‘Chopped Champions’ on Food Network ‘Part 2' recap

Last night "Chopped Champions" presented the second round in a series of four competitions to find the sole survivor from past champions of "Chopped" episodes. Only one will earn the title and stand proudly among the "Chopped Champions." The winner will receive $50,000, but they must survive all three rounds of this competition, then be ready to go against the winners of the other three competitions of past winners.

Judges for this episode are; Aaron Sanchez, Amanda Freitag and Scott Conant and the host, as always is Ted Allen.

The competitors are sous chef Fatima Ali, executive sous chef Vinson Petrillo, chef de cuisine Walter D'Rozario and chef and culinary instructor Rachel Willen.

The first round appetizer mystery box contained; Fruitcake, Shad Roe, Vodka and Tokyo Scallions. Fatima made fruitcake crusted shad roe with vodka cream sauce using olive oil, jalapenos and eggs. Vincent made pan-fried shad roe with sesame seed coconut sauce using sesame seeds, coconut milk and flour. Rachel made pan-seared shad roe with fruitcake & vodka sauce using eggs, flour and sour cream. Walter made pan-seared shad roe with vodka cream sauce using paprika, kaffir lime and lemon. The chef who did not make it to round two was Rachel because her scallions were burned, and her pancake was not done.

For the second and entree round the mystery box contained; Squab, Jar of Peanut Butter & Jelly, Red Quinoa and Karela. Vinson made basted squab with toasted quinoa using, salt, pepper and olive oil. Fatima made PB&J glazed squab using oregano, bay leaves and chicken stock. Walter made pan-seared squab with PB&J sauce using thyme, onion powder and smoked paprika. Each chef had a misstep, but the chef who did not meet the criteria set down by the judges and therefore, was "Chopped," was Fatima.

The next round was the dessert box with; Mitmita, Sauterne, Cream-Filled Snack Cakes and Cottage Cheese. Walter made a warm cottage cheese pudding cake using flour, sugar and eggs. Vinson made mitmita and ricotta gnocchi using flour, sugar and eggs. The winner of the round who will compete with the other previous winners for the title of "Chopped Champions" was Vinson Petrillo.