Cooking for Andy and to Honor Julia Child

Andy Cohen is back in Boston on his old college stomping grounds -- and with his old college roommate.

Padma and Andy strike a pose before the culinary competition gets underway.

And Andy brought a few more friends -- some students from Emerson College who will be providing part of the ingredients for the chefs' dishes today.

That's right, the chefs will be tackling perennial favorite dorm room food -- ramen.

Gregory picked Helen to supply his ramen accouterments, hopefully her stack of supplies can help him move beyond the packaged goodness.

Padma looks very prim for someone who is about to dive into some ramen.

We can't even imagine how much more trouble Andy and his roommate would have gotten into if Padma was also part of their college crew.

Andy's roommate says he had a reputation as a "late night trickster." Somehow we are not surprised.

On the opposite end of the surprise spectrum, the chefs were shocked when Jacques Pepin came into the stew room to talk Julia Child.

Jacques remembers how Julia brought French cuisine to the American public, and how she inspired his own cooking.

We like to imagine that Jacques never travels without a bottle of wine to share.

Doug knew that when it came to cooking for Jacques, you had to have the basics down pat. No tricks.

Gregory decided to forgo the traditional braise and make his veal in the pressure cooker.

Tom and Jacques drop in to check on the chefs, and Doug lets them know he's going big with foie gras.

George explains his use of new techniques to reinterpret one of Julia's favorites.

Gregory doesn't usually cook with bacon and butter, but he's not going to mess with the classics for Jacques.

The chefs take a moment to select some beautiful herbs for their dishes.

Melissa surveys the stems.

Gregory didn't impress the chefs with his Julia Child impression, but perhaps his herbs will be more dazzling.

Mei's twist on Julia's duck l'orange included a little five spice.

Gregory greets the judges and presents his coq au vin.

Mei presents her duck, and crosses her fingers that her French training comes in handy.

The judges enjoy the beautiful scenery and gorgeous dishes.

Tom loved the license that Mei took with her dish, and the judges think it'd be worthy of the dish Julia wished was her last meal.

Doug's foie gras was bold, but the judges thought his bold dish was undercooked.

Look someone's taking our picture!

Look at that handsome panel!

Gregory was worried that his seasonings had gotten to strong over night, but the judges thought he did well!

Jacques explains what it was like to work with the lady herself.

Tom and Julia shared a birthday, so she'd often celebrate at one of his restaurants.

As George mentioned, at this point any mistake could cost you the competition. Will it be his time to go?

Melissa's short ribs were a little over-done. Will that be enough to send her home?

Padma looks concerned. What could have her so upset?

Boston Dishes Worthy of Julia Child