Highlights from Episode 2 of Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off

Browse highlights from Episode 2 of Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off on Food Network.

A Lesson in Timing

The kids are ready to take on new challenges in Episode 2 and those who didn't win MVP last time are determined to work their hardest at getting the top score. Both the Pop Quiz and Cook-Off will focus on timing, which is a key part of cooking a meal, as the kids will learn.

Choosing from the Choices

Rachael and Guy present the kids with their Pop Quiz. Each kid will cook an entree that includes a protein, vegetable and starch, but they must choose from one of four options. The cooking will be staggered by 20 minutes, "but the tricky part about it is the timing; starting too soon or too late for any one of the components can ruin the experience of the entire meal," says Rachael.

Pairing Off

The kids must decide among themselves who will take which option. One member from Team Rachael and the other from Team Guy will cook against one another and present their dishes together for judging side by side, with one winner for each pairing.

Shrimp, Penne and Broccoli

Haile and Daniel both get the shrimp, penne and broccoli dish. Daniel decides to make a pasta salad with the ingredients, but he ends up overcooking the broccoli and serves up just the stems. Haile on the other hand creates a flavorful shrimp Alfredo that wins her the challenge. Rachael's only issue was some of her pasta had stuck together.

Scallops, Polenta and Kale

Hunter took the scallops, polenta and kale. On Guy's team, however, no one wanted it, so Daniel and Alessandra play rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets it. Alessandra loses but looks on the bright side: "I'm not here to play inside the lines." She and Hunter cook similar dishes, but Hunter's is more successful and he wins this challenge.

Pork Chops, Rice and Green Beans

Jack and Sydney both got pork chops, rice and green beans. Jack gets going with cooking his rice in broth for extra flavor. He sears the chop in a pan before cooking it through in the oven to ensure its moistness, unlike Sydney who overcooks hers. The win goes to Jack.

Filet, Potatoes and Asparagus

Brandon and Cole both get the filet, potatoes and asparagus dish. Brandon, being "a Texas boy," as he says, decides to grill his steak and asparagus, but this is his first time he's not using a big outdoor grill. Cole chooses the shortcut of the microwave to create twice-baked potatoes within the 30 minutes allowed, but his steak ends up overcooked, so Brandon wins this challenge.

Cooking for a TV Mom

For the Cook-Off, the kids will each make a brunch dish to honor their parents. Once again it will test their control of timing. The dishes will be judged by Marion Ross, better known as Mrs. Cunningham from Happy Days. The kids will also present a time-saving tip in front of the camera. Before the challenge starts, Rachael and Guy take the kids to the classroom to go over the game plan.

Guy's Coaching Session

Guy tries to hammer in the importance of timing. He even brings in his son Hunter to help the kids plan out their timing for cooking a meal. The kids do well with the test and are ready to take on the brunch challenge. Guy discusses what their dishes will be, giving them pointers along the way.

Rachael's Kitchen Wisdom

During the Pop Quiz, Rachael noticed that the kids were doing too much running back and forth for ingredients and to the trash bin. She suggests the kids each get a garbage bowl and concentrate on getting everything they need before they start cooking. She discusses their dishes and makes sure everyone is on the right track.

Finding Focus

Daniel is making croque monsieur with a green goddess sauce, but he gets started on the sauce before putting the sandwiches together. Guy steps in to remind him the importance of time and to focus on the croque monsieur first, since it's the primary component of the dish.

Competitive Drive

Alessandra's taken on making a duo of brunch dishes, a marmalade and mascarpone-stuffed French toast and a hash with pesto, which she confidently tosses in the skillet. She might have taken on too much, but she's trying really hard to impress the judges with a dish she thinks is far more elaborate than those of her competitors.

A Storied Dish

Cole decided to make a duo of dishes. He cooks two takes on pancakes; one is a classic version, whereas the other, which is loaded with shredded wheat, is his dad's creation. He'll create a layered "cake" by stacking up the pancakes. On the side he also wants to serve a hash, which Guy steps in to help him with.

Nerves of Steel

Rachael looks on as Haile finishes up cooking the crumbled sausage to top her polenta while Jack works on the fruit compote to fill his pancakes. Earlier, Jack got frustrated and let his nerves get to his stomach, walking off set to take a break. But he brushed it off and came back stronger. "I've been through worse; a little stomachache isn't going to keep me down," he says.

Determination Takes Charge

Hunter's making matzo Brie and on the side he's serving turkey sausage patties. Brandon is making an English muffin filled with crab meat and topped with a poached egg, a take on eggs Benedict. Earlier he cut his finger, but that doesn't stop him from finishing the challenge. He soldiers on even if he's down the use of one hand.

Proven Creativity

Sydney is making quiche pops along with granola pizza, which is basically a layer of granola that she's baked and cut out into rounds. Guy was questioning if the dish would work, but Sydney's sure of it and is determined to prove him wrong.

The Judging

Rachael, Marion and Guy discuss the dishes after having tasted them all and seeing the presentations. The kids mostly do well in front of the camera, but Cole finishes with time to spare and Daniel freezes up trying to come up with a better tip than he originally had planned to share. Hunter's presentation was the best but his food was lacking.

Eagerly Awaiting the Results

The kids wait to find out which of them will be named MVP of the challenge. The mentors, Rachael and Guy, and judge Marion were impressed by their dishes and only had slight criticisms. The scores are close, and it could be anybody's win, but there can only be one MVP from each team.

The Highest Score Yet

Marion announces that Jack got the highest score on Team Rachael with a 97 for his Norwegian pancake filled with fruit compote and topped with maple-whipped cream. And on Team Guy, Sydney gets the highest score this season with a 99 for her duo of quiche pops and granola pizza.