Chef Vikas, welcome back to Celebrity MasterChef.
Thank you, everyone.
Thank you.
[applause]
You are our six semi-finalists.
The six semi-finalists of the first
Celebrity MasterChef.
But truth remains the same.
One of you will not
become a finalist.
[dramatic music]
All of you are just one step away
from the grand finale.
Nikki,
you need to return the immunity pin.
Because you can't play
the immunity pin in semi-finals and finals.
But congratulations. Without even using the immunity pin,
you used your strengths and weaknesses
to reach the semi-finals.
That in itself is a job done well.
I always wanted to win the immunity pin.
But I'll never use it.
Because Nikki Tamboli has never used
a thing or a person to move forward in her life.
That's why, I never had the need to use the immunity pin.
Congratulations, Nikki.
[applause]
Today's challenge
is the world's oldest transaction.
To find out, you need to go to your counters.
Oldest transaction?
Oh, man. The first time we were here,
it was the world's oldest food.
It's the same all over again.
Will history repeat itself?
Celebrity cooks, there's a basket
under your counters.
Please place that on the table.
- Oh, what's this? - Oh.
What?
Oh my God!
What is this?
There are weird things in the tray.
I don't know why they're there.
Because when I checked around, every basket had different things.
Today's challenge is quite a different one, celebrity cooks.
[dramatic music]
To understand it,
we need to go back in time.
A period that had no digital payment,
no cash nor any currency.
During that time,
people used the barter system to make any form
of transaction.
Give and take of items.
Today will be an examination of your understanding of barter.
Today will be MasterChef's barter challenge.
You must present a MasterChef-level dish.
Normally, you have to play mind games here.
And I am very good at these games.
Let us tell you what you've got.
Gaurav, you have five kinds of fruits.
- Yes, chef. - Melon.
Plums.
Strawberry.
Grapes. Raw mango.
Nikki, you have sweeteners.
Cane sugar, coconut sugar,
brown rice syrup,
agave syrup,
and a date syrup.
Faisu has proteins. Chicken,
prawns,
mutton leg, tofu,
and fish.
Rajiv, you have
five kinds of herbs and spices.
Basil,
Sichuan peppercorn,
Allspice berries,
thyme, and curry leaves.
Teja, you have
vegetables.
Sweet potatoes,
fennel bulb,
pumpkin,
Gongura leaves,
and j*cama.
We know it as mishrikand.
Archana has different types of cheeses.
Mascarpone,
feta cheese, cheddar,
Brie, and parmesan cheese.
Look, it's clear that none of you can make a complete dish
with just the items of your basket.
Today, you need one another.
You at least need to make one barter.
- Okay. - One exchange is a must.
Whatever remains in your basket,
that will be your pantry. And you must
use at least three ingredients to make your dish.
The bartered ingredient has to be used in it.
- Okay. - Okay.
Faisu has the real deal.
He has all the meat and proteins.
I will be eyeing that for sure.
I always used to borrow sugar from my neighbours!
Even milk sometimes!
Or tea leaves or ginger!
I am expert in this system.
We will start with Archana.
- Cheese! Parmesan cheese! - Hurry.
Bring it here.
- I'll go ahead first. - Here!
You won't be able to cook without cheese. You need cheese.
Yes, madam. Tell me.
I want the pumpkin.
Give me the parmesan for the sweet potato.
No, I can't give parmesan.
You can pick something else.
If you don't give me parmesan, I won't give you the sweet potato.
I don't even want the sweet potato.
I want this.
Pumpkin? You'll give me parmesan
- in exchange? - I'll give you cheddar cheese.
I don't want cheddar. I want parmesan.
- Last chance to barter on this counter. - Hurry up!
- I'm leaving now. Hurry. - Archana, you need to move on.
Ten.
- There are people behind you. - Nine!
- I have to give it to Faisu. - Eight.
No barter.
First counter, no barter.
- Parmesan! Get some parmesan! - Hey, madam! What's up!
- All good! - All good!
- How's your man? - He's doing good.
You have sold quite a lot now.
A lot? I haven't sold anything since the morning!
I'll make the first purchase!
I can give you fresh raw mango.
This mango
is straight from Malihabad in Lucknow!
It can even turn into Dasheri mango.
Raw mango can go well with both sweet and savoury.
It'll be high in demand.
I didn't want the mango.
I thought I could buy it for cheap
and when the price rises,
I could use it to get an ingredient that I want!
- But I want something. - What do you want?
I want the mascarpone cheese.
[tense music]
Basically, I wanted the mascarpone cheese from Archana.
- Don't give it, Archana! - I want it, Archana!
- Alright then. - Gaurav, don't give the mango.
I used my sales mind
and I picked up the raw mango from Gaurav.
In exchange, I gave him mascarpone cheese.
As soon as I made the exchange,
Nikki got furious.
Because Nikki had told me that she wanted the mascarpone cheese.
- You're such a traitor. - How?
I needed this for the chutney.
I would've gotten that for you.
You don't even talk to him.
But I do have to make a deal.
- You just said you won't talk. - You can't ditch me like this.
Now I don't want anything. Go.
I want either the mutton or prawns.
I can give you the mutton.
- I need the parmesan cheese. - No.
You're good with mutton. I'm letting you have this.
You need to select something you're good at.
Parmesan cheese is a good ingredient.
I can use it with multiple things.
But she wasn't ready to give me that.
So I showed my convincing power
and my experience of sales at Hill Road.
You might just grate parmesan cheese at the end.
You'll need it at last.
Even I'll use it at last.
But I have the main element, mutton.
- You'll not find it anywhere else. - Alright, you can have it.
What a deal!
Brilliant.
[whistles]
An important announcement.
Today's support pantry does not have one item.
Sugar.
[gasping]
What?
Nikki is in demand.
Nikki is in demand now.
Really?
Nikki, what do you want? You can have everything.
Alright, Nikki. Head over for the next barter.
What do you want?
Will you keep off the prawns?
No, I want the prawns.
What meats do you have?
Pomfret, prawns, and chicken.
What are you making?
It depends on what I'm left with in the end.
I don't know what he will give me.
Because even he doesn't know what he wants to cook.
I'm very confused right now.
If he gives me chicken, I need the cheese.
But if he gives me fish, I don't think
I need cheese with it.
