Season 1, Episode 1

Ultimate Recipe Showdown: Chicken

Food Network searched for the Ultimate Chicken Recipe. After a nationwide recipe contest, nine finalists competed in three rounds: Fried Chicken, Soups and Stews, and Whole Roasted. A panel of food experts determined whose chicken dish was the best. See who walks away the winner of $25,000!

COMPETITORS:
Chicken (Fried)

Michelle Anderson
Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Tenders with Cucumber Slaw
Occupation: Local Food Column Writer
Hometown: Eagle, Idaho

Jenni Deylius
Recipe: Where's the Beach? Chicken Katsu
Occupation: Satellite Systems Engineer
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Eboni Williams -- Winner!
Recipe: Chicken Wings w/ Pomegranate & Mango BBQ Sauce
Occupation: Stay-at-Home Mom/Writer
Hometown: Damascus, Md.

Chicken (Soups/Stews)

Lauren Wyler -- Winner!
Recipe: Chicken Tasso & Andouille Gumbo
Occupation: Stay-at-Home Mom
Hometown: San Marcos, Calif.

Rita Linda
Recipe: Rita's Family Matzo Ball Noodle Soup
Occupation: Operates an online clock business
Hometown: Coral Springs, Fla.

Miriam Chaiken
Recipe: African Ground Nut Stew
Occupation: Anthropologist
Hometown: Penn Run, Pa.

Chicken (Whole)

Amparo Alam -- CHICKEN GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
Recipe: Roasted Chicken with Yucca Root
Occupation: Works in bakery
Hometown: Syracuse, Utah

Steven Payne
Recipe: St. Nino's Chicken
Occupation: Student
Hometown: College Station, Texas

Catherine Wilkinson
Recipe: Roasted Pineapple Chicken with Cilantro Cream Sauce
Occupation: Assists husband with his business
Hometown: Dewey, Ariz.

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