Iron Chef Gauntlet episode 5 recap: Ready to face the gauntlet

Iron Chef Gauntlet episode 5 determined the chef who will face the Iron Chefs in the gauntlet. After facing a five ingredient challenge and egg battle, Chef Izard earned her spot against the Iron Chefs.

From seven chefs to the final chef standing, episode 5 of Iron Chef Gauntlet unveiled the last chef standing. This week’s episode eliminated two chefs in battles that challenged the chefs’ culinary simplicity. A five ingredient challenge and eggs had the chefs stretching their culinary supremacy. In the end, Chef Izard earned her spot in the gauntlet finale.

Iron Chef Gauntlet Episode 5, photo by Food Network

Five ingredient challenge

Episode 5 opened with three chefs — Chef Izard, Chef Grueneberg and Chef Dady — ready to take on the Chairman’s Challenge. While viewers may love the crazy, unlikely ingredients, these challenges may not be the most difficult for chefs.

The Chairman’s Challenge made the chefs cook with just five ingredients. While the chefs could choose the five ingredients, the ultimate simplicity of the challenge meant chefs couldn’t hide. In a dish with layers and layers of flavors, chefs can impress easily. With just five ingredients, a simple mistake could spell disaster.

Chef Izard created a Japanese custard for the Chairman’s Challenge. Creating a custard in the limited time was impressive. Additionally, she used the five ingredients in multiple ways. Overall, her dish proved successful in taste and presentation.

Chef Grueneberg went to her strength, pasta, for the five ingredient challenge. While she used an unusual technique to create this dish, the pasta filling slightly overwhelmed the delicacy of the dish. Still, the dish was overall successful and innovative.

Chef Dady created a smoked salmon and asparagus dish. The brightly colored plate looked appetizing. Smoking salmon is classic and pairs well with asparagus. Unfortunately, the dish lacked brightness and could have used more lemon. Chef Dady landed in the bottom. He was eliminated from Iron Chef Gauntlet after the Chairman’s Challenge.

Iron Chef Gauntlet Episode 5, photo by Food Network

And then there were two

The two final chefs for Iron Chef Gauntlet were Chef Izard and Chef Grueneberg. Out of all seven competitors, it was refreshing that the two James Beard Award winning chefs from Chicago were battling for supremacy. Personally, it was even more inspiring to see two women (one a mom) competing on Mother’s Day too.

For the elimination challenge, Chef Izard and Chef Grueneberg faced an egg battle. With an altar filled with all types of eggs (no ostrich eggs, but there were emu eggs), the chefs had to create three dishes worthy of earning a place in the gauntlet. The chefs played to their strengths in this final challenge.

As an Iron Chef challenge, the two chefs had to highlight eggs. While the three dishes must be balanced, composed and innovative, the egg must be the star. This component proved to be the key to winning the challenge.

Chef Izard’s three dishes played on her knowledge of Asian cuisine and layered flavors. Although the Chairman’s Challenge featured an egg dish, Chef Izard had to create three new dishes for this portion of the show. Her dishes consisted of a salad, Japanese pancake and a yuzu curd.

Iron Chef Gauntlet Episode 5, photo by Food Network

Unfortunately, the first dish, the salad topped with the quail egg, didn’t highlight the egg. But, the other two dishes impressed the judges. The multiple meringues topping the custard showed that she was Iron Chef worthy.

As the pasta queen of Chicago, pasta would have to be one of Chef Grueneberg’s dishes. Her three dishes played to her Italian roots. Chef Grueneberg submitted a soup, a pasta and an ice cream. Like Chef Izard, Chef Gruenberg’s first course was least successful. The soup didn’t highlight the egg, nor did it properly incorporate the egg into the soup. Her most successful dish was the pasta.

Although Chef Grueneberg couldn’t use the emu eggs in her pasta dish, the egg-yolk stuffed ravioli impressed the judges. The gooey yolk was scrumptious. Chef Gruenberg’s meal ended with a green cardamom ice cream that was creamy and rich.

Who will face the gauntlet?

Chef Izard scored the victory. Her flavors and plating secured the win. Next up for her is the Gauntlet. In the Gauntlet, Chef Izard will face three Iron Chefs: Iron Chef Symon, Iron Chef Morimoto and Iron Chef Flay. These three chefs are a formidable trio.

But, don’t count out Chef Izard. This successful chef and restaurateur has achieved many accolades. She has won a James Beard Award, Food and Wine awards and was the first woman winner of Top Chef. Plus, Chef Izard had been a contestant on Iron Chef before.

What to expect from the Gauntlet? I don’t know what to think. My guess is that Chef Izard will face all three Iron Chefs. It makes for good television. Will she become an Iron Chef? I really hope that she does. I am pulling for Team Izard.

Next: Colorful brunch tables set a celebratory mood

The finale of Iron Chef Gauntlet will air Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET on the Food Network. Until then, Kitchen Stadium is closed. But, the final battle is looming. Are you counting the days to the final battle already?