This battle pits two couples with failed business experience against each other for a second stab at a venture together. Washington D.C.'s Chris Alvear and Francisco Pliego have had a rollercoaster relationship in both love in business, and though neither endeavor worked out, they remain ambitious friends with plans to open a Latino-Fusion restaurant. Sara and Mitchell Matzek are a husband-and-wife team from Harpers Ferry, W. Va., whose roadside Texas BBQ stand was hit by a car and destroyed. It's a fiery battle of Texas vs. the Ex's-and it all heats up as the clock winds down. Judges include: Alison Brod, Drew Nieporent, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
A team of brothers battle it out against a mother/daughter duo in this family feud of comforting meals versus posh plates. Brothers Mookie Hicks, the chef and owner of a Jessup, MD. catering company, and Saoul Vanderpool, a Bronx, NY graphic designer, hope to combine their soulful style and artistic experience into a restaurant. Rachel Goldman Nason, the chef and owner of a catering company from Brookline, MA and Jane Poefcher Goldman, a Waltham, MA. nurse and event planner, try to turn their catering experience into the restaurant of their dreams. Blood bonds are tested as Rachel and Jane bicker over plans for small plates in a modern setting while Mookie and Saoul go for a progressive soul vibe. Judges include: Jason Denton, Gabriella Gershenson, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
Will their love survive? Things heat up in this battle as two couples put their love and their dreams on the line. Justin Warner and J.J. Pyle are newly dating; they met while working in a New York City restaurant just 7 months ago and have been inseparable ever since. Zach Gaynor and Lisa Fernandez, from Philadelphia, have been dating-and bickering-for five years after meeting at the restaurant where they both worked. These couples are as different as their restaurant concepts: Justin and J.J. cook-up a unique and super creative brunch restaurant serving sweet and savory jellies on a variety of waffles and pancakes while Zach and Lisa specialize in retro comfort food inspired by the 1950's. Judges include: Alison Brod, Drew Nieporent, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
It's Home Cook vs. Home Cook as a father/son team faces-off against two best friends in this battle to make their long-standing dreams a reality. Lad Dizon is willing to give up his career as a postman in Teaneck, N.J., to make his son Andrew's dream of opening his own restaurant come true. Neeka Dockeny, a stay-at-home mom from Philadelphia, and Dorinda Hampton, a New Castle, Del. bakery business owner, have been inseparable since age one. Some unexpected twists to their menus arise: The Dizons go back to their roots with a Filipino-American concept in a modern setting featuring exotic fare, while Neeka and Dorinda focus on a menu that is "not your grandmother's vegetarian." Judges include: Karine Bakhoum, Gabriella Gershenson, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
Two teams of best friends battle it out with very different restaurants: a bustling Italian joint with a very ambitious menu, and a homey spot filled with very simple offerings. Charlie LoGrasso, a barbershop owner from South Boston, MA., and Mark Conde, a Dorchester, MA. concessions chef, are best friends who bonded over their Italian heritage and love for boxing. The bombshell duo Danushka Lysek, a New York model and private chef, and Angela Bartys, a private chef in Los Angeles, put their culinary degrees together to whip up a small, rustic menu with dishes that evoke childhood memories-but are they playing it too safe? Mark and Charlie plan to pack their menu full of authentic central Sicilian fare with New England charm for a unique Italian restaurant experience. But has this team bitten off more than they can chew? Judges include: Alison Brod, Gabriella Gershenson, and Geoffrey Zakarian.