Jennie Garth, star of 1993's timeless tv show "90210," helps host Jonathan Bennett celebrate all things '90s, and the chefs share their love of Snapple as they incorporate it into their dishes with Dunkaroos and sloppy joes. Then, it's go small or go home as the competitors tackle the viral trend of tiny foods before two chefs mix things up with chicken and waffles for judges Julian and Beto Rodarte.
It's fun in the sun as three all-star chefs take Guy Fieri's battle to their backyards for two rounds of burger games. First, Guy and his son Hunter determine which mandatory ingredients will be used in the competitors' burgers by throwing basketballs into hoops. Then a dart throw determines the second round burger ingredients, but the Package of Pain and Envelope of Opportunity may sway the competition.
To celebrate Award Season, Chef Wolfgang Puck shares the most popular after party dish and Jeff Mauro makes a show-stopping Surf and Turf Rib Eye Crostini with Gorgonzola Mousse. Learn new ways to make your appetizers red carpet-ready and throw a party fit for the stars, plus sweet and savory recipes using popcorn. Food Network Magazine's Maile Carpenter previews the latest issue and Katie Lee makes award-winning Strawberry Chocolate Mini Trifles. Then, Geoffrey Zakarian's wife makes a party-perfect cocktail and winners of this year's Golden Spatula Awards are announced!
Mentioned in this episode:
Faux Fancy Appetizers
Holiday wishes do come true! Four Chopped Grand Champions are headed home to the Chopped kitchen for the holidays, but they will be challenged with some extremely tough baskets. The chefs must figure out how to use a kooky candy cane in their appetizers. A meat in the entrée basket is bound to be met with some trepidation. Then, ingenuity, speed and skill are on display in a captivating dessert round that includes pomegranate. Every course will be extra special, since the competitors are all amazingly talented winners with nothing left to prove but plenty left to give.
Guy Fieri challenges three bacon-obsessed chefs to prove their pork chops in the Flavortown Market. They'll show their worth by making a knockout bacon dish while incorporating two whammy samples table items! The winner gains an automatic $10,000 and goes head-to-head with the all-star judge of their choice in a Budget Battle to see who's the best at preparing bacon two ways. The chef who can bring home the bacon wins the second $10,000 prize of the night!
Valerie Bertinelli and her husband, Tom, love to reminisce about old times, but like all long-term relationships and old-school recipes, there comes a time to give them a little update! On the menu is Chopped Iceberg Salad with Roquefort Dressing, Tuna Noodle Casserole, and a new take on an old favorite, Valerie's Mother's Cherry Cheesecake Pie.