Fans took to social media to pick the basket ingredients in this special viewers' choice competition. In the first basket, the chefs warily taste a curious canned product before forming their plans. Then in the entree round, some weird candy and a slimy surprise keep the "ugh"-factor high. And the two chefs who make it to the dessert round must make sweet creations using an unusual condiment and a dairy delicacy.
Join host Brigitte Nguyen as she visits Kenmore and discovers how they test their appliances. Then it's back to the kitchen to put the Kenmore appliances to use whipping up a Garden Fresh Salad, Penne Pasta with Summer Vegetables, Roasted Rack of Lamb with Chimichurri Sauce and a Minute Angel Food Cake with Fresh Berries and Dulce De Leche Whipped Cream.
Roger Mooking heads to the Lone Star State to meet a family that specializes in two fiery traditions: Texas barbecue and Mexican barbacoa. Pitmaster Adrian Davila of Davila's BBQ shows Roger their massive smoker and shares the secrets to their legendary brisket and spicy beef sausages that the locals call "hot guts." Once smoked, these two meats come together in a Texas favorite, Frito Pie. Then Adrian invites Roger to his family's ranch for traditional Mexican barbacoa. They wrap seasoned lamb in maguey leaves and cook it in the ground before firing up an Argentinean grill to toast fresh tortillas and crisp up the lamb barbacoa.
The four chefs learn that the mystery ingredients must be transformed into delicious gastropub food. House-smoked bacon and homemade pickles are found in the appetizer baskets. A cocktail and a classic English pub dish must be transformed in the entree plates, and suds and tots have to be included in the desserts.
Chef Chuck Hughes has had a big year, he's opened a new restaurant, bought a home with his girlfriend and all the while juggled a red hot TV career, but now he's got a real challenge on his hands: He has to host his first Christmas dinner! Chuck works like mad to do his family traditions justice, add a few nods to his girlfriend Sabrina's Russian background, mix in a few classic Chuck touches and create his very own holiday celebration -- Chuckmas.
Casey Webb visits St. Louis, Missouri, in search of the biggest and best the city has to offer. He encounters a four-pound meatball and tackles a New York-style pizza so massive he'll need the help of a partner to take it down.
An ex-private investigator from Tampa, a brioche specialist from Chicago and a farm-born pastry chef from Toronto compete in a speedy elimination round with bourbon as the mystery ingredient. The last two standing compete for $10,000 in a Picnic-themed Donut Showdown.
An upside-down wedding cake hanging from a chandelier is covered in sparkly rhinestones for the big day, plus an edible truck jumps over a Vegas ghost town. The planet Earth is made of cake, and one baker creates a realistic, 3-D motorcycle cake that's multicolored on the inside.
Hungry Girl puts a new spin on an old Italian favorite, pizza. In addition to presenting recipes for Crispy White Pizza, Bring on the Breakfast Pizza, and Pizza-fied Chicken, Lisa shows us how to work with uncommon crusts like high fiber tortilla and pita. She also heads to the grocery store to share her top tips on how to enjoy pizza the HG way. Additionally, Lisa cruises by her favorite pizzeria to give tips and tricks on ordering guilt free.
Willie comes to the aid of Nick, owner of the Pita Grill in Hoboken, N.J. Nick recently achieved a lifelong goal of opening up his own restaurant, as part owner of a small franchise business. Nick's invested everything into the place and needs it to work. But now an unruly staff, more interested in having fun than customer service, could destroy his dream and cost him everything. Willie is Nick's last hope to help straighten out his staff and his business before the Pita Grill is forced to close its doors for good.