Food Network Star, Season 10: Top Moments of Episode 6

Get an inside look at the finalists' challenges and relive memorable moments from the sixth episode of Food Network Star, Season 10.

The Basics of Branding

Being a Food Network Star means not just hosting a television show but also building a brand indicative of a unique point of view, and this week's challenge is all about honing that perspective and the products that will support it. Finalists must create products, package them, then sell them in commercials — next-level commercials that seemingly force them into oddball places, thanks to a special green screen.

Heated Delivery

Lenny is one of three people creating a signature hot sauce. His "Black Mamba" concoction is in honor of "the dangerous side of Chef Lenny," and is full of an array of peppers. Since his commercial is set on the Great Wall of China — a world away from a ranch — Lenny's worried about connecting the product to the place.

Miami in a Bottle

"I truly believe that the flavors encompass all that is Miami," Reuben says of the ingredients in his hot sauce, which Giada finds to be blazing hot. He manages to tame it a bit, thanks to sweet agave, but his challenge of shooting with the backdrop of the moon proves to be a concern. "I really don’t know how to plan too well for this," he admits.

Dairy Meets Money

Furthering his idea of "culinary treasures" made of flavored butter, Chris packages his product in small satchels, but he's forced to sell them in a desert-based commercial. "I'm just going to have fun with it," Chris says of the experience.

Nowhere Near Water

Embracing the fresh tomatoes of her home state of New Jersey, Nicole works on a tomato-onion jam, but her placement in the Wild, Wild West forces her far from the coast. "I'm just really out of my element," Nicole notes of the green-screen experience. She says she finds it "frustrating" before admitting, "I'm just getting deeper and deeper into my head" once she's multiple takes into her commercial.

Embracing the Unusual

"You have to tell us why we need it," Bobby tells Loreal of her double-duty marinade and sauce, which she must sell from a giant-tomato farm. "My commercial's pretty wacky," Loreal says, admitting, "My plan is to have a couple of bullet points in my head but just kind of wing it."

French Connections

It's important to Emma that her pickled beets boast "rustic" packaging, even though her assignment takes her to an elegant city: Paris. "I want to show that I am fun and energetic," Emma notes. She adds that she's "really getting into this Paris theme," donning a beret and a faux French accent during the taping.

Mom Duty

Even though she introduced her new Texas point of view just last week, Sarah's already sidelining it for a mom's perspective by making homemade baby food. Since she uses coconut milk in her puree, it ties in her location of the beach with the food. She explains, "I used coconuts in my product, so I can I say that I'm out there sourcing coconuts."

Strong Showing

According to Bobby, Loreal's sauce is "certainly impactful," although the other members of the Committee are hesitant to agree upon its merit. Her commercial, however, is an immediate success, as Bob notes: "In 30 seconds you got across you, your point of view, your product and a whole lot of fun." Her presentation is deemed the best of the day, and she's safe from elimination.

Better Times Before

Despite her recent strides, Nicole has taken a step back today, as Bobby explains, "You weren't as exuberant as I expected." Susie notes that Nicole failed to illuminate her product, which Bob says is so good that he would "eat it right out of the jar."

Moon Fall

Bobby proclaims Reuben's lunar demonstration "flat," as the finalist doesn't acknowledge his surroundings. "It just seems like all you're giving us right now is a bunch of excuses," Giada tells Reuben after he makes allowances for the finished product. He's ultimately named one of the least-successful finalists this week.

Winning Idea

"Definitely one of the best things I've seen on this show — ever," Susie says, as she lauds Chris' "butter coins." His top-notch concept is named the best product of the day, and he, too, is given an automatic advancement to next week.

Paris Flop

Although Emma intended for her Parisian-focused commercial to showcase her "playing the part," Susie admits, "I just found the accent super cheesy." Despite her poor choices on camera, her picked beets are "really addictive," according to Bob, and Susie likes that the packaging includes a recipe.

Mixed Results

Bob and Susie return for the first time since the premiere, and they're struck by the progress Sarah has made since the red-carpet premiere party. "You were just loose and authentic and informative," Susie tells her, although Giada notes that Sarah has failed to mention her personal connection to baby food: motherhood. Nevertheless, Giada calls the product "flavorful."

Not So Great

"You just sort of blew by the challenge of being in a place," Bobby tells Lenny, who doesn't incorporate his surroundings of the Great Wall of China into his commercial and delivers a seemingly forceful script. "You sold me on the product, but I just don't think you have to push it that hard," Bob explains to him.

Vegas-Bound?

After disappointing performances this week, Reuben, Nicole and Emma all face uncertain futures after they learn that they're all facing potential elimination, while their safe counterparts have earned a trip to Las Vegas as the competition continues next week.

Reuben's Exit

"He's got a great smile, he has some presence, but he's not able to do it in front of the camera," Bobby says of Reuben, who's ultimately sent home this week. "I put my best foot forward," Reuben reflects after learning of the decision. "Obviously, I tried really hard."

More: Star Scrapbook: Reuben Ruiz