Katie Lee is hitting California's famed Pacific Coast Highway to find delicious, international beach food in a beautiful coastal setting. In Monterey, she discovers rich Italian influences in cioppino with local Dungeness crab. Then she finds an almond croissant in Carmel that makes her think she's been transported to France. Mexican fare in California is always authentic and unbeatable, and Katie samples a perfect pork mole, smooth Mezcal and a Mexican specialty snack, grasshoppers! She can't leave wine country without pairing some vino with local seafood, and sweet treats like fudge and candy apples are always in order.
It's a Mexican fiesta in the Chopped kitchen as every basket features foods from our neighbor to the south, and the chefs will be encouraged to dial up the flavor to make extra scrumptious dishes. In the first round, the chefs struggle under the time pressure and hope that their appetizers don't fall flat when it comes to technique. In the second round, the chefs must combine a weird ice cream and a classic Mexican sauce. Then in a neck-and-neck final round, the chefs get creative with some unusual potato chips and a distinctively flavored leafy green.
Host Eric Adjepong welcomes three award-winning chefs specializing in Mexican cuisine to the arena. Ray Garcia, Claudette Zepeda and Gustavo Romero are ready to take on Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli in a battle celebrating America's neighbors to the South. Chef Alex fights to maintain her dominance against skilled chefs in a cuisine she loves to eat but rarely cooks, but will these skilled chefs be too spicy for Alex to handle? Respected chefs Daniela Soto-Innes and Bricia Lopez judge whether Alex has the expertise to get the better of these Mexican experts in her own house.
Let's Eat is heating up the grill with creative recipes that can be made indoors or out. Jamika Pessoa starts off with her Grilled Turkey Burger Stuffed with Pepper Jack Cheese and Topped with Grilled Peaches. Appetizers get a smoky twist with Brandi Milloy's Grilled Brie and Strawberries and her Grilled Tomatoes with Burrata, and Stuart O'Keeffe makes Grilled Romaine with Shrimp and a Green Goddess Dressing. Brandi heads to Mason's Den, a pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles that puts a colorful spin on Mexican street corn, and finally, Stuart whips up an easy and delicious Mexican Street Corn Dip.
For a colossal-sized meal, Tom Pizzica visits Gus' Mexican Cantina in Franklin, Wis., to help serve up the six-foot burrito smothered in cheese and topped with all the Mexican fixings imaginable. Next stop: Chicago's Dog House in Chicago, a hot dog joint that redefines this classic with an alligator corn dog for the truly adventurous type. For his last stop, Tom goes to New York's Wall Street Burger Shoppe, where tasty and expensive Kobe beef burgers come topped with black truffles, foie gras, and real gold.
Host Rachael Ray is ready for breakfast at Big Kitchen. At Point Loma, Rachael has some seaside fare at Point Loma Seafood. Rachael grabs a great deal at Old Town Mexican Cafe, and to cool down, Rachael heads to the Moontime Creamery.
Host Rachael Ray is ready for breakfast at Big Kitchen. At Point Loma, Rachael has some seaside fare at Point Loma Seafood. Rachael grabs a great deal at Old Town Mexican Cafe, and to cool down, Rachael heads to the Moontime Creamery.