Ep 5. Mash Up Throwdown

In Food Network Star season 12 episode 5, titled Mash Up Throwdown, the remaining contestants are challenged to showcase their creativity and cooking skills through a mash-up challenge. The contestants are split into pairs and tasked with creating an innovative dish that combines two iconic American foods.

They are given 30 minutes to brainstorm and plan their dishes before being given 60 minutes to cook and present their creations to the judges. The panel of judges includes Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and guest judge Richard Blais.

The first pair, Jernard and Yaku, decides to create a dish that combines macaroni and cheese with chicken wings. They call their creation "Mac and Cheese Wings" and present it on a skewer. The judges praise their idea and appreciate the different textures and flavors in the dish.

Next up is Damiano and Erin, who fuse Mexican and Italian cuisines by making a "Taco Lasagna." Their creation consists of layers of tortillas, seasoned meat, and cheese, topped with fresh salsa and avocado. The judges enjoy the dish but comment that the seasoning could have been stronger in some of the components.

The third pair, Ana and Tregaye, choose to mix two classic breakfast dishes - pancakes and scrambled eggs. They create a "Pancake Scramble" by chopping up pancakes and mixing them with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese. While the judges find the dish innovative, they think the flavors could have balanced better, especially in terms of sweetness and saltiness.

The fourth pair, Rob and Monterey, goes for a fusion of BBQ and pizza. They make a "BBQ Pizza Dip" by combining tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, cheese, and shredded meat, and serving it with garlic bread. The judges love the concept but wish the dip had been warmer and the consistency thicker.

Finally, Rusty and Sarah try their hand at a combination of two Southern staples - grits and fried chicken. They create "Grits Fried Chicken and Waffles," where the chicken is coated with grits before being fried and served on a bed of waffles. The judges appreciate the creativity but feel that the dish lacks seasoning and finesse.

After the tasting, the contestants are given feedback on their dishes and their performances. The judges are generally impressed with the mash-up challenge and are pleased to see the contestants thinking outside the box. However, they also point out areas where the contestants can improve, such as seasoning, plating, and concept development.

As they head into the elimination challenge, the contestants are tasked with creating a dish that showcases their unique culinary point of view. They are given 60 minutes to cook and present their creations to the judges. The stakes are high, as one contestant will be sent home at the end of the challenge.

Overall, Mash Up Throwdown is an exciting episode that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of the Food Network Star contestants. With high stakes and challenging tasks, the episode keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering who will step up and who will fall short.