‘MasterChef’ season 14 finale recap: Was Becca, Kamay or Michael crowned the winner of ‘Generations’? [LIVE BLOG]
Tonight on “MasterChef,” the top three chefs enter the MasterChef finale where they must create an impressive three-course meal, starting with an awe-inspiring appetizer. The “MasterChef” finale continues with entree and dessert courses that highlight the generational backgrounds and culinary skill sets of each chef as they become steps closer to the $250,000 grand prize in the all-new “Finale (Part One) / Finale (Part Two)” two-part season finale episode of “MasterChef: Generations” airing Wednesday, September 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Season 14 of “MasterChef” brings together amateur cooks from four generations – Millennials, Baby Boomers, Gen Z and Gen X – to prove that age does not matter in the kitchen. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, Joe Bastianich eliminated contestants each week until one winner is crowned with the title of MasterChef and the $250,000 grand prize. Follow our live blog for tonight’s episode below.
8:00 p.m. — Previously on “MasterChef”! In Episodes 16 and 17, the top six home chefs got a break from the MasterChef kitchen to take over Ramsay’s Rooftop, an exclusive pop-up restaurant open for one night only in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Following dinner service, Adam was eliminated in 6th place. Later on, it was the semifinals and the top five chefs faced two back-to-back challenges that sent both Murt and Rebecka packing. Who will be crowned the winner tonight?
8:05 p.m. — Becca, Kamay and Michael enter the MasterChef kitchen for the last time. Cheering fans fill a live audience, including past Season 14 contestants along with friends and family members of the three finalists. Gordon calls the season an “instant classic” and a “hard-fought generational gauntlet.” Next, we see a season recap showing the battle of the ages that pit Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z against each other. Last to survive are two Millennials in Kamay and Michael, and one young Gen Z contestant in Becca. Who will be crowned America’s 14th MasterChef? The winner takes home the MasterChef trophy, a brand-new Viking kitchen and $250,000 cash.
8:15 p.m. — We see three video packages that give us some more insight on the finalists and where they come from. Next, the judges explain tonight’s challenge will be creating a full three-course meal: An appetizer, an entree and a dessert. The dishes should feel cohesive and follow a theme, giving the judges some insight into each finalist. Becca’s meal is all about family, Kamay’s menu represents a journey through generations of Haitian cuisine, and Michael’s will take us through a journey from his roots of where he grew up to where he is now. They have 60 minutes for the appetizer round and the clock starts now!
8:30 p.m. — Michael won his MasterChef apron with pasta and he’ll be showing off more of his pasta technique in this appetizer round. Becca is making a salmon dish that reminds her of one of her mom’s family dinners. Kamay is making a spicy soup inspired by the emancipation of Haiti. The judges are a little worried about Michael because he has a complex dish and seems to be rushing through it. For Kamay, their main concern is that she poaches her lobster properly — it’s the hero of her dish. Becca has the simplest appetizer, and the judges note she better bring the flavor. Becca reveals her pan wasn’t as hot as it should have been so she’s having trouble getting her salmon skin crispy. She’s decided to completely scrap four salmon and start over. It has to be perfect!
8:35 p.m. — There’s just 15 minutes left on the clock and Joe asks Becca why she’s starting over. The salmon needs to be crispy and she’s confident she’ll have her fish ready in time. Gordon looks up to the balcony and asks Warren who he thinks has the edge. He says he loves pasta and salmon, but Kamay’s lobster “got me.” With just a few minutes remaining, the chefs plate three identical dishes for the judges to taste. It’s time to judge Round 1!
8:45 p.m. — Becca serves Crispy Skin Salmon with Braised Leeks, Tomato Water, Basil Oil and Crispy Basil Leaves. Gordon says it looks elegant and the cook on the salmon is beautiful. Aarón thinks the dish lacks “depth of flavor” and the tomato water was “non-impactful.” Joe says overall, Becca did a “very good job.” Next up is Kamay’s Habanero Squash Soup with Poached Lobster Tail, Pickled Rainbow Chard and Caviar. Gordon says it’s “captivating” and “so beautiful.” He loves the cook on the lobster, but wishes it was “inside the soup” rather than on the side. Aarón says the magic is in the soup, but it could have used some creaminess and lemon. Joe thinks the lobster and butternut squash soup together is “magical.” Last up is Michael’s Truffle Tortellini with Mint & Pea Puree, Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette, Asparagus and Wild Mushrooms. Gordon says it shows “technical flare beyond belief.” Joe says Michael showed a lot of “skill” in how he prepared each component of the dish. Gordon calls the tortellini “delicious,” but it doesn’t need so much truffle. Aarón says the magic is in the brown butter and the pea puree is “spectacular.” Joe calls it a “really good dish,” but he would have left the vinaigrette off of it. The only comment we heard after that round was Gordon saying of Michael, “He is not holding back is he?” Aarón responds, “No, he’s going for it.” Does that mean Michael has the edge so far?
