One MasterChef to rule them all

ON HIATUS - 20 Rings of Power characters compete in the Second Age's ultimate culinary showdown 🔥

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #6 FINAL RESULTS

After much tense deliberation, the judges have decided to award the Top Dish to Gundabale, with a slim 49% of the popular vote! For the vegan dish challenge, she prepared a hearty lentil and root vegetable tagine, arranged in handmade earthenware bowls for serving. This is Gundabale's 2nd time winning the Immunity Ring, guaranteeing her safety in the next challenge once again. 🙌

And now for the bad news ... notorious raw-meat-lover Durin struggled to put together a cohesive and flavourful vegan dish. Thus, after placing in the Top 3 in the previous challenge, Durin has been eliminated from the competition with 65% of the vote. He will be dearly missed. 👋

Stay tuned for the contestants' next challenge!

A special thank-you to this week's prompt contributors: @mai-komagata & @wild-typo-turtle

[tolkienosaurus]

Best cook in Tolkien's Legendarium?

The Three Trolls (Roast Mutton, plant to roast Dwarves)

Bilbo (If he actually made any of those seed-cakes)

Samwise (Coneys and taters, sorry, po-ta-toes)

Melian (She made Lembas for Beleg and Túrin)

Galadriel (Also made Lembas)

Gollum (Probably an excellent sushi cook if trained)

Merry and Fatty (Prepare a large supper after the three hobbits have a bath)

Mis Maggot (Prepares some tasty mushrooms and small meals for the Hobbits)

Barliman Butterbur (Probably a good cook as he run the best inn on the East-Road

Mîm (Was able to provide/cook food for the outlaws such as Earth-Bread)

Beorn (Bakes Honey-Cakes he gives to Thorin's company)

Elrond (Brews Miruvor ig)

Voting ended onJul 16, 2025

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #6: Vegan dish

Looks like meat's off the menu, folks! (*sad Uruk noises*)

In their return to the newly-refurbished MasterChef kitchen after Annatar's accidental (?) fire, our Rings of Power contestants have each been tasked with creating a dish that does not include animal products (meat, cheese, honey, etc). This challenge requires creativity, technique, and familiarity with a variety of plants and herbs.

The top three dishes that surprised and delighted our judges (Celebrimbor, Disa, and Míriel) were prepared by: Gundabale, Adar, and Galadriel!

This is Gundabale's and Adar's 2nd appearances in the Top 3. 👏

Galadriel has recovered from landing in the Bottom 3 of the Dwarven Miners field challenge by retaking her place in the Top 3, which she'd reached in the very first challenge. 🙌

Who would make the best vegan dish?

Gundabale

Adar

Galadriel

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

Thank-you to @scholarlyhobbit for inspiring this week's challenge

[wild-typo-turtle]

Gundabale rose to the challenge with a hearty roasted root vegetable blend. Parsnips, turnips, potatoes, and carrots were expertly diced, roasted in olive oil, and arranged in handmade earthenware bowls for serving, along with a full bulb of roasted garlic. The judges were particularly impressed at her use of rainbow vegetables to add color. Fresh rosemary, thyme, and chives added flavor.

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #6: Vegan dish

Looks like meat's off the menu, folks! (*sad Uruk noises*)

In their return to the newly-refurbished MasterChef kitchen after Annatar's accidental (?) fire, our Rings of Power contestants have each been tasked with creating a dish that does not include animal products (meat, cheese, honey, etc). This challenge requires creativity, technique, and familiarity with a variety of plants and herbs.

The top three dishes that surprised and delighted our judges (Celebrimbor, Disa, and Míriel) were prepared by: Gundabale, Adar, and Galadriel!

This is Gundabale's and Adar's 2nd appearances in the Top 3. 👏

Galadriel has recovered from landing in the Bottom 3 of the Dwarven Miners field challenge by retaking her place in the Top 3, which she'd reached in the very first challenge. 🙌

Who would make the best vegan dish?

