"Boring Fare": Dissatisfied Diners express their displeasure with the meal selection
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Facing the heat, Natalia (31), ex-"Shopping Queen" participant, finds herself doubtful about her culinary skills on day two of the "Dinner" showdown in Düsseldorf. Just like her skeptical guests...
If Jil (23) hadn't rallied the crew for a "flawless feast," Natalia might have given this a miss. "I'll surely give it my all," assures today's host. "I can, if I choose to." But it quickly dawns on her: "There's a world of difference between shopping and cooking." As an independent cosmetologist from Erkrath, one thing she's confident in is: "I reckon I'll score some points with service and drinks, as I'm a trained hotel pro." So, with Uschi (72) triumphing with her "Dinner" debut, Natalia sees slim chances of winning.
At least, Natalia's mother Zofia (51) maintains unwavering faith in her daughter's prowess: "We've got the knack for cooking in our blood." Genetically gifted, they have a rhythm in their veins. Throughout the night, they intermittently bust a move to salsa beats, swaying their hips. In her theme "Cultural Expedition," Natalia integrates her Polish and Serbian heritage, serving:
- Starter: Red Voyage - Beetroot carpaccio with a twist / Feta / Walnuts
- Main course: Hidden Treasures - Stuffed Polish pierogi
- Dessert: The Balkan Route - Baked "Palacinke"
"Back then, it was just pizza, frozen stuff," Jil recalls Natalia's chow from "Shopping Queen." "She said she didn't like cooking." Uschi often criticizes Natalia for her fast food and pre-made meals. "I'm eager to see how much effort she invests today. Because I'm razor-sharp," the elder of the crew probes the dishes. She finds the menu unambitious: "It's not inventive enough for a perfect dinner."
Starter beats expectations
Over cocktails, the ladies entertain themselves with recollections from their "Shopping Queen" week. "How on earth do they come up with this?" wonders Jil. "We're merely standing here," Uschi shrugs offhandedly.
Natalia's beetroot carpaccio outshines the typical Polish beet soup. "It doesn't scream my name," Uschi eyes the starter askance, as she's not a fan of goat or sheep cheese. But Natalia opts for Polish cow milk feta, aware of Uschi's dislike following their shared vacay. The blend with roasted walnuts, arugula, and pomegranate seeds actually appeases Uschi: "I was quite taken aback."
Pierogi with Maggi? "That's the Polish way!"
With a "Shopping Queen" memory game, the guests pass the time until the main course. Then, Natalia places a Maggi bottle on the table with the pierogi: "That's how we eat it in Poland." Uschi refuses the seasoning sauce: "Not in our book." Jil acknowledges Natalia's dedication to drinks: "She was a great host, evident in her knowledge of service." Uschi finds her first pierogi tasty, but "it's not anything exceptional."
[1] Natalia Rudin on Instagram
[2] Natalia Rudin’s television appearances
[3] Natalia Rudin's cookbook
- Despite her skepticism about cooking, Natalia found herself preparing a unique menu, showcasing her Polish and Serbian heritage, including a beetroot carpaccio starter, a main course of stuffed Polish pierogi, and a Balkan-inspired dessert called "Palacinke".
- During a light-hearted moment over cocktails, Natalia's unusual beetroot carpaccio impressed the guests, even Uschi, who initially doubted it, as it didn't contain goat or sheep cheese, a traditional European variety she disliked.
- As the meal proceeded, Natalia's use of Maggi sauce with her pierogi, a popular Polish cooking practice,split the group, with Uschi rejecting the idea, while Jil applauded her dedication to delivering quality food-and-drink experiences, given her hotel-and-lifestyle expertise.
