Chopped

In the appetizer round, a peculiar cereal is the strangest find in the basket. Then, when one of the chefs begins cooking her fluke fillets very late in the round, the judges wonder whether they will be happy with the results. The entrée round mystery basket ingredients run the gamut from light to hearty, and the finalists must work a clever crepe and an interactive candy into their desserts.

Ted's in charge! Four chefs learn that Chopped's illustrious host has been given more power than ever for their competition. Along with his usual leading role, he has designed the baskets and will -- finally! -- get to taste and critique the food. For the appetizer round, Ted challenges the chefs with a wildly unusual product in a tube and his favorite snack of all time. Curry and crab are Ted's choice for two of the mandatory entrée round ingredients, and the final basket includes an exotic extract and an Italian dessert that Ted can never pass up. 

An over-reduced sauce and undercooked venison are two of the potential problems that threaten the chefs as they try to make appetizers. Salmon in the second basket seems like a good draw, but no Chopped round is ever straightforward and easy. Then, with Mexican chocolate in the dessert basket, it seems like the judges are in for a treat, but one of the chef's time management woes are worrying. 

Four chefs connected to the rich culinary history of Africa cook with passion in this special competition. Goat chops test the chefs' chops in the entrée round, and a final basket that skews more savory than sweet presents a challenge for the finalists.

The chef who cracks the code on this special competition's egg-centric baskets will win $10,000! Three others will leave with egg on their faces. Delicate eggs and smoked seafood are part of the appetizer round challenge. A strange syrup and bold greens must be included in the competitors' entrée plates, and breaking open a giant egg should be the first item on the finalists' to-do list in the dessert round. 

Four fearless chefs take on a wild Chopped tournament event with a major curveball: There's an auction before each round to determine each chef's fourth ingredient! The chefs could end up with major advantages or extreme challenges, resulting in an unpredictable competition. In this preliminary battle, things get interesting in the appetizer round when the chef who scores the most enviable auction item ends up struggling with a basic basket ingredient. Then, the pie filling in the entrée basket isn't exactly a treat, and in the dessert round, the tables turn on the chef who seems to have the edge after the auction. The winner of each of four preliminary competitions moves on to the tournament's grand finale, where someone will score a sizable cash prize and the coveted title of Chopped Grand Champion.

In this Name Your Price tournament, the chefs uncover just three items in their mystery baskets and must bid on their fourth ingredients in a live auction. In round one, a crowded fryer derails one chef's carefully timed plans. Then, in the entrée round auction, a bidding war breaks out over a premium ingredient. In the dessert round, one chef makes ambitious plans to make ice cream, but the judges are skeptical of the approach. Only one talented competitor will move on to the tournament's grand finale.

The chefs get only three items in each basket and must bid in a live auction for a fourth ingredient. In this preliminary competition, the chef who ends up with what seems like the least desirable auction item decides to double down on the level of difficulty by using an unusual technique and flavor. Will they make something great or just make a mess? The entrée round auction includes an unusual protein that gets big bids from more than one chef. Then, in the dessert round, when both competitors decide to bake something, they take on a high risk in hopes of a high reward. The winner advances to the tournament's finale to compete for the title of Chopped Grand Champion and an enormous cash prize!

Four new competitors are ready to commit to a tournament that stretches their strategic planning abilities as well as their cooking skills. Every basket has just three items, and a live auction determines what each chef scores as their fourth ingredient. In this preliminary battle, one chef spends a ton of money to secure a favorite ingredient for his appetizer dish, raising expectations that he should be able to ace the round. Will his dish deliver? The chefs open up the second basket to discover a weird burrito, and the most promising auction item seems to be some lovely mushrooms. Then, all eyes are on the last two competitors as they race to make desserts using a fruit, booze and some pastries from the basket, plus the two very different items from the auction. Only one chef will advance to the Name Your Price tournament grand finale!

Four champions enter the kitchen ready to name their price and fight for every edge as they try to repeat a win by defeating all others! In this high stakes finale, the chefs are given a larger sum of money to bid with, and the auction levels up as the items are revealed one at a time, so the champions have no idea how bad or good each sequential ingredient might be. In an extremely fierce first round, all of the ingredients that the chefs win at auction seem challenging in their own way, and the judges' expectations are sky-high for this group of exceptional chefs. Before the entrée round, one chef's heart seems set on winning the alligator heart at auction. Then, in the decisive dessert round, a clumpy reduction seems to reduce one chef's chances of victory. But after the judges discuss all three courses, who will be the grand champion and walk away with an extraordinary sum of money, and who will be the fifteenth chef of the tournament to be chopped?

Four chefs aim to create dishes at the highest level as they cook Thai-inspired meals in the culinary tightrope act called Chopped. In the appetizer round, a mishap and a time management issue put the chefs' ability to finish their chicken feet plates in jeopardy. A colorful entrée basket includes some pretty purple dumplings. Then, in the dessert round, a competitor must juggle two simultaneous snafus. Will the last round of this Thai-inspired feast end in disaster?

