It's a glamorous trip down memory lane and a taste of the beloved foods of Old Hollywood. Giada De Laurentiis is inspired by old menus archived at the Los Angeles Public Library and creates spins on dishes from the famous Villa Nova Restaurant, Chasen's and the Tick Tock Tea Room, with Veal Saltimbocca, Smoky Meaty Chili and Orange Sticky Buns.
It's the big Thanksgiving dinner, and this year it's all about keeping it simple. Giada De Laurentiis asks her guests to each bring something that can be added to a large antipasti platter as an afternoon appetizer. Then, the big meal includes a Spicy Turkey Breast Cacciatore, Smokey Candied Carrots and Walnut Gremolata, Simple Wilted Greens and Chocolate Chunk Hazelnut Pie.
In the Mentor Challenge, the Finalists' favorite ingredients are swapped with those of another Finalist for a dish they prepare for Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay. Then, they arrive at Patina Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, where they are paired up to collaborate on a dish that blends their culinary styles, presenting that dish to first-time daters from Match. Anne Burrell and Joachim Splichal, master chef of Patina Group, join Giada and Bobby at the judging table.
It's the day after Thanksgiving, and that usually means three things: college football, Christmas shopping and Thanksgiving leftovers! Giada De Laurentiis marks the official start of the Christmas season by inviting friends and family over for a few hours of wrapping gifts and enjoying delicious food. Giada's festive holiday buffet includes her clever transformation of Thanksgiving leftovers into dishes like Mashed Potato Zeppole, Antipasti Skewers and Italian Hot Brown Crostini. She also pours Cranberry, Rosemary Juleps to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
In this week's challenges, the Finalists learn that there are no second takes in live TV. After cooking and demoing a dish based on an assigned theme, the Finalists cook a dish and host their own segment of a live ensemble show. The Kitchen's Jeff Mauro and Katie Lee assist Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay in determining which Finalist had the worst performance.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a poolside cocktail party, but the appetizers are finger food versions of traditional breakfast foods like French Toast Fingers with Ginger Bourbon Maple Syrup, Mini Smoked Frittatas With Chive Creme Fraiche and Melon and Olive Mini Skewers With Black Pepper Herb Honey. Her friends, mixologists Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark, join the fun and create the Scotch Bonnet Marmalade to complement the menu.
Giada De Laurentiis shares three amazing recipes with America's favorite fruit, while telling us about the various kinds of apples and explaining why certain apples are used for certain types of dishes. The menu includes everything from appetizers to dessert like Apple Chips With Sweet Yogurt Dip, Grilled Chicken With Apple-Mango Chutney and an Apple Galette With Goat Cheese, Sour Cherry and Almond Topping.
In L.A., there are numerous Italian/Asian fusion restaurants with dishes that reflect the dynamic flavors of the east and the west. In this episode, Giada De Laurentiis explores the Japanese/Italian food culture in L.A. and makes three dishes that reflect a blend of styles and flavors like Blistered Shishito Pepper With Olive and Basil Salt, Asian Mushroom Risotto and Far East Spaghetti.
Florence, Italy is the city of masters: master chefs, master artists, master scientists, master visionaries. Giada De Laurentiis learns the art of cannoli-making from a southern Italian pastry maker living in Florence, then heads to her home away from home to create a unique cannoli filling with Chocolate Amaretto, as well as a few other masterful desserts like Baci Ice Cream Sandwiches and Aperol Spritz Slushies.