So I don't barter anything right now.
Tejasswi, what's happening? You've missed two barters.
Nikki is moving on to the prawns.
Things will get desperate at last, Tejasswi.
Gaurav has the strawberries that I want.
And the mascarpone cheese as well.
I need two ingredients and you can have anything you want.
That's when I switched.
And I became a vegetable vendor from U.P.
I can't do two.
[laughing]
Only one.
What will I do with just strawberries?
The world can revolve around one.
[comical music]
If you try to chase two birds, you might fall flat on your face.
[laughing]
Right now, I need the ingredients from her tray.
And one item was important for me.
The coconut sugar.
Then actor Gaurav took a back seat.
Alright, I'll tell you what.
MBA Marketing Gaurav will drive this one.
Just like your make-up, red and shiny.
- But I also want this. - That's my heart.
White and pure.
But this suits you.
- I need both of them, Gaurav. - You can make do with one.
I can't do both.
- How's it possible? - I can't do with just one.
I'm giving you anything you want.
I think you should take this.
Yes, strawberries work for me.
But I will select something from that.
What do you want?
First tell me if you can take the strawberries, then I'll tell you.
- I want strawberries... - The deal will be done then.
I am okay with strawberry.
You need to tell what you want.
What do you want?
- Jaggery? - Here.
[laughing]
I'd told you, Archana. You can't ditch me like this!
I don't want anything from you. You betrayed me.
- Rajiv, my brother. - I'm your brother now?
- Please give me what I want. - Buttering me up!
- What do you want? - I want curry leaves.
I want agave.
30 seconds left!
Honestly, I want to give away all the sweeteners for desserts.
I want to collect ingredients for savoury.
Hi, Faisu. I want the prawns.
I can give you any sweetener in exchange.
Don't!
If you want prawns, it's a hero element.
I want two ingredients in exchange.
I can't give you two elements.
I can give you one element.
If I take this from you,
- and I take the curry leaves. - I can't give the curry leaves.
You won't use curry leaves for dessert!
I can turn to savoury at the last moment.
You have three elements here
for sweet and two elements for savoury.
What's the stronger option? Sweet.
That's what you think.
Give me the curry leaves.
I need it for savoury. You can take anything else.
I'm also making savoury. I want curry leaves.
Hurry up, Faisu. We don't have time to think.
What do you want in exchange, Faisu?
- Please. - The leaves look frail.
Curry leaves have flavour.
Except for these two, you can have anything you want.
But that's what I want.
I can't give you that.
No one is going to give me anything. You're my main person right now.
- Nikki. - You can save me today.
You have all this protein.
Ten.
Nine.
- Hurry up, Faisu! - Don't give it!
- Seven. - Faisu, please, I'm begging.
Six.
Hurry up, Faisu! We don't have time! This is the semi-finale week!
- Four! - Please, give it to me!
Don't!
- Three. - He gave it.
Thank you! We're done!
- Why did you give it, Faisu? - Yes! Thank you!
Faisu gave prawns and got brown rice syrup.
[tense music]
Faisu, you could win the next Nobel for world peace.
Faisu, did you plan before giving it? Or did you just give up on it?
She started screaming, ma'am.
Will you just hand it over if someone screams?
[tense music]
Faisu, you have marketing experience.
You stand on the road and sell stuff.
How could someone fool you?
He got floored by my beauty.
Sir, I do have marketing experience
but I also have MasterChef experience.
I'm sure I can use this to make something good.
I haven't bartered anything yet because
honestly, I wanted parmesan cheese from Archana.
And Archana said clearly
that she won't give me the parmesan cheese.
With Nikki, I wanted honey from her.
But Nikki did not have honey.
I think since I don't know
if Faisu might give me chicken or fish,
it'll be a safe option if I can keep
a pumpkin with me.
Gaurav, it's time for you to barter.
O madame!
[laughing]
I can give you a shiny,
exotic fruit, just like you.
Look, he's here!
He's here!
[laughing]
No, I don't want it.
Tejasswi, you need to make at least one barter.
Everyone has made at least one barter.
You've not made any barter.
What would you like to buy today?
If you get this shiny, exotic fruit,
- then I can buy something from you. - I can use this for a chutney.
Yes. A sauce!
A sauce!
- Sauce, yes. - Sauce.
I will take these.
Thank you.
- What's this? - This is feta.
Thank you.
Hey!
Hey! How are you?
We don't sell to foreigners.
- No, listen to me! - No!
[laughing]
You've looted our country.
[laughing]
Gaurav is in form today.
No!
- No! - Listen to me, Gaurav!
Well done, Gaurav!
Look, I want the mascarpone cheese.
I have berries.
Sichuan nuts.
Thyme and basil as well.
Just give me this.
Do you think I'll dance to your tunes?
- What are you doing? - Listen to me!
- Why did you come here then? - I just came by to say hello.
- Go back! - Come on!
[laughing]
I don't think you'll find much here.
Because you're making dessert and I have savoury here.
I just came by to say hi.
- Hi! - How are you?
What is this?
This is mascarpone cheese.
Okay.
And how's it going? How's the weather?
- Can I have one grape? - Yes, you can taste one.
[speaking in regional language]
We don't sell to foreigners.
- Watch how I fool him. - What happened? No deal?
No deal.
Faisu, start the barter.
Yes, madam. What do you want?
- Give me the chicken please. - Hello!
- I haven't said yes yet. - You can have the fennel.
I'm making chicken. You can make fish.
You're anyway good with cooking fish.
I was in bottom two last time because of that.
Then redeem yourself this time.
You have good experience with fish.
Wasn't the case last time.
Teju, don't get the fish.
Teju, get the fish.
You might make the best dish today.
Alright, here.
I have made my first barter!
- Thank you, Faisu. - You're welcome.
This is my first barter deal.
I'm very happy with this.
Everyone was surprised
that I hadn't made a single barter deal yet.
No one knows that I have such amazing ingredients that
I don't need to barter.
- I can take this. - I need that.
- Will you give me curry leaves? - No.
[tense music]
Will you give me strawberries?
- What will you give in exchange? - I'll give you this.
- That doesn't go with my dish. - Do you want this?
Basically, you're not giving me anything.
Wow. What a display of friendship, Nikki!
