Just one week away from the finale, Rodney, Russell, Damaris and Stacey remain in the competition, but the mentors warn that only three will go on to film pilots. One contestant will be sent home after pitching show ideas to Bob, Susie and the Selection Committee.
On-Location Sin
The contestants present two ideas for potential pitches, then Alton, Bobby and Giada steer the finalists in the direction they think could lead to the most successful pilot. Both of Russell's thoughts, however, initially fall short with the panel, but he lands on a destination concept wherein "I'm bringing my bag of sins along." He says, "I'm actually cooking dishes and giving it that sinful twist."
Inspired by Experience
Stacey wants her show to be focused on "helping people have this emotional connection with what it is that they're eating" through updated dishes, she explains. She begins her pitch of Stacey's Modern Magic with a story about her restaurant's past struggles, but the network perceives the concept as "a little sad," according to Susie. "I'm trying to get past the way you pitched your idea," Bob tells her after her lackluster performance.
Put It in a Pie
In true Pie Man form, both of Rodney's ideas center around "pie style," but Alton suggests a show wherein local restaurants challenge Rodney to re-create their signature dish as a pie, and Rodney deems the thought "dynamite."
Southern Dinner Date
After the mentors scratch her idea of Modern Southern as a show, Damaris pitches the show Eat, Date, Love. "It's all about teaching men how to win a girl through Southern food and tradition," she tells them. Bob and Susie are so impressed with her presentation that they quickly green-light her pilot, with Bob explaining, "I have to see what she's going to do."
More Pie, Please
"He charms me," Susie says of Rodney's pitch of Pie Style, which Bob deems "down-to-earth ... relatable ... [and] comfortable." Rodney also advances to film a pilot, as the Selection Committee is wowed by his character alone. "I would much rather take a chance on somebody that I'm intrigued by who they are as a personality than know exactly what the show's going to be," Bob said.
Sin Stays
With just one more pilot to OK, the Selection Committee agrees to have Russell advance. Susie notes: "I think he's really unique. He really seems to own this and feel good about it. It's who he is." Ultimately, however, that means that after 10 weeks of competition, Stacey will be going home. Browse Stacey's Star Scrapbook.
Emotional Goodbye
"I don't think there are any real limits. You are a good cook and you've got a fantastic heart," Alton tells Stacey after she learns that her time on the show has ended. "Not to get the thing that I came here to do ... that's brutal," she reflects after elimination. "Being here, if you're true to your beliefs and you're open to growing, you win anyways."
Superstar Support
No stranger to filming a pilot, Season 2 Star winner Guy Fieri mentors the finalists through their tapes. "He's got a pretty strong delivery, and I think that'll help me with my delivery," Rodney says of Guy. They meet Chef Eric Greenspan at his restaurant, and he challenges Rodney to turn his classic grilled cheese into a pie.
The Bite in Question
Although Rodney initially struggles with talking with his mouth full on camera, Guy teaches him the difference between "the monster bite" and "the princess bite," and Rodney's ultimately able to record the segment successfully. He manages to get "pie style" with Chef Eric's sandwich and delivers a short rib-Taleggio pie that wows Eric and his customers.
Precious Cargo
Russell, with his briefcase of sins in tow, meets Guy at Bennett's Ice Cream, and together they work on Russell's opening segment, as it's proving to be a tricky few lines for him to deliver. "You're making this more difficult than it really is," Guy tells him. Russell soon recovers and goes on to taste one of the more sinful ice cream flavors at Bennett's: Cabernet Sauvignon Sorbet.
Sinful Convert
"This is definitely where you excel. You're real comfortable in the kitchen. That's evident," Guy tells Russell after the latter works his sinful magic in the kitchen at Bennett's. Later Russell introduces Scott Bennett, the owner of the shop, to his just-made bacon-bourbon ice cream, and Scott tells him, "This is really amazing."
Wooing Under Way
Looking to impress his girlfriend with a home-cooked meal, Josh joins Damaris on the set of her pilot, and she works with him to prepare an authentic Southern dinner of pork and sweet potato biscuits. Not long into taping, however, Guy calls her out on a potential problem: She's not looking at the camera. "It's not just Josh you're teaching. It's all these people at home that you're teaching," he reminds her, before she ultimately recovers.
Ever the Culinary Instructor
One of Damaris' shining moments on camera proves to be her tip about shaping the biscuits. "You can use a cup in place of a biscuit cutter," she explains, which Guy says is a captivating on-camera technique. In the end, Josh's girlfriend, Eden, is impressed by the meal, calling it "so good."
Go Behind the Scenes
Browse exclusive snapshots of the finalists and judge-mentors on set, plus learn insider trivia about the show from Food Network's culinary team.
