The first season finale of “The Taste” is here!  It has been such a blast collaborating with Jenn on this project.  Check out her recap to see if it was a chef or a home cook who took home the big prize!

“The time has come for someone to be chosen as the first winner of The Taste. In this finale the remaining four contestants, Khristianne a private chef, Gregg a culinary instructor, Sarah a food blogger and Diane a chef consultant, had to create three tapas-style tasting spoons each to be judged by their guest judge. Tonight’s special guest was Jose Andres, world renowned chef and restaurateur, who tasted the four sets of three spoons then chose his least favorite of the four, eliminating that contestant.

In the team challenge the contestants were given one hour to prepare their tapas creations using at least one of the three secret ingredients in each spoon, however using all three ingredients overall. These included mozzarella cheese, Iberico ham and spot prawns. Here’s what they spooned up and what Jose had to say about them:

Diane

~ Spot Prawn with Basil Puree and Tomato Caviar- perfectly cooked prawn but tomato stole the flavor

~ Iberico Ham with Quail Egg and Caviar- bit too much bread up against other ingredients

~ Mozzarella with Mint and Walnut Accents- so much mozzarella that couldn’t decipher ingredients

Khristianne

~ Mozzarella with Balsamic Grapes, Almonds and Fried Basil- alive with acidity

~ Iberico Ham with Caviar, Quail Egg, Tomato Sauce and Crispy Bread- what he grew up eating in Spain

~ Spot Prawn with Chimichurri, Tomato and Blood Orange- didn’t think herb and citrus went together

Sarah

~ Mozzarella Mousse with Tomato Confit and Pesto Bread- very enjoyable but maybe more pleasant without tomato skin

~ Iberico Ham with Cheese Stuffed Date- wish date was smaller so taste would be more refined

~ Spot Prawn with Chorizo and Orange Cream Sauce- like a ceviche though wished for more acidity

Gregg

~ Mozzarella Mousse with Roasted Red Pepper, Preserved Lemon and Almonds- enjoyed simplicity of mozzarella but wished for more acidity

~ Spot Prawn with caviar and Potato Chip- perfectly cooked prawn but potato chip stole flavor

~ Iberico Ham with Poached Quail Egg and Ham Chip- great crunch but why over complicate simple ingredients

Although Jose had a hard time deciding which of the four sets of spoons was his least favorite, as all were great work, his choice was those of Gregg’s. Yes, it was a shocker to all. Throughout the team challenge Ludo had spent most of his time mentoring Sarah as he had confidence in Gregg working mainly on his own. Upon packing up his bags Gregg left saying, “I’d rather lose doing it myself than win having my hand held”.

And there were three! For the solo challenge the contestants were surprised by the arrival of their family and friends who were there to watch and cheer them on. With this assistance of Jose they were given two hours to create three separate but complimentary courses, finished with a glass of wine to go with all three spoons. Here is what they prepared and some of what the mentors had to say about them:

Sarah

~ Arctic Char with Fingerling Potatoes, Mushrooms and Jalapeno Salad- spicy, something needed to combine ingredients, reminded Ludo of France

~ Seared Duck Breast with Braised Fennel and Red Wine Reduction- simple, good flavors, very French

~ Beef Tenderloin with Cream Shallot Confit- beautiful, “simply blunt flavors but hitting me front and center” said Anthony, “something very charming about its simplicity”, said Nigella of all three spoons combined

Khristianne

~ Peking Duck with Chive Pancake, Pear and Radish Slaw- good but could be more “ducky”

~ Seafood Bouillabaisse with Sea Bass- PERFECT SPOON!

~ Braised Short Ribs with Bok Choy, Mushrooms and Squash Puree- good but too much puree

Diane

~ Sea Urchin with Butter Mousse, Lobster and Caviar- everything worked well together

~ Seared Scallops with Quail Egg and Daikon Salad- good but missing something to brighten it up

~ Halibut with Mushrooms, Bok Choy and Lobster Sauce- great broth, ingredients worked well together

After eating the three sets of tasting spoons the mentors secretly locked in their personal votes for their favorite and least preferred spoons. The set of spoons with the highest collective ranking would be crowned the first winner of The Taste. First revealed was third place which went to Sarah. As the tension built the mentors stood before their cooks in hopes they were lead to victory, Nigella pressed the button and the gold star shined brightly above Khristianne! There were many tears of joy, including from myself. I can’t help but feel so excited and happy for others to see them accomplish their goals and have their dreams come true. Congrats, Khristianne, as well as all the other cooks and chefs who participated in the first series of The Taste!!!

Tonight’s “Blue Ribbon” moment was where Khristianne added fried basil to take her tapas from good to the best.

The final Best Foods recipe contest winner was Tracy McSwain of Stockbridge, GA with her Thai Chicken. “The Best Foods makes the chicken so tender and juicy. Mix peanut butter, Best Foods, chili sauce and soy sauce. Brush over chicken, top with peanuts and bake”, she claimed after being asked why she felt it was a winning dish. For the entire recipe visit www.abc.com/thetaste.”

Happy Cooking,

Jenn