Food Network Star, Season 7: Behind the Scenes of Episode 10

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and relive all the highlights of episode 10 of Food Network Star, Season 7.

Top 10 Moments: 1. Welcome to Kitchen Stadium

This could only mean one thing: an Iron Chef battle is about to take place. But Michael and Bobby aren't battling today — they're judging.

2. Today's Iron Chefs

The final four — Jeff, Vic, Mary Beth and Susie — will compete in two head-to-head battles.

3. Look Who's Back

The last four finalists eliminated — Whitney, Jyll, Chris and Penny — will help out as sous chefs. Mary Beth is already nervous: "Penny is back, like so many horror movie villains."

4. Snail's Pace

Sure enough, Mary Beth and Penny are paired together once again. "This girl is moving at the speed of dirt," remarks Michael Symon. Alton goes over to investigate.

5. Jeff Charms Alton

The finalists are tasked with providing commentary when they're not battling. Jeff knows this is his strong suit: "Susie may edge me out in the cooking, but I'm going to demolish her with the commentary."

6. Vic Delivers

"My sous chef is on fire," says Vic about Jyll. "I want to give them love from Mama and Grandma." His lamb burger is "the best thing we've had from you," says Susie Fogelson.

7. Lobster Winner

As Jeff predicted, Susie edges him out with her cooking, taking the win in Battle Lobster. "You mastered your ingredient," says Giada.

8. Hit-or-Miss Lamb Chops

The judges realize Mary Beth was at a disadvantage with her slow-moving sous chef, but that won't save her. "A lot can go wrong in Kitchen Stadium," says Bobby. "You must overcome adversity no matter what."

9. Close Battle

Though the judges say it was close, Vic is deemed the winner of Battle Rack of Lamb. He's relieved and ecstatic to be going on to the finale.

10. Emotional Farewell

It's Mary Beth who won't move on this week. "I'm upset about going home because it closes a door, but gosh, I'm so proud of what I've done here," she says graciously.

The Play-by-Play and Iron Chef Menus

We've covered the Top 10, but there were many more exciting moments during the finalists' Iron Chef battles. Here, Alton welcomes the final four to what he calls Kitchen Stadium Junior.

Enter the Sous Chefs

The finalists are excited when they see their former competitors return for battle. Mary Beth's happiness wanes, however, when she draws Penny's name.

Battle Lamb

Vic and sous chef Jyll go up against Mary Beth and sous chef Penny in Battle Rack of Lamb.

Vic's Lamb Salad

"The dish is really balanced and shows a lot of finesse," says Iron Chef Michael Symon.

Get the Recipe: Black and Blue Lamb, Pistachio and Arugula Salad

Vic's Lamb Burger

Everyone loves Vic's burger, but the overdone fries are a miss. "But they're super-cute. A-plus for presentation," says Mary Beth, who gets to judge her competitor.

Get the Recipe: Lamb Burgers with Caramelized Red Onions, Mayoli and Feta

Vic's Broiled Lamb

Vic was worried about his mint-Grand Marnier sauce, and rightfully so. "Mint jelly has no place in the Iron Chef kitchen," says Bobby.

Get the Recipe: Broiled Lamb Chops with a Mint-Orange Liqueur Sauce and White Asparagus

Stress

"Having Penny as a sous chef is highly distracting," says Mary Beth. "I am pretty much on my own in this challenge, but I am determined to do as well as possible by myself."

Intervention

The judges ask Alton to go over to Penny and see if he can speed her up. "Do you always work at this leisurely pace?" he asks.

Mary Beth's Grilled Lamb

Mary Beth made three dishes that corresponded with the seasons. The first, grilled lamb with Israeli couscous, was winter-inspired. "Overall, not a bad job," says Vic at the judges' table.

Mary Beth's Umami-Crusted Lamb

The "Umami Explosion" dish didn't wow as Mary Beth had hoped. "The secret ingredient was the lamb, and the lamb is the worst thing on the plate," says Giada. "But I love your stories."

Judging the Battle

Jeff's commentary and quips back to Alton have the judges cracking up as they watch the lamb battle unfold.

Battle Lobster

As the winner of the previous challenge, Jeff gets to pick his sous chef. He immediately picks Whitney to help him in Battle Lobster: "She's the best possible sous chef."

Jeff's Lobster Roll

Jeff sticks with his POV and makes three sandwiches, the first of which is a classic lobster roll. "I have three courses with store-bought mayo," he realizes too late, and pays for it with the judges.

Jeff's Lobster Taco

"Jeff, I love tacos, you know I do, but the meat just seems dry," says Susie. "I'm the Sandwich King, not the Taco King," Jeff admits.

Jeff's L.B.T. Sandwich

Once again, the mayo is Jeff's downfall in his bacon-lobster-tomato sandwich: "A little acid in that mayo would've brightened it up," says Michael Symon.

POV-Perfect

Despite the mayo issue, the judges are pleased with Jeff's sandwiches. "You are mastering this POV," says Bob.

Susie Shines

"You've had the charisma, the passion. Can you express the knowledge in a clear, concise and authoritative way?" asks Bob. "This week, you did beautifully."

Susie's Lobster Ceviche

"You have to make the secret ingredient the star, and you were very successful doing that in this dish," says Michael Symon.

Get the Recipe: Lobster Ceviche

Susie's Lobster Enchilada

Susie switched gears and used Swiss chard to wrap her enchiladas instead of pasta. This last-minute decision works out — the judges love the dish.

Get the Recipe: Lobster Enchiladas with Spicy Zucchini Sauce

Susie's Lobster Stew

Susie's final dish is another unanimous hit. "You're eating an awful lot of that, Jeff. Do you like it?" Michael Symon asks.

Get the Recipe: Lobster Stew with Roasted Red Pepper Potato Cakes

Awaiting Her Fate

"I'm scared. I'm nervous. Susie looks happy as a clam," says Jeff.

Happy Judge

Remember Susie's little crush on Michael Symon that tripped her up last time he came on set? She redeems herself this week. "You're hitting very high marks on technique," the Iron Chef tells her.

Second Round of Judging

Back at evaluation, the selection committee prepares to announce the winners and losers of Battle Rack of Lamb and Battle Lobster.

Mama's Boy Is Scared

"You have grown more than any other person I have ever seen in this competition," says Bob. Despite his disastrous mint jelly sauce, Vic edges out Mary Beth and takes the win.

Susie's On Top

"I remember saying to you, 'Susie, please, go back to your roots and make the food that you grew up making.' And look how far you've come," says Giada. Susie takes the win for Battle Lobster.

On To the Finale

With Vic and Susie safe, Mary Beth and Jeff are on the bottom. Only one of them will stick around for the finale.

Jeff Sees the Bottom

"This is the first time Jeff’s being considered for elimination," says Bobby. "We saw fear in his eyes."

Farewell, Mary Beth

Despite coming so close, Mary Beth leaves gracefully: "A lot of people never find their passion. A lot of people don't get an opportunity like the one I've had. I can't be anything but grateful."