| THE FINALISTS' JOURNALS Read more about this episode in the finalists' own words. | |
| The finalists' journals start with episode 2. |
At the auditions, contestants are asked to perform a series of basic food-prep tasks: chopping an onion to a quarter-inch dice, filleting ("breaking down") a whole salmon, identifying a dried sea cucumber, identifying a selection of dried spices, and distinguishing five different salts. But the judges are searching for more than just quick and accurate sniffers and dicers — do they have what it takes to be a chef in a New York restaurant? Can they lead a kitchen, face down the unexpected? From Ming and Michael's first stop in Seattle, Autumn, Blair, John Paul (J.P.) and Katsuji join the contest. Billy and Michael are discovered in New Orleans, and Matt and Russell in Chicago. And rounding out the slate of finalists are Yannick, Katie, Jennifer, and Sara, who all applied with mail-in entries. These 12 survive the first cut by impressing the judges with their stand-out knowledge, skill, and drive. Still, all 12 have room to grow. …