The Julia Child Challenge

Head judge Antonia Lofaso challenges the competitors to honor Julia Childs love for her husband, Paul, by putting their own spin on one of his favorite dishes, coq au vin. Then they must create a dish inspired by a great love in their own lives. Antonia and guest judges Molly Baz and Susan Feniger decide which cooks dishes fall short, sending them home.

The home cooks learn about Julia Childs early life through challenges inspired by her time working as a spy for the United States during World War II and traveling around the world. First, head judge Antonia Lofaso challenges them to cook with a mother sauce. Then they must make a dish inspired by a country Julia was stationed in overseas. Antonia and guest judges Alvin Cailan and Nilou Motamed send one competitor home.

The final three home cooks face their last challenge in Julia Childs kitchen: preparing a four-course meal of Julias classics; head judge Antonia Lofaso asks them to make a croque monsieur, duck a la orange, boeuf bourguignon and a croquembouche.