Masterchef Season Premiere: Part II

"As the judges take their places for Round 2, anticipation is in the air as the first batch of home cooks create the dishes that could change their lives forever." The process is the same as Day 1. The chefs get an hour of prep before facing the judges. And now for the contestant recaps!

Felix: She starts out her final preparations in front of the judges with a swig of alcohol. After a quick five minutes, she is confident that her Crispy Risotto with Steak Tartar and Quail Egg will win the judges over. Chef Ramsay says her confidence is borderline arrogance and his decision is a no. After Bastianich disagrees, the choice was Graham Elliot's. Just after Ramsay throws out one last shot to make her cry, Elliot approves and she receives her apron. This one stands no chance in the next stage.

Luca: A restaurant manager raised in Italy, but working in New York is surprised by his mother during prep who has flown in from Italy. Weak attempt at an early tearjerker, Masterchef. Luca prepares a Venetian-style dish -- Calf's Liver with Lemon Polenta. Although his Italian conversation with Chef Joe Bastianich was charming, his cooking was just overcooked and he gets a firm "no" from Elliot and Ramsay. His response: "I feel...uh, very sad."

A few more unknown contestants get through to the competition, which leads us to...



Hizah (sp?): The 24 year old Brazilian artist prepared a dessert, rare for the audition phase. After forgetting her rolling pin, the judges let her go retrieve one from another Masterchef hopeful. Her Chocolate Custard with Raspberry Center and Cashew Nut Crust is loved across the panel and she is given a shot!

We are then shown a montage of four different cowboys vying for a spot. The Mexican cowboys gets through on his authentic dish. The one competing in his sister's memory (she was killed six months ago in a car accident) rides in on a horse and blows the judges away with his Pan Seared Venison. His self-taught skills were impressive enough to earn him an apron. 100% resounding YES, according to Chef Ramsay. As for the other two, one makes it and the other does not.

Husband/Wife Back to Back: The husband makes New England Dirty Lobster and the wife White Clam Pizza. There is a definite sense of competition between the two and, in the end, the husband earns three "yeses" and his missus follows suit. It will be fun to see how long each can last in the competition. Gordon's money is on her.

Bubba: The tattooed, bearded musician served up Bacon Wrapped Venison with Pureed Rutabaga and Sauteed Mustard Greens -- much more impressive than I would have expected.  Joe thought the venison (which Bubba had to buy, as opposed to kill, for the first time ever) was overcooked and underseasoned. Graham enjoyed the meal. Split decision left up to Gordon, who sends Bubba through with an apron. You can't help but feel happy for this one.

By this point, fourteen aprons have been handed out tonight. Next up...

Craig: A flamboyant call center associate from Santa Monica, Craig cooks up a very, very cheesy Eggplant Rollatini. Only Joe Bastianich likes his dish, however, and he is sent packing.

Frank: The stock broker from Long Island serves up Guanciale Ravioli. The dish looked great, but Gordon Ramsay contended that the taste wasn't there. Had Frank tasted his own dish, he would have noticed the overabundance of fat. Graham saw potential, leaving the decision up to Joe who gives out the apron with the warning that Frank better not make him regret his decision.

Joel: The 37 year old Jamaican-American soldier was the last contestant of the evening. He prepares Jamaican Rice & Peas with Chicken and Scotch Bonnet Sauce (native to his homeland). The rice and peas are very hearty and it sounds like they are as tasty as they look. Joel's dream is to own a restaurant, which he would name Jermaine's in honor of his son who drowned while Joel was in military school. His story and passion provide the actual tearjerker of the night (for Graham Elliot, at least). Joe doesn't see the dish as Masterchef quality. Graham Elliot does. The final decision of the night is left to Gordon who immediately hands an apron to Joel. Through tears, Joel accepts.

Did we meet our next Masterchef tonight? Who was your favorite?

Tune in next week for the final day of audiitons, as well as the start of challenges to narrow the field.