[cheering and applause]
Today, the moment we entered the kitchen
we saw Farah ma'am and Ranveer sir standing there.
And, I'm feeling very scared
because, all of us are wearing black aprons.
So, today is the black apron challenge.
The last time I was in the black apron challenge
I stood in the bottom two
and, I barely escaped eviction.
And that cannot happen today
because, I am very close to the semi-finale now.
I have to stay safe today.
I'll give my best in today's black apron challenge.
I hope I don't go home.
Welcome, welcome, welcome. These are our five elements
and, those are our two precious gems who are already safe for this week.
Thank you, Chef.
Celebrity cooks, we have seen you evolving in the MasterChef kitchen.
Some new experiments with your dishes
and your innovation has been seen.
And, today's challenge will also
drive you towards innovation and the future
Butlers!
[gasping]
- Three mystery boxes. - Why are there three mystery boxes?
Isn't one mystery box enough, that they've got three today?
We know that our destiny is locked inside these boxes.
And, there are three boxes today.
I thought, we are definitely in trouble today.
Celebrity cooks, this is your futuristic challenge.
You have always faced one or two mystery boxes
but, you are faced with three mystery boxes today.
One is mine.
One is Chef Kunal's, and, one is Farah's.
Woah!
We have told you...
that your choices in the present decide your future.
So, choose wisely.
Chef Kunal, on the count of...
three, two, one, reveal!
Oh my!
Abracadabra!
Oh, those are oranges! That's malta!
It's Italian lemon.
This is Australian blood lime.
[tense music playing]
This is basically a mixture
of Australian finger lime
and the Rangpur orange fruit.
When you taste its juice
it will be a little sour, obviously
but, a little sweet too.
Also, you can use its outer rind too.
The white part under the peel
is called 'pith' in Hindi.
That is a little bitter.
You can use it to make
dressings, desserts, main courses
rice dishes and breads.
Whatever you decide, this will be
the hero.
- Oh! - This is the core ingredient
- from my mystery box. - Got it.
And, with this ingredient
you will get an extensive MasterChef
support pantry.
Wow!
- Extensive sounds nice. - Nice.
An extensive support pantry means...
if you want to make something with this
the ingredients needed for that
- will all be amply available. - Very good.
Along with that, you will get ample time too.
- How much, sir? - 120 minutes.
- Wow! Two hours? - Two hours!
Not bad.
Now, I'm thinking, I've never seen or eaten this.
I don't even know the properties. What can I cook with it?
I decided to wait a little
for the other box to open.
- On... - Oh my!
three, two, one, reveal!
Woah!
- Mussels? - What is all that?
There were several items in it.
At least, nine items.
Now, I'm thinking, only one item in that box
and nine items in this one.
That's injustice. Why are they doing this to us?
So, this is my mystery box.
It has Himalayan trout
blueberries, Brazil nuts, sea buckthorn berries
which is again a Himalayan berry
very rich in antioxidants...
and, dill, known as 'soa' in Hindi
dried apricots,
fresh shiitake mushrooms and kalari cheese
which is a very famous cheese from Jammu.
It's also known as Indian mozzarella.
And, this is Kerala red rice.
Now, you have to choose.
If you choose that mystery box
you can clearly see one core ingredient.
An extensive support pantry with it and 120 minutes cooking time.
If you choose this mystery box
you have to choose
any four ingredients from here.
And, with a minimum of four ingredients
you will have to cook a MasterChef-level dish
and, you will receive 90 minutes for that.
Huh?!
I just can't understand this melodrama!
Two hours for one lemon?
And, only 90 minutes for so many ingredients?
I'm very confused.
It is now time for you to decide.
This is a dilemma. What should I choose?
Take ten seconds, think about it
and then, make your choice, because, this choice
will decide your future.
And, don't forget that my mystery box is still unopened.
Can we choose that too, ma'am?
No. That will be compulsory.
Oh my!
Gaurav, tell me.
Ma'am, I had 120 minutes in the previous challenge.
And, I tried to be innovative.
I prepared 7-8 elements
and then, I remember, Chef Ranveer had told me that
I made extra elements due to
the extra time I had, and if...
I had only prepared one or two elements
it would be better.
I won't choose more ingredients.
This may be the black apron challenge
but, I have always taken risks
and, I will choose a single core ingredient today.
- Oh wow! Round one goes to Chef Kunal! - Wise decision!
That's a very bold decision.
- The lemons are yours. - I like your choice.
- Thank you, ma'am. - Next is Usha Tai.
This is confusing.
What are you thinking, Usha Tai?
I'm confused about what to do.
What should I choose? This or that?
Fish and rice.
Can anyone beat Usha Tai at that?
No, but the other items?
You have to use any four of these.
The dill leaves make a perfect combination with fish.
Does that rice cook quickly?
No. It takes time to cook.
But, 90 minutes are enough.
I'm confused.
- Usha Tai, that side is more suited to you... - Yes.
- compared to this side. - That's what I think too.
Choose accordingly.
- This one? - Wow!
- Good choice. - I heeded my son.
