After the first immunity pin was turned in during episode 4, Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 5 has another twist of fate waiting for the chefs. While this whole cooking competition is all about upping their culinary game, the ingredients in this challenge might prove a little more challenging. Still, one situation can be a cook’s big downfall. After all, the platform waits for no one.

According to FOX, Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 5, “Game Time” features the following:

"This challenge will be the most difficult test of the season as the chefs will be cooking with game. Game such as wild boar and elk has to be cooked with care and attention, so who will step up to the plate and who will be eliminated in the all-new “Game Time” episode of Next Level Chef airing Thursday, March 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX."

Cooking with game meat can be a huge hurdle for some cooks. Although some proteins can be similar, understanding how to season, sear, and serve game meat may not be part of everyone’s repertoire. For example, venison tenderloin is not like cooking a piece of pork. The cooks are willing to ask, have some base knowledge, and appreciate the importance of execution could do well in this challenge.

Although these cooks might be dealing with an unfamiliar protein, another element of Next Level Chef has been playing havoc in every episode. Even in episode 5, the platform is having a big influence on the success and failure in a challenge.

It is curious that the cooks are not adapting to the timing. Given that the top kitchen missed putting a plate on the platform is a huge mistake. While there have been issues with thrown plates, those dishes still made it. Since the judges will not be able to taste this dish, it puts Team Arrington at a huge disadvantage.

While it does not guarantee that the missing dish will automatically earn a place in the elimination round, the reality is that another great dish could save the mistake. It has happened before, and it could happen again. Still, at some point, the cooks cannot be reliant on their team mated.

Will missing the platform seal one cook’s fate or will wild game prove to be too difficult a task? Be sure to watch Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 5 on March 9 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX or stream it the next day on Hulu.