Ep 10. The MasterChef Returns

The MasterChef Returns is the tenth episode of the eighth season of MasterChef in HD. In this episode, the previous champions of the show make a return to the kitchen, but this time not as contestants. Instead, they have been tasked with mentoring and guiding the remaining seven contestants as they prepare a three-course meal for the judges.

The episode starts with a surprise visit from the previous champions of MasterChef, including Shaun O'Neale, Claudia Sandoval, Luca Manfé, and Christine Ha, among others. The contestants are thrilled to see them and are even more excited when they learn that the champions will be returning as mentors for this challenge.

The contestants are divided into teams of two, and each team is assigned a mentor. The mentors then guide their team in choosing the perfect ingredients and planning a three-course menu within a given budget. The contestants are given the freedom to choose any cuisine they want, but they must incorporate a mystery ingredient in each course.

Throughout the episode, the mentors guide their respective teams in every aspect of the meal. They help the contestants with everything from selecting the right ingredients to preparing the dishes to plating the final course. However, the mentors have a fine balance to maintain as they cannot do the actual cooking and plating themselves.

The judges, Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sanchez, and Joe Bastianich, have high expectations from the contestants and the mentors. They are looking for a well-rounded meal that showcases the culinary skills of the contestants while also incorporating the mystery ingredient.

As the contestants hustle in the kitchen to put together their three-course meal, tensions rise as the pressure mounts. There are moments of confusion and panic, but with the guidance of the champions, the contestants pull through and manage to create some impressive dishes.

Finally, the judges sample each of the teams' three-course meals and deliver their verdicts. The contestants are judged on the overall flavor, creativity, and presentation.

Without giving away any spoilers, this episode of MasterChef is a thrilling ride from start to finish. The return of the champions injects some excitement and novelty into the show, and their mentoring adds a new dimension to the competition. The episode is not only a battle between the contestants but also a test of the champions' mentoring skills. This episode is one of the highlights of MasterChef season 8, and fans of the show will not be disappointed.