I did get upset after hearing that.
I gave her prawns the minute she asked me.
But she didn't give me anything.
What's the worst that could happen? She would be one element down?
But she didn't relent.
Got it? Lesson learnt?
Yes, ma'am. Learnt my lesson today.
Faisu got very upset with me.
And it's about his kindness.
He is truly very kind and generous.
I just gave him what he asked for.
I didn't force it in his hands.
And I asked him the same.
I could've chosen a different protein.
But I was focused on the prawns and I got them.
No barter here. No trade.
- What do you have? - Do you want tofu?
- Chicken? - No, chicken is mine.
Thyme or basil.
I'll give you tofu. You'll need a hero element.
Huh?
Pumpkin?
- You need a main element? - One second. Pumpkin?
Swap?
- Alright. - Swap this with this.
I don't want anything.
[tense music]
Alright. No deal.
Rajiv, it's your time to barter.
I want the pumpkin.
- Please. - No. You can have sweet potato.
- No, I don't... - What's your dish?
What ingredients do you have?
Pumpkin will go with these two.
I refused the tofu because of you.
I want the mango, no matter what.
How will I make a dish? I need the pumpkin!
- I need it from him. - I'd asked you for pumpkin switch.
You said yes.
Good thing! This is exactly what should happen with you!
I asked him for thyme
in exchange for tofu. You'd said yes.
Now you can't crack a deal with Tejasswi.
You could've made tofu.
- Good thing. - I'd always refused thyme.
I'd always refused thyme.
I always refused.
Will you take sweet potato?
No, I want pumpkin. I have a pumpkin dish!
Even I want pumpkin.
What will you do with pumpkin?
I'm making something with pumpkin. What will she do? She has mutton.
- Exactly. - She has mutton!
You can make the mutton.
Why do you need pumpkin for mutton?
I'll go back to my original dish.
Don't be selfish! You have mutton!
You had tofu.
Why didn't you take tofu? You could've made a tofu dish.
She has mutton. Please give me this.
If I don't give her the pumpkin, I won't get the raw mango!
You have other vegetables!
You have all this, madam! Please, Teju.
- You can have the sweet potato. - No, I want this. Please.
- She won't give it to me then! - Think about your own dish!
[intense music]
Very good!
- Tejasswi, basil please. - No!
No! I want the mango, please. I can't.
Come on, next.
The Almighty sees everything.
You wronged me too.
You need feta cheese?
Yes, give feta cheese. Swap something, come on!
I am tired of this!
Always my dish gets ruined.
Now, think about your dish. What's on your tray?
You need to use three ingredients.
For three ingredients, she's not even listening.
Oh dear, leave that. Focus on your own dish.
I'm thinking. I can't figure it out.
Take your time.
If you keep looking around, you'll ruin your dish.
This is your main ingredient.
[intense music]
You can make something out of these five ingredients.
What do you want?
I can take the sweetener.
No, I need the sweetener.
Then it's your call.
If you take the sweetener, what am I supposed to make? Tell me.
I have nothing sweet.
Then make something savoury.
Rajiv!
Don't make savory! I'm ready to trade this.
You don't have a single main ingredient.
I still have tofu for you, if you give me thyme.
[intense music]
Basil.
I can't do anything with basil.
Do you want this?
I just need the sweetener, nothing else.
I want sweetener. The dessert...
I can't give the sweetener.
- I can't give the sweetener. No deal. - It is of no use.
Fine, no deal.
[intense music]
I'm ready to give you strawberries.
Can you give me this in return?
[music]
Please.
Take it.
Thank you! Our deal is sealed.
Nikki, you took Jamaican allspice berries
and you gave Rajiv strawberries.
Yes, Chef.
Tell me the five ingredients.
- What do you need? - I need mango.
No.
Make basil ice cream. It turns out really good.
I don't want it. No deal.
Alright, fine! Go away.
No.
What are you giving me?
Basil. No! Hold on.
Give me that.
I have chicken. I can make something with it.
What will you do with that? Add it to ice cream?
Add it to what?
No! I don't want to make ice cream.
- Give me the chicken. - No.
Give me the chicken!
Look, the deal is about to slip away.
You don't have a single main ingredient.
I'm telling you now, either close this deal or let it go.
Give me one of the two.
Make it quick, or the deal will be cancelled
and then you'll be left with nothing.
The deal is done.
I took basil, and I gave my tofu to Rajiv.
I'm not happy at all.
Because just two weeks ago, I made a tofu cheesecake.
If I use tofu in a dessert again
the judges will say I made the same thing.
Tejasswi, you are going to barter.
Curry leaves.
In return for what?
- Pumpkin. - Sweet potato.
Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is going there.
What do you want from there?
Mango.
No.
I don't think so.
No deal, Nikki?
No deal? Okay!
- So much... - First, you ask me that.
Because of you, I caused an uproar everywhere.
- Will you manage with sweet potato? - No, Sister.
- That's why I took raw mango. - Here you go, Mother!
Because your eyes were on the raw mango.
The deal is done! Congratulations.
Yes, finally!
My dream dish is complete today.
Rajiv's mood is completely ruined.
Check your trays.
Tell us what final ingredients you have in your tray.
I have pomfret,
raw mango, sweet potato,
gongura leaves, and jicama.
I have muskmelon, grapes,
coconut sugar, mascarpone cheese, and feta cheese.
I have prawns, curry leaves,
allspices, cane sugar, and date sugar.
I have mutton, brie cheese,
pumpkin, plum, and cheddar cheese.
I have thyme, tofu, strawberry, agave,
and Sichuan pepper.
I have fennel, basil,
brown rice honey, parmesan cheese, and chicken.
Alright, let's move ahead.
You will have a total of
75 minutes for today's challenge.
And the world-class MasterClass pantry will remain closed today.
[intense music]
Your main pantry is the basket you bartered for.
Along with that, you will have access to a support pantry.
[sound]
Remember, you must use
at least three of your ingredients.
Are you guys ready?
- Yes. - Yes, Chef.
Today, we must use at
least three ingredients from our selection.
But my ingredients are so amazing
that I thought I should use them all.
All my favourite ingredients are in my hands.
So today, I have to
prepare a dish worthy of the top one, top two, or even top three.
- On your marks... - On your marks...
