Ep 14. Symon vs. Mendelsohn

In season 8 episode 14 of Iron Chef America, viewers watch as Chef Michael Symon and Chef Eric Greenspan Mendelsohn face off in the kitchen stadium. The two chefs will race against the clock and each other to create a series of dishes utilizing a secret ingredient that is only revealed to them at the start of the competition.

As always, the show's panel of judges will evaluate each dish based on several criteria, including taste, presentation, creativity, and how well the chefs incorporated the secret ingredient into their dishes. Although both chefs are experienced, they each have their own unique style and approach to cooking, which makes for an exciting competition.

The episode begins with a brief introduction to the two chefs and how they got their start in the culinary world. Chef Symon is known for his Mediterranean-style cooking and is the owner of several restaurants across the country. Chef Mendelsohn, on the other hand, is known for his innovative take on comfort food and has appeared on several cooking shows, including Top Chef Masters.

After the secret ingredient is revealed, the chefs have just one hour to create five different dishes that showcase their creativity and culinary skills. The secret ingredient is challenging, but both chefs seem confident in their abilities to incorporate it into their dishes.

As the clock ticks down, tensions rise in the kitchen stadium as both chefs work furiously to finish their dishes in time. Chef Symon appears to be struggling with one of his dishes, while Chef Mendelsohn seems to be in the zone, fully focused on his cooking.

Once time is up, the judges are invited to taste each dish and provide their feedback. Some of the dishes are met with rave reviews, while others fall flat. However, both chefs demonstrate their impressive skills in the kitchen, leaving the panel of judges with a difficult decision to make.

In the final moments of the episode, the judges weigh in on their favorite dishes and ultimately choose a winner. The winning chef is announced, and the episode concludes with a brief recap of the competition and the incredible dishes that were created.

Overall, Symon vs. Mendelsohn is a high-stakes, exciting episode that showcases two talented chefs pushing themselves to create the best possible dishes. With the added pressure of the secret ingredient and the time limit, both chefs demonstrate their impressive skills in the kitchen, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.