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'MasterChef' finale: Was it Adrien, Jennifer or Christian?
The Season 2 finale of "Masterchef" aired on FOX Tuesday night, and much to the pleasure of reality-show-villain-haters everywhere, the cartoonishly egotistical Christian was sent packing just before the final stretch.
That left Jennifer Behm, the former Miss Delaware and lover of BBQ, and Adrien Nieto, the passionate waiter who embraced his culinary roots over the course of the season. So what was their ultimate challenge? Only making the best home-cooked meal that also embodied them as chefs and as human beings.
And after a quick pantry run, Jennifer and Adrien were left to design their ultimate menu.
Jennifer went decidedly high-end, with a first plate of scallops and pea puree, followed by a stuffed quail with potato mash and a poached pear dessert.
Adrien stuck with familiar flavors he'd used throughout the season, adding chili peppers to every course. He started with a prawn-and-fruit-salsa thing, followed by short ribs with a cauliflower and parsnip puree, finishing things off with a flour-less chocolate cake.
That cake was something he and the judges thought would be his advantage over Jennifer... but it deflated like the world's saddest soufflé, much to the chagrin of his family and fans watching on from the rafters. [Editor's note: let's take a moment to give "Masterchef" props for having the most high-pressure finale. We couldn't write this recap with someone looking over our shoulders, let alone cook Gordon Ramsay dinner.]
So that left us with two completely different menus. And despite the anxiety-filled environment, Gordon's adorable encouragement ensured all dishes were plated when the time ran out. But what did he think of the taste?
Well, discounting the nasty adductor muscle Jennifer left on her scallop, the judges seemed to go for her first course over Adrien's overly-sweet, not-so-prawn-filled prawns. They loved his concept and presentation though.
Main course! There has never been a more suspenseful score to a two-minute shot of someone slicing up a quail, and, holy-anticlimactic, it ended up being perfect anyways. The boys loved it. As for Adrien's pressure-cooked short rib, which we wish we were eating right now, it almost made Gordon cry. And Graham actually did appear to tear up, though that might have been from the chili. This round seemed like a draw.
Jennifer's pear ended up leaving the judges underwhelmed, but Adrien's shrunken chocolate tart -- it started out as a cake, right? -- was more unappealing than it was anticlimactic. And bad is worse than boring, so it seems dessert was Jennifer's round as well.
Since you can do the math, we don't have to tell you who won. Oh wait, we do? Alright, it was Jennifer!
Congratulations, Jennifer. We never would have thought, when you first walked in with that ill-advised newsboy hat, that you'd take it all home.
Are you happy with the outcome? Both chefs ended up being among the most passionate and respectful competitors of Season 2, so it's hard to begrudge either one. But if you're really mad, you can always audition for Season 3. They're already taking applications.
And check back later for our full interview with Jennifer.
That left Jennifer Behm, the former Miss Delaware and lover of BBQ, and Adrien Nieto, the passionate waiter who embraced his culinary roots over the course of the season. So what was their ultimate challenge? Only making the best home-cooked meal that also embodied them as chefs and as human beings.
And after a quick pantry run, Jennifer and Adrien were left to design their ultimate menu.
Jennifer went decidedly high-end, with a first plate of scallops and pea puree, followed by a stuffed quail with potato mash and a poached pear dessert.
Adrien stuck with familiar flavors he'd used throughout the season, adding chili peppers to every course. He started with a prawn-and-fruit-salsa thing, followed by short ribs with a cauliflower and parsnip puree, finishing things off with a flour-less chocolate cake.
That cake was something he and the judges thought would be his advantage over Jennifer... but it deflated like the world's saddest soufflé, much to the chagrin of his family and fans watching on from the rafters. [Editor's note: let's take a moment to give "Masterchef" props for having the most high-pressure finale. We couldn't write this recap with someone looking over our shoulders, let alone cook Gordon Ramsay dinner.]
So that left us with two completely different menus. And despite the anxiety-filled environment, Gordon's adorable encouragement ensured all dishes were plated when the time ran out. But what did he think of the taste?