Four wildly carnivorous cooks are thrilled to get a bacon theme for their competition, but can they do justice to one of their favorite foods? In the appetizer round, a bold breakfast sandwich joins Berkshire bacon in the basket. Whoever said "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" was not thinking of the bacon-forward apple creation in the entrée basket. Then, as the final round flies by, the chefs are not particularly concerned about how to include bacon in their desserts. The cruel clock, on the other hand, gives them plenty to worry about.

Tasting the love in every bite is a given when four chefs battle to cook the best soul food meal in the Chopped kitchen! In the appetizer round, a classic mismatched pair is a nice -- already cooked! -- surprise in the basket. Something crunchy and something cheesy are two of the mandatory entrée basket ingredients, and the judges are suitably eager to savor soul food desserts made with fruit and cornbread.

Four chefs are eager to impress as they race to make appetizers with mizuna and a weird pizza, but first round jitters are a real problem. A deep-fried oddity is part of the challenge for the competitors in the second round. In the dessert round, both chefs get a little bit frazzled attempting to make marvelous last plates that include a breakfast indulgence.

When the chefs get alligator in the first baskets, they rush to come up with smart ways to utilize it, but they soon learn their gator plans might be difficult to execute. One chef must pivot in the middle of the entrée round to avoid having to sheepishly present undercooked lamb to the judges. In the dessert round, an ice cream machine fiasco spells trouble for one of the competitors.

This battle is all about indulging wholeheartedly in late-night cravings, with no worries and no regrets. In the first round, tacos and ramen in the basket force fusion plates. A very hot pepper and a beloved potato product are two of the mandatory entrée round ingredients. A risky move in the dessert round makes a baking blunder a distinct possibility.

Peaches and pancetta in the appetizer basket make for an alliterative and creative first round. An unusual pork product in the entrée basket is a little bit gory and more than a little bit difficult to make shine on the plate. Can the chefs figure out the best use for it? Then, big setbacks in the last round make plating a huge challenge for one of the finalists.

The baskets always find a way to shake things up as the chefs get down to business in the Chopped kitchen! The pivotal question for round one: Will anyone have a clue what to do with emu? A savory cake in the entrée basket is just as unfamiliar, but potentially much easier to deal with. Finally, a really weird soda -- and an ice cream machine battle! -- make for an enthralling dessert round.

Love is in the air! In this tournament event, couples in different stages of their romantic journeys compete to see if their relationships are built to withstand the heat of intense culinary competition. For this preliminary battle, pairs who are dating take over the stoves! In the first basket, they find some bubbly and some berries. The entrée round challenges the teams of sweethearts to make great dishes using fondue and a buttery snack. And will a coffee-based dessert in the final basket be the kick the couples need as the battle nears its conclusion? The winning team will advance to the $50,000 Hungry for Love finale!

In this preliminary battle of an unprecedented tournament, which challenges couples to compete together, married pairs attempt to show that they're ready to rock the baskets as teams! But are their relationships tough enough to weather three rounds in the Chopped kitchen? A fancy item in the appetizer basket requires careful handling. A personalized ingredient in the entrée basket brings a smile, but things get serious when more than one couple wants access to the deep fryer. Then, two ambitious pairs attempt to wow the judges with their desserts, but only one team can be deemed worthy of moving on to the $50,000 finale fight.

Breaking up is hard to do, and staying friends is even harder! Four pairs of exes compete in this preliminary battle of the impassioned Hungry for Love tournament, but when former partners team up in the kitchen, can things stay civil for long? Special dumplings and a thematic treat are two of the ingredients that the teams find in the appetizer basket. In the entrée round, one team starts to panic when a sauce they made is suddenly nowhere to be found. Then, flowers and chocolate make for a romantic dessert basket. The winning team heads to the tournament's $50,000 finale.

Four pairs of singles are set up on blind dates and challenged to work as teams in this preliminary battle. When missteps in the first round cause the couples problems, will they panic or power through? In the entrée round, the protein in the basket is far from a grocery store staple. Then, in the final round, the clock doesn't seem to be the chefs' friend, and undercooked desserts seem like a possibility. The winning team will advance to the tournament's finale for a chance to win $50,000!

The winning teams from the Hungry for Love preliminary battles are back to fight it out in the tournament finale -- a dating couple, a married couple, a pair of exes and a blind date couple! Tension is high as the teams race around in the appetizer round, aiming to make memorable lamb dishes. With just three teams left competing for the grand prize in the entrée round, the couples try to be as efficient and creative as possible. Then, the two teams left standing for the dessert round amp up the hustle and heart to make incredible pear and pancake dishes that are tasty enough to secure victory and $50,000!

Lifestyles of the talented and the chopped! Four chefs focus on making outstanding dishes from a crazy mix of ingredients in the appetizer basket, including escargot pearls. Then, a super-sized item in the entrée basket could provide a crunch the chefs need for their dishes, and a creepy dessert ingredient is a scary sight.

Four chefs take on the challenge to create meat-free plates that could win over the palates of even the most die-hard carnivores. Dough and mayo must make it into the chefs' first set of veggie-licious dishes, and the competitors create mushroom entrées with tons of flavor in order to meet the meat-free-but-amazing criteria. Then, a boxed brownie mix seems like a gift in the dessert round, but the 30-minute time limit complicates things.

