OKC's Kevin Lee faced a tough match on 'Tournament of Champions' quarterfinals: How he did

After a well-fought run, earning a new nickname from Guy Fieri and setting himself apart as the Cinderella story of "Tournament of Champions V," chef Kevin Lee just missed advancing to the finals of the tournament in his first time competing.

Lee, who faced Antonia Lofaso, also known as The Warrior Princess, lost 85-81 in a battle judged by Iron Chef Cat Cora, and James Beard winners Rocco DiSpirito and Jonathan Waxman.

More: Chef Kevin Lee: Who is the OKC chef competing on Food Network's 'Tournament of Champions?'

What did Lee and Lofaso cook for the judges?

With the spin of the randomizer, the challenge for Lee and Lofaso was set with frog legs, Okinawa sweet potatoes and use of a porridge spurtle in the creation of a raw and cooked dish. However, the wild card randomizer allowed the two to move one category up a spot and they decided to exchange their frog legs for lingcod collar instead.

"I'm really pulling my Korean background with my Japanese cooking skills to win this round," Lee said during the cook. "Going against one of the best chefs, Antonia Lofaso, but I am feeling confident with my dish this round, today."

For the judges, he prepared a miso-glazed lingcod collar with a purple sweet potato rice porridge and a sweet potato kimchi slaw.

Lee's kimchi slaw was lauded by Waxman as the best part of the dish, while DiSpirito and Cora praised the flavor and cook on the collar.

"This one doesn't disappoint," Cora said of Lee's lingcod collar.

However, the porridge received mixed reviews from judges with Cora pointing out its starchiness and Waxman calling it "a bit boring."

Meanwhile, Lofaso leaned into Mexican flavors, preparing crispy lingcod collar with pickled sweet potatoes and sweet potato chips, avocado mash and a tomatillo salsa.

"The visual of this plate was really spectacular," Waxman said of Lofaso's dish.

DiSpirito praised her decision to tempura fry the lingcod collar, while Cora called the dish "fun" and said she "liked eating dishes like this."

Scores revealed: A journey ends

Fieri revealed the score of 85-81, with Lofaso earning 85 out of a possible 100 points, while Lee scored 81. The scores broke down to 42 out of 50 for taste, 34 out of 40 for use of the randomizer, 9 out of 10 for presentation for Lofaso, while Lee earned 41 out of 50 for taste, 33 out of 40 for use of the randomizer, 7 out of 10 for presentation.

"Kevin, I'm not sure if that cheering is for Antonia or for the Cinderella card that has graced us," Fieri, who nicknamed Lee "The Dragon Slayer," said after the scores were announced. "Unfortunately, this is where we say goodbye, but I will see you at 'TOC 6'!"

Lee's success in this season of "Tournament of Champions," could likely lead to an automatic invitation to the next season of the tournament, as it has with other "Cinderella story" competitors like Britt Rescigno in past seasons.

"I'm proud of what I accomplished and this is going to make me better, who I am as a chef, as a person," Lee said in his interview exiting the arena.

With Lee now out of the competition and only one former champion — Maneet Chauhan — left in bracket competition, viewers will have to tune in to next week's finale to see who takes the belt for season 5.

And if you can't get enough of Lee and want to see more of what he's doing, you can visit his restaurant Birdie's by Chef Kevin Lee at 2201 NW 150 Street.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC chef Kevin Lee's Tournament of Champions quarterfinals results