In the exciting third episode of the "Kitchen Impossible" anniversary season, renowned chef Tim Mälzer faced off against Martin Klein, the acclaimed chef of the two-star restaurant Ikarus located in Salzburg's Hangar 7. This episode was particularly crucial for Mälzer, as he not only aimed for victory but also sought to win a wager that would allow him to serve as a guest chef at Klein's prestigious establishment.
As the competition heated up, Mälzer was determined to win against Klein, who had previously defeated him in their first duel back in 2020. The stakes were high, and Mälzer was ready to employ any strategy necessary to secure his win. Klein, confident in his culinary prowess, had set a challenging task for Mälzer: he was to prepare Tamino Grampelhuber's Kalbsrahmbeuschl mit Knödel, a traditional veal stew with dumplings, at the renowned restaurant Steegwirt in Bad Goisern.
However, in a surprising twist, Mälzer decided to flip the script by changing the challenge. Instead of sticking to his assigned task, he cleverly asked Klein to prepare a dish that Grampelhuber would choose for him. The selected dish was a tomato soup with smoked char, a favorite among the Austrian national football team. This unexpected maneuver showcased Mälzer's strategic thinking and willingness to challenge his opponent in a new way, adding an element of psychological warfare to their culinary duel.
During the first challenge, Klein managed to secure a victory with a score of 7.1 to Mälzer's 6.4 points, but Mälzer was not ready to give up just yet. His determination to win the bet and become a guest chef at Hangar 7 fueled his resolve for the next task.
In the second challenge, Klein found himself at Sepp Schellhorn's restaurant on the Mönchsberg in Salzburg. Here, he was given a dish from two-star chef Matthias Diether: a Cheesecake à la Mimolette. Klein was confident in his abilities, but little did he know that his culinary journey would take an unexpected turn. He was soon on a flight to Tallinn, Estonia, to visit Diether's restaurant, where he would have to recreate the cheesecake without any prior knowledge of the recipe.
Meanwhile, Mälzer faced his own set of challenges as he prepared to cook a Reinling, a traditional Gugelhupf from Kärnten, in Mautern an der Donau. This dish, which required a delicate balance of flavors and techniques, proved to be a significant hurdle for Mälzer, who admitted, "I believe I've never been so clueless about how to create this flavor." The pressure mounted as he juggled his preparations while being distracted by fellow chefs who stopped by to offer their support.
As the competition unfolded, the tension between Mälzer and Klein intensified. Mälzer's relentless psychological tactics frustrated Klein, who struggled to maintain his focus. Mälzer's antics in the kitchen, including his loud outbursts and playful teasing, created an atmosphere of chaos that Klein found difficult to navigate. "What’s going on with you?" Klein asked, bewildered by Mälzer's behavior, to which Mälzer replied with a grin, "Complete loss of control."
Despite the challenges, Mälzer's determination paid off. In a nail-biting conclusion, he scored 6.2 points in his final dish, edging out Klein and securing his victory. Mälzer erupted in joy, exclaiming, "Hangar 7, here I come!" His triumph not only marked a personal victory but also allowed him to fulfill his dream of cooking at one of Austria's most prestigious venues.
This episode of "Kitchen Impossible" highlighted the fierce competition and camaraderie between two of Austria's top chefs. Mälzer's strategic thinking and Klein's culinary skills created an engaging narrative that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. With the stakes higher than ever, fans are left wondering what challenges await in the next installment of this culinary showdown.