- Archana. - Archana!
Patch-up or break-up?
Break-up or patch-up? What is your current mindspace?
My mind is telling me to choose the orange, but
- my heart is saying... - Will you make orange juice for us?
Archana, choice in three...
- two, one! - Orange!
- Orange, wow!
Good choice.
One orange and two hours.
Good choice.
- Come on, Rajiv. - I choose the orange.
Orange? What's happening, sir? Everyone's choosing the orange.
I chose the Australian blood lime, as, I can make a dessert with it.
They all think time is essential.
Later, they'll be stuck with a single ingredient.
I had messed up in the previous challenge due to time.
- Yes? - I couldn't plate one ingredient because of that.
So, it is very essential for me
- to finish all the work in time today. - Hmm?
So, it is better if I have more time.
- But, this is MasterChef. - There's a 'but'.
- Wait, sir. - And, I've never played safe.
- At this point... - This is a very unsafe ingredient.
- I want to go with Chef Ranveer. - Oh!
- Wise decision. Very good. - Wise decision.
So, eventually, Tejasswi and Usha Tai
have chosen this mystery box
and, they get 90 minutes and these nine ingredients.
And, Gaurav, Archana and Rajiv have chosen
the mystery box with the Australian blood lime
and 120 minutes.
Well, my mystery box
will be opened...
whenever I feel like putting everyone in trouble.
- Meaning? - Mine will be opened too!
- Oh man! Whatever we may choose, ma'am will open hers. - Of course!
Gaurav, Archana, Rajiv, your cook will begin first.
Usha Tai, Tejasswi...
you two will join them 30 minutes later.
On your marks...
get...
set, cook!
[dramatic music playing]
Rajiv! Remember what happened when you zested a lemon last time?
- A good dish was ruined. - Yes.
Be very gentle. The white part should not be grated.
Only the outer skin.
It has the essential oils with no bitterness.
Only grate that. Use the finer side of the grater.
What you are currently doing is make or break.
I know, Chef.
- This is very sour, isn't it? - It's very sour, bro!
[exciting music playing]
This is gold! I should save gold.
I'm making a lemon ice cream with mulberry sauce
and, pistachio crumble.
With that, I will make candied lemon slices
which I've never made before.
I've made ice cream, but, lemon ice cream is very risky.
Because, the milk in it can curdle.
It would be the easy way out to select sorbet, but, I didn't
because, I just want to challenge myself and see what happens.
So, that's my goal right now.
For the first time, when I boiled
all the items for my ice cream, like milk, cream, liquid glucose
milk powder and sugar, after adding the lemon zest
I immediately placed it in the fridge.
I wanted to cool it. Alongside, I cooked the Australian blood lime
that I chose, with sugar.
I immediately put it in the fridge to cool too.
Today, I'm making a blood lime cake.
Drizzle cake.
A blood lime sorbet with it.
I'm also making a pistachio almond crumble.
A strawberry sauce.
Finally, I'll make a caramel work, like...
I had done with croquembouche, a good caramel work.
- Chef Kunal. - Hmm?
You went to Australia and brought a lemon for our celebrity cooks?
Actually, we went to Australia
- for a season of MasterChef. - Really?
- So, that's when I saw this. - Alright.
So, today I got the chance to use it.
Do you think they played safe, or...
- I think, Archana is trapped. - Yes, I think so too.
I think, she thought it is an orange.
- Yes? - I'm betting on Rajiv.
He will make a good dish.
I'm betting that Usha Tai is going to be very confused today.
Hmm. I have a feeling too.
[tense music playing]
But still, that was the best bet for Usha Tai.
If Usha Tai had chosen the other one
I don't think that would have been better.
They've placed good bets.
Overall, I think, in this triple trouble challenge
they don't know that the third trouble is unopened yet, Farah.
Actually, even those who aren't in trouble, will fall in trouble too.
[tense music playing]
Oh man! What is going on here?
Rajiv, relax! Never mind.
You have to go sometime, this week is also fine.
[blender whirring]
30 minutes have passed.
That means, Tejasswi and Usha Tai can begin cooking.
Everyone has 90 minutes left for cooking.
All the best, guys.
[applause]
Tejasswi, what are you cooking?
I'm making baked fish, rice cake
a Brazil nut butter sauce
a salsa with yellow sea buckthorn berries.
Have you tasted the sea buckthorn berries?
Yes, it's very sour. I've ground it but not added it to the salsa yet.
Tejasswi, trout is a Himalayan fish,
And, it has very little fat. It's a very lean fish.
Normally, we only bake fish that is fatty.
Which has more fat, like salmon...
or kingfish. This fish is very lean.
Furthermore, you took it off the bone
which increases its chances of getting dry.
- Yes, Chef. - Okay? Now, whatever you do with this...
make sure that there's enough fat in it.
Okay? And, only oil won't be enough.
You will have to add butter etc.
Or else, the fish will quickly dry out.
You have already flipped this fish once.
It is 70% cooked.
You should have done this when you had 15 minutes left.
You have already done this.
