The top 20 home cooks who earned spots representing their regions on this “United Tastes of America’” season of “MasterChef” had a chance to show off their skills in Episode 5, “State Fair Food,” which aired Wednesday, June 21.
(No cable or antenna? Stream “MasterChef” live on Fubo, which offers a free trial; or watch episodes the day after they air on Hulu, which also offers a free trial)
The contenders represented the West, the Northeast, the Midwest and the South. Among the members of the West team is James Barfield, a Portland home cook. In Wednesday’s episode, Barfield and his fellow contestants were challenged to prepare dishes inspired by state fairs.
But there was a twist: while the cooks were competing as individuals, in the challenge, they were cooking along with fellow members of their regional teams. While the judges named the best dishes from each region, whoever earned the judges’ votes for the top dish overall would save their entire regional team from elimination.
Barfield, 31, said in one of the “confessional” interviews — during which cast members speak to the camera — that “This cook is going to show the other regions” that “the West side is the best side.”
After commenting on his fellow members of the West team, and what they were focusing on, Barfield said, “And me? You know what I’m bringing from Oregon? Fresh mushrooms.”
As a mushroom jerky manufacturer, Barfield said, he had attended mushroom festivals, and was aiming “to show the judges what I can do.”
Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich circulated, and talked with some cooks about what they were making. Sánchez and Bastianich checked in with Barfield, who said he was making a Mushroom Festival Burger.
After hearing that Barfield was using mushroom powder, Bastianich cautioned him that the powder had “a very strong umami” flavor, and recommended putting the powder in water. “It’s a great strategy,” Bastianich said. “It’ll elevate, but be careful.”
When it came time to ask for what they deemed the best dishes from each region, the judges included Barfield, whose Mushroom Festival Burger with garlic aioli, arugula, wild mushrooms and caramelized onions, was judges the best dish from the West team.
“It screams, ‘Dive in, and eat me,’” Ramsay said. Bastianich called the burger, “Perfection.” Sánchez praised the balance of ingredients.
“This burger’s got attitude,” Ramsay said. The cook, he went on, was “exceptional,” adding, “and trust me, I know a good burger.”
Despite Barfield’s triumph, the judges ultimately decided that the best dish came from the Midwest, and Kyle, who made beer-battered lobster fries, with fennel slaw and tarragon beer vinaigrette. Kyle’s victory earned immunity for his entire Midwest team, including Wayne, who didn’t learn the “Top Chef” and “MasterChef” lesson, namely, never try and make risotto. And honestly, who goes to a state fair to eat pumpkin risotto? Blech.
When it was time to determine who made the losing dish of the night, the West team took a hit, as Amanda’s tacos — accurately described by Ramsay as sad-looking — were judged the least successful dish. Amanda went home.
Next week: a Mystery Box challenge, featuring bushels of apples.
“MasterChef” airs weekly at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, on Fox.
— Kristi Turnquist
503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist
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