The Cutthroat kitchen competition was famous because of the numerous episodes it produced. One that was interesting to the viewers, as well as the participants, was episode 3 of season 4.
This was a hotly contested tournament that was first aired on July 6, 2014, through Food Network television.
Just like any other episode of Cutthroat kitchen, this one also involved sabotage and auctions to get the winner who will emerge with the best dish.
The two remaining chefs were supposed to cook steak over candles. There was also the challenge of the contestant getting stuck with a giant whisk.
The episode equally featured participants making a cake the hard way and this is why it was nicknamed the “Anything but a cake walk “episode.
The Brisket and Gravy episode in Cutthroat Kitchen was in Episode 3 of season 4 and involved three dishes. These were steak dinner, ice cream cake, and biscuits and gravy.
With Judge Simon Majumdar being the ultimate decision-maker, the final chef was able to walk away with $11,200.
The competition’s main dish that the participants were to make was biscuits and gravy. This is one of the most popular breakfast dishes that Americans love.
It is easier to make and contains all the necessary ingredients needed to keep you strong and energetic during the day.
Generally, the dish features soft dough biscuits with a lot of sawmill on top.
Alternatively, it can have a covering of meat gravy that is made from drippings of beef steak, milk, flour, and parts of sausage.
The gravy is usually seasoned with paper but this is not mandatory.
For any person who is going to face a hard day with a busy schedule, a biscuit and gravy breakfast provides the best solution.
To date, there are plenty of restaurants in the USA that still specialize in this dish.
The confusion
In episode 3 of season 4, which was directed by Steve Hryniewicz, some top-notch participants took place in the competition.
Jernard Wells, Simon Majumdar, Alton Brown, and Enzo were part of the experienced chefs who made the season a success and worth of TV airtime.
In this episode, Alton Brown as the main facilitator told the participants to prepare biscuits and gravy.
However, chef Enzo who was not a native English speaker because of his Italian roots mistook the sound for Brisket and gravy.
Consequently, he went to the pantry and picked a brisket instead of the biscuit.
With the main challenge being the biscuit and gravy dish, chef Enzo was confused but luck was still on his side.
Alton Brown intervened and advised the Italian chef to face the judge with his explanation. Judge Simon Majumdar understood his confusion because Europeans’ and Americans’ accents differ.
Instead of failing him for having prepared the wrong dish, the judge classified his dish as brisket and gravy.
Enzo survived the risk of failing and being eliminated. Surprisingly, he received a lot of praise from the judge.
The situation also served as an eye-opener for Alton who made sure that the subsequent preparation methods and ingredients were clear to all contestants.
The other contestant ended up being eliminated with the judge terming his method of preparation as a poor execution tactic.
Even though other participants and viewers understood the situation at hand, some did not agree with the development.
There are also other fans of the show that suggested that another contest be rescheduled involving the two last participants.
However, a consultation between the producers and judge Majumder saw the initial decision upheld.
It was simply a great episode of Cutthroat Kitchen where a contestant’s misunderstanding made the show livelier.
Brisket and gravy recipe
Since this event was one of the best Cutthroat Kitchen episodes, it calls for a look at the dish involved and how to make it. Therefore, we will explore the ingredients and recipes we can learn from the espisode.
1. Ingredients needed
Steak of beef stock, mixed herbs, pepper, 3 cloves of garlic, and coarsely chopped onions are the main ingredients you will require.
In addition, you will also need a boneless rolled beef brisket, carrots that are sliced into small chunks, a tablespoon of corn flour, and shallots.
You may also need a little wine but this is not mandatory.
2. Preparation steps
- Ensure your casserole dish is ready to place it on your stove for easy preparation of the gravy.
- Peel and smash the garlic and shallots. Next, proceed to make a pint of your beef stock.
- Cut the garlic, shallots, carrots, and the beef. Ensure they are placed in your casserole dish.
- Take a pint of your beef stock and pour it into the dish. You can add some wine if necessary.
- Cover the dish with a lid tightly and place it in the oven. This should be left for about 3 hours. Once the beef is ready, remove it from the oven and place it on a chopping board ready for carving.
- It is now time to take out your tender vegetables and onto a pan. Ensure the lid is on so that they remain warm.
- Mix your flour on the gravy by using a splash of water so that it becomes a paste. This ensures the flour does not turn into lumps.
- Add this to the casserole dish and have additional beef stock on top to make your gravy. You can then pour the juices from your casserole dish into a saucepan.
- Do not allow it to boil for long. A little bubbling sign means it is ready. Simmer it on the hob for it to become thick. The addition of gravy granules or flour can make it thicken faster.
- Proceed to slice your beef as thinly as possible. This will already make your brisket and gravy meal ready for serving. To serve more people, you can add some soft vegetables, carrots, or peas.
- You can slice your brisket and make a good arrangement on your serving platter.
The brisket and gravy episode was one of the best and most educative for viewers. If you watched it keenly, it can be easier for you to make brisket and gravy dishes at home.
The thrilling sabotage scenes and confusion in the episode make it a lively show for both participants and viewers. It is one of the episodes where the Cutthroat Kitchen show proved it is real and not a staged show.
Read a review of the best and worst Cutthroat Kitchen contestants to explore more about the show.
Michael is a freelance writer with a keen focus on sports, media trends, technology, and the general entertainment industry. When not blogging and writing trendy articles, Michael is watching soccer or out there playing football in the hood.
