Plot

In the season's first big team challenge, the top 20 junior home cooks test their leadership skills and communication abilities in a bold carnival-themed challenge. As two teams of nine fuel 51 Circus Vargas performers with a delicious lunch, one team prepares seared salmon and the other grills NY strip steak.—Anonymous

Team Challenge: The kids are taken to a circus where they are randomly split into teams. Che is captain of the Red Team along with Aaron, Ashley, Ivy, Jaala, Kate, Malia, Mateo, Sadie and Tal; Evie is the captain of the Blue Team along with Ben, Brielle, Jayden, Kyle, Matthew, Nayeli, Reid, Rhashad and Talulah. The teams must cook a lunch for 51 circus performers. They have 45 minutes to prep and 60 minutes to serve the meals. The Blue Team wins the challenge. Challenge Winners/Immune: Ben Brown, Brielle Jones, Evie, Jayden Ingalls, Kyle Sisitsky, Matthew Smith, Nayeli Mendoza, Reid Briggs, Rhashad Lowery and Talulah. Pressure Test: Che, Ivy and Malia are declared exempt from the Pressure Test for doing well in the team challenge. The other Red Team members must make their best birthday cake. Sadie makes the best cake, while Kate, Mateo and Aaron are also all safe, leaving Ashley, Jaala and Tal in the bottom. Immune: Che Spiotta, Ivy Angst and Malia Brauer. Challenge Winner: Sadie Suskind. Bottom three: Ashley Johnson, Jaala Smith and Tal Schulmiller. Jaala is saved, thus sending Ashley and Tal home. Eliminated: Ashley Johnson and Tal Schulmiller.