MasterChef Episode 2.13 Top 9 Compete

The remaining nine competitors gather in the "MasterChef" kitchen for another Mystery Box Challenge. Chefs Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich give them their latest task: They will each have to prepare, cook, and present one extraordinary dish, using only the ingredients hidden under the crates in front of them. The judges will taste the top three dishes, and the competitor with the best dish will get an advantage in the next challenge.

The Mystery Boxes contain hand-dived scallops, arugula, bananas, avocado, eggs, cauliflower, corn on the cob, shelled peas, a cheddar croissant, and brandy. The chefs have 60 minutes to create their dish. Jennifer, who won the last two Mystery Box Challenges, hopes for a three-peat. Meanwhile, many of the cooks struggle to even remove the scallops from their shells.

Ben decides to go out on a limb and prepare bananas and scallop. Derrick predicts that Suzy will be the next to leave "MasterChef," but Chef Ramsay is not happy to see him pounding out his scallops. The chef also seems frustrated when Christine has trouble explaining her concept to him.

As with all Mystery Box challenges, the judges choose three dishes to taste. First up is Christian's scallop succotash, which Graham compliments, saying, "The crunch really balances against the richness and sweetness that's inherent in the scallop."