Four new highly-skilled grill masters take over an outdoor Chopped Kitchen in California's Napa Valley. Baked beans and lamb belly are two must-use ingredients in the first round, and in the entree round, the grill masters are given a seafood-heavy basket that requires a great deal of work and creative thinking. The two chefs who move on to dessert run into trouble when one of the mystery ingredients shows a tendency to char quickly.
The judges seize the opportunity to cook together after hours in the Chopped Kitchen, and in round one they attempt to tame down the sweetness of some sugary kid favorites. Churros are transformed and champagne bottles popped in a goofy round two that has Alex Guarnaschelli and Marc Murphy tackling ingredients from a celebrity tournament finale. Once Scott Conant perfects his hairstyle, he's ready to join in for the final round, featuring a whole suckling pig.
Kitchen Sink kicks off with a new way to weave bacon into every bite of breakfast, then Tregaye Fraser and Jeff Mauro take nachos to a new level with twists on the classic snack food. Inspired by the pizza pot pie, Fanny Slater wows with her combination of pizza and quesadillas. Finally, the Sink hits the streets to see one of the hottest dessert trends then shows how to make twists on ice cream cones at home.
Willie rushes to 90 Park in North Bergen, N.J., to come to the rescue of chef/owner Antonia. Due to a family illness, Antonia shifted her attention away from the restaurant and now she's paying for it, even borrowing against her house to keep the business running. Though a wizard in the kitchen, Antonia is a disaster when it comes to managing her staff and handling the finances. Without Willie's help, she'll lose her business and her home.
Trisha is making a meal that will score a perfect ten with her friends Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner. The gold medal-winning gymnasts may be visiting her in the kitchen but they are getting Trisha in the gym and on the balance beam! To fuel the champions Trisha is cooking a delicious meal of Pork Medallions, Garlic Grits Casserole and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. And Nadia is showing Trisha how to make her Salata de Vinete.
The holidays are here, and the Kids Baking Championship kitchen heats up as four fan-favorite kid competitors return for a new challenge. Host and judge Duff Goldman is joined by Season 4's Abby Martin, who offers her unique perspective as a former contestant. Duff asks the returning competitors to make a holiday candle tsunami cake with a poured sugar flame, and the best baker will win the ultimate $10,000 baker's prize package complete with a blast chiller!
Ingrid Hoffmann corrals her friends to the table with a rustic Mexican menu. Inspired by the lifestyle of the country's cowboys, or charros, she makes a Torta Ahogada or Drowned Beef Sandwich. On the side, she plates up a crunchy
Broccoli and Celery Slaw. And to wash it all down, a traditional and sweet Horchata, or rice milk drink. This menu is so good, Ingrid's friends are sure to wrangle her back to the kitchen for more!
With Chef Tyler Florence now beside her in the kitchen, Chef Anne Burrell is out to claim her turf and take the win. After an open call brings some truly horrible cooks right to Anne and Tyler, the pair chooses 14 Recruits to bring back to Boot Camp. These "home cooks" make the chefs their signature dishes, and upon tasting, Anne and Tyler choose their Recruits and give them a lesson in creating the ultimate romantic meal.
Chef Anne Burrell and Chef Tyler Florence each work with their final remaining recruit to plan a refined three-course menu that will be served to a panel of culinary experts. Anne and Tyler battle for bragging rights as the recruits' cooking skills are put to the ultimate test in a professional kitchen, but in the end, only the dishes can prove which recruit has gone from worst to best and will win the $25,000 prize!
Martha Stewart takes the reins for another gripping battle in the $50,000 Martha Rules tournament, and she has some tricks up her sleeve regarding the timing of the rounds. In the first basket, the chefs get a seafood delicacy befitting the beautiful coastal setting of the outdoor Chopped kitchen. The three chefs who make it to the second round must whip up Cornish hen entrees, and a citrus fruit meets a local candy in the dessert basket as the remaining competitors fight for a coveted spot in the finale.