Behind-the-Scenes with Boston's Finest

Todd English is here to help Padma judge the Quickfire Challenge -- and intimidate the cheftestants.

Today's Quickfire is inspired by the phrase "One, if by land, and two, if by sea." The contestants will be competing for the best items from land and sea, based upon one or two lanterns that will light up at random.

The chef's sprinting skills are truly being tested.

Adam doesn't even realize the sea lanterns went off, and grabs dried crab snack. . .much to his chagrin.

Aaron lunges over Adam for the ingredient he sees as most desirable. Things were getting vicious.

There he goes again...what an arm.

Mei strains her ramp tomato nage.

40 seconds on the clock! Gregory's plating is right on schedule.

Joy and Mei work side by side with intensity.

After seeing two chefs go home within the first 48 hours, each competitor is focused and knows just how much is at stake.

Don't look so stressed James, you're doing great!

The chefs find time to have a laugh despite the stress of this Quickfire.

Aaron's hat is backwards for this occasion...he means business.

Time! Hands up!

Padma is intrigued by Ron's description while Todd chows down.

They meet again! Adam must be screaming on the inside...

What is behind that side-smirk Todd? Pleasure or disdain?

Rebecca seems to have an especially wide smile going on -- maybe it has something to do with Todd? He is an especially charming presence.

Todd slips in a comment to Padma on Katsuji's sweetbreads. He can't resist the classic combination of quail egg and uni.

Katie, Stacy and Joy look on, wondering how they will fare in this challenge.

Todd has a look of intense interest as Keriann describes her dish.

Mei presents her pan-seared haddock dish.

Did the judges enjoy the wasabi tobiko and shaved fennel salad that accompanied Mei's haddock?

Joy presents her meat-centric dish, including both steak and veal.

Maybe a bit too much meat, as Padma and Todd aren't impressed.

Stacy presents her grilled pork chop with fried skate cheeks.

Katie has a lot to prove after landing in the bottom three last week.

James presents his sauteed mussels with boar bacon broth.

James is the victor of the second Quickfire of the season!

Tom's looking rather incredulous here. That's the face of man who is ready to eat -- and judge.

Glasses on -- ready to critique .

For the elimination challenge, the chefs are put into random teams and given mystery ingredient boxes. That isn't all -- these meals have to impress the men and women of Boston's police and fire departments. That's no short order.

Padma has a laugh with one of Boston's finest.

Although Doug and James have the only two-member team, they work together with finesse. Perhaps it's an advantage to have one less person to work with?

Gail has her poker face on -- she is not taking this meal lightly.

Katsuji and Katie work together to delicately plate their dish.

Doug is taking charge! He does not want to mess this meal up.

Gail gets to know Lieutenant John Soares.

On the yellow team, each chef is a little too agreeable -- will this lead to their downfall?

The blue team presents their surf and turf. Will the judges be displeased by the predictability of this classic combo? Or is it a classic for a reason?

Padma couldn't find more honorable meal companions.

Gail listens to a story from Lieutenant John about responding the day of the Boston Marathon bombing.

The judges were so honored to dine with the heroes of Boston.

This gang is all smiles...you wouldn't think that they were facing a potential Elimination.

Padma lets everyone know that the Judges table is about to begin -- and that everyone's invited.

Not exactly in the bottom...yet.

Every chef's fate hangs in the air.

The blue team and the red team are the top two groups of tonight -- but who is the winner?

Dante de Magistris is also at Judges' Table to lend his opinion.

The blue team wins! They celebrate with a glorious group hug.

The yellow team's amicability lands them in the bottom...Well the combinatoin of vanilla and undercooked veal might also have something to do with it.