The holidays are around the corner, and Giada De Laurentiis is showing how to kick off the fall and winter holiday season with a festive open house. She gets her guests in the spirit by serving delicious autumn-inspired food, including Chai Chocolate Truffles, White Velvet Soup, Spicy Cocktail Puffs and Jam Cocktails. Then, she sends her guests home with "Holiday Survival Kits" full of essentials for a productive and happy holiday season.
First, the finalists pair up and take on a typical shopping budget problem while creating an Instagram Story about their shopping trip, with special guest Hannah Hart helping Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay judge their efforts. Then it's time for Sunny Anderson to hit the Food Network Star kitchen, bringing several of her favorite problem-solving segments from The Kitchen for the finalists to perform in front of a studio audience.
It's halfway through the competition, so it's time for midterms! Each of the remaining seven finalists must make their best potato dish and overcome the one thing in the competition that has been holding them back. Then it's time to celebrate summer with Tiffani Thiessen, who helps Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay judge the finalists' efforts as they each host a summer social gathering for a crowd of people in a park.
Cooking Channel's Haylie Duff and Rev Run join as guest judges, and first, Haylie helps Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay determine which pair of competitors should earn an advantage based on their culinary travelogue report. Then, Rev Run challenges the finalists to mash up two different cooking styles into one dish and compete in the food world equivalent of a rap battle! In a surprise twist, two finalists are sent packing.
First, special guest judge Lorraine Pascale helps Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay determine the best dish made from frozen foods. Then, it's time for one of the most festive trends -- a tiki party! In teams of three, the finalists create an island-inspired menu, then take the stage for a team food demo to a crowd of party-goers. Anne Burrell joins as guest judge to help pick the best tiki team.
Duff Goldman joins Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay as the finalists take their culinary prowess to new levels with "edible art." Then, Rhett and Link, hosts of the wildly popular YouTube channel "Good Mythical Morning," challenge the finalists to take a spin as a guest on their show. Each finalist participates in their very own "Will It?" segment, pairing unlikely ingredients and asking questions like "Will It Jell-O?" and "Will It Cookie?"
In Italy, the night before Christmas is celebrated with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and Giada De Laurentiis is hosting a family Christmas Eve dinner that honors this tradition. She brings a California vibe to the celebration by serving dinner outside with a view of the ocean, and her menu reflects the setting, too. She prepares a beautiful Red Snapper Puttanesca, Crab and Cherry Tomato Fettuccine, Mini Lobster Rolls and Grilled Clams with Herbed Butter.
The remaining finalists are divided into teams and sent into the wilderness. When they arrive at a campsite, they must use whatever camping food is in the back of their cars to create a "glamping" meal. Each team will present their dishes to Giada De Laurentiis, along with guests Melissa d'Arabian and Andrew Zimmern, who will decide which finalist successfully elevated camping food to glamping dishes and gave the best tips for working with wilderness fare.