Ep 5. Big in Japan

In Nailed It season 1 episode 5 titled "Big in Japan," three amateur bakers, Jan, Rich, and Devon, compete to recreate Japanese-inspired treats for a chance to win $10,000. The contestants are introduced by the show's host, comedian Nicole Byer, and the resident pastry expert, Jacques Torres.

First up, the bakers attempt to make three-dimensional rice krispie treats that resemble kawaii (cute) animals using a mold. While Jan struggles with the temperamental mold and Rich's treat falls apart, Devon manages to create a successful and adorable rabbit treat. For the second challenge, the contestants must create "Chopstick Cakes" with Japanese flavors and decorations. Jan chooses to make a cherry blossom cake but forgets to add baking powder to her batter, resulting in a dense and inedible cake. Rich attempts to make a matcha green tea cake but underestimates the amount of matcha needed, resulting in a bland cake. Devon chooses to make a strawberry and yuzu cake, but her frosting is too soft and does not hold its shape.

In the final challenge, the contestants must recreate a towering Japanese pagoda cake that features multiple flavors and intricate decorations. Alongside the help of a professional decorator, the bakers must chop and assemble their cakes while adding fondant accents. Jan struggles with the structure of her cake and relies heavily on her decorator to hold it together. Rich's cake leans precariously to one side and he rushes to fix it before time runs out. Devon's cake has a mismatched color scheme, but her structure holds up well.

The judges deliberate and ultimately decide that Devon's pagoda cake is the closest to the original and awards her the $10,000 prize. Throughout the episode, Nicole provides comedic commentary on the chaotic and hilarious baking attempts while Jacques provides professional tips and advice.

Overall, "Big in Japan" is a fun and entertaining episode that highlights the contestants' varying levels of skill and creativity. The Japanese-inspired challenges add a unique twist to the show and demonstrate the bakers' abilities to think outside of the box. Despite the contestants' struggles and mishaps, the final results are impressive and show that anyone can try their hand at baking and have fun in the process.