Three chef candidates interview for the job of Executive Chef at Wilshire restaurant in Santa Monica. When two of the chefs are handed the keys to the restaurant for an entire dinner service, one chef clashes with the staff causing a walkout, while the other struggles to overcome extreme shyness. In the end only one will be Wilshire's new Executive Chef.
World famous chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger need a new Executive Chef for their downtown Los Angeles Border Grill. The two candidates each run the restaurant for an entire dinner service, and they battle bouts of self-doubt, angry customers and mounting pressure to lead their staff. Only one will get the job of executive Chef.
Two chefs interview for the job of Chef de Cuisine at Les Halles, the legendary Manhattan restaurant. Each candidate is given the keys to the restaurant for a night and must attempt to replicate some of Les Halles' classic French dishes, as well as create some of their own specials for the menu. Only one will receive a real job and become Les Halles' new Chef de Cuisine.
Peter Merriman, the father of Hawaiian cuisine, has just opened a new location in Kauai of his esteemed restaurant - Merriman's Fish House. Peter has chosen two chefs to face-off to become the restaurant's Executive Chef. They must each re-invent his current menu items and run an entire dinner service for one night. The chef who performs best under the pressure and proves they understand the cuisine and culture of Hawaii will earn their dream job at Merriman's Fish House.
Chicago's Quay - a new a multi-concept restaurant with a sports bar, lounge and fine dining area - needs an Executive Chef who can create innovative menus for all three sections, while keeping food costs low. Two top chefs have just one night to create their own four-course menus and run the entire restaurant for a packed house, but only one will be rewarded the title of Executive Chef - a real job of a lifetime.
Villa Antonio, a family-owned Italian restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, is searching for its first ever Executive Chef. The lack of an Executive Chef has been hurting the restaurant's menu and its chance for survival in today's rough economy. The chosen candidates are each handed the keys to the restaurant to run an entire dinner service, to prove to owner Antonio Garcia they have the skills to bring success and life back into his restaurant. Only one will receive the job of Executive Chef.