- That means, the chances of the fish drying up - Overcooked.
have been increased by your own doing.
You have the rest of the fish.
You can still manage it, but
this fish will definitely get overcooked.
First, I started 30 minutes late.
Then, I immediately made a mistake.
I will have to be careful at every step
in this black apron challenge now.
[dramatic music playing]
Usha Tai, what do you say?
I am beautifully cooking dill
with onion, chilli and garlic.
- I'll sautee it and fill it inside. - Yes?
How will you cook it?
Rice flour and semolina.
Usha Tai, before Kunal finishes all the blueberries
- what are you making with it? - A chutney.
Alright! So, basically, dill stuffed fish
- with blueberry chutney. - This chutney, yes.
What about the rice?
I'll add some spices to the rice.
Cumin, turmeric.
I'll add some of this green spice paste too.
Usha tai, what are the apricots for?
I'll see what I can do with them.
Let me tell you something, Usha Tai. Only 90 minutes remain.
You are still unsure of the rice.
Unsure about the apricots too.
You won't realise how time will pass at double speed in this black apron.
Look at me.
- Don't lag behind. - No.
[tense music playing]
I took an extra 10-15 minutes today
only to check the flavouring.
So, I took cold milk in a separate bowl
and checked if it is getting curdled
because, it was essential to test it.
I'm making it for the first time.
So, once I tested it
and adjusted the flavouring
then, I mixed it and poured it into the churner.
[tense music playing]
- Gaurav, what is your dessert? - It's an ice cream.
Ice cream is either used to complete a cake
or, becomes complete itself with a crisp
or, is complete with a waffle.
Otherwise, I can simply eat ice cream anywhere.
And, what is the flavour in the ice cream other than lemon?
Cinnamon.
Gaurav, I have only one fear.
Whether you come into the semi finale or not.
I got a little more nervous.
I felt, are they getting doubtful
because there's not sufficient flavour?
Never mind. I had half a lemon left, I decided
to cook it and add it in.
Yes, Rajiv, what's cooking?
I'm making an Australian lime drizzle cake
with an Australian lime sorbet.
Is it too sour?
I've never eaten a more single-dimensional sorbet ever!
You could have rather served lemonade with ice.
It would taste the same.
- I added mint too. - The meaning of a sorbet is...
some sweetness, some sourness
some creaminess, some interplay.
It's too flat. No!
For a sorbet, it needs more sweetness.
For flavours, it needs more balance.
It's a single-dimensional sorbet.
- Where's the cake? - In the oven.
What is the ratio of flour and butter in your cake?
- 225, butter... - 225, butter?
225, sugar. 275, flour.
4 tablespoons milk.
It will need baking at 170, not 160.
Okay.
[tense music playing]
- Archana. - Yes, sir?
You could have easily taken my mystery box.
Are you happy now?
[dramatic music playing]
- What have you cooked? - Sir, I'm making...
lemon chicken with lemon rice.
- So, you are abundantly using the lemon. - Yes, sir.
This sounds like a week-one dish to me.
This dish sounds very weak to me.
And, to make the lemon chicken
you have used various cuts of the chicken.
That smaller piece is almost ready, and, this is raw.
And, the cuts you have put are superficial.
They haven't reached the bone.
Done. I'll take care of it right away.
You're not taking it seriously. You'll be in deep trouble.
Your dish...
is the worst sounding dish yet.
This is the time when Archana will shut up
- and recall her reason for coming here. - Yes.
Archana came here...
to laugh, play around, chat and argue
or, to reach the MasterChef finale
and win, to prove something?
I try to cook something, but...
some problem always arises with one thing or another.
So, I feel, am I not suitable for Celebrity MasterChef
that I always land in trouble?
[sniffling]
What happened, Archana?
Sir, they took ice cream
and cake, there was nothing left for me.
Hey, I love lemon rice.
- Sir is saying, this is amateurish. - Never mind.
Welcome to Celebrity MasterChef.
Black apron challenge.
Everything is over the top here.
Archana, tell me something.
This takes ten minutes to cook.
This takes 20 minutes to cook. Okay?
You put them together.
You're saying you'll remove this 10 minutes before the other one.
Wouldn't it be better to cook this for 10 minutes first
and then, add this?
Right? So, they could get cooked at the same time? Forget that too.
Something very simple.
You have two things, rice and lemon chicken.
Only by serving rice and lemon chicken
can you make the best dish today?
Don't make excuses that they chose the cake or ice cream.
What you did with the chicken is done
but, you can still save it.
You don't have to serve the chicken whole.
You can dice it too.
You can slice it, cut it into fingers.
After it is cooked.
So, you haven't made any mistake yet.
We just stepped in to warn you that
if the chicken is cooked this way
it might not turn out well on the plate.
So, gather your courage
focus on what's in front of you.
This is your dish. This is your challenge.
You have to win the title. Get on with it!
Archana, let me tell you something, this panic
has no place in a kitchen.
This is a competition, you're in a competition.
If the dish turns out poorly, you'll be the one at a loss.
You can't move forward in this competition
just by saying others took better ingredients.
