If the remaining five contestants had never babysat, or were the types to ignore the brats and run away with the pizza money, it was clear this episode. Five delightfully cute Girl Scout Brownies (that means ages six to eight) arrived to moonlight as sous chefs. Some stole the stage and should really teach the remaining crew a thing or two about camera charisma—the pigtails helped—while others were ignored and silent. Like Shane's pipsqueak partner, who was basically shoved aside as he made chicken.

The Challenge: Who Has the Cutest Brownie Sous Chef?

Not really, but that was a major factor in achieving camera friendliness. Contestants had to perform a cooking demo on the Rachael Ray show alongside an eight-year old. If you had any strategy you knew to snag the one with the cutest, chubbiest cheeks. Cheek squeezability, such a key to any food media success. How perfect for Aaron, repeatedly criticized for lacking "personality," since he got the snuggliest of eight-year olds. Judges agreed that she, er he, gave his most "un-self-conscious performance yet." Can you fit her into your pocket for next time, Aaron?

How Could You Not Buy 18 Boxes of Thin Mints from that Face?

Not only worthy of cheek-pinching, these brownies tapped into characters' souls in ways chopping and caramelizing just can't. Lisa, for example, isn't the most patient of moms if her kid doesn't know squat about haricot verts. Wait, Lisa is actually a mom? With an eleven-year old? Never radiating the mom vibes before, she slipped in a reference to her son, who apparently has a far more "sophisticated palette" than this little one. Ugh, what eight-year old hasn't cooked with haricot verts, geez!

Adam lucked out this episode since he's not much different from an eight-year old. While he was totally in his element, Shane was not. Either he got stuck with the difficult one or he's just sucky with kids, Shane experienced his share of pouting and arms-crossed body language.

"An 8-Year Old Is Not Going to Win or Lose this Competition For Me"

So Who Can Make Eight-Year Olds and Rachael Ray Giggle?

They've had a couple Iron Chef alums and next week it's Paula Deen (ooh, fried butter!) so the Yum-O face was only a matter of time.

Similar to Rachael, Kelsey's favorite sport might be mmm-ing, but the two didn't hit it off. Assigning Rachael tasks and shoving tongs in her face, Kelsey put Rachael to work and it was just weird. "This feels uncomfortable," pointed out judges. Bobby Flay complimented Kelsey for her exuding a big sis attitude with her brownie, but with Rachael, it was just at-ti-tude.

OK, Rach, Get to Work

Lisa insists that food should not be "dummied down" for kids, but made her brownie feel like a dummy for not knowing couscous. By the end of it, Lisa was the dummy for going silent next to Rachael, totally empty-faced as if leaving Earth altogether. "Where did she go," judges asked. The moral of the story here? Kelsey, Lisa, and maybe just girls in general, get awkward or rude around Rachael Ray.

Lisa Will Probably Cry After this Performance (Yes, Yes She Does)

Who's Safe

Contestants find out that a Vegas trip comes with this week's win. Who gets to see showgirls?

Aaron because he "let the gates open," said judges. Meaning, he got the cutest eight-year old. Adam, because he apparently doesn't know much about food but babysat well on screen.

Who's Eliminated

Lisa is also safe because she "steamrolled" her little partner and didn't offer enough "whimsy," but then cried, so everything was fine. Kelsey squeaked by again because they probably needed a good female-to-male ratio.

Shane, even if his dish did inspire positive feedback from judges, wasn't good enough with his pipsqueak Francesca. He's also never been to France, and according to judges, that's just embarrassing.

Shane Is One Parisian Croissant Short of Stardom

Previously

NFNS, Episode 5 Recap
NFNS, Episode 4 Recap
NFNS, Episode 3 Recap
NFNS, Episode 2 Recap
The Next Food Network Star's Lisa Garza: Love Her or Hate Her?