Gundabale

Adar

Galadriel

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

Thank-you to @scholarlyhobbit for inspiring this week's challenge

[ropmasterchef]

Unfortunately, there were also 3 dishes that did not meet the judges' expectations. The worst vegan dishes were prepared by: Elrond, Durin, and Narvi

This is Elrond's 2nd consecutive appearance in the Bottom 3. This is also a big step down for Durin, who made it to the Top 3 in the previous seafood challenge.

Who would be most likely to make the WORST vegan dish?

Elrond

Durin

Narvi

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of this poll will be the loser with the Worst Dish and will be eliminated from the competition. *womp womp*

What did they make? Why did the judges dislike their dishes? What were their fatal mistakes? Is there hope for them yet?

[janacariad]

Adar makes the most wonderful rice pudding with wild berry compote. He uses coconut milk and there's a hint of lavender in it as well.

It's heavenly (I tried it), but he won't tell me from where in Middle-earth he got the coconut. You should have seen that mysterious smirk of his! ❤️

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #6: Vegan dish

Looks like meat's off the menu, folks! (*sad Uruk noises*)

In their return to the newly-refurbished MasterChef kitchen after Annatar's accidental (?) fire, our Rings of Power contestants have each been tasked with creating a dish that does not include animal products (meat, cheese, honey, etc). This challenge requires creativity, technique, and familiarity with a variety of plants and herbs.

The top three dishes that surprised and delighted our judges (Celebrimbor, Disa, and Míriel) were prepared by: Gundabale, Adar, and Galadriel!

This is Gundabale's and Adar's 2nd appearances in the Top 3. 👏

Galadriel has recovered from landing in the Bottom 3 of the Dwarven Miners field challenge by retaking her place in the Top 3, which she'd reached in the very first challenge. 🙌

Who would make the best vegan dish?

Gundabale

Adar

Galadriel

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

Thank-you to @scholarlyhobbit for inspiring this week's challenge

[mai-komagata]

Gundabale makes a lentil tagine. (I feel this is very in character for a desert climate)

Adar makes a potato, cabbage and carrot stew cooked in a volcanic fumarole (a vegan version of https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20191127-the-portuguese-stew-cooked-in-the-ground from the Azores).

Galadriel makes a mushroom and leek risotto (something hearty with a touch of mediterranean influence).

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #6: Vegan dish

Looks like meat's off the menu, folks! (*sad Uruk noises*)

In their return to the newly-refurbished MasterChef kitchen after Annatar's accidental (?) fire, our Rings of Power contestants have each been tasked with creating a dish that does not include animal products (meat, cheese, honey, etc). This challenge requires creativity, technique, and familiarity with a variety of plants and herbs.

The top three dishes that surprised and delighted our judges (Celebrimbor, Disa, and Míriel) were prepared by: Gundabale, Adar, and Galadriel!

This is Gundabale's and Adar's 2nd appearances in the Top 3. 👏

Galadriel has recovered from landing in the Bottom 3 of the Dwarven Miners field challenge by retaking her place in the Top 3, which she'd reached in the very first challenge. 🙌

Who would make the best vegan dish?

Gundabale

Adar

Galadriel

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

Thank-you to @scholarlyhobbit for inspiring this week's challenge

[ropmasterchef]

Unfortunately, there were also 3 dishes that did not meet the judges' expectations. The worst vegan dishes were prepared by: Elrond, Durin, and Narvi

This is Elrond's 2nd consecutive appearance in the Bottom 3. This is also a big step down for Durin, who made it to the Top 3 in the previous seafood challenge.

Who would be most likely to make the WORST vegan dish?

Elrond

Durin

Narvi

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of this poll will be the loser with the Worst Dish and will be eliminated from the competition. *womp womp*

What did they make? Why did the judges dislike their dishes? What were their fatal mistakes? Is there hope for them yet?

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #6: Vegan dish

Looks like meat's off the menu, folks! (*sad Uruk noises*)

In their return to the newly-refurbished MasterChef kitchen after Annatar's accidental (?) fire, our Rings of Power contestants have each been tasked with creating a dish that does not include animal products (meat, cheese, honey, etc). This challenge requires creativity, technique, and familiarity with a variety of plants and herbs.

