Team 1 – Fabio, Dale, Marcel, Antonia, Blais, Carla, and Mike
Team 2 – Casey, SF Tiff, Angelo, DC Tiff, Spike, Tre and Jamie

Professional tennis player Taylor Dent joins Tom, Padma, Gail and Tony. Has anyone ever heard of Taylor Dent?

First Point
Fabio – Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Pork Loin Ragout, Caramelized Fennel, and Zucchini vs.
Casey – Grilled Pork Tenderloin Salad with Faro, Cherries, Sugar Snap Peas and Vinaigrette

Tom said the gnocchi was fantastic and didn’t have too much protein. Tony found the pork to be very heavy. Fabio wins the point and then loses his mind, jumps over the net and screams. He’s Italian, he says, so he is forgiven.

Second Point
Dale – Edamame Dumpling, Spicy Carrot Froth, Crispy Soy Nuts vs.
SF Tiff – Sashimi of Black Bass, Avocado and Penzu Vinaigrette

Gail loves the bass, Padma prefers Dale’s dish, but the rest pick Tiffani. The score is tied.

Third Point
Marcel – Cauliflower Couscous with Pomegranate Seeds, Golden Raisins and Yellowfin Tuna vs.
Angelo – Smoked Tuna, Yuzu Gelee, Red Onion and Capers

Basically Angelo wins the vote from each one. Marcel is upset, especially since he was ready to go in the previous point, but Dale’s dish had to go out or it would have been ruined. 30-15 for Team Angelo.

Fourth Point
Antonia – Scallop, India Lentil Puree, Mint, Dandelion Greens, Cilantro and Chives vs.
DC Tiff – Spiced Tuna with Fennel, Peppercorns, Coriander Seeds and Lentil Salad.

This one is split – Tony and Padma prefers Tiffany’s dish, while Gail and Taylor go with Antonia. Tom is the deciding vote with the dish with the best all around flavors – Antonia. The score is now tied 30-30.

Fifth Point
Blais – “Thai Bouleh” with Lamb, Herbs and Yogurt vs.
Spike – Tomato Tamarind Soup, Olive Oil Poached Shrimp, Pineapple, Tomatoes and Dill

During prep, Spike overcooks his shrimp, so he scrambles to make more and thus scrimps on the seasoning. The team panics a bit and Angelo starts to mess with the dish – essentially with a tie match, facing Blais and with Immune Tre and Jamie’s terrible bean dish waiting in the wings, they went all in with Spike’s. Tony doesn’t care much for the two dishes, Blais’ is fatty and Spike’s is bland, but he goes with Blais. Padma agrees, and Tom tells Spike he loves the soup, but hated the shrimp. 40-30, match point.

Sixth Point
Carla – African Groundnut Soup with Baked Sweet Potatoes, Adzuki Beans and Peanuts vs.
Tre – Coho Salmon, Parsnip Puree, Olive Oil Sauce with Citrus, Tomatoes and Olives

Tre is selected to go on the court, despite having immunity, despite having done a fairly half-assed attempt at the salmon. That’s how bad Jamie’s had to have been. Taylor likes the salmon, but the rest rave about Carla’s soup. Game. Set. Match.

This means Mike and Jamie do not have to cook the final point, and Jamie essentially joins Tre with immunity.

Winners – Fabio, Carla, Blais and Antonia
Gail thought it was one of the best group of dishes in seven seasons. Tony felt Carla’s soup elevated the whole group. Gail thought Antonia’s had layers of flavors, Tony found Fabio’s light gnocchi to be a rare achievement, and Blais’ doesn’t get much praise at all, he’s only there because Spike’s was worse.

Carla wins the challenge and earns a nice trip to Italy as a result.