MasterChef Global Gauntlet First Mystery Box Challenge Revealed in Exclusive Clip

MasterChef Global Gauntlet Puts the Home Cooks to the Test with an Eggs Benedict Challenge

For the first time this season, the home cooks face the series’ signature challenge. In this exclusive clip, MasterChef Global Gauntlet reveals its first Mystery Box challenge. The must-use protein is one that every cook needs to master.

After a gut-wrenching moment in MasterChef Season 16 episode 5, the judges hope that the home cooks will be more adept with this particular challenge. Even before the teams lift the mystery box to reveal their challenge, the tensions are high. Aishu and the Asian team have an advantage. Could her decision hinder another team just enough to earn another victory?

In this exclusive MasterChef Global Gauntlet clip, the home cooks learn their first Mystery Box challenge. The protein used in every style of cuisine can put fear into even the most accomplished chefs.

As they lift the box, a dozen eggs appear. It might seem like a gift, but this challenge is not simplistic.

Eggs are more than just the classic chef test of making the perfect omelet. Yes, cooks long to master Gordon Ramsay’s classic scrambled eggs. They fill breakfast plates with a myriad of offerings. From huevos rancheros to shakshuka, every culture has a signature egg dish.

But eggs can be transformed in so many ways that they are essential to any cook’s repertoire. Pasta carbonara is nothing without the viscous egg sauce. Ramen needs a single egg to make it richer. A glance at favorite dishes shows that eggs are a primary ingredient.

“A perfectly executed hollandaise can separate a good cook from a great one.”

Although the home cooks mentally scroll through recipes, this Mystery Box challenge is more specific. Each dish must be a take on eggs Benedict. It means that everyone must make a hollandaise from scratch.

Gordon Ramsay makes the demo look like child’s play. Any cook knows that the vibrant yellow, luscious sauce requires skill. A perfectly emulsified sauce requires more than powerful whisking. It is a balance of egg yolks, melted butter, and lemon juice.

A well-executed hollandaise shows attention to detail. Knowing when to add the butter, keeping it from breaking, and adding just the right amount of seasoning showcases a cook’s craft. Hopefully, all the home cooks live up to the challenge.

While the home cooks excel in their preferred regional dishes, a good cook should know how to make this Mother Sauce. A small drizzle can bring a punch of acid to woody asparagus or richness to delicate white fish. As the only Mother Sauce without a roux, the velvety emulsified sauce is an essential component to any cook’s repertoire.

Wondering which home cook will earn praise from judges Gordon Ramsay, Tiffany Derry, and Joe Bastianich? Tune into MasterChef Global Gauntlet episode 6 on Wednesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Hulu.