A lack of culinary training didn't stop food and theater writer Ryan McPhee from passing the first 11 of his 15 culinary taste tests, and he's back to finish the job. He's immediately caught in a sticky situation and hopes culinary expert Nilou Motamed can help him identify a mysterious Southern syrup. Then Navy vet and recipe tester Renae Wilson learns that there are no simple questions in this competition, and Kanchan Koya, the "Spice Mama," steps up to the tasting table to impresses host Kal Penn with her food knowledge and her Harvard doctorate in molecular science. But Kanchan's degree can only take her so far as she gets stumped early on and considers using her Flavor Favors, tapping Nilou and Chef Esther Choi to keep her in the game.
Guy Fieri has invited some of his best chef friends to the ranch to share their favorite homestyle recipes for an old-fashioned Sunday supper. Alex Guarnaschelli starts the meal off right with a pitcher of Lemony Negronis, and she cooks up a crowd-pleasing Black Pepper-Crusted Roast Beef and Gravy served alongside Sauteed Spinach with Pancetta and Crispy Garlic. Michael Voltaggio makes Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs and surprises his fellow chefs by preparing Swordfish Milanese with Dill Pickle Tartar Sauce. Marc Murphy makes a savory Pork Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini and taps into his French roots with delicate Frisee aux Lardons. Finally, Eric Greenspan braises a succulent Beef Short Rib Stroganoff with Buttered Noodles and Lemon Creme Fraiche and wows the other chefs with his Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese and Maple Whipped Cream.