Host Tyler Florence leads seven teams to Franklin to compete along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, and one truck is protected by immunity after last week's big win. A whiskey-inspired taste challenge tasks teams with creating a three-item mini food flight, sparking competitive tensions. Truck troubles, execution issues, and mounting stress threaten several teams' chances of survival before Tyler reveals razor-thin sales margins and sends the bottom teams into a whiskey-focused redemption battle with guest judge Aarti Sequeira.
It's almost Christmas, and Santa's getting ready to deliver gifts all around the world, but he can't do it without a brand-new sleigh! With $25,000 at stake, the last two teams of cake and sugar artists must showcase the wildest, most-powerful modernization imaginable for Santa's new ride. At the end of the fast-paced bake-off judged by Maneet Chauhan, Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira, one team will be crowned Holiday Wars Champion and win the grand prize!
The tables are turned as Alex Guarnaschelli asks fan favorite judges Eric Greenspan, Antonia Lofaso and Aarti Sequeira to step away from the judges' table and cook their way to a spot in the Judges Takeover Tournament finale. It's time to take a trip, and the first stakeout starts in Chinatown. Then, they must create a plate that transports judges Rocco DiSpirito and Lesley Suter to the tropics before Alex challenges the chefs to turn the parking lot into a Parisian patisserie.
Five of the finest cookie makers around push the envelope when Eddie Jackson calls on them to craft creative Christmas cards out of cookies. Deciding which ones get "returned to sender" are judges Ree Drummond, Gesine Prado and Aarti Sequeira. Then the bakers reach for new heights by building beautiful Christmas tree toppers out of cookies and incorporating classic toppings like mini marshmallows and maraschino cherries. When the luster dust settles, one cookie maker stands alone at the top of the heap with the $10,000 grand prize.
Eddie Jackson challenges five talented cookie makers to flex their skills with classic cookie cutters, using them to make dazzling designs that have nothing to do with the cutters' original shapes. Judges Ree Drummond, Dan Langan and Aarti Sequeira decide which cookie creations are a cut above. Then the stakes become crystal clear as the competitors use edible stained glass to make cookie versions of traditional Christmas decorations like trees, wreaths and lanterns. With $10,000 in their sights, they strive to make displays that are all sweetness and light.
Host Eddie Jackson welcomes five fabulously festive cookie makers into Santa's workshop. First up is the decorating challenge where the bakers craft two different decorated Christmas tree cookies. After judges Ree Drummond, Dan Langan and Aarti Sequeira size up the trees, they must release two cookie makers from the competition. The remaining three finalists are "puzzled" by the display challenge where they must create a giant cookie puzzle based on a Christmas carol. All the pieces will fit together for the one talented cookie maker who will leave the North Pole $10,000 richer.
Guy Fieri's looking for a clambake without leaving the ranch. Aarti Sequeira whips up some Hushpuppies with an Indian twist and then sweetens up the party with juniper-infused Blueberry Cobbler. Rocco DiSpirito gets creative with his Clam Chowder Jalapeno Poppers and brings it on home with a Southampton Clambake in a Can. Ming Tsai gets the party started with his Lemongrass Shandy before offering up some Honey Gingered Corn en Papillote. Jonathan Waxman prepares his Seafood al Cartoccio and a simple yet luxurious Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant Casserole with a Pistachio Pesto.
Guy Fieri's laying down a challenge to see who can layer on the flavor. Aarti Sequeira starts off with a classic Indian Bombay Frankie and then rolls out some Lahmajun, or Armenian pizza. Rocco DiSpirito's layering the booze with his Dubliner and then goes old-school with a new take on his Ten-Layer Lasagna Bolognese. Ming Tsai is making some Kimchee Beef Scallion Pancakes with Watercress Slaw and then sweetening things up with his Coconut Cream and Chocolate Rice Cake Parfait. Jonathan Waxman wows the crowd with his tasty Timballo and tantalizing Tartiflette.
They've seen every episode and know every twist, and now three of GGG's biggest superfans get to play their favorite Flavortown games! Luckily, their favorite GGG judges -- Beau MacMillan, Damaris Phillips and Aarti Sequeira -- are on hand to mentor them as they attempt to shop for a dynamite diner dish using kiddie carts. Then, these GGG aficionados must stretch their dollars to the limit to make their best seafood dinner on a budget. The last superfan standing gets to shop their favorite store, Flavortown Market, for up to $20,000!