The sooner you grasp this, the better for you.
If I seem strict, I am. I'm really sorry,
but it is what it is.
I thought
Archana, no tears now.
You need to prove yourself today.
So, as an additional element
I started preparing a salad.
[music]
Celebrity cooks, stop cooking.
One hour remains.
And now, it's time for the third trouble
of this Triple Trouble challenge.
Did you forget about my mystery box?
Oh, goodness.
What's about to happen?
Three.
- Two, one. - Two, one.
Aaah!
[music]
What do I do with this? I'm making a dessert here!
What am I supposed to do with it?
Look at this.
Take it back. We don't want it, ma'am.
There must be
at least one element from the pressure cooker in your dish.
All right. So, within the next hour
you must incorporate
this pressure cooker into your cooking.
And when your final dish is plated
it should reflect the essence of this pressure cooker's cooking.
Listen, if you want to make it to the semi-finals
you must withstand the pressure of this pressure cooker.
And your cooking time starts in... On your marks.
- Get. Set. Cook. - Get. Set. Cook.
[music]
Now I'm thinking, mate
Even Chef Ranveer mentioned there should be another element
perhaps a cake, something
Cake.
Wow, Gaurav, wow.
You've given the pressure cooker's whistle at the last moment.
Which means... it's absolute chaos.
It's like needing 200 runs with just 10 overs left.
How's that possible?
Although these days, even 250 can be scored in 10 overs.
That's the power of T20 cricket.
Gaurav, what are you making in the cooker?
I'm thinking of making a cake.
Chef, you did suggest making a cake.
There's no time to think. Just make it.
- What kind of cake are you making? - Almond cake.
Because the lemon ice cream
I'm preparing will pair well with it.
Since we're short on time, don't make the cake too thick
or it will remain raw
and then you'll blame me for not warning you.
So I quickly took butter, added sugar
then flour, followed by the other cake ingredients.
I added essence
whatever I had at my disposal.
I used them all to prepare the cake batter.
Just as I was about to put the cake in, I thought, no!
The hero ingredient is Australian blood lime.
I took its peel, grated the zest
and added it to both the ice cream and the cake.
I knew it would enhance the flavour.
Gaurav, are you steaming the cake?
No, I'm attempting an oven-style bake.
The way heat works in an oven.
But didn't you add water at the base of the cooker?
I didn't add water.
I'm not steaming it, just baking normally.
Normally? Baking a cake in a regular cooker?
[music]
The pressure cooker.
Farah ma'am's absolute favourite kitchen appliance.
And today, it's my favourite as well.
At least my rice will be perfectly cooked.
I should start cooking my rice now
because it's taking quite some time to boil.
I keep thinking it's taking too long
but the result will be soft, fluffy rice.
Only if they turn out extra soft
can I shape them into patties,
fry them and transform them into rice cakes.
How do you like my pressure cooker?
- It's really nice. - Good, isn't it?
- Indeed. - Is it helping you?
Yes, so far.
- I'm cooking rice in the pressure cooker. - Just rice?
[music]
Tejasswi, you had nine ingredients. Nine!
And yet, you couldn't find anything to add to the rice?
[music]
That black apron really suits you.
I have no idea what I'm doing.
My brain isn't working today. The way I planned this dish
I started with such unconventional ideas.
I honestly don't see a way out of this.
What are you cooking in the pressure cooker?
I'm making a sweet potato sauce.
So, I'll add asafoetida to the sweet potato
- mash it, and mix in some cinnamon. - And cardamom powder.
Last time, your kidney beans didn't cook properly.
They will this time.
- This Brazilian cake you're making... - Yes?
If you're not using the crust, it's always better
to remove it altogether.
By doing so, the syrup or drizzle
will be absorbed evenly and soak through properly.
The lemon flavour will be well-balanced.
This will save you effort.
All right?
[music]
Look at this! This leg that wasn't cooking properly
Now I'm going to cook it in the pressure cooker.
Just watch how I do it.
This leg has turned into Birbal's 'Khichdi' now.
Archana, what are you cooking in your pressure cooker?
- A leg. - A leg?
- Look at this, Ma'am. - Whose leg?
- Have a look, ma'am. - Whose leg is it?
This won't do!
Just one piece is in the pressure cooker
while the rest of the chicken is already cooked.
Archana, is this a break-up or a make-up?
I honestly have no clue anymore.
Looking at your dish, it seems like a break-up.
Archana, what are your elements?
- Where has the dish progressed? - Sir, I had...
- A portion of rice and some chicken left. - Here it is.
I've also made a salad to go with it.
That's it?
Archana, have you heard the story about the fox?
- The one about sour grapes? - Yes.
Let's eat lemons for you today.
Stop humming. Focus.
I have very little time. I'm completely lost.
I don't have any ingredients.
I have no idea what to cook.
I'm not doing this. Forget it. Leave it. Let me go.
- Why are you crying again? - I'm going home. Let me go.
What happened?
Archana, stop crying, dear.
Archana, will you keep crying or cook?
Sir, I can't. I just can't. I'm going home.
Why?
Sir, this is too much for me.
[music]
Why are you giving up? Don't.
Don't surrender. Hurry up.
Archana, you must remember this day for your recovery.
Not as a day of tears.
Crying won't solve anything.
Show us what you're capable of.
Let's do this.
Prepare some kind of sauce quickly.
Use your brain.
Check what's available.
I looked at my table and saw that I have beetroot.
I have turnips. I have carrots.
So, I can prepare a caramelized pickle.
I quickly took out a leg piece and put it in the pan.
And I started making the pickle.
Celebrity cooks,
only 15 minutes remaining.
[Clock ticking]
I'm making my sauce. Mulberry sauce.
I'm preparing my tuille.
And just then, I remembered
that I had removed the whistle, it's not going to whistle.
I abandoned everything and turned off the gas.
I opened the cooker.
And I peeped in.
The cake on top was perfectly baked.
But the bottom layer was completely burnt.
Gaurav, there are two things.
- Yes, Chef. - One is burnt.
And the other is crusty.
Crusty is acceptable.
- Burnt is ruined. - I'm making it crusty.
If we sear this in butter
or crisp it up somehow
- Like French toast. - Yes.
It'll become a whole new element.
And I've prepared some chocolate too.
I'll coat it with that.
Usha ma'am had red rice,
and spotted a pressure cooker in front.
The widest smile I saw was Usha ma'am's. Isn't it?
I thought this red rice would be like that undercooked chicken.
- Usha ma'am? - Yes?
Is this your blueberry chutney?
- Yes. - Is it ready?
Huh?
- Finished? - I'll warm it up a little.
I'm already fed up with the chicken saga.
So, if you serve raw fish today, at least I'll have a new story.
A fish story.
Usha ma'am.
Make it 'Ushafy'.
It's missing Usha's magic touch.
- It's not spicy. - Oh, no.
Now, it needs salt, a tangy kick,
and a bit of sweetness.
Usha ma'am, Mom can't leave MasterChef today, all right?
So, I immediately put that chutney in the blender.
Added a bit of sugar.
Some chilli, a little salt, black salt.
And in the end, my chutney turned out brilliant.
[music]
Archana, has the dish progressed?
Oh, wow! What have you made?
Chef, I've made pickle in the pressure cooker.
Wow.
- Now, that's something! - I've added caramel, meaning...
- Jaggery. So, it's got that tangy kick. - Yes.
- Do you get what I mean? - Now I see some real effort.
Now, all these ingredients, raw mango, radish
must be plated in a way that showcases innovation.
- Okay. Done. - Okay? Well done. Come on.
Come on. Look here.
- Don't step out. - Yes.
[music]
Is it cooked?
No. My rice still needs to be fried.
And the fish is still cooking.
The rice still needs frying?
What are you waiting for?
I kept it in the freezer so it holds its shape.
Please keep an eye on the time.
Celebrity cooks, last five minutes.
[music]
I barely have any time left.
The fish has been cooked beautifully in butter.
I'm extremely pleased with it.
I'll take the rice out of the freezer now.
I'm frying the rice.
Just as I started frying my rice
the very first patty has already broken apart.
[music]
So, I'm adding the second rice cake.
This one seems to be coming together perfectly.
Then, I spread some Brazil nut butter on top.
I feel that butter and rice
are an absolute disaster of a combination.
This element of my dish feels like a complete failure.
The more I progress with this dish
the more my confidence keeps dwindling.
As I prepare the caramel, it just won't set.
I keep attempting it repeatedly.
Then, I decided not to make streaks
but to create a nest instead.
So, using the leftover caramel and the lines I was making
I crafted a nest.
Now, looking at the celebrity cooks
it's evident how professional they've become, isn't it?
Their cooking, presentation
and innovation truly reflect that MasterChef-level finesse.
Rajiv and Usha ma'am are the best examples.
They've refined their cooking skills over time
and are now creating incredibly innovative
and forward-thinking dishes.
I mean, it's going to be
incredibly challenging for us to decide
who will advance to the future, meaning the finale.
Usha ma'am, is the fish cooked?
I've asked five times already.
Stop stressing me out like this!
- It makes me nervous. - Usha ma'am, you all...
Get out of here, all of you. Go on.
[Nikki laughs]
Farah ma'am just walked in and jinxed it for me.
Oh, my!
It will cook, right?
I'll have to eat it. That makes me even more nervous.
[music]
Did you just call me bad luck?
Not you, I was just...
Every time I've come in, you've been in safe.
The fear should be in the fish you haven't cooked properly.
I checked with a knife.
Usha ma'am, don't check the knife,
check the fish.
Last time when you used the knife
the chicken was still completely raw.
Let it be.
[music]
What do you think? Whose dish seems the strongest?
The strongest dish, in my opinion,
is Usha ma'am's and Tejasswi's.
Because the aroma of Usha ma'am's fried fish
is reaching all the way over here. - Yes.
Usha ma'am and Tejasswi, no doubt.
Usha ma'am, I do have a slight concern about one thing.