In a Chopped first, four superbly skilled sushi chefs compete to see who can best all the others. A quietly intense first round has the chefs creating appetizers with precision and potato chips. Then, the chefs who make it to the entrée round get creative with a prized fish and some special candy, and daring choices in the dessert round impress the judges.

The night belongs to foodies as four chefs celebrate international night markets and the culinary creativity they inspire. In the appetizer round, the chefs showcase their talents and their cultural points of view. Then, duck in the second basket challenges the chefs to make good decisions, while some alarming kabobs in the final basket guarantee interesting desserts.

Four brave chefs take on a cheese that won't melt and a clock that won't stop in the appetizer round. Then, the chefs step it up in the entrée round to make sure their camel tenderloin dishes really impress the judges before tackling a layered sweet and a tart berry in the dessert round.

The Chopped kitchen is buzzing with hot content as four social media influencers take to the stoves. A change of plans in the appetizer round forces some chefs to redirect, and a sea bass fiasco in the entrée round threatens to derail one competitor's dish. Then, apple with cinnamon is a classic flavor combination that the final two chefs must incorporate into their desserts.

Four new chefs are thrown into the mix and find out fast what the Chopped kitchen is really like! When they feast their eyes on a hearty sandwich in the first basket, can they transform it into dainty, delicious appetizers? In the second round, the chefs must make creative, beautiful entrees with weird soda and quail. Finally, inside the last basket is duck bacon, which sounds like a dreamy ingredient, but putting it to great use in dessert may prove difficult.

In this special competition, four superhero chefs with huge hearts and broad-reaching influence in their communities compete to see who can prevail in the Chopped kitchen. The judges are impressed with the speed and confidence shown in the appetizer round, as the chefs race to put together magnificent mussels dishes. The chefs' personalities and culinary points of view have a chance to shine in their skirt steak entrée plates. Then, in the dessert round, when one chef makes the mighty microwave a key part of the plan, will the shortcut prove pivotal to success?

Say yes to the stress! Creativity and passion abound when a new group of chefs sign on for the chaotic cooking experience that is Chopped. The competitors aim to prove that they can roll with whatever they find in the appetizer basket, including gnocchi in a bread bowl. Bogus pork meets rabbit meat in the entrée basket, and a savory item and a sparkly treat are two of the ingredients the finalists must include in their desserts.

Four new chefs battle to see if they have the chops to win Chopped. In the appetizer round, one competitor makes a risky choice to prepare a basket ingredient in two different ways. Will her dish be a hit or a flop? Then in the second round, the chefs are challenged to make excellent elk entrees in just 30 minutes, or else face elimination. Finally, ice cream nachos in the dessert basket seem whimsical, but the final half hour in the Chopped kitchen is not all fun and games for the final two chefs.

End childhood hunger! In this special competition, chefs with a deep understanding of food insecurity make meals with kids and families in mind, as they share their dishes and their stories about resilience and service. The three rounds for this battle are breakfast, lunch and dinner, so the chefs will create three full meals meant to fill a child's belly. From peanut butter to tuna and broccoli, the baskets are packed with family-friendly flavors to prompt nutritious and satisfying culinary creations.

Good first impressions are key! With no major tricks in the first basket, the chefs are left to create their own problems, as they attempt to piece together scrumptious meat and potato appetizers. Delicious duck dishes are a tall order in the entrée round in just 30 minutes. Then, in the dessert round, the chefs hesitate to make the obvious choice when they get a particular dough in the basket. Will their creativity pay off or trip them up?

America's 50th state knows how to cook up a good time, as this culinary battle will prove! The fryer is a hot commodity in the appetizer round, creating dilemmas for the chefs who didn't get there first. Fish and seaweed in the entrée basket keep the island vibes going strong. In the dessert round, a canned meat product and a sweet purée are part of the culinary puzzle that the two finalists must solve.

The judges are eager to taste the chefs' cod filet appetizers, but the super-short first round proves to be a challenge for some of the competitors. Cottage cheese and an unusual Chinese snack food are two of the ingredients that the chefs must incorporate into their entrée plates. Then, a colorful cake and a fruity sauce must find their way into the finalists' desserts.

Four chefs with a deep love and passion for Korean food compete to see who will make a champion-caliber meal. In the first round of this "Seoul searching" battle, the competitors get creative with a canned fish and a citrus compote. Two popular Korean proteins are part of the puzzle in the entrée round. When the two finalists move on to the dessert round, they must make smart use of a pink liquid and a savory Korean street food.

Four determined chefs open the appetizer basket to find a deep-fried treat and a special seafood surprise they'll have to make work together. For the entrée, the competitors stick their necks out trying to make creative dishes out of ostrich neck and curry ketchup. Then in the dessert round, the judges watch anxiously as one of the chefs attempts to bake three of the basket ingredients into a single dish.

You gotta have heart for this battle! Alligator heart that is, and four wide-eyed Chopped newbies must figure out what to do with such a peculiar curveball in the appetizer basket. Then, a bird and a birthday treat are two surprises in the entrée basket, and an oversized ice cream product in the dessert basket has the competitors thinking big in the final round.

Baskets open, minds churning! In the first round, a trendy pastry in the basket inspires debate, and as the clock ticks down, the judges worry that not all of the chefs are on pace to finish their appetizers. Getting steaks in the second round seems like a gift, but cooking them perfectly is not a gimme. Then in the final round, the chefs must figure out how to make a hybrid comfort food go with a savory frozen item.

