Cooks vs. Cons
Geoffrey Zakarian hosts the next generation of cooking competition, a battle which asks the ultimate question: could a talented home cook beat a pro, or does a true professional have skills that no amateur could match? With a level playing field, and no one knowing which cook is which, only a blind taste test will prove who has the best dish. At the end of two rounds, the cook or con that is victorious will take home a $10,000 prize.
About The Show
Geoffrey Zakarian hosts the next generation of cooking competition, a battle which asks the ultimate question: could a talented home cook beat a pro, or does a true professional have skills that no amateur could match? With a level playing field, and no one knowing which cook is which, only a blind taste test will prove who has the best dish. At the end of two rounds, the cook or con that is victorious will take home a $10,000 prize.
About the Host
Geoffrey Zakarian, a master of modern American cuisine, has presided over some of the country’s top kitchens in the past 25 years. Currently, Geoffrey is chef/partner at The Lambs Club and The National in New York City as well as at Point Royal and Counter Point at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, FL.
Episodes
S5 | E1
Not Your Mama's Meatloaf
In round one, host Geoffrey Zakarian has the pros and amateurs create spins on the American classic, meatloaf, by adding a little citrus to the mix. Then, the heat is on in round two when the cooks and cons must infuse their dishes with jalapenos to impress judges Carla Hall and Daphne Oz and take home the win.
S5 | E2
Pizza Party
In round one, the cooks and cons must prove that they're the cream of the crop to judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Alison Roman when they incorporate ranch into their pizza dishes. Then in round two, host Geoffrey Zakarian has the remaining contestants get ripe into it as they cook their best avocado-infused dish.
S5 | E3
Meatball Madness
In the first round, meatball subs sound easy enough, but it takes some pro moves to make them with unusual buns. In round two, things get juiced up when host Geoffrey Zakarian tasks the cooks and cons with incorporating pomegranates. It'll be up to judges Aarti Sequeira and Justin Warner to decide who enjoys the fruits of victory!
S5 | E4
Open Sesame
The cooks and cons all vie to be the top seed in round one as host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Beau MacMillan and Aarti Sequeira try and determine who best fused sesame into the New Orleans classic po' boy. In round two, the remaining contestants aren't too sad about cooking their best with blue cheese for a $10,000 prize.
S5 | E5
High Steaks
In round one, the cooks and cons try to get on the gravy train by creating chicken fried steak dishes with peas. Then, in round two, host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Beau MacMillan and Daphne Oz go nuts attempting to grind out the pros and cons after they are challenged with using pecans in their dishes.
S5 | E6
Spice and Ice
In round one, the cooks and cons have to put the ice in spice when they are tasked with incorporating flavored ice pops into curry. Then, in round two, the remaining contestants hit the gas using beans in their dishes as host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Amanda Freitag and Alex Guarnaschelli suss out the pros and amateurs.
S5 | E7
A Lotta Empanada
The pros and amateurs go nuts as they create empanadas with hazelnuts in round one. Then, in round two, host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Josh Capon and Aarti Sequeira are in despair trying to separate the remaining contestants into cooks and cons while they prepare masterpieces with pears.
S5 | E8
Iron Chef Shake-up
Iron Chefs Jose Garces and Alex Guarnaschelli judge round one as the cooks and cons make stuffed mushrooms that incorporate vanilla. In round two, host Geoffrey Zakarian and the Iron Chefs continue to figure out the pros and amateurs while watching the contestants make un-fig-ettable masterpieces with figs.
S5 | E9
Endless Pastabilities
The cooks and cons have host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Jose Garces and Justin Warner raving about their chip-infused ravioli dishes in round one. In the second round, the contestants must make peace with the surprise ingredient and incorporate chickpeas into their dishes.
S5 | E10
Ballpark BBQ
Host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Daphne Oz and Marcus Samuelsson throw the cooks and cons a curve ball in round one by tasking them with fusing corn and hot dogs. After one contestant strikes out, the remaining contestants continue to round two in hopes of making their best dish incorporating barbecue.
S5 | E11
Biscuits and Gravy
In round one, the cooks and cons must incorporate berries into their biscuit and gravy dishes in order to impress host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Aarti Sequeira and Curtis Stone. Then, in round two, the cooks and cons try to play "anice" in a battle of licorice.
S5 | E12
Nacho Average Cook
The pros and amateurs freshen things up when host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Katie Lee and Aarti Sequeira task them with incorporating peppermint into a breakfast hash. Then, in round two, the remaining contestants must melt the judges' hearts with their best dish using nachos.
S5 | E13
The Whole Enchilada
In round one, the cooks and cons must create their best enchilada dishes incorporating cereal to win over host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Gail Simmons. In the second round, the judges continue to stalk out the contestants' true identities when choosing who made the best dish using celery.