The cheftestants arrive for judging in a park on Ellis Island, I guess. It's some sort of park and it's at night. Barber admits that it's not the type of food he usually eats on the show, but he knows they did the best they could with what they had. He goes down the line and tells each cheftestant what he thought. He felt that Tiffany's food was a throwaway dish, which she knows. Blais's food was tasty and a creative way to use a hot dog. He tells Mike that his soup could have sunk the ship, and Mike can't even be mad, because it was terrible. He liked that Antonia's sandwich was grilled, and he found Carla's salad refreshing and creative. So which dish did they enjoy the most? Carla's. Blais is PISSED. He still doesn't get that it's not Top Most Complicated Dish. It's about what tastes good, and Carla was the only one who used the fresh ingredients available to them. He had better figure that out before the finals, if he makes it that far. Although, to be fair, his complicated style will probably be more rewarded in the finals. As long as it tastes good, and he doesn't get too up in his head.

Padma introduces the next Elimination Challenge. They are at Ellis Island to learn about their heritage, and they will create a dish based on their ancestry. That would be really tough for me, as I am a true mutt: Scottish, Irish, German, and English. What could I make with that? Padma does give a nod to the fact that Tiffany and Carla, being African-American (presumably? Does she know that their ancestors were definitely from Africa?) have a different story but still a rich heritage. At least she acknowledged that being brought here as a slave is very different from coming here voluntarily for a better life. I'm making a lot of assumptions here, obviously. They've hired a genealogist, who has researched the lineage of the cheftestants, and has a portfolio for each of them with more information. AND, there are some special guests to help. Some people walk up out of the darkness of night, and the cheftestants realize that they are family members: Tiffany, Antonia, and Mike have their moms, and Blais and Carla have their spouses. It's very touching, with hugs and tears all around. Blais's wife is pregnant and has the super cute tiny baby belly.