Chopped kicks off a magnificent, five-part, star-studded tournament event, where celebrities who are famous in different fields take over the kitchen for a shot at scoring $50,000 for charity. In the first competition, web stars who shine online for millions of followers will shine on TV, including Josh Elkin, Justine Ezarik, Hilah Johnson and Lazarus Lynch. In the appetizer round, the Internet phenoms seek to dazzle the judges with their blood sausage appetizers. Dealing with duck could be the biggest obstacle in the entree round, then a Japanese frozen dessert and an instant breakfast food challenge two web stars in the dessert round.
Noah Cappe heads to the Washington State Spring Fair in Puyallup for the Wake n' Bacon Fry Pie -- a breakfast bonanza of eggs, bacon and hash browns rolled into a hand pie -- and the Hapa Dog -- a Hawaiian-inspired Portuguese sausage topped with creamy coleslaw and furikake. In the cornhusker state of Nebraska, the Taste of Omaha makes good on the maize with The Firecracker -- a deep-fried corn on the cob rolled in hot cheese puffs and spicy blue tortilla chips. The heat gets turned up for the Fiery Frank Roll -- an egg-rolled sausage covered in queso and jalapenos -- and The Snoop -- a chicken and waffle-stuffed wrap with jalapeno-bacon jam and maple syrup. Then, it's off to Arizona for the Pima County Fair, where a savory cake surprises with layers of rice, seaweed, pineapple and canned meat, and a divisive dessert known as The Pickle Split tickles every taste bud with its giant dill pickle wrapped in fruit leather and topped with pineapple soft serve and tamarind candy string.
Tom Pizzica travels to San Antonio, Texas, to a self-proclaimed outrageous restaurant, Marianito’s Extreme Tex Mex Grill, where one diner challenges another group of diners to eat a seven-pound burrito in just one hour. Then he heads an hour west of Fort Worth, Texas to help the "outlaw chef" feed a bunch of working cowboys the old-fashioned way, off a chuck wagon with parts of the cow most folks won’t eat. And for a breakfast of champions, he stops in at Shelby’s Kitchen & Deli in Deerfield Beach, Fla., for a two-foot pancake topped with eggs, bacon, home fries, sausage patties, and toast.
Host Noah Cappe steps back in time at The Viking Experience in Creedmoor, North Carolina, where he raises a glass of mead and celebrates the Swedish Meat Cone and Meemaw's Nachos -- pulled pork, apples and onions on crispy tortilla chips. Next, Noah visits the beautiful Oak Mountain State Fair in Pelham, Alabama, and starts his day with the 'Bama Breakfast Biscuit -- fresh eggs, local sausage and a corneal-coated fried green tomato -- before having the perfect afternoon snack with the PB&B Pudding Fingers, which brings together peanut butter and sweet Southern banana pudding. Finally, it's off to Katy, Texas, for the holiday-inspired Magical Winter Lights Festival, where Noah dines on the Eggs Benny Boudreaux, the Fried Eggplant Seafood Volcano and the festive Candy Apple Shake.
Host Noah Cappe heads to Ladson, South Carolina, for the Coastal Carolina Fair, where he dines on a three-course meal courtesy of the legendary Hagy family! First, oldest Ryan whips up their signature Fried Shrimp and Grits Sundae -- tender seasoned shrimp on a bed of fries and deep-fried grits. Then, Noah meets younger sister Megan for a crabby sandwich that doubles down on flavor before he hangs out with middle brother Dustin for the sweet and savory Hamburger Donut Dog. Plus, Noah stops by the Oak Mountain State Fair in Alabama for some carnival eats with wicked Southern twists: the Pecan Pie Bacon Burger and the Peach n' Pork Pie. Then, it's off to Rodeo Austin, where Noah starts his day with the Brunch Pop -- a breakfast sausage coated in pancake batter, deep fried and rolled in fruity cereal -- and chomps on some fiery hot Habanero Gator Wings.
The Hungry Detective takes viewers for a ride-along on his beat, the Los Angeles South Bay area. First stop: Rizzo's Pizza, where Chris developed his passion for food flipping pies as a teenager. Next, Chris follows the trail of fishing boats to fresh and delicious seafood dishes at the San Pedro Fish Market, which overlooks the Los Angeles Harbor. Day two of our ride-along starts with a hearty Hawaiian breakfast at Gardena Bowl, a little cafe hidden in a bowling alley! Here Chris and a loyal Gardena Bowl regular enjoy Loco Moco, an egg, rice and hamburger patty dish smothered in brown gravy, and a Hawaiian Royal, an amazing combination of Portuguese sausage, pork, green onions and scrambled eggs served over a bed of rice and topped with teriyaki sauce. Next, Chris spices up his hometown tour when he heads to Hermosa Beach for authentic Cajun cuisine at the Ragin Cajun. Finally, Chris takes us to Los Paisas, a little family-run stand located in a Mexican market, for the ultimate authentic tacos made from pork, carne asada and chicken. `