MasterChef Season 15: Dynamic Duos Face First Pressure Test with Chocolate Mystery Box Challenge

Tonight on MasterChef, five duos from the previous challenge’s losing team face the first Pressure Test of the season. The pairs enter the MasterChef kitchen to find a Mystery Box with a mallet inside. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Tiffany Derry, and Joe Bastianich reveal that the Mystery Box, made entirely out of chocolate, is their main ingredient. In this first dessert challenge of the season, each duo must smash their box and use the chocolate to create a stunning sweet dish to avoid elimination.

The all-new “Mystery Box” episode of MasterChef: Dynamic Duos aired Wednesday, July 9 (8 p.m. ET/PT) on Fox. Below is the full recap.

The Contestants

The five duos fighting to stay in the competition come from the losing Blue Team in the previous challenge:

• Azu & Javier

• Darce & Courtney

• Kayla & Ryan Kate

• Timothy & Athena

• Tonna & Cait

Meanwhile, the other pairs watch the drama unfold from the safety of the balcony.

The Challenge

Contestants find a mallet inside their Mystery Boxes, which are made of chocolate. Judges explain the mallet is for smashing the box, not cooking it whole. They must use the smashed chocolate along with fruits, berries, and spices from the pantry to craft an elevated dessert. They have 75 minutes to create their chocolate-inspired masterpiece.

The Desserts and Judges’ Feedback

• Kayla & Ryan Kate:
  Dish: Cardamom-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache, White Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Coulis, and Candied Pistachio & Cookie Crumble.
  Judges: Gordon praised the elegance and teamwork; Tiffany loved the raspberry; Joe called it restaurant-quality.

• Azu & Javier:
  Dish: Chocolate Roulade with Dark and Golden Chocolate Ganache and Strawberry Mint Sorbet.
  Judges: Gordon liked the roulade but not the sorbet pairing; Tiffany found it stunning flavor-wise; Joe felt the components didn’t blend.

• Timothy & Athena:
  Dish: Chocolate Lava Cake with Mystery Box Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry Roses, and Matcha Dusting.
  Judges: Gordon was critical of the chocolate logs; Tiffany appreciated the flavors but warned of mistakes; Joe noted it lacked the promised molten lava.

• Tonna & Cait:
  Dish: Layered Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Vanilla Whip, Raspberry Coulis, and Caramel Gochujang Sauce.
  Judges: Gordon called it a showstopper; Tiffany praised it highly; Joe named it the dessert of the day, fit for a menu.

• Darce & Courtney:
  Dish: Cannoli with Sweet Chocolate Cashew Ricotta Filling and Whiskey Raspberry Coulis.
  Judges: Gordon criticized the filling and sauce; Tiffany found competing flavors; Joe said it missed the mark.

Elimination

The third duo eliminated from Season 15 is Darce and Courtney. They expressed feeling overwhelmed yet grateful for their progress.

Next Week Preview

The Top 9 duos will face a new challenge where one partner starts cooking for 30 minutes, then switches places with their teammate to complete the dish.