The top three dishes that surprised and delighted our judges (Celebrimbor, Disa, and Míriel) were prepared by: Gundabale, Adar, and Galadriel!

This is Gundabale's and Adar's 2nd appearances in the Top 3. 👏

Galadriel has recovered from landing in the Bottom 3 of the Dwarven Miners field challenge by retaking her place in the Top 3, which she'd reached in the very first challenge. 🙌

Who would make the best vegan dish?

Gundabale

Adar

Galadriel

Voting ended onApr 8, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

Thank-you to @scholarlyhobbit for inspiring this week's challenge

[ropmasterchef]

The Rings of Power MasterChef tournament will be going on a brief hiatus until March

Construction crews are currently renovating the kitchen after Annatar burnt it down during an after-hours experiment. The judges considered disqualifying him from the competition as punishment, but Celebrimbor argued to give him one more chance...

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #5 FINAL RESULTS

The judges have spoken...with 76% of the vote, Bronwyn has won the seafood challenge! Her classic bouillabaisse served with fresh bread and hearty Pelargir red wine warmed the judges' hearts and delighted their palates, winning her the coveted Immunity Ring and guaranteeing her safety in the next challenge. 👏

Unfortunately, Nori struggled due to her lack of experience with seafood and thus prepared something completely off topic - still tasty, but unfortunately not what was required. And so, after placing in the Bottom 3 for the third time, Nori has been eliminated from the competition with nearly 60% of the vote. Happy trails, Nori! 👋

Stay tuned for the contestants' next challenge!

A special thank-you to this week's prompt contributors: @wild-typo-turtle @bluejayprime

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #4: Seafood dish

After a brief hiatus, the remaining 16 Rings of Power contestants are back in the kitchen!

Míriel has challenged the contestants to prepare a refined, restaurant-quality seafood dish using iconic Númenorean ingredients. This task requires a basic familiarity with seafood staples, knowledge of proper preparation techniques, and an ability to balance out strong and delicate flavours.

The judges (Míriel, Disa, and Celebrimbor) were particularly impressed by three of the dishes, prepared by: Durin, Annatar, and Bronwyn!

This is Annatar and Bronwyn's first appearance in the Top 3 after both placing in the Bottom 3 in the baking challenge. Talk about coming back from the dead! 🙌

Who would be most likely to cook the best seafood dish?

Durin

Annatar

Bronwyn

Voting ended onFeb 13, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

[wild-typo-turtle]

Bronwyn prepared a classic bouillabaisse. She didn't mess with the recipe much, letting high-quality ingredients and the freshest seafood speak for itself. Her win was sealed by the crusty loaf of fresh, hot bread to go with it and the bottle of rough, hearty Pelargir red wine.

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #4: Seafood dish

After a brief hiatus, the remaining 16 Rings of Power contestants are back in the kitchen!

Míriel has challenged the contestants to prepare a refined, restaurant-quality seafood dish using iconic Númenorean ingredients. This task requires a basic familiarity with seafood staples, knowledge of proper preparation techniques, and an ability to balance out strong and delicate flavours.

The judges (Míriel, Disa, and Celebrimbor) were particularly impressed by three of the dishes, prepared by: Durin, Annatar, and Bronwyn!

This is Annatar and Bronwyn's first appearance in the Top 3 after both placing in the Bottom 3 in the baking challenge. Talk about coming back from the dead! 🙌

Who would be most likely to cook the best seafood dish?

Durin

Annatar

Bronwyn

Voting ended onFeb 13, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

[ropmasterchef]

Unfortunately, three dishes failed to meet the judges' high expectations. The worst dishes of this round were prepared by: Arondir, Nori, and Elrond

This is Nori's 3rd time in the Bottom 3.

Who would be most likely to cook the WORST seafood dish?

Arondir

Nori

Elrond

Voting ended onFeb 13, 2025

The winner of this poll will be the loser with the Worst Dish and will be eliminated from the competition. *womp womp*

What did they make? Why did the judges dislike their dishes? What were their fatal mistakes? Is there hope for them yet?

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #5: Seafood dish

After a brief hiatus, the remaining 16 Rings of Power contestants are back in the kitchen!

