi-style meal for the judges and celebrity guest judges: Daphne Oz, a bestselling author, Emmy Award-winning co-host of The Chew, mother of four and wellness enthusiast, and Chef Katie Lee, a cookbook author, television food critic and host and judge of several cooking series and competitions.

The recruits will be divided into two teams, each responsible for preparing four different dishes from a set list. They must work together to create a cohesive meal while following the recipe provided. The dishes include salads, hibachi-style vegetables, and surf and turf entrees, all of which require precision and timing. In addition, each team will have to nominate a team captain who will coordinate the efforts of the remaining chefs while working on their own dish.

During the meal preparation, some chefs demonstrate their quick thinking and organizational skills while others crack under pressure. One chef misunderstands the recipe and adds too much soy sauce, resulting in an extremely salty dish. Another chef struggles to finish their dish on time and ends up serving undercooked steak.

Presenting their dishes to the judges, each team hopes to have impressed them with their execution and presentation. Chef Anne and Chef Alex scrutinize each dish and provide honest feedback on where each dish succeeded and where it fell short. The celebrity judges also weigh in on the meal, giving their opinions and points of view. In the end, one team will be announced as the winner of the challenge while the other will be relegated to the pressure test.

The pressure test challenges focus on the skill sets that were tested in the main dish challenge, with each chef having to recreate their specific dish from the meal. They will have to work alone, without the aid of their teammates, and must finish before the clock runs out. The pressure is on as the chefs try to impress the judges, knowing that they are not only fighting for survival in the competition but also for the chance to learn and grow as chefs.

In Worst Cooks in America season 14 episode 2, "Hibachi Heroes," the competition gets hotter, and the challenges more demanding, as the recruits continue their journey to becoming better cooks. They are held accountable for each step along the way, and only the most determined and skilled will make it to the end.