- Her presentation is a bit weak. - Yes.
That enormous fish she has plated
- if she cuts it properly... - And presents it well.
The fish is quite large.
- Yes. - It's really big.
It won't look appealing on the plate.
For that, you just need a much larger platter.
That's it.
And whatever elements you add to it
You must present it as
- A platter of fish. - Yes.
- Not a single portion.
It's meant for three people.
[music]
Your biggest improvement so far
Your greatest improvement is in plating.
It must not be sloppy today, okay?
[music]
I was really anxious.
I wasn't sure if I could complete my dish or not because
In the black apron round, the pressure is immense.
And under pressure, my hands and feet were trembling.
I genuinely don't want this to be my last dish today.
But I'm giving it my all
Hoping the judges appreciate my dish.
Farah ma'am's twist today has been quite a challenge for me.
But I don't think I'll be going home today.
Because I have immense faith in my dessert.
- Rajiv! - [Nonsensical mumbling]
Just don't. I'm really nervous now.
Do you have to turn into Picasso today?
I'm attempting it in the black apron round.
Chef, please, one second. Give me two minutes.
[music]
I sincerely hope my dish saves me in this competition
And doesn't end my journey here so soon.
Usha ma'am, this plate looks good.
Just bring everything a little closer together.
- The piece is too large, Usha ma'am. - That work.
- It's stuffed. - I did trim it down.
It has stuffing, so it's fine.
- What can we do? - It's stuffed, right?
- Just a little... - Be gentle with it.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
- One. - One.
Stop.
Time's up. Step back.
[applause]
Today's challenge was 'Triple Trouble'.
You had to make a choice from your mystery box.
Between the ingredient and the time,
you picked your ally.
And based on that, you began preparing your dish.
Then came the third trouble, the pressure cooker.
And now, your dishes are ready.
All the best. Time for tasting.
Rajiv, bring your dish forward.
All the best, Rajiv.
- [music] - [applause]
[music]
Rajiv, tell us about your dish.
I've made an Australian lime lemon drizzle.
Alongside, I've prepared an Australian lime and mint sorbet.
Using the pressure cooker, I created a sweet potato
cinnamon, and cardamom sauce.
And I topped it off with a caramel glass.
But will sweet potato complement this lemon cake?
I thought about what kind of sweet
element would enhance the dessert.
Something that would complement it well.
And sweet potato seemed like the right choice.
Speaking of presentation, while the concept is brilliant
the presentation doesn't quite match up.
I ran out of sauce, Chef.
I'm not sure if this is a stencil
or railway tracks, it's turned into algebra.
[music]
Rajiv, the cake is outstanding.
Thank you so much, Chef.
Yay!
Wait, I'm coming to the negatives as well. Relax.
The sorbet is superfluous.
- Thank you, Chef. - You mean delicious?
Thank you. Thank you, Chef. Thank you.
[music]
But the use of the pressure cooker
and your attempt to incorporate sweet potato into a dessert
have completely thrown off the balance of your dish.
Oh.
To blend sweet potato into a dessert
honey, black pepper, and jaggery
are earthy elements that always help in enhancing the flavour.
That element is missing.
The sweet potato is speaking a different language.
Your dessert components are not in harmony.
- Thank you, Rajiv. - Thank you, Chef.
- But the cake was excellent. - Thank you.
[applause]
Archana, step forward.
[music]
Tell us about the dish. What did you make?
Sir, I made
Australian lime chicken with lemon rice.
I also made a tuille.
I made pickles.
And cashew and honey salad.
I made a cashew and honey salad.
Isn't it?
What is the pickle element here? Was it added later?
Sir, you scolded me a while ago. I was thinking about the dish.
I was thinking about what to add to the dish.
That's when I thought of making caramel pickle.
What did you make in the pressure cooker?
Pickle.
Did you make the pickle in a pressure cooker?
You made quick pickle.
- Yes. I made quick pickles. - You made quick pickle.
Why did you say caramel pickle?
- Because I added jaggery to it. - Oh!
It tastes sweet and spicy, right?
- Sweet. Yes. - Yes.
Listen, your presentation is neat.
Whenever we plate rice
along with chicken or curry
it gets mixed up a little bit. It all becomes one.
You presented it clearly and concisely. It has a lot of colours.
You chose a nice plate.
It looks great.
Something stands out about this.
It is because of the plate you chose.
The colours are not screaming. They are holding the dish together.
Only one can scream, right?
Archana would already be screaming. How can her plate scream, too?
When Archana is quiet, her plate does the talking.
- Very nice. Very nice. - Well done. Good presentation.
Thank you, madam.
[tense music]
- Did you eat it? - Yes, sir.
Did you taste everything on the plate?
Yes.
If your father were to try each and every element of this plate
what would he say?
I don't know. He would be proud.
I think he wouldn't be proud.
He saw your journey throughout the season.
You don't have to think about it. He will be proud of you.
He will be more proud after trying this dish.
Really?
[clapping]
Archana, the beauty of your dish is lemon cream sauce.
It is usually served with fish.
