Season 4, Episode 7

So Close I Can Almost Taste It

Chefs Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay go head to head in the Worst Cooks in America finale. Chef Anne, a 3-0 winner, is ready to fight for her crown but Bobby wants redemption. Who was the better teacher and which recruit will walk away with $25,000?

See Tune-In Times

Recipes From This Episode

Raviolo al' Uovo

Frizzled Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Romanesco

Cinnamon Gelato

Cornish Game Hens stuffed with Chicken Liver Pate

Granny Smith Apples and Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise and Creme Fraiche Whipped Cream

Lobster Scampi over Creamy Polenta with Garlic Chips

Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Jalapeno Pesto and Pomegranate

Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Apples and Toasted Walnut Crepes with Cinnamon Gelato

Previous Episode

Revisit Your Past Before the Last

Worse Than Ever

Episode Photos

See All Photos

Last Two Standing

What started seven weeks ago as Boot Camp training for 14 of the most-hopeless cooks in the country has turned into a fierce showdown between two competent, confident kitchen superstars. The Red Team's Rasheeda and the Blue Team's Alina are facing off in a pressure-packed cook-off to be judged by professional-chef judges for the chance to win $25,000 and a victory for their mentors.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Customized Menu

The recruits have one day to plan the three-course menu they'll serve to the judges, so they take time to practice each dish with their mentors. Tomorrow Chefs Anne and Bobby won't be able to help them. Alina's menu "plays to her strength," Chef Bobby says, adding that it will focus on "big, bold flavors" in lobster polenta, pork tenderloin and bread pudding.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Can-Do Dishes

"This is absolutely something you can be successful at," Chef Anne tells Rasheeda while outlining the dessert component of her menu, an apple-filled crepe topped with homemade gelato. The Red Team's menu will also feature runny-egg ravioli and Cornish game hens stuffed with homemade chicken liver. "I think if she can pull it off, it will really impress the judges," Chef Anne adds.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Team Support

On hand to help the recruits grocery shop and taste their teammate's practice dishes are three previously eliminated contestants from both teams. "Do not panic," Chef Bobby tells Rasheeda and Alina of the other competitors. "They will not be cooking." Big Mike, Carla and Chet from the Blue Team are back, and while they're not wowed by Alina's polenta, her pork and pudding prove more successful.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Worrisome Ravioli

Amid the meal prep happening on both teams, a bit of friendly smack-talking is taking place between the mentors, both joking that their recruit is the one to beat. Despite his confidence in Alina, Chef Bobby couldn't help but claim Rasheeda's ravioli to be "a deadly dish" after tasting it. "That pasta alone could win this entire competition for Chef Anne," he says.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Decision Day

Instead of facing off in the Boot Camp kitchen, the recruits meet at The Dutch, a New York City hot spot restaurant, where they'll cook for Chefs Anita Lo, Floyd Cardoz and Andrew Carmellini in its professional-grade kitchen.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Memories of Water Baths Past

Of all the key processes that Alina must execute today, preparing a flawless bread pudding is one of the most crucial. "A watery dessert is why I lost last year to Chef Anne," Chef Bobby reflects, "and I'm not letting that happen two years in a row," so it's important that Alina be extremely cautious while handling the puddings, as they're baked in a water bath.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Near Disaster

With just minutes left to finish her appetizer, Rasheeda notices that several of the egg yolks within her ravioli are oozing out between the layers of pasta dough. "I don't have time to remake this," Rasheeda says, "but I have to try because I cannot serve the culinary experts a broken yolk." In the end, she manages to complete the dish on time, and Chef Cardoz says she "nailed it."

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Culinary Masterpiece

"C'mon, it's not a painting; it's just food," Chef Bobby tells Alina, who, with just seconds left on the clock, is taking perhaps an unnecessarily long time adorning her pork with pesto and sauce. Despite Chef Bobby's concern, she finishes each element of her dish, and the judges are wowed by the complexity of the offering.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Challenge, Complete

In the final moments of the cook-off, Rasheeda notices that her cinnamon gelato is a bit too soft, but she nevertheless continues with her plan to plate it atop the hot crepes, and she finishes the meal with a hug from her mentor.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Weighing Highs and Lows

Overall, the judges panel is impressed that these formerly sorry cooks turned out all-star meals after only seven weeks of training, and it's up to them to decide whose showing is worthy of $25,000. "One menu was risk, and the other menu was flavor," Chef Cardoz says of his reaction to Rasheeda's and Alina's offerings, respectively. His fellow judges agree, Chef Lo adding, "This is a really tough choice."

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Formal Introduction

The team leaders gather their recruits to introduce them to the judges for the first time. Before now, the panel knew them only through their dishes as Meal X and Meal Y, as the judging was blind. "This is what it all comes down to," Rasheeda says of this final assessment, while Alina notes, "I'm very nervous."

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Blue Team Glory

Because of the solid techniques and top-notch flavors that Alina offers in her meal, she's named the Season 4 winner of Worst Cooks and proudly accepts the first victory for the Blue Team, as well as a $25,000 prize and a $5,000 gift card to Kohl's. "I am officially not the Worst Cook in America," Alina says excitedly. "Hopefully this will be the first day of the rest of your cooking life," Chef Bobby tells her.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Rock Star Finish

Although she doesn't take the win, Chef Anne tells her recruit, "You are still Rock Star Rasheeda." The Red Team recruit, too, will be leaving with a $5,000 Kohl's gift card, and her mentor remains proud of what she's accomplished. "Let me just go ahead and give myself a pat on the back," Rasheeda says.