Great minds, limited time! The ingredients in the first basket inspire all the chefs to use the deep fryer, resulting in a kitchen traffic jam. In the second round, the judges are hoping for tender, juicy swordfish steaks, but not all of the chefs appear to be nailing the assignment. Then in the third round, an unusual cheese product prompts one of the chefs to attempt a cheesecake.

Ready? Set? Crack those claws! In the first round, the chefs hustle to procure enough crab meat to make their appetizers. Then, a strange dip in the second round is a big part of the entrée challenge, and the final round is filled with plenty of fun when the basket includes mocktails and fruit balls.

It's the biggest Chopped shake up ever as a wheel of chance determines which of the sixteen chefs will compete, how the tournament jackpot will go and what randomly selected ingredients will be added to the challenge. In the first battle, four talented and ambitious chefs get a tough appetizer basket that includes a glorious seafood product. In the entrée round, the chefs must combine an acai bowl with an amphibious delicacy. Then, a spin of the wheel gives the chefs a strange beverage they must include in their desserts.

With twelve chefs left in the pool of potential competitors, only three will be selected by the wheel to attempt to topple a fierce returning champion! In a dramatic appetizer round, the chefs must work with a funny cake and an unusual canned item. Then, the chefs have differing opinions in the entrée round about whether the randomly selected fourth ingredient is a cinch or a problem, while the dessert round has both chefs running into issues trying to make delicious final plates from a weird pie and a nostalgic candy.

From a pool of nine, the wheel determines which three chefs will be selected to topple a fierce returning champion for a chance at an ever-rising jackpot. In a wild first round, prepping an ingredient eats up time for one chef, which worries the judges. Then, the chefs find ostrich meat in the entrée basket, which seems easy compared to the nightmare ingredient the wheel deals out. The two chefs left give it their all with spicy and sweet desserts in hopes of continuing on to battle four!

With six chefs left in the pool, three who've been impatiently sidelined finally get their chance at the stoves! In the appetizer round, everyone is unfamiliar with the ingredient that was randomly selected by the wheel, while the protein in the entrée round causes problems. Then, it's a nail-biter of a dessert round as the chefs race to prove who can make the better sweet plate from a breakfast pastry and an Asian spice. Winner will move on to the decisive battle five!

Everybody is spinning with excitement for the highly anticipated battle five fight! The three remaining chefs from the pool finally get to cook against the reigning champion, and the already astronomical jackpot is destined to go higher. Upon opening the appetizer basket, the chefs come face-to-face with an intimidating ingredient. In the entrée round, the chefs are shocked at the dollar value of the ingredient from the wheel, and they must tame one of the most bitter ingredients in Chopped history. After the final two contenders discover a giant sweet surprise in the dessert basket, they frantically stir, blend and bake their hearts out in an effort to emerge as the one and only Spin It to Win It grand champion!

Four talented chefs are thrilled to compete in a battle celebrating Chinese cuisine! When an item in the first basket prompts the chefs to make very similar appetizer plates, the cooks scramble to distinguish themselves. In the entrée round, the judges are happy when the chefs take the opportunity to showcase their unique styles, but they must still send someone's salmon plate to the chopping block. In the end, the final two competitors find noodles and a cool candy in the dessert basket.

Four lucky duck chefs are pumped to get a beautiful appetizer basket that includes a delicious duck as an ingredient, and the judges cheer the competitors on as they race to make a great first impression. In the entrée round, the chefs continue to cook with confidence and creativity when faced with a basket featuring a comfort food mashup. Finally, the two competitors left standing must make desserts using cheese, fruit, and a cornbread mix.

It's a truffle kerfuffle in the Chopped kitchen as four chefs are amped up to work with prized fungi in every round. In the appetizer round, the chefs take their dishes in four very different directions, and the judges aren't sure that everyone is making wise decisions. A pricey cut of meat in the truffle-themed entrée round puts pressure on the chefs to honor an extra extravagant basket, and the dessert round challenges the final two with crafting truffle-forward treats.

Inspired by hash browns and energized by eggs, four chefs wake up the judges' palates using baskets packed with breakfast foods. Time constraints in the super short first round have the chefs working frantically to get their plates done, and two chefs battle with breakfast sandwiches in the entrée round. In the dessert round, the competitors face a challenge that includes a strange coffee and a regional meat dish.

The chefs open the first basket to discover they'll be serving up cephalopods! The appetizer round is filled with energy and ambition as the chefs set out to show they're a clever and competitive bunch. Pork and a Portuguese finger food make up part of the challenge in the second round, and the two chefs who move on to the dessert round are determined to make terrific final dishes with a canned cocktail and a marshmallow treat.

The Chopped competitors take on ingredients that would usually be thrown away in hopes of turning edible trash into culinary treasures. In the appetizer round, all four chefs have zero reservations about the zero-waste theme, and they have big plans for the shrimp-centric basket. Then, a leftover dish and ignored vegetable tops create a culinary puzzle in the entrée round, and the two finalists make wise use of expired milk before time expires in the dessert round.