You served it with chicken.
You cooked chicken in lemon.
Serving it with lemon cream sauce is a bold move.
It really paid off.
We thought you were making traditional South Indian...
- It is very good. - It would be something we tried.
You made continental style lemon rice.
It has no connection to South India.
- The flavor of lemon is strong. - The salad you served on top...
That is adding more essence to it. Even if we didn't have the chicken
I could just eat the rice and salad.
- Okay. - There's brown onion on top.
The flavor of onion is giving a yummy taste to the curry.
The flavor of the rice...
I don't think whether this is a fluke or your speciality.
But you did a great job.
Come and kiss my hand.
I gave you the pressure cooker.
Go and live your best life.
I am saved. I will be at the show.
Everyone was just staring at me.
What happened? Oh my god! Oh my god!
I mean...
This was far more precious than the spoon tap for me.
I went upstairs in the first round itself.
I feel very good.
Congratulations.
I said, 'Here it is.'
The odds of my leaving were 20 percent. Now it is 25 percent.
I don't know why this happens to me.
Everything gets decided before my tasting.
Usha Tai, please bring your plate.
All the best, Usha Tai.
[clapping]
What happened?
Sir, what happened?
Why did you cut the tail, Usha Tai?
[tense music]
It looked so beautiful.
[tense music]
It was too big.
So what?
- It was bigger than the plate. - Take a bigger plate.
I don't know whether this is a fish
or chicken cutlet or anything.
You stuffed the fish beautifully.
It has a beauty to it.
Alright. What did you make? What is on your plate?
I made stuffed fish.
- What happened? - Usha Tai, come on.
You made her cry. You make everyone cry.
I was just...
Chef Ranveer, you make everyone cry.
I will stand by your side. Tell me what you do.
- No, you go there. Please. Please. - No, tell me what you made.
Usha Tai, there are times when
you have to communicate visually
what to eat and how much.
This dish isn't communicating that way.
If the rice was under the fish, I would have known that
we had to eat it with the fish. The salad is on the side.
Now, everything is served separately.
Communication between the elements has been separated now.
Usha Tai, I always tell you this. If you concentrate
on the presentation a little bit, no one can send you away from here.
Compared to other dishes, your presentation falls short.
[tense music]
Usha Tai, you made the chutney.
It is excellent.
[clapping]
The main ingredient is protein which is fish.
I felt that it was dry.
[tense music]
Wasn't the stuffing good?
Stuffing is very good.
Stuffing is excellent, too. But...
The fish we gave you is the Himalayan trout.
It cooks very quickly.
It only requires minimum cooking.
It stays juicy while being cooked in its own heat.
The fish is slightly overcooked.
You made soya chutney.
It is a little bit bitter.
- You made dill pesto, right? - Yes.
It is because of that.
But the balance of spices and blueberry chutney
are excellent. Okay?
[clapping]
Tejasswi, please come.
May god forgive me.
What did I make?
Sorry. Sorry. I will say it beforehand.
[tense music]
What did you make, Teja?
I made trout.
Where is the trout?
- I put it under the salsa. - Okay.
I made sea buckthorn berry salsa.
I made red rice cake.
I made Brazil nut butter.
I served it with fried skin.
What did you make in the pressure cooker?
- Rice. - Rice?
Presentation is incomplete, Tejasswi.
It is important to justify the negative space all the time.
You could use a sprinkle or a drizzle.
It is something that we call an echo.
It will complete the presentation.
To me, there are just two things on the plate.
Okay.
The main protein fish is hiding somewhere in your dish.
I asked Farah, 'Which one is the fish?'
Which one is the fish?
- Yes. - The main protein
should always be highlighted.
Teja, today's dish just feels like 'eat if you want'
'or don't. I am fine with it.'
- Not at all. Okay. - That's what the plate says.
- Did you become so overconfident... - Not at all.
You must be too confident about entering the semi-finals.
You think, 'I don't need to put my best efforts.'
That's what I feel looking at your plate. That should not happen.
I would never do that in the black apron challenge.
It is important for me to win this show.
I made a disappointing dish right before the semi-final.
I didn't expect this from me.
I don't know what was going on in my mind.
[tense music]
Teja, the fish is not bad, actually.
The fish is well cooked.
But...
All the other elements are either average or below average.
Brazil nuts are too sweet.
I feel like I'm eating dessert.
I mean, this feels like a juggle.
It is bringing the fish down.
I should have chosen Australian lime.
I think Usha Tai and I have taken a big risk with the ingredients.
Teja, you got his knife a few days ago.
Yes.
- Remember that when you are cooking. - Yes.
- If I do. - Thank you.
To be honest...
If we purely talk about the dish, I will be out of this show.
Come on, Gaurav.
[clapping]
Come on, Gaurav. Come on.
[clapping]
His dish looks good. His presentation is excellent.
Gaurav chose two hours today as well.
You cooked the potatoes for two hours last time.
What did you make today?
Chef Kunal brought foreign lemons. Australian lime.
I chose that as my core ingredient.
I attempted to make
that lime my hero ingredient in the form of an ice cream.
