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The same ingredients are to be highlighted by both teams. They are olives, almonds, mussels, chicken and chocolate. The teams designing the meals are Shirley, Stephanie and Nick on the French team and Nina, Brian and Carlos on the Spanish team. Since we just learned that Shirley and Nick are classically trained French chefs, they have a huge advantage, something Nina immediately deduces. Brian, Carlos and she do not prepare Spanish meals as a rule.

The coaches guide the teams to some unusual decisions. Crenn does not want to craft a classical French menu; instead, she wants to tell a story through the five courses that better represents New Orleans. She is forceful with her suggestions, and thereby intimidates the French team to do her bidding. Stephanie in particular seems uncomfortable with some of the ideas, but she is far too insular to directly combat such an established chef. We will see if that costs her.

Serrano is similarly in charge on the Spanish side. He is a bit more open-ended with his suggestions. He asks for feedback. Then, he makes a finite decision and his word is law. The problem with introducing such established chefs into the group dynamic of the existing six chefs is that the famous people overwhelm the others with their willpower. So far, this feels like a challenge that should have been handled earlier in the season rather than this late in the game.

During the shopping phase of the challenge, Nick utters the words that should terrify his teammates. “Obviously, it’s a little risky but I have immunity so I can take a chance on this challenge.” Presuming that there will be a winning team and a losing team, Nick’s risk could have displeasing ramifications for Stephanie and Shirley if he really screws up his dish. It’s a fairly selfish move by him in that regard. If anything, he should make the safest, most delicious dish in his arsenal to protect his teammates from (avoidable) potential disaster.

Serrano is much more hands on in his approach than his counterpart, Crenn. She discusses the menu and then largely acts as an observer/team cheerleader. Serrano shows Nina exactly how he wants everything cooked. And chopped. Nina commits the cardinal sin of slicing too thinly, and so she is appropriately scolded. Brian politely describes Serrano as a micro-manager, which is kind of like saying that Warren Buffett is okay with money. You know those parents who transparently build their children’s science projects? Serrano is acting like that during the Elimination challenge.

Nick is a bit flummoxed. He believes that Shirley and Stephanie rely on him too much. The Philadelphia native should be used to that, as he anchored the winning Restaurant Wars team in similar fashion. He also develops the tendency of Crenn, as he starts to become rather dictatorial as plating approaches. Nick is in complete charge. That is problematic because his neck is not on the line if the dishes fail to pass muster.

The Spanish and French teams simultaneously present their courses to the judges. The presentation of the first round is –accidentally or not – a matchup of Nick versus Carlos. Nick states the details of his meal then grows immediately annoyed when Carlos trumps him by announcing his plates…in Spanish. Nick cannot top such an authentic touch.

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