Just add sea snails! Most of the chefs are shocked and confused when abalone appears in their appetizer baskets. Then, a fusion soup and a colorful veggie are in the mix in the entrée basket, and an unwelcome egg in the dessert basket challenges the competitors to accept their fates and create innovative final plates.

Four competitors think they're ready for whatever the Chopped kitchen might throw at them! In a dynamic first round, the chefs have a lot of ideas for their turkey legs and milkshakes, but they struggle to keep pace with the clock. Then in a drama-filled second round, the chefs rush to make steak work with a wacky candied surprise. When the final two chefs open the dessert basket and find a lot of frosting and a freeze-dried fruit, they must wrap their heads around the challenge in time to make terrific final plates.

Four chefs get to the heart of Italian cuisine as they explore the incredible influence that the robust Emilia-Romagna region has on the culinary world. A slithery surprise and a frozen favorite challenge the chefs in the appetizer round, and those who make it to the entrée round have very different ideas for their veal and mushroom dishes. Then, the two competitors who remain for the dessert round endeavor to represent themselves and their region!

In a celebration of foods from the Veneto region of Italy, famous for its hearty yet elegant cuisine, the chefs showcase what they know about making amazing Venetian dishes. A strikingly strange ingredient in the first basket threatens to throw them off their game, while using polenta to best effect in a half-hour entree round is a tremendous task. After two ambitious chefs set out to leave an impression with their pear and cheese desserts, the judges will have to decide who has secured a spot in the Battle Italiano finale!

Four chefs get inspired by Italy's "olive oil capital" as they create coastal cuisine from Puglia. In the appetizer round, a chef's mistake causes a big stink in the kitchen -- literally, and an imposing protein takes up a lot of space in the entrée basket. In the dessert round, a tough basket that includes cactus creates a prickly situation for the final two chefs.

Four chefs focus on the fabulous food of Tuscany in all its fresh, humble, sensational glory. In the appetizer round, the judges wonder whether the chefs will manage to make good choices while dealing with a super-lean meat in the basket. Then, issues of confidence and competence plague the chefs in round two, and two chefs inspired by an Italian cookie tray -- and their desire to score a spot in the finale -- race to make amazing final plates!

The four winning chefs return for the Battle Italiano finale, where they'll represent their regions and fight to take home the Grande Campione's $25,000 prize! The baskets are anything but standard issue, and the appetizer round features pizza in a tube! Emotions run high in a dramatic entrée round with just three chefs left in the epic tournament. Then, unfamiliar ingredients in the dessert basket promise to keep the two finalists on their toes!

The chefs go overboard when it comes to making gloriously gluttonous food. In the appetizer round, three chefs compete for their time with the fryer. Steak in the second basket is a welcome surprise, but the chefs struggle when the rest of the basket becomes a challenge. Then, the last two competitors pull out all the stops with gummy candy and cinnamon roll desserts.

In an exuberant Pride-filled competition, extra-large personalities and seriously good food are sure to make it a meal to remember. In the first round, the energetic chefs turn PB&J pancakes into fantastic appetizers. Then, a rainbow-themed ingredient in the entrée basket is not a sunny surprise, and ice cream machine drama in the dessert round has the judges on the edge of their seats.

Four chefs will have a nose-to-tail tale to tell after finding a biggie piggy surprise in the appetizer basket and get a bit overzealous pounding pork for their entrée. Then, the final two competitors are tickled pink by the discovery of pink pineapple in their dessert baskets and try to do it justice in their final plates.

Four Southwestern competitors take the reins in the Chopped kitchen, and the baskets are packed full of ingredients from America's most arid and untamed lands. A cactus product and a comfort food casserole stand out in the appetizer basket, while a spicy surprise forces the competitors to bring the heat in the entrée round. Then, a special flour in the dessert basket could prove to be inspiring or intimidating for the chefs.

Four chefs have the green light to go wild for avocados! For all their energy and enthusiasm, the chefs struggle to keep up with the clock in the first round, and the judges are on the edges of their seats. Then, figuring out how to work with a "secret" meat in the second basket might be the key to making delectable main dishes, and the two chefs left for the final round must be creative and conscientious to make avocado work well in their desserts.

Shell-shocked, the chefs must crush open crustaceans in every round to make sensational seafood meals that will float the judges' boat. In the appetizer basket, the chefs uncover a royally special seafood surprise, but a more basic ingredient could trip them up. Then, big ambitions in a tight time frame might mean trouble for one of the chefs, and the judges wonder if a risky plan in the dessert round will pan out.

Set on success, four chefs are ready to wow the judges with their heart, talent and drive! In the first round, the competitors make appetizers that include a Central Asian bread and a fun sweet-and-sour treat. When the chefs find a packaged product in the entrée basket, they must think up ways to make it sing with sole. Then, it's anybody's guess who will prevail after a dessert round featuring an Indian snack and a plethora of pastries.

The chefs are eager to put their own mark on things by grabbing extra items for their appetizers; their pantry picks may not be smart choices; figuring out what to do with a leafy vegetable sucks up most of their time in the entrée round.

Fooled you! Certain ingredients in the baskets are not what they appear to be, and the chefs do a double take to find they've been faked! An ice cream treat in the appetizer basket is not the sweet it's posing as, pigs in a blanket in the entrée basket turn out to be surprisingly vegetarian-friendly, and the red wine in the dessert basket won't get the chefs tipsy, but it might trip them up.

