The competition begins with a gory story in the appetizer round, when the chefs find blood sausages in the basket. Then, in a wild entree round, the chefs attempt very ambitious plans for a basket that includes a caramelized pudding and a pork product. Finally, a fat and a dough in the dessert basket result in some decadent dishes.
Noah Cappe enjoys the holiday magic and a Pepperoni Pillow Pretzel, among other treats, at Winter Fest OC in Costa Mesa, California. Then he heads to the Ostrich Festival in Chandler, Arizona, and starts the day off right with a Breakfast Funnel Cake.
It's a tough dilemma when one chef forces another to choose between cooking with canned chicken or forfeit half their cooking time. Then, two chefs battle the cutthroat kitchen ball and chain when they are forced to share knives and tools. And in a climatic culmination, one chef has big problems with a tiny kitchen.
In South Carolina, chefs Roger Mooking and Aarón Sánchez discover the true meaning of Southern heat. They indulge in tongue-torching dishes like XXX Spicy Oyster Shooters, Spicy Sriracha Doughnuts and Jalapeno Mac and Cheese! And then, it's chef versus chef, as the boys face off with a plate of killer nachos, drenched in Death Relish salsa.
In Austin, Texas, Eddie Hall pumps up his appetite in a race of strength vs. speed with superbike legend Colin "Texas Tornado" Edwards. Then, Eddie enjoys some pit-smoked barbecue from local favorite House Park Bar-B-Que before tackling a monster food truck challenge from eight of the city's famous food trucks.
The five bakers left in the Holiday Baking Championship take the polarizing fruitcake someplace new and reinvent the biggest holiday cake of all, the yule log.
Chef Jordan Andino checks out the Bay Area's biggest city, Oakland, California, and makes his first stop at Seawolf Public House for classic comfort foods with international flavors, like the Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich. He grabs an ancient Taiwanese chicken dish and shareable Black Pepper Shrimp at Dragon Gate Bar and Grille. For his final stop, Jordan visits Blind Tiger, where he tries soft-shell crab with kimchi and a side of Thai-style curry fries.
Nongkran Daks has traveled the world teaching the secrets of authentic Thai cooking. Her most popular dish is Pad Thai, a stir-fry dish comprised of rice noodles, tofu, bean sprouts and egg. With rave reviews from national publications, five cookbooks and sold out cooking classes, Nong is the "Thai Rachael Ray." Yet, is she ready to take on the real Bobby Flay?
Aida's giving thanks and invites her sister Ivy on to help update some family favorites. First, she's fixing up a sweet and savory Apple-Sage Roast Turkey. Then it's hearty whole wheat bread Stuffing filled with dried fruit, pecans and herbs. And for dessert? A twist on the traditional pumpkin pie ... Pecan Pumpkin Crunch! And finally, a simple "no recipe" recipe for rich and hearty pan gravy.