- Get set, cook! - Get set, cook!
[music]
Today, I am making a savoury dish.
My favourite, pan-fried prawns.
[music]
Pumpkin!
That was mine!
Last time, you took mine. Remember? You took my pumpkin dish.
[indistinct]
- This is called karma. - What are you making?
I am making pumpkin
- Gnocchi. - What?
Pumpkin gnocchi.
I started with
the dough first, because I intended to make noodles with it.
I exchanged one ingredient today.
I had all the proteins.
I gave Tejasswi fish and took something fennel in return.
I gave Nikki prawns and took brown rice syrup from her.
I gave Rajiv tofu.
And in return, I took basil,
which isn't really of much use to me right now.
It all happened in the name of friendship.
[music]
After the barter, I realised
I have grapes and muskmelon in my tray.
So, I'm going to make a dessert with them.
It will be a crumble.
And I'll use fruits and cheese for garnishing.
Faisal gave me the biggest advantage,
he gave me prawns.
Because he had protein.
He had plenty of protein.
So, I thought, if I have to skip the
dessert and opt for a savoury choice,
it means I should focus on the protein.
That's why I approached Faisal and asked him to give me prawns.
[suspense music]
My biggest barter was with Faisal.
Huh?
Wait a minute, we had the best barter!
- [sings 'Jaago Mohan Pyaare'] - Shut up!
- Even after he betrayed me - Tejasswi, please!
Tejasswi, if I get angry, you'll be done for. Mark my words!
Just keep quiet.
My best ingredient, of course, is my fish.
Because without fish,
I wouldn't have my main element for cooking.
I think that's the best element
I could have for my dish.
[frying sound]
You've messed with me too much today, Archana.
And Tejasswi!
- What? - She is my sister-in-law.
Please talk to Faisal.
You're my sister-in-law, Tejasswi.
- No. - And what have you done to me today?
You switched sides, didn't you, double-faced?
Girls, stop!
Girls, stop! Girls, stop!
- Double-faced? - What are you even saying?
Look!
Double-faced! Do you know who a double-faced person is?
- Acting so smug. - Yes, double-faced!
You are double-faced, look ahead.
You are not like that, mate.
- Archana, you're something else. - Look ahead.
The best one here is Nikki.
- Well, never mind, she makes good Thecha. - Oh, dear!
Oh, dear!
What a traitor!
- She makes Thecha. - Why are you criticising my Thecha?
Never mind.
Still, I love you.
But just a moment ago, you were badmouthing Nikki.
- And now you're praising her? - What a traitor!
Gaurav and Nikki are the best, and you three... Oh, dear!
That's all well and good, but who gave you the tofu?
Who showed you such generosity?
- Saying, I'm on your side. - You talk a big game.
Yet, you betrayed me in an instant.
Never mind.
And that attitude you showed over the leaves.
He didn't even give me a single curry leaf.
When you can't get the grapes, they're sour.
I have grapes. If these aren't grapes, then what are they?
I do have grapes. Take them.
Are those grapes?
Perhaps in London, they call these grapes.
What is this?
Maybe they call strawberries grapes in London!
If the fox can't reach the grapes, he calls them sour.
- Stop cooking! - What?
Oh!
To ease your struggles
I've brought you some more trouble.
- Oh, dear. - Please, no.
That's why I said, "Oh dear".
Let's hope there's no swapping
half done by one, half by another.
Just like they did in the last challenge.
The big twist is here!
Oh, dear!
After all this effort,
when the twist occurs, our minds simply cease to function
on how to even process it.
I've brought you a
mixed basket filled with lots of love.
[suspense music]
It has many ingredients
to help with your dishes.
- What is that? - Oh, wow! All right.
But there's a catch.
Go on.
Give up one old ingredient.
And take one new ingredient.
Okay, okay, done.
- Yahoo! - Come to me first.
See? That's the spirit!
- Gaurav, well done. - Done.
I said, "Ma'am, I need it".
Because, I have Feta cheese.
I just wanted something in exchange for it.
I thought at least I should get something.
Rajiv, you are so lucky.
You grumble so much.
[Rajiv laughs]
You grumble that
we come to you last
- but this time, we're coming to you first. - Oh, dear!
I'm happily giving this to you.
What is this?
- Thyme. - Look at that.
- Faisu, look at that! - This is thyme.
Chef, do we need thyme?
- You don't need thyme, Ma'am? - We don't need thyme.
- You are bartering with us? - What do you want from these?
I was thinking of taking some nuts.
What are you offering in exchange for
the Macadamia nuts you're taking?
Thyme.
When I saw thyme,
I became so angry at that moment.
I kept asking Rajiv for thyme.
Whole day there was argument about thyme
between me and Rajiv.
He never gave me thyme.
Thyme wasn't important to him at all.
Just give us strawberries.
Ma'am, what are you doing?
This is my highlight.
But strawberries are optional, you're adding them later.
- Give us this now. - All of them?
You'll have to give us a whole ingredient.
No, ma'am, this isn't possible.
Let me do something.
I'll give you the thyme and show you a dance.
Yes, that's fine.
Give the thyme and show a dance.
[music]
What kind of dance was that? Take your thyme back.
Ma'am! No!
- So, what do you want? - Here you go.
I love you, Ma'am. Thank you so much.
God bless you.
Make it well. We have to eat it, after all.
Thank you so much, Ma'am. God bless you.
[music]
What are you making, Gaurav?
I am making Creme Brulee.
- Creme Brulee? - Yes.
And along with that
I'll make a crumble and a grape sauce.
And with that, I'll also prepare a..
- This will go well with Creme Brulee. - Not at all.
- Actually, Ma'am.. - Give us the grapes.
I can't give you the grapes.
So, what will you give us?
- I'll give you Feta cheese. - But what do you want?
We don't want Feta cheese, we don't like it.
Chef, why are you scaring me? Just take the Feta cheese.
But what do you want?
I'll take vanilla pods.
Because it's right for my dish.
So, Chef Ranveer
was trying to confuse me in between.
You know what, I think
if he adds the flavour of rosemary to his dish
it will work perfectly.
It'll be fine.
- I've made up my mind. - Think again.
Yes, I've thought it through.
This is not vanilla essence, friends.
These are original vanilla pods.
