Ep 5. A Viking Feast

In Dinner: Impossible season 10 episode 5, titled "A Viking Feast," chef Robert Irvine faces one of his toughest challenges yet as he must prepare a feast fit for a Viking king. With only eight hours to plan, shop and cook an elaborate meal, and without access to modern technology or ingredients, Chef Irvine must rely on his creativity and culinary expertise to transform traditional Viking foods into a gourmet experience.

To start, the chef travels to a historic Viking village in Norway, where he meets with food scholars and local chefs to learn about the traditional ingredients and cooking techniques used in Viking cuisine. He discovers that the Vikings relied heavily on seafood, such as salmon, herring, and cod, as well as game meats like reindeer and elk. Vegetables were scarce in the harsh Scandinavian climate, so foraged items like wild mushrooms, berries and herbs were used to add flavor and nutrition to meals.

Chef Irvine also learns about the importance of the communal feast in Viking culture. These feasts were held to celebrate victories in battle, weddings or funerals, and were a time for the people to come together, enjoy food, drink and entertainment, and show off their wealth and social standing.

Armed with this knowledge, Chef Irvine heads to a local fish market and foraging expedition, where he selects the freshest ingredients and foraged items to incorporate into his menu. Back in the kitchen, he begins the long and arduous process of preparing a Viking feast.

The menu includes dishes like smoked salmon on a bed of roasted root vegetables, served with a sauce of wild berries and honey. The main course is a slow-roasted elk shoulder, flavored with juniper berries and served with a side of roasted mushrooms and potatoes. To finish, Chef Irvine prepares a dessert of sweetened curd cheese, topped with a compote of tart lingonberries.

As Chef Irvine cooks, he faces numerous challenges, including a lack of modern cooking tools like ovens and refrigerators, as well as the unfamiliar ingredients and techniques of Viking cooking. He also must contend with unpredictable weather, as a fierce storm threatens to halt his progress and ruin the feast.

Through it all, Chef Irvine remains determined to create a meal worthy of a Viking king, and his hard work and dedication pay off in the end. The feast is a stunning success, with guests raving about the delicious food and the unique experience of dining like a Viking.

Overall, "A Viking Feast" is a thrilling episode of Dinner: Impossible, showcasing the creativity, skill and determination of Chef Robert Irvine as he takes on one of his toughest challenges yet. It's a must-watch for food lovers and history buffs alike!