Pub Grub and Pour Decisions: Next Level Chef Season 5 Episode 9 Recap
- Je-Ree
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
The air in the Next Level Chef kitchens usually smells like ambition and desperation, but this week, it smelled like a dive bar at 2:00 AM. In Season 5, Episode 9, the "Great Room" underwent a liquid makeover, transforming into a functional pub complete with beer taps and a mid-round game of beer pong that felt like a collegiate fever dream. Our remaining chefs were tasked with pairing proteins with specific brews, proving once again that while Gordon Ramsay might enjoy a pint, he has zero patience for a flat performance.
The Layout: Penthouse Pours and Basement Brews
Heading into the challenge, the hierarchy was clear. Team Arrington lounged in the luxury of the Top Kitchen, Team Ramsay hovered in the middle, and Team Blais was relegated to the Basement, where the only thing lower than the ceiling is the morale.
On the top floor, the advantages were flowing. Machete snagged a NY Strip and a stout, aiming for a sophisticated take on French onion soup. Connor lucked out with chicken legs and a crisp Mexican lager, while Danielle tried to make duck breast and cherry beer happen.
In the middle tier, the menus were heavy on the carbs. Amber attempted a venison and stout pasta, while Gabrielle went for a "seafood-meets-Italy" vibe with haddock and pilsner pasta, while Cole stuck to halibut and corn broth.
Meanwhile, the Basement dwellers were getting creative with the scraps. Christian took pilsner and corned beef to craft a "Christian-style" shepherd’s pie, and Darian decided that chicken livers and stout were the secret ingredients for a winning goulash. Jared went tropical, pairing squid with a fruity IPA for a fried dish that sounded like a summer vacation gone wrong.
The Standouts: Pancakes and Bone Marrow
The mid-round drop introduced a game of beer pong because apparently, culinary school doesn't teach you how to arc a plastic ball into a red solo cup. Connor walked away the big winner here, securing bone marrow that elevated his dish into the stratosphere.
When the platform finally ascended, the results were surprisingly competent. Machete and Connor easily defended the Top Kitchen’s honor. Over in the Basement, Andy turned heads with a German pancake stuffed with goat stew, a sentence that sounds like a dare but tasted like a victory. Jared also managed to impress the mentors, proving that even a tropical IPA can’t ruin a well-fried squid.
The Elimination: Champagne Dreams and Flat Realities
The "Ale’s Well That Ends Well" title proved prophetic for Amber and Darian, who found themselves in the bottom two. In a cruel twist of irony, the mentors swapped the beer for bubbles, giving the pair 25 minutes to create a masterpiece using champagne.
The drama started before the stove even turned on. As the platform dropped, Darian went full gladiator, ripping the turbot right off the boards and leaving Amber to scramble for the sole. It was a classic "basement move" that set the tone for a frantic cook. Amber’s sole was respectable, but it lacked the effervescent punch the judges were looking for. In the end, Darian’s aggressive grab paid off; he outcooked her at the buzzer, sending Amber packing and leaving Team Ramsay down a member.
As we move closer to the finale, the margin for error is getting as thin as a pilsner glass. Can Team Blais finally claw their way out of the cellar, or is the Basement their permanent home?
Who do you think has the best chance of winning it all? Drop your thoughts in the comments below or head over to our socials to join the debate!
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