Meaning, pods that come directly from the tree.
When you slit them open
they contain vanilla beans inside.
It gives the most exquisite vanilla flavour.
I really love vanilla.
Faisu.
Chef, if I give you this basil
and kept this rosemary for marination..
- What do you want? Rosemary? - Yes.
- And what are you giving us? - Basil.
Farah, I think, apart from rosemary
there's another herb that could be very useful for him.
Thyme.
But he just wants rosemary.
Chef, I needed this for so long.
I don't understand how he gave it to you.
He's been arguing with me about this.
But basil pairs really well with chicken.
Actually, blackberry also complements chicken quite well.
But if mustard were added to the chicken marinade...
But Ranveer, he needed thyme...
All right, I'll take mustard.
One minute.
- He is crazy. - I'll take the mustard.
You needed thyme, and now that thyme is here
you're not taking it.
Chef, I'm taking the mustard.
But in the end, I'm making a glaze with this.
Wow, mustard and honey.
They were saying, 'It would taste good.'
This and that.
So, I became overly confident that
today my dish would be the best.
Because the chef said, "Oh, goodness, mustard and..."
"Oh, goodness, it's going to be amazing."
Upon hearing all of this,
I felt truly delighted.
All right, Chef.
However, the combination with thyme is also quite exceptional.
Chef, you're confusing me.
The expression you gave at mustard was really good.
I don't understand,
we humans always become obsessed with one thing.
And when we finally get that very thing,
it's not what we expected.
In fact, we desire something entirely different.
All right, fine, take the basil.
Now we have three herbs.
We have
thyme, rosemary, basil.
And feta cheese.
Wow!
Faisu also took my 'kasundi'.
Exactly, just like my chicken.
No worries.
What do you need?
Faisu has again taken mustard.
He took mustard.
- Again? - When did he take it before?
She's never satisfied.
You even took my chicken.
Tejasswi, what are you making?
- Fish. - Fish.
In one fish recipe, you had chef's knife.
- In other, you came last. - I swear.
And you're making fish again today.
Because of him.
And you even gave mustard to him.
Tejasswi, what do you have to give us?
Nothing.
If you don't have anything, we're leaving.
We also have nothing to offer you.
Please.
When I needed thyme,
I did not receive thyme.
Instead, I was given basil.
Now I need thyme.
Chef Ranveer convinced me to take mustard.
Now that I've taken mustard
the lady next to me wanted basil. That was Tejasswi.
And the moment she needed basil
when she's finally getting it
she's saying, "No, Faisu got mustard."
The situation here is turning comical.
I can't make sense of it at all.
You have a golden opportunity to
rectify a major mistake in this tray.
[music]
A major mistake?
So I said, "Oh, was that the case?"
I got confused.
But what mistake have I made?
[dramatic music]
Whatever the mistake, what are you offering us in return?
I'm giving you this.
- We don't need it. - Please, Chef, take it.
- We don't want it. - What is this?
It's cane sugar.
- Cane sugar. - Why did you pick
- Don't want. - cane sugar for making fish?
- It just ended up with me. - What a deal she's making.
Farah, you're very kind.
Otherwise, I would never have dealt with this.
Chef, please don't say that.
- Do one thing, give us prawns. - The tray is Farah's.
No, prawns are the main element.
Just cook your dish with rosemary.
Give me curry leaves.
- No, no. - Rosemary.
- Nikki, tell me one thing. - Okay.
What exactly are you preparing with prawns?
I'm making coconut foam with prawns.
What three ingredients are you using?
- I'm using four ingredients, I think. - Which?
- Sir, one is curry leaves. - Okay.
- One is prawns. - Okay.
There's date sugar syrup. Date sugar.
- And the fourth is that. - Allspice.
- Allspice. Yes. - And this is the fifth ingredient.
Are we seriously going to eat prawns in date syrup?
No, I'm going to mix it into the spices.
Your dish is veering in a very particular direction.
No worries, here you go.
But all right, if you need rosemary, take it.
If I were in your place, I wouldn't have chosen rosemary.
Then what would you have taken, Chef?
- Tell me, please. - I won't reveal that.
Chef, why are you confusing her like this?
Otherwise, I might as well tell her the whole dish.
- Let me barter, please. - Then at least give me this.
Blueberry prawns?
Blueberries and this will end up
being the same colour on the plate.
The colour is the same. But taste?
But blueberries with prawns
- how does that work? - What are you doing, Chef?
Please, tell me.
- What are you doing? - You need tartness.
- You go from here. - Tartness comes from wine.
From wine.
- Something else from wine... - I'm counting to three.
On the count of three.
Two, one. What do you need?
- [music] - Chef.
Not this, though.
On the count of three, two, one. Pick it up.
I don't know where this confidence has come from.
I felt that I should add rosemary to the foam.
I traded cane sugar for rosemary.
Now, let me explain.
Your strawberry chutney could have
paired beautifully with the prawns.
- Vikas and me - But, Chef, one second...
were considering a curry leaves, strawberry chutney with prawns.
You had the opportunity to make a blackberry chutney.
- Chef, you always confuse me. - What an idea.
I need basil.
Because earlier I wanted thyme, but now I need basil.
Because I want to make basil dust.
What are you preparing?
I'm making Pumpkin Gnocchi.
- Pumpkin Mutton Gnocchi. - We knew it.
The moment you mentioned pumpkin
we knew this Gnocchi will come.
There will be tiny pumpkins. - Yes.
Last time, he snatched that dish from me.
Today, I finally have the chance to make it again.
All right, so what do you need from here?
Ma'am, I need basil.
What will you offer in return?
Ma'am, you can take this cheese instead.
It's a lovely cheese, Cheddar cheese.
Fine, take it.
Yes, ma'am.
- Thank you. - If I were Archana...
I would never have turned this basil into dust.
Because with pumpkin, basil oil
basil pesto, basil sauce
anything, really.
And if I were Archana, I would have given Brie and kept Cheddar.
The chef has just given you two hints.
[music]
So, I'll do one thing.
I'll try making a pumpkin basil sauce.
[music]
The dishes that seem the most complete to me now
are Archana's pumpkin dish, if she executes it well.
Because the basil oil and basil essence make it complete.
She has cheese as well.
