And the contestants are off. For their first challenge they must shop for an Asian-inspired stir-fry, but they're limited to five items. All the competitors decide to use frozen vegetables to get the most out of the challenge. Plum, however, changes his mind at the last minute and goes for fresh broccoli rabe instead of frozen broccoli.
Market Mix-Up
Nick decided to use tofu for his stir-fry. Unfortunately he picked up the wrong kind and it dissolved when he tried to deep-fry it. As Beau points out, "When you're deep-frying, you want an extra-firm tofu; when you use a silken, it's going to liquefy." Nick ends up cubing up whatever he has left and serving it uncooked.
Noodles, Two ways
Monica uses rice noodles for the first time for her stir-fry, and luckily the judges are impressed with her decision to serve them two ways: sauteed and fried. Jet appreciated the play on texture. Beau liked how light it came out, but wished Monica would have tried using some Thai basil. Monica agrees, that is, if she would have been allowed a sixth ingredient.
Cutting It Close
Natalie had trouble getting the frozen vegetables to saute for her stir-fry. Before time ran out, she quickly cooked the shrimp but cut them up into small pieces to save on time, which the judges weren't happy about. She is the first contestant to check out of the market.
Not Following the Rules
Plum decided to put the stir-fry ingredients in a wonton pouch because that's how his kids would enjoy it. Even though most of the judges thought he created a successful dish, Jet disagreed and said, "I don't think you played the game."
Shopping Someone Else's List
For the second challenge, Guy asks the remaining chefs to cook a fun family meal — but they must use his grocery list, which includes Eggo Homestyle waffles, something sweet, something more than $4, a protein, something spicy, something green and something less than $2.
Culinary Creativity at Its Best
Nick makes waffle-encrusted salmon with spicy zucchini, honey miso sauce and smashed potatoes that the judges are wowed by, but Jet was disappointed that he didn't find any spice in the dish, even though Nick swore the zucchini had it.
An Idea Worth Borrowing
Chef Plum goes for a comforting chili that's served in waffle bowls. The judges are really impressed. Plum says, "What can be more fun and family-friendly than putting chili in a waffle?" Melissa agrees and says she'd love to borrow the idea.
Where's the Sauce?
The judges deliberate and decide to send Monica to the checkout lane. Unfortunately her dish was missing the sauce. Guy stole a taste of it and said to the judges: "By the way, I can tell you, [it] was outstanding. It probably would have taken care of the crispiness of the waffle and fortified the pork chop with a little moisture." Melissa thought the creativity was there, but without the sauce, Jet believed everything just seemed dry.
It's Closing Time
Nick and Plum both go onto the final round, which Guy calls "Closing Time." The chefs will have only two minutes to shop and 30 minutes to cook. But first, Guy offers an advantage to whoever can take a culinary quiz by bringing him the product as the answer to the question. Nick gets it right and receives 15 extra seconds to spend shopping.
Cooking with Love and Affection
Plum goes for ready-made fresh pasta and is inspired to cook the dish that won over his wife: chicken served over pasta with a basil and yellow pepper sauce. Melissa thought it could have used more cheese, and Beau said, "Cream for me unfortunately dulled the flavors."
Not-So-Perfect Pasta
Guy asked the chefs to make a decadent pasta dish, and for Nick that meant making it from scratch — probably not the best idea. The judges agree, as Jet jokes, "May the force be with you, brother!" Ultimately the judges found the chicken cutlet was executed flawlessly, but they all agreed with Beau that "the pasta itself [was] congealed ... it didn't work."
Keeping a Promise
In the end, Guy announces that Plum wins the round and gets to go onto the Super Shopping Spree, where he'll get the chance to win up to $20,000. Plum is so happy he tells Guy that he'll have to keep a promise he made to his kids: "If Daddy can go pull this off, you guys can get a hamster." Plum ultimately ends up bagging $14,000.
More Guy's Grocery Games
For more behind-the-scenes content, videos and photo galleries, visit the Guy's Grocery Games page.
