Food Network Star, Season 8: Behind the Scenes of Episode 4

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and relive all the highlights of Food Network Star Season 8, Episode 4.

Fashionable Food

It's New York Fashion Week, and the finalists are going! "It's not you who's going to be made over. It's your food," explains this week's guest judge, Chopped host Ted Allen. "The food world has some notoriously ugly dishes. You'll transform them into something that's appealing to the eye and the palate."

Dish Makeover

The finalists lift silver domes to unveil drab dishes in need of a makeover. Martie gets tuna noodle casserole, Judson seafood Alfredo and Justin beef stroganoff.

Extra Incentive

Each team gets some prep time to plan for their reinvented dishes. Though it's a team challenge, there's also a hefty reward for the finalist whose dish wins the most audience votes: $10,000 from Discover Card. "I would love to win the money," says Eric. "I've quit my job, so it would pay the bills."

On Location

The finalists arrive at the Pamella Roland fashion show early to prepare their food in the kitchens at Capitale, an event space on New York's Lower East Side.

Back in the Game

After surviving the pitch room last week, Nikki is bringing her A-game. Her made-over pork chops and sauerkraut is Bobby's favorite dish of the night, and her presentation is spot-on.

Beef Stroganoff 2.0

Justin deconstructs the flavors of beef stroganoff into a mosaic-like presentation that floors the judges. "It's gorgeous, and he's really clever," Susie says. "It's incredibly inventive and a very fashionable dish."

Ready for the Runway

Team Giada cheers at the end of cooking — they're ready to take the runway.

Discerning Audience

Each team presents their "collection" to the fashion show crowd as models strut their dishes down the runway. "Today is all about presentation of yourself and of the food," Bobby tells his team.

Bring the Swagger

Malcolm is in his element in this challenge and exudes confidence: "I'm going to bring my swagger," he says, and gives the camera a model-like pose. He wins the judges over with his presentation and made-over meatloaf: "The Malcolm who was here today, if he can stay and cook this food, I'm in," says Bob.

Cause for Celebration

Martita also knocks her presentation out of the park and returns to the kitchen elated. The judges say it was the best they've ever seen her: "Martita, they loved it. I feel like you really brought it," Giada tells her.

Team Alton (Mostly) Soars

"This challenge was tailor-made for Alton's team," says Bob. "They're all so brainy and fun." Justin, Martie and Emily all shine, but once again Judson sounds canned in his presentation. "His words are hollow and he loses me," says Susie.

Eric Stumbles

After a crisis in the kitchen with the wrappers for his fashionable fish sticks, Eric is flustered and his presentation fails to impress. As usual, his food is delicious, but the judges need to see personality.

Big Winner

Back at evaluation, Justin is shocked and thrilled to learn that his dish was the crowd favorite. He's taking home $10,000, and Team Alton also learns that they've scored their first team win of the season. Despite Judson's lackluster performance, the win means the whole team is safe this week.

Bobby vs. Giada

That leaves Team Bobby and Team Giada on the bottom. "Some of you really strutted your best looks, and others were a hot mess," says Susie. The judges announce that Eric and Ippy will go to the Producers' Challenge.

Good Luck Charm?

Eric is taken way out of his comfort zone in this Producers' Challenge, which involves no cooking. He simply has to talk, on camera, about the French toast in front of him. Bobby gives his winery chef a good luck drink — it worked for Nikki last week.

Bring the Fun

The judges found Ippy too laid-back in the Fashion Week challenge and want him to be more memorable: "They are worried that you are too relaxed. They want someone who commands the room," Giada explains. She urges him to bring his fun personality to his French toast presentation.

Get Personal

French toast makes Eric think about his childhood, when his mom would make this breakfast for him on Valentine's Day. He works this story into his presentation, but the judges are still looking for some spark.

Ippy's Big Bite

Ippy gets a laugh from the judges when he takes too big a bite of his French toast and doesn't let it phase him. "I almost choked on it halfway through!" he laughs.

Bobby's Pitch

"Eric may be the best cook in the entire competition," Bobby tells the judges. "To lose him now would be a complete shame."

Giada's Pitch

Giada makes her case for Ippy: "He has this unbelievable sweet charm. Everyone wants to be able to experience Hawaii, and Ippy would be able to take you there on a regular basis."

Chef to Chef

Ultimately, the judges decide Ippy should be the one to stay and Eric should go home. "It's hard to go up against someone who's just like you. He has just as much passion for food," Ippy reflects after his close call. Susie said this was one of the hardest decisions in all her years of Star.