Archana has Brie. So she is baking Gnocchi with Brie.
- Wow. - The one I'm most worried about is Nikki.
Nikki is a little stuck-up today.
- Not just today, she always is. - I thought she was very clear.
[music]
I thought she was very clear.
- No, her dish... - In barter...
She was very clear about what she wanted and didn't want to make.
[music]
Celebrity cooks.
Thirty minutes have passed.
You have forty-five minutes remaining for this challenge.
- What? But I've barely done anything yet. - Oh no, there's very little time left?
[music]
Archana, how are you finding the challenge?
Sir, it's fantastic.
I'm making gnocchi.
I'll be stuffing it with mutton.
Has the gas turned off?
I think this dough has a refined flour base.
Is this gnocchi, Archana?
This is potato starch.
I'll knead it further to make it smoother.
Archana, I'm going to say something, don't cry.
- I won't. I swear. - Promise?
First of all, in Gnocchi, see how the batter has left strands.
In Gnocchi there shouldn't be these strands.
- Can you see this? - Yes.
These strands shouldn't form.
It should be free-flowing.
It should have more potatoes and less refined flour.
- All right? - Okay.
And the second thing
Binding doesn't come from kneading the flour.
It comes from eggs.
Got it.
Right now, it looks like you're making flatbread, not Gnocchi.
Okay.
I think you should reconsider your plan.
I'm feeling utterly stressed.
Oh, man.
Forty minutes left.
And you're telling me to change my dish?
How is that even possible?
Chef, no. Then I'll make it of that.
This is a beautiful idea for a base.
But it's not right for gnocchi.
Every element is different.
Not everything pairs well together.
You'll have to make some adjustments.
Because what you're trying to create isn't working.
[dramatic music]
If things still go wrong, change the dish.
But be mindful, only half an hour remains.
[music]
The clock won't change.
- Yes. - Time won't change.
I had put a pumpkin to steam earlier.
As a backup plan.
So, I decided to prepare the dough again.
Because I was determined to make it.
Chef always arrives at just the right moment.
Whenever I'm about to get stuck, he appears.
That's just my luck.
Goddess, thank you so much.
[music]
- Tejasswi. - Yes, Chef.
How are you?
- I'm well, Chef. - How much have you prepared so far?
Almost done.
[dramatic music]
Right now...
- Oh, I didn't even notice this. - Is this gongura marination?
Oh.
So spicy.
Yes, I made it spicy. Because that's...
Because that's a coconut curry with mango.
But don't you think it's a bit too spicy?
Yes, I deliberately kept it spicy.
Because I'm going to steam it.
So I can reduce the spice level as needed later.
Okay.
I hope it doesn't overpower the fish.
No.
I can reduce the spice now.
Shall I reduce it?
But I'm enjoying the tanginess of it.
Should I tone it down or not?
Hurry up! I only have half an hour left, Chef Viku.
Your return should be of some use to me.
Where are you using the 'Shankhalu'?
[dramatic music]
I'm making flowers.
As a garnish.
I'm... - For 'Dakshin Express'.
Yes, for 'Dakshin Express'.
I won't alter it much.
Because it's my garnish.
I'll just add some salt, pepper, and lemon.
The sauce isn't ready yet.
The garnish isn't done yet. - Yes, nothing is ready.
The fish hasn't gone for steaming yet.
And only half an hour remains.
And looking at Tejasswi, it doesn't seem
like she's concerned about finishing on time.
- No, I am working on it. - Let's do this.
- I have a lot to do. - Tejasswi, you're lagging behind.
All elements have progressed to some extent.
So I'm not too stressed.
As soon as Chef Ranveer leaves
I'll marinate my fish.
And keep it ready for steaming.
But I won't steam it just yet.
Because I plan to steam it in the last 15 minutes.
[music]
Hello, Chef.
I feel like today's challenge belongs to you.
Only if you don't mess it up.
Because everything is working in your favour.
- Hopefully. - Don't squander the opportunity.
What are you making?
I'm preparing Creme Brulee.
- Beautiful. - And with that I'm making a grape reduction.
- Are you using mascarpone cheese in your custard? - Mascarpone cheese.
I've mixed it with whipped cream and orange zest.
And blended it slightly with sugar.
I have mixed it and kept it in the fridge.
I will use that for piping.
I'm getting ready to make the crumble.
- And I have kept the tuile... - What is the crumble made of?
I'm making the crumble with these nuts that I got.
I will crush them in the mortar.
Straight away? Without roasting them?
[tense music playing]
I will roast them now, so it will be quicker.
We never do that.
We never crush them and roast them.
I lose my mind with that.
- Its surface area increases. - Yes.
- It takes a longer time. - Burning...
- It won't take time, there are chances of it burning. - Oh...
That's why I had kept some extra for safety.
I said you have time, just don't push the time.
First, roast the nuts in the pan.
Then crush them.
[tense music playing]
Gaurav, all the dry fruits have some essential oils in them.
- They are beneficial for us, right? - Okay.
When we lightly roast the whole dry fruits
the oils are retained inside them.
That way we can extract the maximum potential.
And the nuts also don't burn.
That saves you a lot of hard work. So always toast the nuts first.
And then pound them.
Thank you, chef.
[dramatic music playing]
Celebrity cooks, you have 15 minutes remaining.
Put your best plate forward.
[tense music playing]
I've started the plating.
I set my plate and put the crumble
inside the cutter.
90% of my elements are ready.
The creme brulee custard has set inside the fridge.
I place it
and as I can see, I have to put
sugar on top of it and use the blow torch
and burn the top.
Which forms the main taste of the creme brulee
or the way it is served.
- Celebrity cooks, last five minutes. - No.
- Sir... No! - Wait.
[dramatic music playing]
When I was plating the dish,
and when I reversed the dish,
it had turned into slush.
I began to wonder what happened. This is a problem.
I went to the blast freezer
and I saw there were two cups in the blast freezer.
I brought out both of them.
One of them was well set.
I removed it with water
and the blow torch.
The dish for the semi-finals should be your signature dish.
- Come on, Teja. Start plating. - No excuses.
Hey... Hold on.
[dramatic music playing]
I was thinking,
'Just a minute is left, what shall I do?'
I went crazy. My dessert was ruined.
The crumble has split.
I couldn't understand what to do...
