Five fantastic cookie makers enter the workshop, but instead of a winter wonderland, they find host Eddie Jackson lounging in a beach chair under a palm tree. The bakers are challenged to create cookies perfect for a Christmas in the tropics, and judges Ree Drummond, Dan Langan and Aarti Sequeira decide who's got it made in the shade and whose holiday is ending early. Then, it's all aboard for the display challenge as the cookie makers must make an entire train -- from the caboose to the cargo car -- out of cookies! Plus they have to load their locomotives with cookies that use fun flavors like peanut butter, hazelnut spread or marshmallows. It's full steam ahead as these cookie engineers race for the $10,000 prize.
Guy Fieri invites his chef pals to cook at the ranch with just one request: Make it with cheese, please. Aaron May takes up the challenge with a surprisingly tasty combination in Banana and Blue Cheese Crostadas, and his Haloumi "French Fries" with Harissa Ketchup are crispy on the outside and melty on the inside. Aarti Sequeira's Egyptian Spinach Pie with Dukka is filled with mozzarella and cheddar and gets a terrific crunch from a crushed nut and spice topping. Carl Ruiz makes Smoked Cheese Soup and a unique French Onion Brandy Shot that must be seen to be believed, while grilled cheese master Eric Greenspan reinvents the Tuna Melt with fresh ahi and throws in a Cheese Burger with a Crispy Cheese Skirt for good measure.
Guy Fieri believes you don't need to break the bank to make delicious food, so he's invited his chef friends to the ranch to cook a frugal meal that's full of flavor. Aarti Sequeira makes a budget-friendly rice and lentil dish called Kichidi and some Sichuan-Style Broccoli with Sizzling Ginger Garlic Oil. The star of Aaron May's Chicken Thigh Fricassee is the flavorful and affordable cut of meat, and he keeps costs down and bellies full with crispy Hasselback Potatoes with Cheese. Rocco DiSpirito stirs up Homegrown Country Whiskey Sours to sip alongside Mushroom Dumplings and a succulent Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Glaze. Plus, Duff Goldman makes Hot Dog Bun Bruschetta with salami and melted cheese and performs magic with leftover Office Doughnut Bread Pudding.
Guy Fieri's chef friends visit his ranch to cook, and he challenges them to create healthy dishes instead of the epic, decadent meals they usually make. Eric Greenspan keeps the crunch but cuts the oil in a baked Middle Eastern falafel, and he uses the natural sweetness of berries and stone fruit to make a mouthwatering crumble. G. Garvin roasts crunchy cauliflower with Greek spices and harnesses the health benefits of ancient grains in a quinoa shrimp bowl. Aarti Sequeira boosts baked chicken wings with exotic African piri piri spices and cuts carbs with Korean ground beef lettuce wraps. Finally, Richard Blais uses molecular gastronomy to reinvent salmon poke and elevates the simple boiled potato with Greek yogurt and bonito.
To show that chocolate can be more than just candy bars and desserts, Guy Fieri invites some of his favorite chefs to reveal how versatile cocoa can be. Aarti Sequeira makes Whipped Goat Cheese with Cacao Nibs, Thyme, Black Pepper and Honey on Crostini with Fresh Figs along with a street food favorite, Cauliflower Chaat Salad with a chocolate chutney. Aaron May fuses chocolate with the flavors of the Far East and Mexico in an Asian Duck Confit with Hoisin Mole and Spiced Guacamole, and then he mixes up White Chocolate Whipped Potatoes. Rocco DiSpirito works choco-makeover magic with his Spicy Chocolate Pork and Beans and his Chocolate Monkey Bread. Finally, Duff Goldman fires up the milkshake machine for some decadent Chocolate Malteds and combines a cookie and a brownie to make Brown Butter White Chocolate Blondies.