Four brave chefs prioritize flavor over fear as they take on outrageously daring ingredients to make killer dishes for the judges. The heat is on in the appetizer round with frighteningly difficult ingredients and just twenty minutes to cook. Then, the chefs prove they have the chops to make a swamp-loving chomper tasty in the entrée round and try not be stung by a shocking sweet in the dessert basket.

Four Chopped Champions are asked back to the kitchen via personal invitation from legendary judge Scott Conant and will face off to see who is most worthy of returning to represent Scott in the finale. On the line: a $25,000 cash prize, $25,000 for charity and legendary status. All of the ingredients are selected by Scott himself, and a certain notorious vegetable is a true test in the appetizer basket. In the second round, one champion hits a major hurdle when an ingredient falls to the floor. Will there be enough time to pull a great plate together? And a simple pantry staple is part of the basket inspiration in the dessert round. The winner will get to cook with Scott as their sous chef in the finale fight!

Four extraordinary champions, invited back to the kitchen by legendary judge Chris Santos, relish the chance to be put to the test. The winner of this preliminary competition will go to the grand finale, with Chris as their sous chef, to compete for $25,000 cash, $25,000 for charity and legendary status! A beautiful ode to bacon is one of the ingredients in the appetizer basket designed by Chris himself. A soup and a boozy trend are two of the items the chefs must include in their entrées. Finally, the dessert basket contains something super spicy and something very sweet.

Four champions return to the kitchen as favorites of legendary judge Alex Guarnaschelli. The winner will return for the tournament's grand finale, with Alex as their sous chef. In the first round, a French pastry and a richly flavored fish are two pieces of the culinary puzzle that Alex has devised for her special group of competitors. A lowbrow, universally beloved item is in the entrée basket. Then, the two chefs who make it to the dessert round have ambitious plans for some of Alex's favorite sweet ingredients, but only one champ can advance in this Chopped Legends tournament!

Four incredible competitors return to the stoves after being hand-picked as favorites by legendary judge Maneet Chauhan. The winner gets to compete with Maneet as their sous chef in the tournament's grand finale, with $25,000 cash and $25,000 for charity at stake -- plus legendary status! The baskets that Maneet selects for this battle include a signature Nashville flavoring, an Indian dessert and a frozen cocktail. Who will earn the respect of a legend and advance to the finale, and who will be chopped?

The best of the best face off to see who can emerge victorious in the tournament finale fight to win $25,000 in cash, $25,000 for charity and legendary status! It's a fascinating dynamic as each returning champion has the judge who tapped them for this tournament as their sous chef. Will communication issues cause any problems in the appetizer round as the teams attempt to make amazing first plates that include two interesting pork products? Emotions run high in a frantic second round, as the teams rush to make great duck entrées. Then, an unpopular canned product in the dessert basket is unlikely to be the most difficult obstacle the chefs face in an intense last round.

Four chefs bring traditions and pride into play as they celebrate their Hispanic culinary cultures. A sweet surprise and a fungus delicacy make for an interesting pair in the appetizer basket. Then, the chefs seek to honor their families' homelands as they race to create great fish entrées, while ambitious plans in the dessert round result in one chef racing to come up with a plan B.

Four feisty chefs share their love of cooking by showcasing their unique personalities on the plate, but a time-consuming flex threatens one competitor's chances of finishing the first round. Then, the judges get excited over fantastic pork and kohlrabi entrée plates, and a fermented find is a head-scratcher in the dessert basket.

Opa! Working with Mediterranean classics and surprises in the baskets, four chefs try to stand out while honoring their shared culinary playbook. The competitors feast their eyes on a special cookie in the appetizer basket, which appears to be staring back. Then, the chefs get a leg up with lamb in the entrée round and are inspired by nostalgic favorites in the dessert basket.

Four chefs compete to make a jiggly surprise in the appetizer basket work in their fish dishes. Then in the entrée round, the chefs zip into action to use zhoug -- a tasty Middle Eastern condiment -- correctly in their creations, while an oddly colored citrus fruit meets mooncake in the dessert basket.

Bet big, win big! Doubling down on culinary gambling thrills, Chopped hosts a second Casino Royale tournament with even more ways for the chefs to take their fate into their own hands. The competitors don't have to keep the basket they've been dealt, and they can take a risk on an unknown replacement ingredient. In this preliminary battle, the chefs open their first baskets to find some cookies that look good, but not as part of an appetizer. In the entrée basket, it seems like a no-brainer to ditch a particularly strange ingredient, so everyone is shocked when one chef stubbornly decides to keep it. In the dessert round, a wild turn of events leaves one competitor with an ingredient that nobody saw coming.

Don't like a basket ingredient? Gamble it away! Life is good at Chopped's Casino Royale until your luck runs out! Four more culinary gamblers have high hopes as they arrive for this preliminary battle of an extraordinary tournament event. Before the appetizer round, the chefs unanimously agree that a certain basket item is the pits and needs to go. In the entrée round, a strange cotton candy creation seems like an obvious clunker. The dessert round brings trouble and two very different experiences as one chef works frantically while the other seems much more relaxed. The winner moves on to the finale with their sights set on the $25,000 jackpot!

