Worst Cooks in America, Season 4: Top Moments of the Finale

The final day- the two finalists report to their Chefs before the finale cook off begins. Red Team Recruit Rasheeda Brown is representing her team leader Chef Anne Burrell, and Blue Team Recruit Alina Bolshakova is representing her team leader Chef Bobby Flay. The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Last Two Standing

What started seven weeks ago as Boot Camp training for 14 of the most-hopeless cooks in the country has turned into a fierce showdown between two competent, confident kitchen superstars. The Red Team's Rasheeda and the Blue Team's Alina are facing off in a pressure-packed cook-off to be judged by professional-chef judges for the chance to win $25,000 and a victory for their mentors.

Blue Team Leader Chef Bobby Flay coaches Blue Team Finalist Alina Bolshakova during the final skill drill: a practice run of her finale menu and Alina's final chance to learn from Chef Bobby before she must prepare this meal with no hands on help from Chef Bobby. They are starting with her desert course so the bread pudding can cook while she prepares the rest of the meal.
Alina's menu is:
Appetizer -
Lobster Scampi over Creamy Polenta with Garlic Chips
Main Dish -
Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Jalapeno Pesto and Pomegranates, and hazelnuts.
Dessert -
Granny Smith Apples and Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise
At the final cook off Alina must represent her team leader Chef Bobby Flay and prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished chefs and food critics. Only one winner will take home the $25,000 prize, and Chef Bobby is confident Alina will be the first Blue Team winner, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Customized Menu

The recruits have one day to plan the three-course menu they'll serve to the judges, so they take time to practice each dish with their mentors. Tomorrow Chefs Anne and Bobby won't be able to help them. Alina's menu "plays to her strength," Chef Bobby says, adding that it will focus on "big, bold flavors" in lobster polenta, pork tenderloin and bread pudding.

Red Team Leader Chef Anne Burrell coaches Red Team Finalist Rasheeda Brown during the final skill drill: a practice run of her finale menu and Rasheeda's final chance to learn from Chef Anne before she must prepare this meal with no hands on help from Chef Anne. They are starting with her appetizer, and the past must be made from scratch.
Rasheeda's Menu:
Appetizer -
Raviolo al’Uovo
Main Dish -
Cornish Game Hen stuffed with Chicken Liver Pate
Frizzled Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Romanesco
Dessert -
Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Apples and Toasted Walnut Crepes with Cinnamon Gelato

At the final cook off Rasheeda must represent her team leader Chef Anne Burrell and prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished chefs and food critics. Only one winner will take home the $25,000 prize, and Chef Anne is confident Rasheeda will be the fourth Red Team win, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Can-Do Dishes

"This is absolutely something you can be successful at," Chef Anne tells Rasheeda while outlining the dessert component of her menu, an apple-filled crepe topped with homemade gelato. The Red Team's menu will also feature runny-egg ravioli and Cornish game hens stuffed with homemade chicken liver. "I think if she can pull it off, it will really impress the judges," Chef Anne adds.

Returning Blue Team recruits Michael Paul, Chet Pourciau, and Carla Johnson taste Team Finalist Alina Bolshakova's Appetizer dish and give their thoughts on how it tastes, and how she can make it better during the final skill drill: a practice run of Alina's finale menu and Alina's final chance to learn from Chef Bobby before she must prepare this meal with no hands on help from Chef Bobby.
Alina's menu is:
Appetizer -
Lobster Scampi over Creamy Polenta with Garlic Chips
Main Dish -
Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Jalapeno Pesto and Pomegranates, and hazelnuts.
Dessert -
Granny Smith Apples and Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise
At the final cook off Alina must represent her team leader Chef Bobby Flay and prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished chefs and food critics. Only one winner will take home the $25,000 prize, and Chef Bobby is confident Alina will be the first Blue Team winner, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Team Support

On hand to help the recruits grocery shop and taste their teammate's practice dishes are three previously eliminated contestants from both teams. "Do not panic," Chef Bobby tells Rasheeda and Alina of the other competitors. "They will not be cooking." Big Mike, Carla and Chet from the Blue Team are back, and while they're not wowed by Alina's polenta, her pork and pudding prove more successful.