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Anne 3, Bobby 1

"Pass over the crown, Chef Anne. I'm going to hold onto this for a little while," Chef Bobby says after the competition. Her three-year winning streak has ended, and although she no longer has an undefeated record, she's confident that he won't hold the winning title forever. "I'll let Bobby win one. Just one."

Photo By: Heidi Gutman © 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Want More Worst Cooks?

Visit Food Network's Worst Cooks in America headquarters for more insider coverage of the show.

On TV

What's New

Meet the Chefs Competing on Ciao House, Season 2 12 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Chopped Battle Italiano 17 Photos

Meet the Bakers Competing on Next Baking Master: Paris 11 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing in the All-New 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing 25 Photos

Get an Insider’s Look at the Premiere of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing 15 Photos

24 All-Star Recipes from Michael Symon and Esther Choi, the Hosts of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing 25 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Competitors of Spring Baking Championship Season 10 13 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Tournament of Champions, Season 5: The Qualifiers 17 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions, Season 5 28 Photos

11 Food Hacks and Facts I Learned From Guy’s Grocery Games 12 Photos

By: Alyse Whitney

Worst Cooks in America, Season 27: Meet the Recruits 17 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Competitors of Kids Baking Championship, Season 12 13 Photos

Chopped: Julia Child’s Kitchen — Meet the Competitors 16 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Behind the Scenes of Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays 21 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Teams Competing on The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown 7 Photos

Guy's Grocery Games: Flavortown Academy — Meet the Competitors 8 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Competitors of Holiday Baking Championship, Season 10 13 Photos

Meet the Teams Competing on Holiday Wars, Season 5 12 Photos

Meet the Contestants of Outrageous Pumpkins, Season 4 9 Photos

Halloween Baking Championship Season 9: Meet the Competitors 13 Photos

Meet the Teams Competing on Halloween Wars, Season 13 10 Photos

Meet the Titans and Chefs Competing on Bobby's Triple Threat, Season 2 15 Photos

Worst Cooks in America, Season 26: Meet the Recruits 17 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Chopped: All-American Showdown 17 Photos

Meet the Grill Masters Competing on BBQ Brawl, Season 4 13 Photos

Meet the Teams from The Great Food Truck Race: Season 16 10 Photos

Meet the Competitors on Beachside Brawl, Season 2 11 Photos

Meet the Bakers Competing on Summer Baking Championship 11 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Ciao House 11 Photos

Meet the Celebrity Guests on Fast Foodies 11 Photos

Latest Stories

Selena Gomez Takes Her Culinary Journey to the Next Level in All-New Series Selena + Restaurant Apr 1, 2024

10 American Bakers Say Bonjour to All-New Pastry Competition, Next Baking Master: Paris Mar 27, 2024

Guy Fieri Recruits Noah Cappe and an Elite Bite Club to Find the Best Bite in Town on All-New Series Apr 17, 2024

24 Chefs Face 24 Challenges in 24 Straight Hours on All-New Series 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Apr 17, 2024

Fill Out Your Tournament of Champions, Season 5 Bracket NOW! Feb 15, 2024

Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions Season 5 Brings Intense Culinary Battles, Randomizer Wild Cards and Unpredictable Upsets Jan 22, 2024

By: Maria Russo

Tiffany Derry Joins Anne Burrell to Mentor Pampered Cooking Disasters Dec 6, 2023

Selena Gomez Doesn't Drink Coffee — Here's What She Drinks Instead Dec 5, 2023

‘Tis the Season of Holiday Wish Lists and Watch Lists Nov 29, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Food Network Chefs Are Spending the Holidays in Selena Gomez’s Kitchen Dec 5, 2023

Talented Chefs Embrace the Legacy of Julia Child in New Chopped Tournament Nov 13, 2023

We're Unwrapping Holiday Magic with All-New Series The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown Dec 13, 2023

Selena Gomez Invites Four Culinary Superstars to Her Home in Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays Nov 29, 2023

Treat Yourself to the Ultimate Creepy Watchlist Sep 20, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Scary Good Things to Watch This Month Sep 7, 2023

Franco Noriega Turns Up the Heat with Sizzling Recipes on Hot Dish with Franco Oct 27, 2023

Eight Culinary All Stars Face Off in Flavortown Aug 9, 2023

The Winners are Back in Flavortown Aug 2, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Forecasting Unpredictable Flavors in Flavortown Jul 18, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Skilled Chefs Face Off in a Nostalgic Showdown on All-New Series Battle of the Decades Hosted by Jonathan Bennett Sep 19, 2023

Next Up in Flavortown Cafeteria: Tostada Tuesday Jun 22, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Sledding Into Flavortown’s Coldest Competition Yet Jun 29, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

The Great Food Truck Race Returns with Food Truck Pros vs Talented Rookies May 11, 2023

Baking Championships Heat Up with New Summertime Competition Apr 5, 2023

Fearless Military Chefs Take Their Skills to the Chopped Kitchen Mar 16, 2023

Fill Out Your Tournament of Champions, Season 4 Bracket NOW! Feb 13, 2023

By: Maria Russo

Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions Returns for Its Wildest, Most Unpredictable Season Yet Jan 19, 2024

Sun, Sand, Eats and Drinks: SOBEWFF 2023 Returns Jan 9, 2023

Food Network and NFL Team Up For An All-New Primetime Event Nov 28, 2022

Chef Kathy Fang Innovates Chinese Cuisine While Honoring Longtime Family Traditions in New Docuseries Chef Dynasty: House of Fang Nov 16, 2022