Four new bold chefs compete in a preliminary battle of Chopped's Casino Royale, where competitors are permitted to gamble ingredients away if they don't like them. In the first basket, something super-sweet seems super problematic, so more than one chef decides to ditch it. Once the cooking gets started, some of the chefs find it difficult to stay focused while the clock ticks down. The chefs open the entrée basket to find a cured piece of seafood that doesn't seem like a piece of cake. When two passionate chefs make it to the third round, their fate in the casino has major ramifications in their desserts.

The chefs take control of the game in Chopped's Casino Royale. With a spot in the tournament's grand finale at stake, the four chefs in this preliminary battle open their first basket to find something called "goat water." Then, a squirmy sea creature in the second basket doesn't seem like a keeper, but a risky switch could land something even worse. In the dessert round, an unpredictable moment leaves one chef awestruck, but it's anybody's guess how the competition will shake out after the last dishes are served. The winner moves on to the finale, where the jackpot starts at $25,000.

The Casino Royale champions are back, and they're chasing a jackpot that starts at $25,000! The champs open up the final appetizer basket and come eye-to-eye with a shocking ingredient. Then, only one chef chooses to gamble away their finale entrée basket and are forced to deal with the consequences. Champagne in the dessert basket foreshadows the celebration that lies ahead for one of the competitors. With life-changing money on the line, every move matters and every mistake could mean the difference between becoming the grand champion or leaving as the runner-up.

A pork theme is a true treat! The chefs get basket ingredients that make them feel like they've died and gone to hog heaven. Round-by-round, the competitor who's able to celebrate the pig the best in their dishes is bound to be the champ. A prized cut of meat is a nice head start for the chefs in the appetizer round, but they'll need to cook it perfectly to do it justice. Then in the entrée round, an offal surprise in the baskets leaves some chefs spooked. Donuts and an unusual nose-to-tail offering keep the chefs on their toes in the dessert round.

Meeting a blind date at a coffee shop is so passé! The Chopped Kitchen is the place to go when looking for love and the experience of a lifetime. Four pairs of chefs are set up on teams to compete against other lovelorn duos in an epic showdown, where sparks could fly in the heat of battle. Heart-shaped pasta and a flirty cocktail get things going in the appetizer round. As they cook up chateaubriand entrees, the couples find ways to connect, like doing shots in the pantry and discovering matching tattoos. A race to the ice cream machine in the final round adds some stress to the blind dates and has everyone wondering which duo can persevere under pressure and win.

An amazing blend of cultures, Creole cuisine is as comforting as it is complex. Four chefs who specialize in this cooking style are challenged to be creatively inspired by the basket ingredients. The judges are excited to chomp down on alligator meat in their appetizers, but the chefs seem overwhelmed by an imposing protein in the entrée basket. Then in the dessert round, the final two chefs struggle to settle on clear plans for the ingredients.

Something fried in the appetizer basket is a bit of a head-scratcher for the chefs, but they must power on in an attempt to make it to the next round. The competitive fire is strong in the entree round as the chefs hustle to put together plates from a particularly strange combination of basket ingredients, including some curious fusion tacos. Then, the judges are impressed when the chefs bring very different yet clear visions to the dessert table.

With powerful peppers in every basket, four chefs learn that they'll get chilies increasing in heat on the Scoville scale for every round. In the appetizer round, the chefs fight over the fryer and try to figure out how to properly balance heat with the other flavors in their dishes. Then, the entrée basket has hot and cold components, and the two finalists must use finesse to incorporate one of the hottest peppers in the world into their desserts.

Four chefs with distinct personalities enter the Chopped kitchen on a quest to show the judges who they are and what they can do. In the first basket, they're not too thrilled to see a sea creature nobody has worked with before, and a fryer battle ensues. Steak in the entrée basket seems like a luckier draw, but the chefs will have to ace the doneness under pressure. Finally, a condiment made with worms is a squirmy surprise in the dessert basket.

Four chefs are determined to be the next Chopped Champion, but only one of them will succeed! In the first round, combining ramen with a fruity cereal snack seems like the biggest challenge the competitors might face, but a serious injury leaves one chef stunned and significantly set back. Next, a strange frozen food is part of the puzzle in the entrée round. Then in the final round, the last two chefs attempt to show their very different culinary points of view through their bologna and orange desserts.

It's a pizza style showdown as four brilliant pizza pros race the clock in a battle for $10,000. From toothsome toppings to delicious dough, every bite matters when making pizza magic. In the appetizer round, the chefs discover that a notorious pizza topping is a mandatory ingredient! The competitors who make it through to the entrée round are glad that they can continue to proudly rep their particular pizza styles. Finally, pineapple on pizza is a controversial thing, but maybe it won't cause such a fuss in the dessert basket.

Gotta fry! The chefs learn that in every round they must use the deep fryer or air fryer to make crispy, creative cuisine. First round jitters affect the chefs as they rush to fry up appetizers, and as the final seconds tick away, it's unclear whether everyone will remember to plate every basket ingredient. Then in the entrée round, a prized meat and a milk substitute are two of the mandatory items the competitors must incorporate into their dishes. The final basket holds some fun ingredients that inspire the last two competitors to create whimsical desserts.

