Flatbread Prep Goes Flat — Alton's After-Show

It's not uncommon for Cutthroat Kitchen sabotages to throw competitors off their A-game, but one challenge in particular knocked them off their feet tonight — literally. Ever a fan of culinary puns, host Alton Brown auctioned off a sabotage that challenged two chefs to prep flatbread as they laid flat on their backs. In theory the execution seems simple: Just use your hands to feel, right? But what happens when it comes time to roll out the dough or chop ingredients? Simon Majumdar learned these lessons the hard way tonight, when he experienced the challenge firsthand during the latest installment of the After-Show as he was challenged to make flatbread.
"Chapati is a wheat-flour Indian bread," Simon explained of the dish he set out to make, though in true Cutthroat fashion, he wasn't allowed to prep it in a straightforward manner. Enter the flat-top prep table. "I want you to experience this the way that the competitors had to," Alton told Simon. "So just hop up on here and lay flat." While Simon managed to roll out his dough on a block atop his torso and ultimately move it to the stove, he dodged slicing duties, thanks to Alton. The host took over chopping the cucumber for Simon's raita — and once again Simon's midsection proved to be a worthwhile prep area, and Alton set up another cutting board there so the judge could lie down. "Lay still now. This knife is sharp. I've never cut on a moving surface like this, and I could slip," Alton joked as he maneuvered the knife just inches from Simon's face.
Click the play button on the video above to watch more of Alton and Simon's joint flatbread-on-a-flatbed efforts — and see Simon's finished chapati up close.