Chef Alisha: "I'm going to do a traditional spanish croquette with some smoked pork."

Chef Alisha (during prep): "I got brick cheese. So I'm doing a play on a ham and cheese sandwich."

Tom Colicchio: "When was the last time you made a croquette?"

Chef Alisha: "I make them all the time. I feel pretty confident in this dish. I mean, my cuisine is spanish food."

Tom Colicchio (laughing): "Okay, so you're making coquetto. okay."

Chef Alisha: "My culinary style is definitely inspired by coastal spanish food, but I live in the midwest. Nowhere near an ocean. Of course, the first time I feel like I can really represent myself, everyone else is doing the same thing."

Chef Alisha (presenting to judges): "The rind of this lovely cheese is actually washed in Merlot. My dish is ham and brick cheese croquettes with a sherry aioli."