500 SERIES

Chopped Episodes

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Season 5, Episode 1

Dream'n of Redeem'n

Rematch on! With pride at stake and determination in their eyes, four previously defeated competitors return to the Chopped kitchen to prove that they are not second-best, after all. As they set out to redeem themselves, the chefs are challenged by a tough cut of meat and a pungent English condiment in the appetizer basket. And the twenty-minute time limit coupled with some very eager chefs leads to a rowdy round. Then as they hustle to assemble the entrees, the chefs have to fight harder than ever to stay in the competition, but with cookies and fish in the basket, impressing the judges is no sure thing. And in the quest to finally become a Chopped Champion, blueberry jellybeans stand in the way of two very determined previous losers.

Season 5, Episode 2

Wok This Way

The judges are curious to see what is in store for them when one of the competitors breaks out the wok. And some of the chefs appear less than confident when they present the appetizers made using trout and white chocolate. Then, creativity abounds in the Entrée Round, when the chefs get a whole new set of mystery ingredients including whole coconuts. Alas, two Japanese ingredients appear in the dessert basket, and the judges hope the final course will be as impressive as the previous two.

Season 5, Episode 3

Squashed

For the first time, four talented women set out to claim the title of Chopped Champion. But one chef's dream is squashed by her kabocha and sardines appetizer. In the entree round, when the chefs take too long getting the beef cooking, the judges worry that the food will not be ready to serve. In the end, when two super sweet childhood favorites appear in the dessert basket, will the final dishes leave the judges nostalgic or nauseous?

Season 5, Episode 4

Spouting Off

It is raining beer! One competitor shakes things up in the Appetizer Round when a sudsy spout of brew splashes over his cooking area. Then when a grain praised by an ancient civilization appears in the entrée basket, will the judges revere the food the way the chefs have prepared it? And with a global grab bag of ingredients in the dessert basket, it is a mystery what the chefs might decide to create.

Season 5, Episode 5

$50,000 Tournament: Part 1

Bring on the Champions for the $50,000 prize! Four previous winners return to compete in the first leg of an extraordinary, five-part Chopped event. A repeat win will mean a berth in the Grand Finale competition with $50,000 at stake! But when the champs discover Rocky Mountain oysters in the appetizer basket, it looks like things might get off to a bumpy start. Then in the Entrée Round, when one chef seems overly worried about cooking fish and one chef makes a careless mistake with herbs, the judges wonder if the big money on the line is taking no small toll on the competitors' nerves. And when the finalists open the dessert baskets to find sticky candy bars and potatoes, creative ideas do come to mind, but will their sugary spuds be sweet gems or duds?

Season 5, Episode 6

$50,000 Tournament: Part 2

Ready to repeat?! Four new returning champs compete for one of the prized spots in the $50,000 Grand Finale fight. Feeling the pressure of this potentially life-changing opportunity, the chefs set off with record speed and exceptional confidence. But the judges must debate whose catfish appetizer will get one champ chopped. Then a frightening entrée basket, which includes alligator meat, has one of the chefs running scared. Will he let the gator get the best of him? And opening up the dessert basket, one of the finalists is thrilled to see a mystery ingredient that is a personal favorite. When the other chef is unfamiliar with the ingredient does present a problem and impact who wins?

Season 5, Episode 7

$50,000 Tournament: Part 3

Four previously unbeatable chefs compete to see who will win the chance to return to fight for $50,000! But in the Appetizer Round, will the sweetbreads be the not-so-sweet surprise that unhinges a proven champ? Then when the competitors find chicken in the entrée baskets, it seems like a cinch. That is until they spy the spiny seafood ingredient hidden in the basket too! And with pickles in the dessert basket, the judges wonder if the chefs will find themselves in a pickle when both finalists decide to bake.

Season 5, Episode 8

$50,000 Tournament: Part 4

One spot left!! Four returning champs compete to see who can secure the very last place in the Grand Finale champions' contest. With their minds on the $50,000 grand prize, the chefs open the appetizer baskets to find something fishy and something fizzy. Approaching the Chopping Block, the competitors know that serious errors in execution could mean the difference between moving on and going home after just one course. Then in the Entrée Round, will a gamy meat be a game-changer for the three remaining competitors? And when the two finalists find a Tex-Mex staple and a Thai condiment in the mystery basket, the judges must ultimately decide if the sweet fusion creations are championship caliber.

Season 5, Episode 9

$50,000 Tournament: Grand Finale

Who is the unstoppable, un-"choppable" champion? Four tenacious repeat winners fight it out for the three-peat and the biggest cash prize in Chopped history! Ready for anything, the chefs open the appetizer baskets to find an over-sized sea creature and a scoop-shop treat. Then a wild combination in the entrée basket makes an extremely intense round even more outrageously difficult. And when the two remaining champions find champagne in the mystery basket, just whose victory the judges will be toasting is the $50,000 question.

Season 5, Episode 10

Fright Bites

It's Halloween, Chopped style! The mystery baskets are filled with treats, and the trick is on the four brave competitors. In the appetizer round, the chefs labor to unite a disturbing combination of ingredients, including a very daunting piece of meat. Then, when the remaining chefs dare to go on to the entree round, they find themselves up against more super scary ingredients, but it is fear of the clock that causes the most serious problems. And just when they thought it was safe to go back in the kitchen ... jeepers creepers! The finalists are in for a stunner.

Season 5, Episode 11

Cornuchopia

The chefs are asked to create a meal with Thanksgiving in mind. But will they be counting their blessings when they open the first mystery basket and see a lowly cheese spread? Then in the entree round, when the remaining chefs find a sweet scrumptious fall favorite and a bitter vegetable in the basket, they have to work hard to achieve harmonious holiday flavors. And with mushrooms and a Chinese condiment in the final basket, tradition goes out the window, but the door is open for some totally original desserts.

Season 5, Episode 12

Yes, Virginia, There is a Chopping Block

In honor of the holidays, the chefs are asked to keep with a seasonal theme. But gauging from the first basket, the competitors quickly learn they will need to veer from tradition. Gingerbread oysters, anyone? Things get kind of loosey-goosey in the entree round when the chefs must butcher a big bird and figure out what to do with a cloyingly sweet jarred fruit. When both finalists want to use the only microwave to speed things along in the Dessert Round, some holiday bickering ensues.

Season 5, Episode 13

When Octopuses Attack

Octopus attack! Given just 20 minutes to cook everyone's favorite cephalopod, the chefs scramble to get a leg up on the competition by drawing from their personal backgrounds. Then the competitors take a meat and potatoes approach to the Entrée Round when challenged to combine flake steak and granola bars. And when Japan meets Greece in the Dessert Round, the finalists find it a rocky culinary courtship. But they know that a successful food fusion marriage could unite the winner with a $10,000 check.