9:00 p.m. — Next up is the entree round. It’s the single dish that could make or break their shot at becoming the next MasterChef. Becca will be making a lamb dish, Kamay is preparing striped bass and Micheal will serve a rack of venison. They have 60 minutes to prepare this dish. Following the appetizer round, Michael is feeling confident with where he stands, but Becca feels like she might have to step her game up to match him and Kamay. As the judges watch this round, Gordon says Becca’s “got her work cut out for her tonight” because the loin of lamb she’s cooking is unforgiving. Aarón says Michael could be in trouble because venison is challenging to cook. Joe says Kamay just needs to perfectly execute her fish and make sure she doesn’t overcook it. Kamay engages in a little trash, stating, “Some of my competitors make pasta in their audition and then make past again. I’m showing my growth.” Shots fired!
9:05 p.m. — After 30 minutes into this round, the judges discuss their observations so far. Joe calls Kamay’s sauce “risky” because it’s acidic, sweet and sour. She also seems to be having a hard time forming her croquettes. Just an observation — Michael and Kamay are cooking like their lives depend on this. Becca is laughing, joking and looks like she’s just happy to be there. I’m not sure if that’s confidence, or a sign she’s not taking this as seriously as her older competitors. Gordon is worried Michael’s rack of venison won’t be cooked all the way through. Time ticks down and it’s now time to judge Round 2!
9:15 p.m. — Kamay serves Pan-Seared Striped Bass with Passion Fruit Sauce, Soy Glazed Squash, Sweet Potato Croquettes and Avocado Mousse. Gordon calls it “bright” and “elegant,” noting how good it smells. The fish is cooked beautifully, but the passion fruit “did not work.” Aarón calls the sauce “really aggressive.” Joe thinks everything is “excellent” except the passion fruit sauce, which doesn’t do justice to the rest of the dish. Michael serves Herb-Crusted Rack of Venison with Butternut Squash & Duck Fat Puree, Swiss Chard and Blackberry Wine Sauce. Gordon says the colors are “so attractive” and it “looks delicious.” The venison is cooked perfectly and the puree is “delicious.” Aarón loves the sauce, but the venison needs salt. Joe likes how primal the dish is and thinks it’s expertly cooked — but the ratios are a little off. Last is Becca’s Herb-Crusted Lamb with Brown Butter Spaetzle, Bitter Greens and Fig Balsamic Reduction. Gordon thinks his lamb is a little overcooked, but the colors are beautiful. Aarón enjoys the texture of her dish and thinks the bitterness of the greens works. Joe doesn’t mind the cook on the lamb and says it’s properly seasoned. Overall, he really enjoyed Becca’s dish. The judges recap everything so far tonight, and imply Michael and Kamay are ahead of Becca. However, Becca is an expert at desserts.
9:30 p.m. — It is now time for the dessert round and each chef will have one hour. Becca is making a berry tart. Kamay will make a strawberry shortcake. Michael is making a peach cobbler-inspired dessert. I left out a lot of fancy details that we’ll see later on! Gordon thinks the dessert round is the most difficult of all. Joe questions if Kamay’s dessert is “too simple” for a finale. Gordon is concerned whether or not Becca can properly execute a tart. Meanwhile, Michael’s dish is the most complicated and he’s the only one making ice cream. Is he too ambitious? If Michael pulls this off, he’s probably gonna win the competition. Michael says his mother (who has passed) loved peach cobbler and he’s taking a lot of inspiration from her in this dish. He gets emotional talking about it. Meanwhile, Becca realizes the oven wasn’t as hot as she’d thought and gets worried her tart shells won’t be cooked through.
9:45 p.m. — The crowd is buzzing as they watch Michael pour liquid nitrogen in his ice cream. He’s really the one contestant tonight that seems to be taking risks all the way through. I think he’s the front-runner at this point, barring any kind of disaster. Becca finally has her tart shells finished and it appears as though her crisis has been averted. However, her mousse is a little too frozen and she’s having issues piping it into the shell. As each chef plates this final dish you can see their hands shaking. Finally, their time is up and the judges prepare to critique this final round!
9:55 p.m. — Becca serves a Berry Tart with Berry Gel, Berry Mousse, Pate Sucree, Mascarpone Whip and Candied Lemon. Gordon calls it “elegant,” but the mousse looks broken. That said, it tastes delicious. Aarón loves her commitment to the berry flavor throughout. Joe likes that it’s simple and that you can taste each component. Michael serves Deconstructed Peach Cobbler with White Chocolate Cake, Passion Fruit Zabaglione, Buttermilk Ice Cream, Streusel Crumble, Grilled Peaches and Passion Fruit Syrup. That’s a lot going on! It’s “visually stunning” and Gordon says all of these elements really do work together. Aarón says he can taste Michael’s passion and heart in this dish, but the streusel could be cooked a bit longer. Joe says Michael did a “very good job.” Last up is Kamay’s Guava Rum Strawberry Shortcake with Tarragon Creme Diplomat. Gordon says it’s “elegant” and has a “millennial twist” with the tarragon. Gordon says the biscuits are savory and mix well with everything else that’s so sweet. Aarón says the strawberries and cream are magic. Joe says it’s “good to eat,” but simple compared to what Michael and Becca put forward.
10:00 p.m. — Now that they’ve tasted all the dishes, the judges discuss who put out the best menu tonight. After a tough deliberation, the judges declare the winner of “MasterChef: Generations” is … Michael! The 27-year-old business owner from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is now the 14th person to hold the title of MasterChef.