The eighth week of competition marks a decisive turning point: the inspectors make their grand return to evaluate the candidates. After two challenges, they will award their "coup de cœur" (favorite). Some hope to win this coveted prize, while others aim for a second "coup de cœur," which guarantees direct qualification for the quarterfinals.
The candidate with the best overall score in both rounds will receive a special mention; the lowest-performing candidate will have to go through the elimination round. One candidate will be eliminated from the competition after this final round.
Test 1
The evening began on an intimate note: the candidates had to draw on their most memorable experiences to create a dish full of emotion, under the watchful eye and wise advice of chef Pierre Gagnaire, the true "God" of the competition!
- Charles chose to tell the story of his travels with the dish "Pigeon voyageur" .
- Charlie decides to talk about the sea he comes from and wild foraging, a true passion for him.
- Esteban pays tribute to his mother with a variation of corn and trout, a typical Colombian dish.
- Margaux offers a seafood platter called "Marseille-Oléron" , which unites the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
- Quentin will draw from the deepest part of himself to create "Personal Destruction" , a dish in memory of his mother.
Each candidate put a little bit of their personality, their roots and their history into their dish.
It is Charles ' dish that wins the inspectors' preference.
Test 2
For this second challenge, a change of pace with a high-flying challenge!
Anne Coruble , pastry chef of the year, challenges candidates to reinvent the mythical Saint-Honoré — in a sweet or savory version — while respecting its essential markers: puff pastry, whipped cream, and cream-filled choux pastries.
- Charles offers a colorful Saint-Honoré with butternut squash and citrus fruits.
- Charlie makes a sweet Saint-Honoré with Jerusalem artichoke.
- Esteban imagines a version with black garlic and burnt vanilla.
- Margaux modernizes the classic with a miso and white chocolate version.
- Quentin creates the "Saint-Forestier" , a deconstructed sweet Saint-Honoré made with mushrooms.
Esteban discovers the black envelope under the bell jar, signifying an elimination round.
Charlie receives the inspectors' favorite — his second macaron — and goes directly to the quarter-finals.
Elimination round
Claudio , Esteban and Philippine will compete on the theme of sweet and savory.
- Claudio 's dish: "Langoustine, pineapple-oyster cannelloni, langoustine jus"
- Esteban is preparing a roast beef with port wine sauce, accompanied by a kale salad.
- Philippine makes a tuna, raspberry and pepper tartare.
Claudio's langoustine wins unanimous approval from the chefs.
Philippine is leaving the adventure today.