It's a joke.
- Rajiv, it froze for too long. - Yes.
- If you want to make a hole and put the garnish, - Hmm.
- firstly, the time is less. Don't try it.
Okay.
After that, if you really want to try it
then heat the knife slightly
and make the incision with the knife.
The other one will not break like this one.
Okay. Thank you, Chef.
[tense music playing]
I removed the second mould and added water over it.
I used the blow torch on it.
It was not releasing at all.
[tense music playing]
Rajiv, if you want to, you can leave the cup on the plate.
Like a souffle cup.
- It's done. - It's done.
I came out in the last 15 seconds.
I said, 'Rajiv, keep it as it is on the plate.'
[dramatic music playing]
Last 10 seconds.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
- Five. - Five.
Four.
- Three. - Two.
- One. - One, stop.
And the time was up.
Whatever was in my hands,
whatever was on my plate, I gave it as it is.
Obviously, I did not have the time.
Time is up. Step back.
Let's see whose stardom will bomb.
Time for tasting.
[applauding]
Please come, Rajiv.
That's it.
[applauding]
Rajiv...
What have you made?
I wanted to make a Japanese dessert.
- Japanese dessert. - Have you seen the Japanese
panna cotta, that wobbles a bit. I wanted to make that.
My strawberry sauce was ready.
Even the crisp was ready.
You told me to make the crumble. Even that was done.
You set out to make
a tofu panna cotta.
- Tofu panna cotta. - But it became a tofu 'kulfi.'
Tofu 'kulfi.'
Chef, presentation.
Looks like Rajiv just put
whatever he had on the plate, very quickly.
- Very quickly. - He's just kept it all together.
And he's saying that
this is the dessert. It's a put-together presentation.
I don't even see the presentation.
It looks like food has been taken from a buffet and kept on the plate.
I look forward to your plating.
Because you plate your food very aesthetically.
But today,
it's not a semi-finale dish.
- Not at all. - Hmm.
Let's hope the taste is
- worth a semi-finale dish. - Hopefully.
[tense music playing]
[pensive music playing]
Rajiv, if today had been Friday
then you would be in the black apron challenge.
Without tasting anyone else's dish
Obviously.
- we would have sent you home. - 100%
Yes, Chef. I agree.
My plating at the last minute
- was a disaster. - He knows it.
It's not just the plating. It's the flavour.
The texture.
And how the dish has come together.
Rather not come together.
Rajiv, do you know why your dish did not
turn out the way you had planned it?
Because you were more interested in knowing
what were you exchanging in the barter.
You actually forgot the vision
that your dish was also being made on the cart.
When you concentrate and cook
you cook exceptionally.
Your presentation is good,
which has got you to the semi-finals.
Now that you're in the semi-finals
focus on the food.
I agree with what you're saying.
I totally agree. My day was
a complete chaos today. So, thank you so much.
It was expected that the dish I made today,
I tried hard and worked very hard on it.
I'm proud that I represented my dish at the end, in front of the judges.
Archana, please bring your dish.
[mellow music playing]
What have you made, Archana?
I have made a pumpkin-mutton gnocchi.
- Pumpkin... - Pumpkin-mutton? - Gnocchi.
Have you ever heard of a dish like this?
Chef?
- Stuffed Gnocchi. Is there stuffing inside? - Yes, there is stuffing.
- Mutton stuffing? - Mutton stuffing.
- 'Keema?' - Yes, 'keema.'
And the ingredient that you took from me...
- I've added the basil to this. - Have you added the basil?
- She's made a cream. - The sauce.
I don't know if we can call this a gnocchi or not.
But whatever this dish is, if we talk about its looks
then it's looking good.
But, chef, by looking
we can say that the gnocchi is made from pumpkin.
She's made small pumpkins.
[dramatic music playing]
The pumpkin seeds that you've placed in the centre, the green seeds,
you've carried the pumpkin theme forward.
- Beautiful - It's making sense. The plating is good.
Thank you, sir.
Shall we taste, chef? Let's do it.
[dramatic music playing]
[pensive music playing]
Is this a semi-finale dish?
It has some elements.
You've given a plum 'chutney' in the middle.
It's not letting you get bored of the dish.
The main sauce is the basil sauce.
It's very creamy and mild.
It's flavourful, rich and velvety.
It's very subtle.
It's unlike you. You're so unsubtle.
No, sir...
Have you used wheat flour for the gnocchi?
All-purpose flour, potato starch, gnocchi and potatoes.
- Is there no wheat flour? - No.
I'm feeling like I'm eating 'roti.'
[tense music playing]
There is too much flour and less mutton.
Okay.
- Yes. - But the sauce
- is outstanding. - Okay.
I can eat the sauce like soup.
If this gnocchi
had more mutton
and it would be a little thin...
- Yes. - Because it feels like I'm eating 'roti.'
Okay.
In the process of giving it the shape
- the pumpkin has become a little tight. - Okay.
There is too much of all-purpose flour.
Okay, sir.
- Nikki, please bring your dish. - Yes, chef.
All the best, Nikki.
[mellow music playing]
What have you made, Nikki?
I have made pan-fried prawns,
with coconut and curry leaves foam.
The small elements at the bottom
are prawn butter,
and tomato sauce.
What is the meaning of prawn butter?
- Prawn butter is... - Did you use the heads?
Yes, I used the head and made butter with it.
I took rosemary from you
and I've used it to flavour the tuile.
Okay.
The presentation is very interesting. But an opportunity has been missed.
[dramatic music playing]
This foam...
A lot could have been done with it.
Instead of placing this on the plate
you could lightly place it
on the dish after making some place.
You know, it could have come this way.
The plate has
this solid block of white now.
Did you want to pour this sauce?
- No, it was just on the side. - Is it an extra? - Yes.
Is it already on the plate?
No, it's not there on the plate. It is
date syrup.
- I've made it a little spicy. - Have you reduced it?
- yes. - Should we eat it with the prawn?
Yes, you can.
- I liked the presentation, Nikki. - I also liked it.
- It's beautiful. - I think the white is too much.
This white that you've added...
White takes space and blocks your vision too.
- It's important to make it busy. - Okay.
[pensive music playing]
[clock ticking]
Nikki, this
is not a semi-final dish.
