Food Network Chef Aarti Sequeria judges challenge on The Great Food Truck Race Season 18 Episode 7 

Food Network celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira made a special appearance on The Great Food Truck Race Season 18 Episode 7 serving as guest judge for a crucial oyster cooking challenge.

The episode happened in Newport News, Virginia, where three remaining teams competed for spots in the finale. Sequeira evaluated each team's interpretation of Chesapeake oysters awarding $300 to the winning truck. Her expertise proved valuable as teams attempted to elevate local seafood while maintaining the ingredient's natural character.

The challenge became pivotal as The Great Food Truck Race teams fought for every dollar in one of the closest competitions in series history. Episode 7 also featured Tyler Florence's hidden camera surveillance twist and record-breaking sales totals. The Great Food Truck Race follows mobile restaurant teams across America, eliminating the lowest earner each week. Teams face cooking challenges, weather obstacles, and demanding customers while competing for a $50,000 grand prize. Only two teams remain to battle for the championship title in the season finale.

What happened in this episode of The Great Food Truck Race?

Food Network chef Aarti Sequeira joined Tyler Florence as a guest judge for The Great Food Truck Race episode's main cooking challenge. Her role focused specifically on evaluating oyster preparations, bringing professional insight to the competition. Sequeira assessed how well each team showcased Chesapeake Bay's signature ingredient while adding their unique culinary perspective.

The challenge required teams to "dress up" local oysters with creative preparations. Teams needed to balance innovation with respect for the seafood's natural flavor profile. Sequeira's judging criteria emphasized technique, taste balance, and overall presentation quality.

Three teams presented their oyster creations to Sequeira and Florence for evaluation. Each approach demonstrated different culinary philosophies and execution levels.

Nishaan delivered bold, complex flavors that impressed Sequeira initially on The Great Food Truck Race. However, she noted concern that aggressive seasonings overshadowed the oyster's delicate taste. The dish showed technical skill but missed the challenge's core requirement of highlighting the main ingredient.

Cooking with Que presented a preparation that left Sequeira genuinely speechless. Their execution impressed both judges without any significant criticism or improvement suggestions. The team successfully balanced creativity with ingredient respect. Good Fortune's entry encountered serious problems during judging. Both Sequeira and Florence discovered shell fragments in the dish, creating an unacceptable dining experience. The technical failure overshadowed any positive flavor elements.

Cooking with Que earned the $300 prize money after Sequeira's evaluation. Their flawless execution provided a crucial financial boost during the competitive leg. The victory demonstrated the team's technical abilities despite earlier struggles.

The win proved especially important given the episode's tight competition margins. Every challenge dollar counted toward final elimination totals, making Sequeira's judgment directly impactful on team survival.

What to expect from the finale?

Despite the oyster challenge drama, all three teams achieved remarkable sales numbers. The Newport News leg generated nearly $35,000 in combined revenue, setting a new series record for two-day competitions.

Good Fortune led with $12,290 in total sales, securing their final position. Nishaan followed with $11,080, also advancing to the championship round. Cooking with Que earned $10,822 but fell just $258 short of their final journey. Sequeira's judging helped shape one of the closest eliminations in show history. Her professional evaluation added credibility to the challenge while highlighting the importance of technical execution under pressure.

The Great Food Truck Race finale will feature Good Fortune versus Nishaan in Norfolk, Virginia. Both teams demonstrated different strengths during Sequeira's challenge, setting up an intriguing championship battle. The $50000 grand prize awaits the truck that can maintain consistency and creativity in the final leg.

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Watch The Great Food Truck Race on Sundays at 8/7c on Food Network, with streaming available on Discovery+

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