Well, discounting the nasty adductor muscle Jennifer left on her scallop, the judges seemed to go for her first course over Adrien's overly-sweet, not-so-prawn-filled prawns. They loved his concept and presentation though.
Main course! There has never been a more suspenseful score to a two-minute shot of someone slicing up a quail, and, holy-anticlimactic, it ended up being perfect anyways. The boys loved it. As for Adrien's pressure-cooked short rib, which we wish we were eating right now, it almost made Gordon cry. And Graham actually did appear to tear up, though that might have been from the chili. This round seemed like a draw.
Jennifer's pear ended up leaving the judges underwhelmed, but Adrien's shrunken chocolate tart -- it started out as a cake, right? -- was more unappealing than it was anticlimactic. And bad is worse than boring, so it seems dessert was Jennifer's round as well.
Since you can do the math, we don't have to tell you who won. Oh wait, we do? Alright, it was Jennifer!
Congratulations, Jennifer. We never would have thought, when you first walked in with that ill-advised newsboy hat, that you'd take it all home.
Are you happy with the outcome? Both chefs ended up being among the most passionate and respectful competitors of Season 2, so it's hard to begrudge either one. But if you're really mad, you can always audition for Season 3. They're already taking applications.
And check back later for our full interview with Jennifer.
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Photo/Video credit: FOX
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You saved me from wasting two hours of my life on the finale. Not my favorite of the group. I would have liked to have seen Adrien or even Christian win since they seemed like they were overall better chefs, but I'm not surprised the beauty queen won.
How could this woman win? Gordan Ramsey was all in for her lemons, its pretty obvious. Christian deserved to win. Don't worry b*tch, it'll all come around, and Christian will emerge successful in he culinary career
Two years in a row, the horny old judges made sure the sexy young bimbo won. I'm sure they all spend a lot of time in the kitchen together "mastering" the art of being a "chef".
Honestly, I agree with both of you. And when she refused Christian TWO tbs. of flower, what a petty move. If she had any self-respect she'd want to beat him at his best. Yea, the beauty queen who has no future wins. Just like Hell's Kitchen, it doesn't matter how bad a cook you are, it's just a ratings game.
I couldn't agree more. Just like Whitney's win last year, the beauty queen with reality show appeal who will satisfy the taste of the talk show circuit wins over the talented and humble Chicano-American waiter. Like WTH, I did notice Ramsey doddling over her and only hope ability and not pop appeal made the difference for the winner in this high stakes contest.
A Mexican will never win in US reality shows. NEVER. So sad, but true. I think Adrien deserved to win. Congrats to Jennifer, though. An all-American girl.
This show was the last for me:
1. Adrien deserved to be a winner: he showed high, sophisticated skills in cooking, presentation, taste and was a great team player.
2. Why one of the contestant received Le Gordon Bleu training, and Adrien got nothing?
3. It was obvious Ramsey had a crash on Jennifer, and she was trying to attract him showing up in sexy outfit. He was backing her up constantly.
4. Why not Bastianich to taste her entree first - he would tell a real taste of the entree.
For my friends and me this was the last show I watched. Good bye, Master Chef show.
You all must be Christian's family to think he deserved to win (I seriously doubt he has any friends).
I think the one thing anybody gunning to win this title should deduce is that the judges REALLY don't like arrogant smart-*** pricks (i.e., Christian), and both seasons had 'em (season 1 the butt head was in the final).
I was actually pulling for Adrien-he deserved it as much as Jennifer.
Noticed something that makes me think it was rigged. in all of interview shots beforehand Adrian's jacket was clean even when it was dirty when he was in front of the judges, and after she won and they gave their reactions, it was still clean. The reactions were prerecorded..
joedoe dont be such a-hole..it`s not a popularity contest it a cooking show..christian was the best chef.he didnt have the quirky hats he wasnt bubbly but he had the skills and that cant be denied.christine deserved to win not that barbie doll.