[tense music playing]
This is a finale dish.
Oh! Thank you.
And it's not like you had a lot with you.
That is the best part. Because we know you did not have much.
You had curry leaves.
A few prawns
and apart from that, you had date syrup.
- Nothing. - Whatever else it was, was just a workaround.
Yes.
Using that workaround, you took a few tomatoes from here
and onions from there.
You added a little rosemary into the tuile.
And you made
a Nikki's signature dish. It's that good.
Thank you.
It is that good.
- Thank you. - Very well done.
Thank you.
Woah!
Well done. - Thank you.
Oh, God.
I am feeling very good.
And what can I say?
I am literally on cloud nine.
- I'll kiss both your hands. - Thank you.
One for the prawn and one for the sauce.
Thank you so much. - Nikki, there are very few
such dishes in the season - Yes?
that we remember. It is that good.
Thank you. Thank you.
Well done, Nikki. You are peaking at the right time. - Thank you.
You are doing well. - Thank you.
Keep this for us.
Thank you.
Yay!
Yeah.
Well done, Nikki.
Nikki!
Now come, Tejasswi.
Yay, Tejasswi, all the best.
I am obviously very nervous.
Because my last dish wasn't very good.
Teja, tell us what you made.
This is Faisu's fish,
I've a clean wish.
Wow.
Faisu's fish,
hopefully, Vikas might like it.
Yes. We'll do another one.
This is Faisu's fish
hopefully Chef Viku will like it.
Oh!
She is such an innocent kid.
So what's in Faisu's fish?
I've steamed this fish in gongura masala.
Mango sauce, sweet potato tuile.
With hikmah garnish.
Beautiful use of colours. - Beautiful.
[Upbeat music]
Not pretentious. So clean.
And the colour of this sauce is beautiful.
Thank you, Chef. - But I hope
it wouldn't be as spicy
as you had made last time.
[Intense music]
It is spicy.
But it is tasty.
Hikmah
is like a sweet potato which we consume raw.
It has sweetness and moisture.
When we take that bite, it is balancing it all.
In a very good fashion.
Thank you, Chef.
There's a lot happening in this plate
we might not be able to explain it.
[Giggling]
- Thank you. - It was fun, Tejasswi.
- Keep it up. - Thank you.
There's no grudges
against you. You have wiped the slate clean.
Thank you.
Last time he thought
I wasn't very serious with my dish.
And I didn't work hard.
This time he could see a lot of work
and efforts in my dish.
Which is so true because
I, actually, did put a lot of work and effort.
Teja, I think
I reprimanded you the most.
- Yes. - Last time.
This sauce
I am sorry for reprimanding you.
- No, please. - This sauce has made up for everything.
I will kiss at least one of your hands.
It's been so long.
Thank you.
You are one step
closer to opening your own restaurant, let me tell you.
And to the finale.
Only with this curry, you can open your own restaurant.
Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.
- Good job. - Thank you.
- Faisu, bring your dish, please. - Yes, sir.
[Intense music]
Is there a sauce or is that all?
- That's all. - This is it?
You are hoping the pasta sauce
will be enough for the chicken?
First tell me what you've made.
Fennel sauce with fresh noodles, brown rice syrup
glazed chicken
with parmesan cheese crisp.
[Upbeat music]
Speaking of the presentation,
I can see it in one colour tone.
I think everything is similar.
You didn't even try to break it.
You made such a beautiful glaze
where is it?
That glaze is on the chicken, Chef.
Is it?
If that glaze would've been all around
or on the side, there would be colours on the plate.
Faisu, this is not the Faisu-level presentation.
Not the semi-final level at all.
- I know, ma'am. - This is from Week 2.
Somewhere I am disappointed that the elements I had
those elements tied my hands
or else I might make the element freely.
What did you barter, Faisu?
You only heard half of the word.
The protein guy is the strongest guy.
Always.
- Because I-- - Because no dish can be made without you.
No greatest dish can be made without you.
Both Nikki and Teju's dishes
were actually made with your help.
Giving them the best proteins.
[Intense music]
- Faisu. - Oh, God.
Chicken.
It's cooked.
I was very worried about the chicken.
It's overcooked.
It's dry.
I think
all their voices are more incorporate in this dish
and your voice is lost in the chaos.
Nothing is matching in this dish.
None of the two elements are supporting each other.
Faisu, this is not a good dish.
But then
thankfully, today is not the black apron challenge.
Yes, Chef.
Gaurav, come.
[Intense music]
Gaurav, what have you made?
The ingredients that I had,
I thought of making Cr*me Br*l*e.
Gaurav, since last week
you are giving us such good presented dishes
that if we compare you to yourself
this is not up to your
Gaurav standard.
Your Cr*me Br*l*e could've been smaller.
Yes. I thought it's a soup.
And you could've used this as a garnish around.
There could be an elegance in the busy presentation too
which can be managed through colours and cones.
This presentation is busy and one-dimensional.
- Okay, sir. - It's too brown.
So that's why
it is not appealing like normally your dishes do.
I will work on my presentation next time.
But I just hope what I've made
you guys like the taste of it.
[Intense music]
It has a nice creaminess.
But the Cr*me Br*l*e crust
that hard one,
how does it appear?
- Sugar. - Due to sugar.
It was a wrong choice.
[Intense music]
I was thinking if I had white castor sugar
it would be a bit crispy. This coconut sugar
wasn't getting crisped. I didn't want to burn it.
Since it became too dark, I stopped.
But it has a nice taste, good caramelized taste but
in some places it has gotten burnt
but still I find it tasty.
Actually, I like this dessert.
It's tasty and I wish you had put more melons.
That was the best part. Not great
but not bad either.
As excellent your barter skills were,
if your presentation and proportion were
also excellent,
it would've been a good dish.
- Okay, Chef. - Okay?
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Not your best dish but good. - Yeah.
[Applause]
Many dishes impressed us.
Some dishes were a wake-up call for us
and hopefully for those celebrity cooks too
who made those dishes.
But the dish which
wins today,
- that dish has been made by... - Of course, Nikki.
Wow. You made the best dish as soon as you got the immunity pin.
Nikki, that dish
could be from a professional chef.
Thank you.
The textures and flavours you had given,
we couldn't describe the dish.
You were so perfect.