Semifinal battles begin tonight

Last week, The Super Chef kitchen witnessed its biggest upset. As the judges uttered the name of the candidate to be eliminated, a lull enveloped the set. Robin, the creative director, left the stage, exclaiming “She's gone! She's gone!” Sabrin Maruf Tinni, Brand Executive at Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited, wore a trace of a smile. Runa Laila's elimination meant the most unexpected of twists. The judges had deliberated, quite animatedly for a while, before reaching the decision; Runa Laila's elimination had sent shock waves throughout the Super Chef kitchen. No one was safe. There was no clear winner. 

This week, the quarter-finals of Rupchanda-The Daily Star Super Chef 2016 started on an inspirational note. Famous band Shunno performed their hit song “Shotto Asha” in front of the quarterfinalists. The motivational number helped fuel the participants' fire, edging them to do their best possible.”We are here to encourage the contestants to do well. We won't be judging their food considering they know more than us,” Shunno's drummer Labib remarked with a laugh. While knowing they didn't have any guest judges to impress may have given our chefs the most fleeting sense of relief, the three regular judges still remained, ready to pounce on the latter's every mistake. 

Fatema, Hasina, Sabrina and Rafia had all fought hard for their place in the top four. But elimination today would mean missing out on the third biggest prize money purse. Runa's elimination still hung heavy over their heads. The challenge before them did nothing to make them feel better. The participants were first provided a mystery box full of a few ingredients with which they began cooking. Then came another box, followed by another and each time the chefs had to decide whether to innovate and keep going with what they were given or begin anew. As we saw, Sabrina could not make up her mind and this cost her. Rafia too came close to the end. 

While Rafia's ravioli won her brownie points with the judges, Chef Tarek reprimanded her for serving potato chips with her ravioli. “These two just don't go and you should know that at this stage,” the no-holds barred judge stated. 

Fatema and Hasina managed to make their way to the top three today but Sabrina faltered. Her dish was not up to the mark and she paid the price. “Before I entered Super Chef, I did not know what I was capable of. I have my master's but I was always stuck at home. This show has given me the confidence to go out and do something more,” Sabrina said in her tearful farewell. 

Tonight at 9pm, it is time for the Semifinals. The three remaining chefs will go head on and star Sharmin Lucky will be present to oversee the proceedings. Tune into ntv tonight to find out the twist waiting in the semifinals.