Blue Team Leader Chef Bobby Flay tastes Red Team Finalist Rasheeda Brown's appetizer course during the final skill drill- a practice run of Rasheeda's finale menu and Rasheeda's final chance to learn from Chef Anne before she must prepare this meal with no hands on help from Chef Anne.
Rasheeda's Menu:
Appetizer -
Raviolo al’Uovo
Main Dish -
Cornish Game Hen stuffed with Chicken Liver Pate
Frizzled Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Romanesco
Dessert -
Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Apples and Toasted Walnut Crepes with Cinnamon Gelato

At the final cook off Rasheeda must represent her team leader Chef Anne Burrell and prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished chefs and food critics. Only one winner will take home the $25,000 prize, and Chef Anne is confident Rasheeda will be the fourth Red Team win, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Worrisome Ravioli

Amid the meal prep happening on both teams, a bit of friendly smack-talking is taking place between the mentors, both joking that their recruit is the one to beat. Despite his confidence in Alina, Chef Bobby couldn't help but claim Rasheeda's ravioli to be "a deadly dish" after tasting it. "That pasta alone could win this entire competition for Chef Anne," he says.

The Red Team Recruit Rasheeda Brown and Blue Team Recruit Alina Bolshakova walking the The Dutch restaurant for the cook off. The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Decision Day

Instead of facing off in the Boot Camp kitchen, the recruits meet at The Dutch, a New York City hot spot restaurant, where they'll cook for Chefs Anita Lo, Floyd Cardoz and Andrew Carmellini in its professional-grade kitchen.

Blue Team Leader Chef Bobby Flay checks the consistancy of the Creme Anglaise Blue Team Finalist Alina Bolshakova is preparing her desert course in the finale. She is straining tasting the cream to make sure it is fresh for her creme Anglaise. Blue Team Leader Chef Bobby Flay keeps a close eye on her and keeps her on track. Chef Bobby is not allowed to touch the food. He can give directions, but Alina must prepare this sophisticated meal on her own.
Alina's Menu:
Appetizer -Lobster Scampi over Creamy Polenta with Garlic Chips
Main Dish -
Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Jalapeno Pesto and Pomegranates
Dessert -
Granny Smith Apples and Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise
The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Memories of Water Baths Past

Of all the key processes that Alina must execute today, preparing a flawless bread pudding is one of the most crucial. "A watery dessert is why I lost last year to Chef Anne," Chef Bobby reflects, "and I'm not letting that happen two years in a row," so it's important that Alina be extremely cautious while handling the puddings, as they're baked in a water bath.

Red Team Finalist Rasheeda Brown putting the ricotta cheese and egg filling in her hand made pasta appetizer. Chef Anne keeps a close eye on her and keeps her on track. Chef Anne is not allowed to touch the food. She can give directions, but Rasheeda must prepare this sophisticated meal on her own. It's a daring menu, but one Chef Anne is sure will insure a win for the Red Team.
Rasheeda's Menu:
Appetizer -
Raviolo al’Uovo
Main Dish -
Cornish Game Hen stuffed with Chicken Liver Pate
Frizzled Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Romanesco
Dessert -
Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Apples and Toasted Walnut Crepes with Cinnamon Gelato

The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Near Disaster

With just minutes left to finish her appetizer, Rasheeda notices that several of the egg yolks within her ravioli are oozing out between the layers of pasta dough. "I don't have time to remake this," Rasheeda says, "but I have to try because I cannot serve the culinary experts a broken yolk." In the end, she manages to complete the dish on time, and Chef Cardoz says she "nailed it."

