Three seasoned dessert chefs from California, Washington and Texas challenge Chef Alex Guarnaschelli in two sweet rounds of cooking hosted by Eric Adjepong. The chefs are betting their pastry skills will give them a chance at taking down Alex, but it will be up to judges Sherry Yard and Dahlia Narvaez to decide on the winner.
The theme is surprises, and the eight competitors are tasked with showing their mastery of molten lava cakes. In the Master Challenge, the bakers must create smashable desserts using meringue, sugar or chocolate and coconut as the featured flavor. Acclaimed pastry chef Sherry Yard joins judges Marcela Valladolid and Jason Smith to decide which baker goes home.
Thanksgiving is an All American Holiday but that doesn't mean that we can't look to Europe to put a new spin on the classics with recipes for Brined Turkey Breast with Spanish Spice Rub & Sour Orange Sauce, Sherry Vinegar-Brown Sugar Glazed Turkey Drumsticks, Grilled Portobellos filled with Wild Rice and a mulled red wine Sangria.
Challengers are sandwiched between a potato and a hard place during the whoopie pie battle, as potatoes must be mashed into the sandwiched cookie pies. Host Lorraine Pascale and judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Sherry Yard peel away the layers in round two, determining who's a baker and a faker when onions must be used in baked sweets.
The home cooks learn about Julia Child's pioneering career in television and face challenges inspired by her show The French Chef. First, head chef Antonia Lofaso challenges them to make a perfect French omelette. Then they must make a dessert inspired by one of Julia's episodes. Antonia and guest judges Stephanie Boswell and Sherry Yard eliminate one competitor.