The top 7 of Masterchef Ecuador participated in two challenges in the episode of Master Chef Ecuador (Teleamazonas) tonight, to which Chef Henry Richardson, the fourth judge, was invited.

The first challenge was the mystery box, which contained a secondary black box. The ingredients available were almond flour, sugar, powdered sugar and eggs, along with a burnt macaron. The idea was to prepare the macaroni as it should be, because no cook had been able to do it in previous seasons.

Hopes were pinned on Johanna, a housewife with a background in pastry making. Macaron is also Richardson’s favorite dessert, as he shared.

The secondary box turned out to be a negative surprise as they kept the hated black aprons. The chefs looked forward to the white Filipino jackets, which had been supplied to the Top 10 in other deliveries. Chef Jorge Rausch explained why. “In general, the winner in the mystery box they compete to win has a significant advantage. Today they will compete not to lose. The loser in the penalty area will not be able to continue fighting for salvation and will go straight to elimination… He will not be able to take off his apron. The others continue with the black apron, but they get a chance to save themselves.”

The participants had 60 minutes to prepare the sweets, at least four macaroons, with a good filling. This time was given to make as many batches as needed. However, the amateur chefs agreed that they preferred not to have time to embroider, which resulted in incomplete dishes being delivered.

Henry was the first to go to the lectern. At first he didn’t present four macaroni, as the order was, but one. His explanation was that the cookies stuck to the mold. Chef Irene told her she was not up to the challenge either in quantity or presentation. They haven’t even tried.

Next came Sonnia, with macaroni and strawberry cream. While they were very good, as Chef Rausch told him, he also failed the challenge because he presented three macaroni.

Jamil followed, who clarified that he was not satisfied with his creation. Like the previous one, it fell short of the allotted amount, only bordering two and a half macaroni.

Johanna, whom everyone had noticed because of her expertise in sweets, also did not accept the challenge and only put a macaron on the plate. “Suddenly I would have won,” Rausch complained. But three were missing.

Alexandra also submitted only one. “He’s got one and he’s very lazy,” Rausch criticized.

Raúl approached the lectern with some desserts far from the presentation of his companions. He called his attempts at macaroons sighs, because they were more like that.

Victoria broke the streak and was the only one to deliver four macaroons. “Congratulations to her,” Richardson told her. Naturally, she was declared the winner.

On the contrary, Rausch said that among those who failed the challenge, it was difficult for the judges to determine who was the worst dish. Therefore, many critics decided that they choose among themselves the person who will not follow the rescue challenge and go directly to elimination. Without thinking twice, the opponents chose Alexandra.

Then came the creative challenge. As with the previous challenge, a loser was sought to guide Alexandra straight to elimination. This test ordered the participants to use ingredients from the pantry that they had never used before. Because she had the advantage, Victoria divided the ingredients when it suited her.

Henry got hibiscus flower. He made meat with carrot puree and hibiscus sauce. Her dish received rave reviews from Richardson and Chef Carolina Sánchez. Well played, Rausch snapped.

Victoria chose to work with potato starch. She made battered cauliflower with bacon and sauce. The reviewers agreed that it was a good dish.

Raúl used coconut flour to make breaded shrimp with mashed potatoes and coconut flour sauce. His mix of ingredients and the plating were applauded.

Johanna cooked with prunes. True to tradition, he used this ingredient to make a dessert with caramel and coconut foam. A truly delicious and fantastic creation that brought you congratulations.

Jamil readily used kamut wheat to make meat with kamut bread and hummus, which critics had no qualms about.

Sonnia used mirasol chili peppers to make a dish with meat, pea puree and chili sauce. Your recipe didn’t emphasize the chili, it wasn’t hot, and your sauce wasn’t considered appealing. Without much analysis, they sent her to the seat next to Alexandra where they had a heated argument. The two go straight to the elimination challenge.