Blue Team Finalist Alina drizzles the pork medallions with pomegranate sauce as she plates her main dish. Blue Team Leader Chef Bobby Flay keeps a close eye on her and keeps her on track. Chef Bobby is not allowed to touch the food. He can give directions, but Alina must prepare this sophisticated meal on her own.
Alina's Menu:
Appetizer -Lobster Scampi over Creamy Polenta with Garlic Chips
Main Dish -
Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Jalapeno Pesto and Pomegranates
Dessert -
Granny Smith Apples and Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise
The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Culinary Masterpiece

"C'mon, it's not a painting; it's just food," Chef Bobby tells Alina, who, with just seconds left on the clock, is taking perhaps an unnecessarily long time adorning her pork with pesto and sauce. Despite Chef Bobby's concern, she finishes each element of her dish, and the judges are wowed by the complexity of the offering.

Time is up, and Red Team Finalist Rasheeda Brown places her main dish on the counter for waiters to take out to the judges. Chef Anne keeps a close eye on her and keeps her on track. Chef Anne is not allowed to touch the food. She can give directions, but Rasheeda must prepare this sophisticated meal on her own. It's a daring menu, but one Chef Anne is sure will insure a win for the Red Team.
Rasheeda's Menu:
Appetizer -
Raviolo al’Uovo
Main Dish -
Cornish Game Hen stuffed with Chicken Liver Pate
Frizzled Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Romanesco
Dessert -
Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Apples and Toasted Walnut Crepes with Cinnamon Gelato

The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for a panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Challenge, Complete

In the final moments of the cook-off, Rasheeda notices that her cinnamon gelato is a bit too soft, but she nevertheless continues with her plan to plate it atop the hot crepes, and she finishes the meal with a hug from her mentor.

Judges Anita Lo, Chef and owner of Annisa Restaurant and author of "Cooking without Boarders," Floyd Cardoz, acclaimed executive Chef of North End Grill, and Andrew Carmellini, Chef and Owner of The Dutch, Locanda Verde, and Lafayette restaurants and the author of "American Flavor" taste the desert dishes prepared by the Red and Blue Team finalists. They do not know which team prepared each dish.
Red Team Recruit Rasheeda Brown prepared Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Apples and Toasted Walnut Crepes with Cinnamon Gelato and Blue Team Recruit Alina Bolshakova prepared Granny Smith Apples and Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise.
The recruits must prepare a three course restaurant-quality meal for this panel of distinguished culinary experts who will determine who takes home the $25,000 prize money, and the right to say they are no longer one of the worst cooks in America, as seen on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, Season 4.

Photo: Heidi Gutman ©

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Weighing Highs and Lows

Overall, the judges panel is impressed that these formerly sorry cooks turned out all-star meals after only seven weeks of training, and it's up to them to decide whose showing is worthy of $25,000. "One menu was risk, and the other menu was flavor," Chef Cardoz says of his reaction to Rasheeda's and Alina's offerings, respectively. His fellow judges agree, Chef Lo adding, "This is a really tough choice."

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Formal Introduction

The team leaders gather their recruits to introduce them to the judges for the first time. Before now, the panel knew them only through their dishes as Meal X and Meal Y, as the judging was blind. "This is what it all comes down to," Rasheeda says of this final assessment, while Alina notes, "I'm very nervous."

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Blue Team Glory

Because of the solid techniques and top-notch flavors that Alina offers in her meal, she's named the Season 4 winner of Worst Cooks and proudly accepts the first victory for the Blue Team, as well as a $25,000 prize and a $5,000 gift card to Kohl's. "I am officially not the Worst Cook in America," Alina says excitedly. "Hopefully this will be the first day of the rest of your cooking life," Chef Bobby tells her.

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Rock Star Finish

Although she doesn't take the win, Chef Anne tells her recruit, "You are still Rock Star Rasheeda." The Red Team recruit, too, will be leaving with a $5,000 Kohl's gift card, and her mentor remains proud of what she's accomplished. "Let me just go ahead and give myself a pat on the back," Rasheeda says.

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Anne 3, Bobby 1

"Pass over the crown, Chef Anne. I'm going to hold onto this for a little while," Chef Bobby says after the competition. Her three-year winning streak has ended, and although she no longer has an undefeated record, she's confident that he won't hold the winning title forever. "I'll let Bobby win one. Just one."