This week the kids have a special guest to coach them through their mini challenge, Robert Irvine. "I want to see all the skills you have to create this dish," Robert tells the kids. "Watch out for Chef Irvine," Guy warns them. "He can be your buddy and he can also be your drill sergeant."
Getting Ahead of the Game
Each team will be making the same recipe, but first the directions must be unscrambled. "Guys, the other team is starting," Rachael alerts her team from the penalty box where she and Guy are sitting. Neither of the mentors can assist the kids. Robert must approve the recipe before anyone can begin cooking.
Robert to the Rescue
Everyone on Team Guy is making stuffed pork chops, but Helen falls behind in preparing the brine. "I really don't want to break down," she says. "I want to able to do this all by myself." Still, she ends up tearing up at the feeling of being overwhelmed. Robert reassures her and she's able to get back on track.
Unheeded Advice
Team Rachael is preparing chicken thigh goulash. While everyone else has already browned their chicken, Madison decides to hold off, despite Robert's prodding. "I think I can wait to put the chicken in until 30 minutes into the challenge," she says, not realizing that the chicken has to simmer.
Seasoned to Perfection
Sean was the first one on his team to get his brine going: "I made this brine last week," he says, "so I want to make sure my team gets the brine right." Doing so paid off, because Rachael finds "the flavor couldn't be better." Robert agrees: "The seasoning is incredible."
Compliments Aplenty
Although Rachael thinks Finn may have been heavy-handed with the sour cream in his goulash, he gets a great compliment from Robert: "I really liked the way you worked," he tells Finn. "You were systematic." Finn is pleased: "I do not know what that means," he says, "but I think it's something good."
The Comeback Kid
Robert announces Luis as the winner on Team Rachael and Helen as Team Guy's winner. "Even though you melted down a little," Robert tells her, "you came back and did a good job." Luis and Helen win a two-night stay in New York City with their families.
Surprise Catch of the Day
The kids walk into the main challenge to find a table brimming with seafood. "Some of you look creeped out; some of you look very happy," says Rachael upon seeing their reactions. "I'm very scared," says Amber. The kids must prepare a seafood specialty and present to guest judge Melissa d'Arabian.
He's Got It in the Bag
"This is beautiful," Rachael tells Luis. "Your mandolining is gorgeous." Luis sliced onions, potatoes and fennel for his branzino steamed in parchment. Rachael reminds him to package it well. "My biggest challenge is to make sure that I wrapped it good," he says, otherwise "the fish is going to be raw."
Admitting His Shortcomings
"I have no idea how to cook scallops," Gibson admits to Amber. "I am not an expert at searing scallops," he says. "It's not even funny." Guy sees he's struggling and comes over: "You've got to pay attention," he tells Gibson, having him start over. "I'm just hoping that these get cooked in time," Gibson worries.
First-Timer's Luck
"I can't believe I just cooked a whole fish," says Amber of her first time doing so. Her technique consists of arcing the snapper in the fryer so that it stands up on the plate. On the side she's making a mojo, salsa and tostones. "Now I just have to assemble all this stuff," she says as the clock counts down.
Freshly Fried on the Spot
"This is so cute," says Lauren of her serving box. "Look at this!" She's making popcorn seafood tossed in Buffalo sauce. "I know that there isn't a lot of time left, but I can make it," she says, deciding to fry the seafood toward the end of the challenge to ensure its freshness.
Mind Over Matter
Even after cutting her finger badly and making a trip to the emergency room, Helen surprises everyone by showing up in time to present her curry mussels. "You took a negative situation and ... turned it into an advantage," Melissa tells Helen, commending her for the joke she used to brush off the matter.
Heading Off Her Competition
"I want to make sure I don't disappoint anybody," Amber says about her presentation. She paints a picture of her family gathering for dinner and ends up impressing everyone. "You hold court," Guy tells her. "You invited us to your table," says Melissa. "I just don't have a negative for you."
Handing Out the Stars
Melissa picks Madison's dish as the best on Team Rachael, saying her umami sauce "edged out the others." On Team Guy, Sean is awarded best dish for his "perfectly cooked" octopus. Best presentation goes to Team Rachael's Finn and Team Guy's Amber, who also wins MVP and earns her fifth star.
More Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off
Go behind the scenes of the competition with photos and videos of the kid chefs, Rachael and Guy, and special celebrity guests.
