Mirando Survives Another Round: Now 7

Last night the judges on Fox's "Master Chef" tried to pull a switcharoo, but it was no match for Frank Mirando's poise under pressure. The Holtsville native and stockbroker by trade took the team he didn't want and led them to a challenge victory, avoiding the pressure test for the second episode in a row.

Mirando and fellow contestant Monti Carlo were the winners of last week's fish challenge, and therefore earned the right to be captain of their respective team. Mirando, the captain of the blue team, put together an A-list team of the top chefs in the competition, while Carlo chose the "underdogs" in the contest.

Just as they were about to head into their challenge, though, the judges made Carlo and Mirando switch aprons and lead the team they didn't choose. The challenge: cook top-choice steaks for 101 cattle ranchers heading down the mountain to eat in an hour's time. The ranchers were to sample the food from each of the two teams and vote which was the best. The first team to reach 51 votes would win the challenge.

Mirando's team won in a landslide, cooking a New York strip with corn on the cob and garlic mashed potatoes.

While Mirando watched the pressure test from the balcony, the judges eliminated Josh Marks, who failed to properly cook a soft-boiled egg, and presented a flat, dried out omelet.

Mirando is now one of seven contestants left standing. "Master Chef" airs on Fox on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9 p.m.