Worst Cooks in America, Season 2: Behind the Scenes of Episode 3

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Refining the Palate

The remaining 12 recruits face a tough Skill Drill: Taste three classic sauces and replicate them exactly. "Your palate is like a muscle that you need to train," says Chef Anne.

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Stumped

Kelsey and Erica have no idea which ingredients to include. "Clearly you all need some personal training for your palate," says Chef Robert.

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Guessing Game

Anna gets to work on the fresh vegetables for Salsa Cruda, a fresh salsa that includes tomato, cucumber and onion.

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Refining Skills

Carlos prepares the onion for his team's Salsa Cruda. His knife skills have vastly improved since he arrived at boot camp.

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What's in Salsa Cruda?

In a blind tasting, the chefs give Anne's Red Team the win for their Salsa Cruda: "The knife cuts were beautiful," admits Chef Robert.

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Mystery Ingredient

The Blue Team scored a win for their attempt at Romesco sauce. But who knew that bread was among the ingredients? Neither team included it.

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Applying the Sauces

Anne demos a halibut dish served with the Salsa Cruda the recruits just attempted to make. Now, they must take a crack at the entire dish.

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Shrimp-n-Grits

Chef Robert's refined take on shrimp and grits is topped with the Romesco sauce that his team replicated quite well.

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Main Dish Challenge

After the two-part Skill Drill, it's time for yet another challenge. The chefs demo their fresh spins on frozen dinners: "I'm a frozen dinner king," says Ty. "If the challenge is putting a TV dinner in the microwave, I already won!"

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Robert's "Frozen" Dinner

Robert transforms a depressing frozen turkey dinner into Roasted Herbed Turkey with Creamed Peas, Cranberry Relish and Crispy Potatoes.

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Frozen to Fabulous

Chef Anne re-imagines a sad-looking Salisbury steak frozen dinner into a mouthwatering rib eye. "Which of these plates would you rather serve to your family?" she asks the recruits.

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Anne's "Frozen" Dinner

The Red Team will attempt to replicate Anne's Rib Eye Steak with Glazed Carrots and Roasted Potatoes.

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Steak Secrets

Jen is eager to learn to cook steak for her husband, and Anne shares a crucial tip: "You want a hot pan. If you put a steak in a cold pan, you'll steam it."

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New Day, New Challenge

"I had a rough couple of challenges. I'm just trying to stay positive and stay focused. This week, it's my time," says Ty.

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Learning New Skills

Some recruits have problems with undercooked turkey, but Kelly knows better: "If you eat turkey that's not done, that's cooties," she says.

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Multitasking

The multiple components of Chef Robert's dish have Kat flustered: "My brain only works well with one thing at a time. Something's going wrong in my turkey pan and I'm freaking out."

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Improving

Georg cooks her turkey well, but it lacks seasoning, and her peas are problematic. "The peas are a little hard. Turkey, a little bit more salt. This is a flavor challenge," says Chef Robert.

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Carrot Champion

Joshie takes great care with his glazed carrots: "My carrots are my babies. They're chilling out in the spa down there," he says. His efforts pay off when Anne announces that he's the Red Team winner.

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Teacher's Pet

"I really want to make Chef Robert proud of me," says Anna. She beams when he names her the Blue Team winner.

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Next to Go

Priscilla overdoes the spice rub on her steak and has Chef Anne gulping water. She leaves with her head held high: "I am very grateful to Chef Anne. I now have the ability to give back to my husband."

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Blue Team Blues

Seriously overcooked turkey and uneven potatoes send Matt packing. "I see a stressed guy who loves food but can't get his Zen in the kitchen," says Chef Robert.