Bringing all the spirit of Puerto Rico to New York, chef Frank Maldonando has an unparalleled love for food and music and his Beef Empanadas are no exception! Packed with rich flavor and the perfect spice, his Empanadas are a staple at his New York city restaurant Sazon. Frank has the audience dancing to his drumming and hungry for his food but when Bobby Flay shows up, will he be able to keep up with the beat or will he get beat in this flavorful competition? Only way to find out - an Empanada Throwdown!
A new restaurant with young owners keeps Robert on his toes in this mission. Salt Works II in Wilmington, N.C., prides itself on serving down home cooking, but when Robert steps into the kitchen he finds that they only cook canned food. He immediately jumps into action modernizing the interior and changing the menu while urging the staff to work as a team. In hopes of attracting a new client base to go with the younger feel of the restaurant, Robert hits the streets to bring in the nearby college students. With time running out, he needs to confirm that the staff can execute the new menu so this restaurant can stay afloat.
Chef Cliff Crooks offers guidance to three chefs who need to pick up the pace to excel. Fabio has been managing a restaurant for two decades, but he needs Cliff's help learning how to cook on the line again so the restaurant can stay afloat and thriving. Alyssa just bought a food truck and has big dreams of operating her own business, but her lack of experience working with others is holding her back. DuWayne recently changed careers when a death in the family sent him back home. He needs Chef Cliff to help set him up for success in the culinary field so that he can provide stability for his family.
This trip, Guy Fieri's headed coast to coast, from north to south. In Somers Point, N.J., he meets up with Rachael vs. Guy Kids Cookoff contestant Gibson Borelli at the local legend dishin' out righteous crab-stuffed flounder and a legit spin on cannelloni. In Gilbert, Ariz., the mom and pop pizza shop firing up pies topped with everything from baked ziti to chicken marsala. And in Bakersfield, Calif., some sunshine and down-home specialties, like tri tip and grilled chicken, worthy of a road trip, where he's joined by USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler.
When Guy Fieri rolls out across the country visiting diners, drive-ins and dives, he enjoys flavors from around the world. Now he's bringing those flavors back home by inviting four DDD chefs to cook their off-the-charts world cuisine in Flavortown Market. First, they must meld a classic diner dish with their own global flavors to create an international diner favorite. Then, the chefs pick a Wild Card to determine the wild ingredient in a meal that celebrates their culinary heritage, and one chef gets to celebrate a win worth up to $20,000!
On the search for healthy sandwiches, Jeff Mauro heads up to Graze restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin to pick up some techniques from a chef who makes the most colorful and craveable veggie burger on the planet. Back home, the healthy swagger of a Caesar salad helps jazz up Jeff's Grilled Chicken Wrap, while he uses what he learned in Madison to help him put together a Middle-Eastern spiced mini burger. And on the side, a healthy snack that's almost too good to be true: crunchy kale chips with a barbecue flair.
Ina Garten celebrates Jeffrey's favorite foods, starting with Fried Chicken Sandwiches, perfect for kick-starting the weekend, and an incredible canape of Salmon Cured with Dill and Pernod. On the sweet front, Jeffrey can't resist Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches. Then, he's in the kitchen brewing coffee like a pro, and Ina turns it into his number one drink, Italian Iced Coffee.
Guy Fieri is lightening the load on this trip, starting in Boston, where he pops into Triple D's first diner to check out the egg-white omelets. Then, a Cuban joint in Los Angeles is trading in bread for plantains and stuffing avocado with fresh fish. Finally, jackfruit tacos in Park City, Utah, are perfect for devouring after a day jumping moguls.
For a simple yet sophisticated date night meal, Big Daddy prepares his spicy and moist Blackened Tilapia. He also cooks two perfect accompaniments to the fish: Grilled Corn & Chipotle Pepper Salad and a Plantain Mash with Crispy Bacon. For dessert, Big Daddy dishes up a delectable Sweet and Tangy Frozen Yogurt Sundae.
Cod tongues cause conniptions as three earnest chefs struggle to defeat a cocky contender who promised to quit cooking forever if he doesn't take home the Chopped Canada prize. In the dinner round, Calves Liver and Cupcakes are a pairing for despairing. It's a battle to the end as both chefs choose choux pastry as a foil for a cheese filled dessert.