joe bastianich

On Monday night's episode of 'MasterChef' (Tue., 9PM ET on FOX), the judges shocked everyone by sending no one home. Adrien and Christian were the last two chefs standing before the judge, which means both of them had to work extra hard Tuesday night to ensure they wouldn't get noticed again for all the wrong reasons.

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The box challenge presented the contestants with surf and turf and elevated Adrien toward the top, alongside Suxy and Jennifer. To help Christian with his attitude toward Jennifer, Gordon Ramsay had him evaluate her food. After giving it lukewarm reviews, Ramsay yelled at him a bit and then declared Jennifer the winner.

A plot to help certain contestants while hindering others by the winner of the mystery box challenge backfired in a big way on 'MasterChef' (Tue., 9PM ET on FOX).

And while Joe Bastianich has been largely the bad guy on this show, Gordon Ramsay let out a little of his 'Hell's Kitchen' persona on what he dubbed the worst sauce he's ever tasted.

!!SPOILER ALERT!!

The box challenge led to some intriguing choices, and while the judges did decide to sample Ben's banana and scallops concoction, they were most impressed with Adrien's dish. That gave him some power in the next challenge, which featured pork as a main ingredient.

It was a night of decadence and disaster on 'MasterChef' (Mon., 9PM ET on FOX). As the Top 11 competed in the box challenge, they discovered a second box with the judges; one that revealed four pound lobsters. Later, the winner of the lobster challenge chose truffles, and boldly chose to compete in the second challenge as well.

!!SPOILER ALERT!!

Christian had perhaps the hardest time in the opening challenge, because he felt he deserved to be one of the three finalists. As only the finalists' dishes are actually sampled, Christian must have felt passionately enough about it to disrespect the competition by tasting his own dish.

Gordon Ramsay may have the reputation in America of being this hard-nosed drill sergeant who tears down contestants on game shows, but judge Joe Bastianich is certainly giving him a run for his money on 'MasterChef' (Tue., 9PM ET on FOX). That said, though, we can't blame it for losing his cool at a contestant this week.

!!SPOILER ALERT!!

In the elimination challenge, Adrien Nieto once again presented a dish that looked like it had been plated by a child bringing a dinner-in-bed to Mommy on her birthday. With the side dishes in bowls, the presentation was cluttered and unappealing and not even close to how it was supposed to look.

The blood of superstar chefs-in-training started flowing fast during the latest 'MasterChef' (Tue., 8PM ET on FOX) challenge.

As judges Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich considered their own cuts, the contestants were put through a grueling test of basic kitchen skills that proved to be harder, and more dangerous, than it first looked.

Gordon Ramsay got a little selfish on the second episode of 'MasterChef' (Tue., 8PM ET on FOX) this week. Even after Dustin insulted him by saying he was English.

"I'm f****** Scottish!" Ramsay shouted. But at the same time, Dustin was presenting sausage rolls, and Ramsay does love sausage rolls.

The other judges found out just how much Ramsay loved Dustin's sausage roll when he simply continued cutting into it. "Oh Chef, how about some for the rest of us?" Joe Bastianich asked, but to no avail.

"That was f****** delicious," Ramsay said, making the official vote later. Of course, Dustin is moving on in the competition.

Gordon Ramsay returned for a second round of 'MasterChef' (Mon., 8PM ET on FOX) in the first of a two-night premiere. Tonight, the chefs are fighting for a chance to even compete on the show, so think of it like the early rounds of 'American Idol.'

That may be why judge Joe Bastianich thought Albert's presentation was a joke at first. Certainly, the self-proclaimed redneck was a colorful enough character, with his camouflage shirt, wild hair and missing front tooth.

Add to that his colorful tattoos and offer to show one on his butt to Ramsay and you've got a guy tailor-made for entertainment. Even more surprising, Ramsay responded, "Yes, please." He did qualify it, though. "Not too close. Just from a distance."

"This dish puts the fear of God into chefs around the world." So says Gordon Ramsay on the latest 'MasterChef' (Wed., 8PM ET on Fox). We're heading down to the Final Four on the show -- and there's only one spot left in that group. Either Sharone or Whitney will make the cut. But first, chef Ramsay wants to freak the pair out, and frighten them with their upcoming cooking challenge.

Ramsay drags out the suspense for a bit. "There's nothing more terrifying," he says, then pauses for a second. " ... Than trying to create and cook ... " What?! Create what?! "Your very own ... monstrous ..." OH GOD, WHAT IS THIS AWFUL THING THAT THEY HAVE TO COOK?

[Spoiler alert.]

We were just speaking of a kinder, gentler Gordon Ramsay. And on the premiere episode of 'MasterChef' (Tue., 9PM ET on Fox), we get to see even more of his softer side. The new series follows amateur cooks from all across America -- each of whom has exactly one hour to prepare their best dish. If they do well, they are awarded an apron, and get to continue in the competition. If they fail, then they are kicked off the show.

During this first episode, contestant Faruq is called in front of the judges. He makes a delicious dish of macaroni and cheese. Judge Ramsay praises this choice of food as being gutsy -- presumably because standard mac and cheese is so easy to make that it's difficult to really "wow" people with it.

The judges are into the cheesy mac ... except for one small thing. Faruq forgot to add one very important ingredient. SALT. And he forgot to do it even though the salt shaker was sitting right there in front of him!

Do we really need another food competition show on television? And do we need another show that stars chef Gordon Ramsay? Neither of those questions matter because we're getting one anyway.

'Masterchef' premieres on FOX July 29. Ramsay will be the head judge on this show, along with restaurateur/wine expert Joe Bastianich and chef Graham Elliot Bowles, who will also coach the contestants. This show will feature amateur chefs who have to go through a series of challenges, with one of them becoming the winner of the competition. I know, that description could be cut and pasted into a post about seven other food competition shows on the air right now, but if something isn't broken...etc, etc.

The press release uses phrases like "follow their dream" and "unique platform" and "passion and excitement," but I don't see anything about what the exact prize will be, whether it's cash or a position at a restaurant or a set of cookware. Unless the prize is knowing that three food and wine experts declare you the winner.