By Stephen Ur –
In Episode 9 of Hell’s Kitchen: Battle of the States, the challenge was to create a menu for a private event for 50-year celebration of Johnson and Wales University’s culinary school based out of Providence, RI. The red and blue team had their dishes going head-to-head.
In the battle of the scallops, Massachusetts chef Jayden bested California chef Lisa, meaning his scallop dish would be on the menu for the private event. Next up was the battle of the squid with New Jersey chef Chris going against Delaware chef Anaiya with Anaiya earning the point.
The third dish, the battle of the monkfish, pinned Florida chef Jada against Oregon chef Alexandra. Jada earned the point, giving the blue team a 2-1 lead.
The fourth dish has Nevada chef Ellie go up against Iowa chef Anthony in the battle of the duck. Anthony earned the point, which gave the blue team clinched the challenge victory with one dish left, the battle of the filet.
Texas chef Henry bested North Carolina chef Cyndi, making the final score 4-1 in favor of the blue team. Their reward had them spending the night in Cape Cod, enjoying a parasailing escapade. For their punishment, the red team had to make an anniversary cake for Johnson and Wales as well as cleaning the dorms.
At the private event dinner service, the winning dishes along with the usual items were on the Hell’s Kitchen menu. There was also a VIP table in the middle of the dining room, which included Hell’s Kitchen Season 3 winner Rock, a Johnson and Wales alumni, as were Anayia and Chris.
Anaiya and Alexandra, working together on scallops, had their first two tries sent back as they came up raw. They were able to bounce back on the third try, and appetizers began leaving the red kitchen.
As Anayia and Alexandra had, Chris and Henry brought up raw scallops that were meant for the VIP table on the first two attempts. On the third try, the scallops were overcooked. Unfortunately, his failed attempts left him with no more scallops to cook – or so he thought.
After eventually finding them, he was able to bounce back and both teams sent their scallops to the VIP table.
Jada forgot an order of two monkfish and two steak, but she didn’t forget how to cook the steak as it came out perfectly cooked.
Back in the red kitchen, Anayia took over the fish station from Alexandra and entrees flew out to the VIP table. In the end, both teams successfully completed service, but while guests were satisfied, chef Gordon Ramsay was not.
Both teams lost and were told to vote two chefs each for elimination. The red team chose Alexandra and Anaiya while the blue team chose Chris and Jayden.
Alexandra made a point that the red kitchen was completely toxic with Ellie, Cyndi and Lisa agreeing. All the blame was put on Anayia for her attitude and the things she said.
In the end, it was Alexandra who was eliminated, ending dream of becoming the head chef at Foxwoods Casino and Resort in Mashantucket, CT.
Episode 10 of Hell’s Kitchen: Battle of the States will air Thursday, Dec. 4 after a week off for Thanksgiving. The episode will be available on Friday, Dec. 5 on Hulu.