Johnny enters for a mid-prep check-in. He is skeptical that the crowds will recognize the funnel cake flavor of Chris's ice cream without him telling them, so Chris decides to put some garnish on top to cue them. He interviews that the challenge comes down to elevating carnival treats. He thinks Chris's idea sounds good on paper but isn't sure people will get it unless the flavor is spot-on. Johnny moves on to Orlando, who rattles off about 40 flavors that are going into his candy apple entremet. One of these flavors is chocolate, which Johnny takes issue with. He also doesn't appreciate that Orlando's entremet will have no physical resemblance to a candy apple. In fact, he laughs in Orlando's face. Orlando: "Uh oh."

Next, Carlos is preparing a dessertified version of sliders and French fries. Part of that endeavor involves making macaroons (in place of burger buns) for the macaroon master himself, Francois Payard. Having worked with Franky P, Johnny's eyes practically bug out of his head. He gives Carlos fair warning, shakes his hand, and walks to let Carlos flourish or perish. He interviews that Carlos may be overextending himself in what will be the shortest challenge yet. Johnny leaves, and Carlos is feeling the effects of the short prep time. As is Sally, who realizes only after the clock dings that she left her pudding component in the freezer, putting her distinctly behind the next day.

That night, Carlos, Matthew, and Orlando loosen up by pouring themselves some bourbon and playing "Never Have I Ever." Top Chef: It's just like college! We learn that Carlos has had a regrettable threesome and has run over a neighbor's cat, Orlando has been hand- and footcuffed to a bedpost, and everyone wants to punch Johnny in the face. The guys pile into Sally's room for sloppy flirting. Matthew: "I hope this never ends up on TV." And you know the minute he said that, the editors made it their mission to slot that mess in.

The next morning, the cheftestants run into the kitchen with two hours prep time left. Orlando insists he's feeling no pain. "A half a bottle of vodka isn't much!" Meanwhile, Sally makes quick work of defrosting and re-pureeing the rock solid pudding she left in the blast freezer the evening before. If that doesn't work, she admits, "I'm screwed." She's in fine company as everyone acknowledges that Carlos's macaroons suck. He trashes them and improvises a quick-setting sesame angel food cake to stand in as his "hamburger buns." He sticks them in the oven and, some time later, is amazed that they turned out okay -- or at least seem to. He powers through, and the clock eventually hits zero.