It's a battle of the Theme Restaurants! Caveman Cuisine vs. Trailer Park Chic! Gary "Skip" Klavans, a writer from North Hollywood, Calif., and Alan "Buzz" Klavans, a paramedic and musician from Winter Garden, Fla., are two brothers pursuing a dream they've had since they were kids - a raucous and over-the-top caveman-themed restaurant. Best friends and culinary wonder-kids from Denver, Aaron Seelbinder and Baylor Ferrier, hope to introduce some "new blood" and life to the restaurant industry with their Trailer Chic concept, featuring family recipes. Judges include: Alison Brod, Steven Schussler, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
That's Italian! This battle pits two teams of three against each other in a clash of Italian cuisine. Rossella and Angela Rago, along with "Nonna" Romana Sciddurlo are three generations of Italian women from Brooklyn, NY, who keep their cooking authentic with recipes passed down through their family. Best friends from Connecticut, Anthony Longbardi and Chris Gentile, together with Anthony's sister, Debra Jean, use their culinary educations to put a twist on the traditional Italian fare they grew up with. Will the patrons prefer the time-honored traditions of the Old Country, or will they gravitate toward the modern twist on familiar fare? Judges include: Karine Bakhoum, Gabriella Gershenson, and Marcus Samuelsson.
Food Network searched for the Ultimate Cookie Recipe. After a nationwide recipe contest, nine finalists competed in three rounds: Chocolate Cookie, Spice Cookie and Dessert Bar Cookie. A panel of food experts determined whose cookie was the best. See who walks away the winner of $25,000!
COMPETITORS: Chocolate Cookie
Jennifer DietrickRecipe: Grappa infused Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies Hometown: Hellertown, Pa.
Ashley BermanRecipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies Hometown: Astoria, N.Y.
Rob Standley -- Winner!Recipe: Radical Rob's Chocolate Chip Cookies Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Spice Cookie
Sean LaFondRecipe: White Beer Cookies Hometown: Urbana, Ill.
Nancy VaziriRecipe: Persian Pistachio-Cardamom Thins Hometown: Frankfort, Ill.
Camilla Saulsbury -- COOKIE GRAND PRIZE WINNER!Recipe: Exotic Spice Cookies with Ginger, Cardamom and Rose Water Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas
Dessert Bar CookieColita RussRecipe: Pineapple Cheesecake Bar Hometown: Antelope, Calif.
Susan ScarboroughRecipe: Sweet and Salty Double Nut Toffee Brownie Bars Hometown: Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Camilla Saulsbury -- Winner!Recipe: Oaxaca Fudge Bars with Cashew-Crumb Topping Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas