SPECIALS

Chopped Episodes

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Specials, Episode 1

Grill Masters: Part One

In this first-of-its-kind Chopped tournament event, the competition goes west for a fierce five-part showdown, where the greatest griller of them all will walk away with $50,000. In the appetizer round, what will the first four grill masters make for the judges with cookies and yak steaks? A giant surprise awaits the competitors in the entree basket, as one chef must muster up the confidence to create a dish using an ingredient he has never prepared and another ingredient he cannot stand. Chocolate meets fruit in a desert dessert duel; will everything go peachy for the competitors?

Specials, Episode 2

Grill Masters: Part Two

Four new master grillers step up to the challenge, fighting for a chance to compete in the $50,000 finale. But who will be able to hatch a successful plan in the first round with hatch chile taffy and Hawaiian blue prawns in the basket? Then, after the remaining competitors serve up their rack of boar entrees, the judges debate the relative complexity of flavors in the three dishes. Some delicious Italian surprises await the finalists, but perfect desserts will be difficult to execute in a windy, intense final round.

Specials, Episode 3

Grill Masters: Part Three

Four masters of the open flame compete for a chance to make it to the $50,000 finale fight. Advancing past the first round will require a lot of hard work in just 20 minutes, including opening oysters and defrosting blocks of creamed spinach. A tropical fruit lightens things up in the entree basket. Then, with marshmallows in the dessert basket, s'mores come to mind for one of the last two chefs. Will the judges enjoy the campfire-inspired creation?

Specials, Episode 4

Grill Masters: Part Four

Four grill masters face off for the last slot in the $50,000 finale. Will anybody lose their cool when they spy something called speculoos in the first basket? During the entree round, the competitors strive to make kick-butt pork butt dishes, which also include fruit leather. Can the two remaining chefs grill up some terrific desserts using every meat-lover's worst nightmare?

Specials, Episode 5

Grill Masters: Finale

The champions of the first four Chopped Grill Masters competitions return to compete for $50,000. The fierce fight to the finish begins with an appetizer basket of sardines and canned Sloppy Joe filling. Steaks are served up in the entree course, but the chefs' success with the other ingredients gives the judges much to think about. The final two chefs draw from family memories when they open up the last basket of the tournament and must grill some do-or-die desserts.

Specials, Episode 6

Food Network Stars!

Winners of the hit series Food Network Star compete to see who can beam brightest in the Chopped Kitchen! Cooking for the powerhouse panel of Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown, the competitors must be ready for whatever they might find in the notorious baskets, if they want to win $10,000 for their charity. It is a bubbly first round with sparkling cider as a mystery ingredient. Then a black cloud hovers over the entree round, in the form of black chickens. In the dessert round, it all comes down to which Star crafts the better dessert from frozen peas and cinnamon cereal.

Specials, Episode 7

After Hours with Ultimate Champions, Italian and Firefighters

No longer just watching from the sidelines, Chopped judges are taking over the kitchen, and they're trying out the same basket ingredients that have sent home chef competitors.

Specials, Episode 8

After Hours Revisits Teens, Leftovers and Pigs Feet!

The tables are turned as the Chopped judges take to the kitchen and triumph over baskets that had chef contestants flummoxed.

Specials, Episode 9

Grill Masters: Episode Three

Two of the competitors in this Grill Masters fight are engaged to be married -- can they both make it to the final round? In the first round, a succulent seafood and an odd ice cream are two of the surprises in the mystery basket. Then in the second round of live-fire cooking, the chefs are shocked to find a live ingredient. And when a delicate ingredient flames up on the grill in the final round, can it be salvaged?

Specials, Episode 10

Grill Masters: Episode Two

In the first round, the Grill Masters find grilling classics hot dogs and hamburgers in the same basket. Rack of elk is a welcome ingredient in the second basket, but the 30-minute time limit presents some issues. And the final two chefs have high hopes for what they can accomplish in the dessert round featuring chocolate cupcakes.

Specials, Episode 11

Grill Masters: Episode One

In this explosive first Grill Masters battle, big personalities and old rivalries create a firestorm in the al fresco kitchen. In the first round, the chefs have two different proteins to prepare: pork chops and sausages. Exercising restraint with a sweet basket ingredient in the entree round is a challenge for some of the chefs. And a cheese and a starch are two of the items that the finalists must make sing on the grills in their desserts.

Specials, Episode 12

Grill Masters: Episode Four

Perfectionists and pitmasters collide in this final preliminary battle before the Grand Finale! Spare ribs play the lead role in the appetizer basket. Then a specially-sourced, whole fish barely fits into the entree baskets. And the judges are plum happy to see plums in the dessert basket.

Specials, Episode 13

Grill Masters: Grand Finale

The four finalists in the Grill Masters tournament are facing off for the $50,000 grand prize. Rattlesnake is the vicious surprise in the first round. Some offal and some fruit are part of the culinary puzzle to solve in the entree round. And a breakfast item and a classic pie beg to be transformed in the last round of the tournament.

Specials, Episode 14

Chopped: Impossible, Part 1

Chopped Champions return for an epic tournament of Chopped: Impossible, with Restaurant: Impossible's Chef Robert Irvine on the judging panel! In the first of three preliminary battles, the competitors face some of the most mind-blowing baskets, including whipped topping in the first round and offal and stinky cookies in the entree round. And in the dessert round, one of the ingredients has teeth!

Specials, Episode 15

Chopped: Impossible, Part 2

Four new returning champs take on the second preliminary round of the Chopped: Impossible tournament, with Chef Robert Irvine watching their every move from the judges' table. In the appetizer round, the basket features a strange duck and a green dessert, while nerves throw some chefs off their game. Then, in the entree round, an infamous Chopped ingredient makes a return appearance, followed by a meaty sandwich in the dessert basket.

Specials, Episode 16

Chopped: Impossible, Part 3

Four previous Chopped Champions are returning to compete for a spot in the grand finale of the Chopped: Impossible tournament, featuring Chef Robert Irvine as a judge. First, they must take on a swamp creature and insects in the appetizer round, then attack a sweet spring treat and an aged egg for round two. Finally, the chefs who move on to dessert must remain calm and collected as they deal with whimsical sushi, leftover fruit, and a frozen favorite.

Specials, Episode 17

Chopped: Impossible, Grand Finale

After winning their preliminary rounds of the Chopped: Impossible tournament, three champions return to battle for $15,000 and the chance to go head-to-head with Chef Robert Irvine to take home an additional $25,000! In the appetizer round, the competitors must overcome a giant clam and a fast-food classic, and then just two chefs compete in the entree round, tackling a nostalgic canned product and a strange sandwich. After a remarkable winning streak, the only thing standing between the last Chopped Champion and the grand prize is a spectacular wild card battle with Robert!

Specials, Episode 18

Secrets of Winning

Think you have what it takes to win Chopped? Join host Ted Allen and take a look back at some of the most bizarre baskets, wildest mishaps and most creative cooking moments from America's most pressure-packed cooking competition. Learn how to cook your way to becoming the next Chopped Champion with insider info on tackling the basket, beating the clock and impressing the judges!

Specials, Episode 19

Grill Masters Napa: Part 1

Sixteen high-caliber chefs are fired up to grill in beautiful Napa Valley, Calif. for another epic Chopped tournament! There's $10,000 at stake in each preliminary competition, and the champs will fight it out for $50,000 more. For the first group of chefs, the appetizer basket features a sea creature and a pretty, colorful veggie. A ballpark snack throws the chefs a curveball in the entree round, and the judges are happy to see chilies in the dessert basket.

Specials, Episode 20

Grill Masters Napa: Part 2

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.

Specials, Episode 21

Grill Masters Napa: Part 3

Another group of grillers get a chance to compete in California's beautiful Napa Valley! The grill masters pound away in the first round in an attempt to tenderize the basket's seafood protein. In second round, the chefs get the gift of beef, but will they focus so much on the beautiful rib eye that they neglect the other mandatory ingredients? Then, the final two chefs get some sweet surprises in the basket -- a chocolate trifle and poached pears.

Specials, Episode 22

Grill Masters Napa: Part 4

Three grilling champs have already won a spot in the grand finale, and now a new group furiously competes for the final spot! In the appetizer round, the grill masters face some beautiful mushrooms and strong jam. Fish butchery and flavor balancing come into play in the entree round, and the chefs get a yummy cake in the dessert basket.

Specials, Episode 23

Grill Masters Napa: Grand Finale

Four champion grill masters are each already $10,000 richer, and now they return to see who will claim $50,000 more! Half of the appetizer basket is taken up with a porky surprise. Then, the entree round features a serious display of grilling acrobatics as the remaining champs figure out what to do with a surf and turf combo. Finally, bananas and wine are two of the tricky dessert ingredients that the last pair of chefs must grapple with as they battle for the grand prize.

Specials, Episode 24

Grill Masters: Battle 1

Live-fire cooking and life-changing stakes! In this $50,000 five-part tournament, grilling's greatest go big in a spectacular outdoor kitchen. The first basket out of the gate challenges four determined competitors with a weird pie and a beautiful cut of pork. Then, a vegan product counters the giant beef ribs in the entree round. Finally, the judges are impressed when they see a chef making a creative choice in the dessert round, but will the innovative idea result in a tasty plate?

Specials, Episode 25

Grill Masters: Battle 2

A second group of grill masters is in hot pursuit of the $50,000 grand prize. The chefs discover something stuffed and something smoked in the appetizer basket, then double proteins make the entree round a carnivore's dream. The two grill masters who make it to the dessert round find ways to make beans the center of their sweet dishes.

Specials, Episode 26

Grill Masters: Battle 3

Four new grill masters are confident they can be the best and advance to the grand finale! In the appetizer round, the party gets started with a frozen daiquiri in the basket and one chef doesn't leave enough time for plating. A fatty protein and an odd-colored ice cream are part of the challenge in the second round, then birthday cake is a festive find in the final basket.

Specials, Episode 27

Grill Masters: Battle 4

There's just one spot left in the Grill Masters grand finale! A feisty new group of chefs talk trash from the start, but will the vibe change after somebody's lamb appetizer lands on the Chopping Block? A "steak" made from a vegetable is one of the surprises the chefs face in round two. Then, the last two competitors are supremely confident, but their knowledge of dragon fruit and mesquite powder could play a role in who grills the best dessert.

Specials, Episode 28

Grill Masters: Finale Battle

Which of four incredible Grill Masters champions will top all and score the grand prize? Tiny celebratory beers help kick off the first round of live-fire cooking, as well as a beautiful rack of boar. As the intensity heats up in round two, s'mores and a delicate vegetable accompany a lean meat on the competitors' entree plates. A giant sweet surprise in the dessert basket ensures that the final plates will be colorful and unusual, but whose will taste like $50,000?

Specials, Episode 29

Grill Masters: Kansas City

Big flavors meet big personalities as regional rivals from the thriving Kansas City barbecue world compete to see who will advance to the $50,000 Grill Masters grand finale and face winners from Texas, North Carolina and Memphis. A 20-minute appetizer round doesn't seem long enough to deal with the double cut pork chops in the first basket. Then, a bubbly surprise in the second basket prompts the chefs to bring the sweet to their entree dishes. Pineapple and banana are two of the flavors that must be married on the last two competitors' dessert plates.

Specials, Episode 30

Grill Masters: Memphis

Four chefs who live and breathe Memphis-style barbecue compete for a coveted spot in the $50,000 Grill Masters grand finale, facing off against champions from Texas, North Carolina and Kansas City. Tennessee tradition abounds in the first basket, which includes a creative take on a messy, shareable comfort food, and the chefs are stunned to see a gigantic sandwich in the second basket. Peaches in the dessert basket seem like a gift, but will the last two Memphis-style chefs be able to make them shine on their plates?

Specials, Episode 31

Grill Masters: North Carolina

Pride is on the line as four regional rivals all deeply devoted to North Carolina-style barbecue battle it out in a thrilling, grilling heat to see who will represent their region in the $50,000 Grill Masters grand finale against winners from Texas, Memphis and Kansas City. Will fish in the first basket throw the pork-loving pitmasters off their game? The three chefs who move on to the entree round are surprised to have to work with liver. Finally, some Southern favorites in the dessert basket give the last two Tar Heel State competitors a head start in bringing Carolina flavors to their sweet plates.

Specials, Episode 32

Grill Masters: Texas

Four passionate grill masters compete in a fiery battle to become the lone representative from the Lone Star State to advance to the $50,000 Grill Masters grand finale and face winners from Memphis, Kansas City and North Carolina. A creepy, crawly, crunchy surprise challenges the chefs in the first round, and a state fair treat and an iconic Texas meat meet in the second basket. The final basket holds Texas-inspired ingredients, but can the last two competitors find a good use for them in their desserts?

Specials, Episode 33

Grill Masters: Finale Showdown

Four Grill Masters champions representing their regional styles -- Texas, Memphis, North Carolina and Kansas City -- return to compete in this do-or-die grand finale with $50,000 and an enormous amount of pride on the line. A wild, smoky ingredient in the first basket kicks things off, and then the judges expect magnificent meat-and-potatoes entree plates from the three remaining champs. The adrenaline-filled grand finale dessert round featuring sugary, festive ingredients will decide which champion can pull off a sweet victory and walk away with the prize.

Specials, Episode 34

Just Desserts: $50,000 Desserts

Chopped is counting down the all-time best dessert rounds, starting with five unforgettable $50,000 Grand Finale rounds. The sweet conclusions of Chopped's high-stakes tournaments include epic ice cream machine struggles, a Wild West showdown, the most puzzling of baskets and remarkable, emotional final moments.

Specials, Episode 35

Just Desserts: All-Stars

Chopped is counting down the all-time best dessert rounds, and these five favorites feature incredible all-star battles and thrilling dessert duels between world-class chefs.

Specials, Episode 37

Just Desserts: Dessert Dream Teams

Chopped is counting down the all-time best dessert rounds, and these top five picks feature teams of two fighting to be number one. Can newlyweds handle the pressure? Can a father and son agree on anything? Can a first date in the Chopped kitchen end with something sweet? These unforgettable rounds take the emotion of family and flirtation to a whole new level.

Specials, Episode 38

Just Desserts: Redemption Wars

Chopped is counting down the all-time best dessert rounds, five favorites at a time! These chefs return to the Chopped Kitchen after a devastating loss, hoping to find their long-awaited redemption. But can anyone ever conquer the dreaded durian? The chefs throw each other under the bus and talk a big game, all while trying to get the glory they missed the first time around.

Specials, Episode 39

Just Desserts: Viewers' Choice Baskets

Chopped is counting down the all-time best dessert rounds, five favorites at a time! These five unforgettable baskets feature brutal ingredients picked by the fans. Both the chefs and the judges can't believe they're seeing such insane ingredients -- like pig skin, pizza and marrow bones -- for dessert.

Specials, Episode 40

Just Desserts: Celebrities

It's a star-studded countdown of the top five celebrity dessert battles on Chopped. Who will take the number one spot as the most memorable celebrity face-off? The competition is stiff, with professional athletes Greg Louganis and Brandi Chastain, reality warriors Travis Lofland and Amy Roloff and jokesters Sinbad and Gillian Vigman. But no one can forget the epic showdowns of fellow actors Peter Scolari and Michael Imperioli and rock stars Dweezil Zappa and Kelly Hanson. In the end, only one celebrity gets to be the Chopped champion of desserts.