You twisted us halfway through cooking.
I was stunned.
- I didn't know what to make of it. I love to surprise you all.
I had an idea to make a cake.
I made the cake using the cooker.
I had some juice left of Australian lime.
I dipped it in that juice and added chocolate as a garnish.
I also made mulberry sauce.
Gaurav, I want to tell you this. Out of all the dishes we tried today
- this has the best presentation. - Yes.
Outstanding presentation.
[clapping]
Firstly, I thought sense of aesthetics
was Rajiv's cup of tea.
But from last week, I have been feeling
that your sense of beauty is outstanding.
[clapping]
I want to say that
your two hours of hard work is visible on your plate.
Well done, Gaurav.
- This is brilliant. - Thank you, sir.
Everyone liked my plating.
How will the taste be? That's all I could think about.
They began to taste my dish.
They kept eating. They were talking to each other.
I was wondering why they weren't saying anything.
Oh god!
The sign of a good ice cream is that when you put a spoon or fork
it smoothly glides without any resistance.
It is happening.
I like the taste of lemon in it. Wow! That's very nice.
Gaurav.
Milk and sour are two things that we cannot consciously think of.
We have to take it towards frozen yoghurt rather than ice cream.
It is difficult to make sour ice cream.
Making sour sorbet is easy.
Making sour ice cream is challenging.
You showed great knowledge of flavour and technicality.
It is a beautiful ice cream.
Thank you, chef. Thank you.
Let me tell you something.
You should run upstairs.
[cheers]
- Gaurav, you're safe. - Thank you.
- Your black apron has turned white. - Don't waste time.
Go upstairs! Make it fast.
Gaurav.
Wait a minute. There's one thing left.
[cheers]
Delicious!
[cheers]
Look at that.
Ah! I got rid of the black apron.
Get lost!
It was stuck around my neck for a week. I was stressed.
Alright. Time for results.
Three of you presented the three weakest dishes of today.
[tense music]
With a heavy heart
Rajiv...
You are safe.
[clapping]
- Rajiv. - I am sorry.
Congratulations. You are a semi-finalist.
Thank you. Thank you, madam.
[clapping]
Tejasswi, you...
You bring a lot of energy to this kitchen.
Usha Tai, you bring a lot of love and blessings to this kitchen.
We are all your children. Including us.
This is a competition.
The strongest candidates will move forward.
Those who couldn't present a strong dish will stay back.
The one who is leaving MasterChef kitchen today is...
[tense music]
Usha Tai.
[sad music]
I predicted this in the morning.
I told them I will be leaving today.
I had a feeling I would leave today.
[melancholic music]
I am feeling bad.
She was picking
the Australian lime... Australian lime this morning.
I feel like she chose the other one...
She chose the other one because of me.
I kept telling her
from up there 'Tai, choose that one!'
She didn't even hesitate, just said, 'Yes, I'll take it.'
No, dear.
I chose it as there was fish.
Not because of you.
I chose it.
You didn't even think twice when I said
and just went for it.
I trust the people I believe in.
I can tell the difference
between ones who speak the truth and the ones who lie.
Everyone has that sense.
You're not a liar.
I called you my son.
Then?
[sobbing]
Usha Tai is MasterChef's mother.
Huh?
Your son... If God blesses me,
I'll win it for you.
You'll win it for me.
- If God wills... - I'll keep waiting.
[melancholic music]
After raising a family
and managing Marathi theatre...
She carried herself with pride
and neatly tied her hair...
- and stepped out of MasterChef as a mother. - Wow!
[applause]
I'll miss you, Usha Tai.
We all will miss you.
Chef, we stand all day,
we get exhausted. Our knees ache.
But looking at her, it feels like we're just complaining.
She's 79,
always on time, never late. Even more than us...
Her routine...
- Her discipline... - Her discipline, her character, it's beyond us.
She is a great inspiration. You're such an inspiration to
the world. You are such a good inspiration to all of us.
I think Usha Tai deserves a whistle from all of us.
- On the count of three... Two... One... - Two... One...
[whistles]
[applause]
[indistinct]
Every morning, these kids would meet me.
Ranveer sir, Farah ma'am,
Vikas sir, or Kunal sir.
They'd all meet me.
Farah Ma'am would always tease me about the chicken.
'And what if the chicken actually showed up?'
'Don't worry, Usha Tai is here to bless you.'
Ranveer Sir would whisper in my ear, 'I love you.'
I'll miss all of this.
[melancholic music]
She was the mother at MasterChef.
She had great taste, cooked incredible food.
One thing I was happy about was
I cherished every moment I spent with her.
I learnt a lot.
Because doing everything alone at this age...
It's remarkable. I'm short of words.
My eyes welled up
as we spent so much time with Usha Tai...
Usha Tai and I shared a bond
like that of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Sometimes we argued...
Sometimes, we loved each other. I'll miss that the most.
Goodbye, everyone.
Forgive me if I ever caused you any trouble.
Goodbye, Dada.
Goodbye, everyone.
[applause]
[melancholic music]