Míriel has challenged the contestants to prepare a refined, restaurant-quality seafood dish using iconic Númenorean ingredients. This task requires a basic familiarity with seafood staples, knowledge of proper preparation techniques, and an ability to balance out strong and delicate flavours.

The judges (Míriel, Disa, and Celebrimbor) were particularly impressed by three of the dishes, prepared by: Durin, Annatar, and Bronwyn!

This is Annatar and Bronwyn's first appearance in the Top 3 after both placing in the Bottom 3 in the baking challenge. Talk about coming back from the dead! 🙌

Who would be most likely to cook the best seafood dish?

Durin

Annatar

Bronwyn

Voting ended onFeb 13, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they make? Add ideas of what kinds of dishes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

[mcpayne]

sometimes I straight up daydream about what Disa's cooking tastes like because the show really really hyped it up and now I'm sad that I'll never know 😭

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #4 FINAL RESULTS

The judges have spoken...with over half (55.7%) of the vote, Gundabale Earthauler has won the contestants' first baking challenge! Her moist carrot cake with hazelnut filling and orange-zested cream cheese frosting set her apart from the competition, winning her the coveted Immunity Pin and guaranteeing her safety in the next challenge. 👏

And now for the bad news - after some deliberation, the judges decided that Isildur prepared the least impressive 3-layer cake, thus eliminating him from the competition and sending him home with nearly 60% of the vote.

Stay tuned for the contestants' next challenge!

Thank-you to this week's prompt contributors: @janacariad @daughterofthesunlands

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #4: Baking a cake

For the contestants' next challenge, the judges have prepared a tasty treat ... our beloved RoP characters must bake a delicious and well-constructed cake, with 3 layers! This challenge requires a grasp on the basics of baking, a keen sense of balancing sweetness with other flavour profiles, and some artistic decorative ability.

After a thrilling (and decidedly sweaty) cook, the judges examined all our contestants' cakes and have deemed three most worthy. These top-tier(ed) cakes belonged to: Elendil, Gundabale, and Halbrand!

This is Halbrand's third appearance in the Top 3. 👏

Who would be most likely to make the best 3-layer cake?

Elendil

Gundabale

Halbrand

Voting ended onJan 17, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they bake? Add ideas of what kinds of cakes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

[ropmasterchef]

Now, sadly, three of the cakes fell short of the judges' standards. These subpar sweets were made by: Annatar, Bronwyn, and Isildur

This is Isildur's second time placing in the Bottom 3. 🙈

Who would be most likely to make the WORST 3-layer cake?

Annatar

Bronwyn

Isildur

Voting ended onJan 17, 2025

The winner of this poll will be the loser with the Worst Dish and will be eliminated from the competition. *womp womp*

What did they bake? Why did the judges dislike their cakes? What were their fatal mistakes? Is there hope for them yet?

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #4: Baking a cake

For the contestants' next challenge, the judges have prepared a tasty treat ... our beloved RoP characters must bake a delicious and well-constructed cake, with 3 layers! This challenge requires a grasp on the basics of baking, a keen sense of balancing sweetness with other flavour profiles, and some artistic decorative ability.

After a thrilling (and decidedly sweaty) cook, the judges examined all our contestants' cakes and have deemed three most worthy. These top-tier(ed) cakes belonged to: Elendil, Gundabale, and Halbrand!

This is Halbrand's third appearance in the Top 3. 👏

Who would be most likely to make the best 3-layer cake?

Elendil

Gundabale

Halbrand

Voting ended onJan 17, 2025

The winner of Top Dish will receive the coveted Immunity Ring and be granted safety for the next round!

What did they bake? Add ideas of what kinds of cakes you think these characters would prepare. You can also use these polls as prompts for headcanons, drabbles, fanart, etc (tag @ropmasterchef !)

[ropmasterchef]

Challenge #3 FINAL RESULTS

The judges have spoken...with a slim 46% of the vote, Glûg was named the worst-performing member of the losing team and has sadly been eliminated from the competition.

Galadriel made a narrow escape from elimination with 41% of the vote. 🔥 Can she bounce back?

Stay tuned for the contestants' fourth challenge!