It's Thanksgiving in the Chopped kitchen and four chefs are giving it all they have. Things start off on a sweet note, with maple syrup in the appetizer basket. Then when the chefs get an ingredient in the entree round that is more popular as a decoration than as a food, will they be able to make the beautiful, edible? And after cooking with some traditional turkey day favorites in the last round, the two finalists hope the judges will want to gobble, gobble up their desserts.
Thanksgiving meals have always been important to Ayesha Curry and her family, so Ayesha and her husband Stephen's parents are at their California home to celebrate. When Ayesha's dad, John, and father-in-law, Dell Curry, want to join Ayesha in the kitchen, she agrees and lets them help with the cheesiest Mac and Cheese, a secret timesaver for fast Creamed Cornbread, and of course, Southern Mustard Greens. But when it comes to the Turkey, will it be double the trouble, or double the fun?
The Fieri family is back as the three youngest members are paired up with all-star chefs to compete in preparing a one-hour Thanksgiving feast. Guy Fieri gives them a two-for-one special of pie and turkey that they must use in both their appetizer and entrée plate. Plus, the longtime members of the Fieri family adults' table -- Jim, Penny and Lori -- all join Guy in his shenanigans. In the spirit of holiday giving, the winning team earns money for their favorite charity.
There's no meal Bobby Flay looks forward to more than Thanksgiving dinner, so he's invited Damaris Phillips over to help prepare for the big day. They sip a seasonal Cranberry Orange Mule cocktail and talk about their favorite Thanksgiving memories. When it's time to test out some recipes, Bobby fries a turkey breast and makes some Yukon Gold Colcannon with Sauteed Kale, Cabbage and Bacon Butter. Damaris bakes Cashew Coconut Dinner Rolls for the feast, and you'll be thankful for her Smokey Pumpkin Creme Brulee.
The Kitchen is all about indulgent treats, over-the-top sweets and food made for the 'gram. Katie Lee Biegel makes a hearty Turkey and Fall Vegetable Pot Pie, while Geoffrey Zakarian and Alex Guarnaschelli mix up two fall-inspired drinks: Havana Cider and Mulled White Wine. Jeff Mauro cooks a rich and creamy Classic Fettuccine Alfredo, and Sunny Anderson shares her perfected Easy OG Sugar Donuts. Plus, the Kitchen co-hosts take on another game of "Is That a Thing?!: Fall Treats Edition."
The Kitchen co-hosts cook up easy weeknight dinners the whole family will love. Katie Lee Biegel takes on Meatless Monday with a Warm Roasted Fall Vegetable Pasta Salad. Jeff Mauro leads Taco Tuesday with Al Pastor-Style Slow Cooker Tacos. Geoffrey Zakarian whips up Crispy Pork-Rind Breaded Chicken for Wednesday and Alex Guarnaschelli takes us into Thursday with Sweet Potato and Turkey Shepherd's Pie. Then, Sunny Anderson finishes the week with her Easy Hot & Sour Soup with Steamed Dumplings for Freezer Friday.
The final four teams arrive at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where massive crowds, amusement park chaos, and high sales stakes push everyone to their limits. Host Tyler Florence presents a "Dollywood delights" taste challenge, where team members must incorporate an iconic Dollywood ingredient (cinnamon bread, fudge, turkey legs or candied jalapeno) into a special dish. The next day at Dollywood's Splash Country, the sales totals are announced, and guest judge Arnold Myint joins Tyler Florence for a potato-focused redemption battle and an emotional elimination.
Born and bred in Kentucky, Jeff's mother-in-law has Southern cooking in her bones, and she shows Jeff her master recipe for homemade biscuits, which Jeff uses as a jumping off point for some amazing twists on Southern classics for brunch; Biscuit and Sausage Gravy Sandwich with Southern Green Beans and The Derby, which features bacon, sliced turkey and a blue mornay sauce. For dessert, a Strawberry Shortcake layered with fresh whipped cream. Will this Southern meal get his mother-in-law's stamp of approval?
Mary Berg is road trip ready with recipes that are snackable, packable and won't make a mess of your car. She feels like a queen with a Trio of Tea Sandwiches, including Curried Turkey and Apple, Herby Radish and Butter, and Smoked Salmon with Creamy Feta. Then, her Go-To Pasta Salad is always a must with quick-pickled onions, store-bought pesto and jarred tuna. Finally, Mary rounds out her "snackle box" with Edamame Dip, home-baked tortilla chips and Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars.
There's nothing more fun than a backyard feast with friends, except when you're the one stuck in the kitchen. Kelsey's essential dishes use quick techniques that will keep the cook out of kitchen, so they can enjoy the fun and sun with their friends. Quick pickling is an easy way to turn cucumbers into fiery and herby Pickles, that get deep fried into a delicious snack. Her Turkey Sloppy Jane Sliders are a light version of everyone's favorite sandwich, while her S'more Pies reinvents the campfire classic.