In a celebration of foods from the Veneto region of Italy, famous for its hearty yet elegant cuisine, the chefs showcase what they know about making amazing Venetian dishes. A strikingly strange ingredient in the first basket threatens to throw them off their game, while using polenta to best effect in a half-hour entree round is a tremendous task. After two ambitious chefs set out to leave an impression with their pear and cheese desserts, the judges will have to decide who has secured a spot in the Battle Italiano finale!
Known for their Los Angeles pop-up dinners, Jake and Jussie Smollet are debuting their seventh pop-up experience at the famed Hollywood Improv Comedy Club. Using Jake's trip to Italy as inspiration, the brothers create a showstopping three-course meal. With a Zucchini Carpaccio appetizer and Lemon Sorbet dessert, they go fancy for their main course, Homemade Tarragon Fettuccine and a Vodka Cream Sauce, topped with lobster. It's a tough crowd of patrons and fans at the Improv and creating a good meal is no laughing matter.