It's a Mexican fiesta in the Chopped kitchen as every basket features foods from our neighbor to the south, and the chefs will be encouraged to dial up the flavor to make extra scrumptious dishes. In the first round, the chefs struggle under the time pressure and hope that their appetizers don't fall flat when it comes to technique. In the second round, the chefs must combine a weird ice cream and a classic Mexican sauce. Then in a neck-and-neck final round, the chefs get creative with some unusual potato chips and a distinctively flavored leafy green.

When four competitors feast their eyes on the thinly sliced ribeye in the basket, they each take their appetizers in very different directions. In the entrée round, the chefs must incorporate a movie snack and a piece of poultry into their dishes. Then, a competitor who was doing well up until the dessert round runs into some serious issues.

On choppy Chopped seas, U.S. Navy chefs can expect anything but smooth sailing. In the appetizer round, they'll have to create spectacular apps using a soup and an aged meat product. Then in the entrée round, the chefs ponder how to make French fries work with pineapple, while the dessert round features a tropical fruit and a patriotic cake. Only one chef can move on to the finale, where $75,000 for a charitable cause will be on the line!

Flying high and cooking well, four members of the U.S. Air Force arrive in the Chopped kitchen for the special Military Salute tournament! In the appetizer basket, the chefs find a bowl of something comforting and a crunchy snack. For their entrees, they must use a tangy sauce and a snappy vegetable. Then in an exciting dessert round, the last two Air Force chefs remaining create final dishes that include a wild play on pickles.

Chopped salutes the U.S. Military and welcomes the few, the proud, the U.S. Marine Corps chefs to the kitchen! In the appetizer round, the chefs must figure out how to make something that's normally "ready to eat" ready for the judges! Then in the entrée round, a breakfast food in the basket will awaken the chefs' creativity. Finally, a savory-sweet mash up in the dessert basket turns the final round into a real head-scratcher for the two Marines still cooking.

Be all you can be in the Chopped kitchen! Four chefs from the U.S. Army have their marching orders to transform a favorite soldier comfort food into an elevated appetizer. Then, an exotic vegetable and a tender meat surprises the chefs in their entrée baskets before a festive drink shakes up the remaining competitors in the dessert round. The champion of this competition wins a spot in the tournament's finale!

Joining forces for the finale, the four military finalists cook as a team against a mystery Chopped judge in every round! Four-versus-one seems like a clear advantage for the military chefs, but they're teamwork is tested when they disagree about the timing involved for their first round veggie dish. In the second round, everyone is excited to see beautiful steaks in the basket, and the judges are hoping for grilled perfection. Then, hot dogs in the dessert basket are not a pleasant surprise. Whoever reigns supreme in each round will have the chance to win $75,000 for a charitable cause!

Baskets open, and brains in gear! The chefs are in for a tricky puzzle when they discover a very sweet drink and a challenging beef product in the first round. A giant clam in the second basket is an exciting find for the competitors, but cooking it correctly may prove challenging. Then, it looks like the chefs got lucky with some lovely dessert ingredients, but one chef grabs an item from the pantry that could make the round more difficult. The judges watch and wait to see how the final plates will taste!

Off the couch and into the fire! Four lucky superfans get the chance of a lifetime to compete in the Chopped kitchen! It's all high fives and optimism at the start, but these gung-ho home cooks will have to make delicious dishes while the clock counts down and the judges look on. In the first round, the pressure mounts as the competitors realize just how difficult a challenge they're facing. In the second round, a giant gummy creature and an intimidating piece of protein lurks in the basket. Then in the third round, the judges hope the finalists will use two tricky ingredients judiciously.

Four chefs who are right at home on the range keep it real and rustic while making food with western flair and flavor. In the appetizer round, one chef's race to get her fritters cooked in time has the judges on the edge of their seats. The competitors open up their entrée baskets to find a beautiful cut of meat that seems like a rancher's dream, but with no time for "low and slow" cooking, there might be trouble. Then, mishaps by both chefs in the dessert round keep everyone guessing who will ride off into the sunset with the $10,000 prize.

Chefs who usually hit the high seas by cooking on yachts battle on dry land, trading their sea legs for a topsy-turvy experience in the Chopped kitchen! Predictably, the chefs get seafood in the first basket, but proverbial rough waters in the appetizer round make for a rocky start to the competition. Creativity abounds from the chefs as they make entrées, but the judges find some technical issues with the plates. Then, it's a tight race in the dessert round as the chefs seek to make incredible final dishes with a strange butter and a tropical cocktail.

Hearty, wholesome meat and potatoes! The baskets for this battle all feature the classic comfort-food combo, and the judges hope to get dishes that take the theme in surprising new directions. In the first round, the chefs are challenged to make appropriately sized appetizers out of a basket that has mighty and meaty portions. When the competitors dig into the entrée basket and see a bizarre savory cake, they all decide to take it in a similar direction. Then, it's anybody's guess what's in store for the final two chefs in a meat-and-taters dessert round!

In the appetizer round, the chefs must make use of an unusual peanut butter product, and the competitors ramp up the creativity to try to give the judges plates they won't forget. Then in the entrée round, all three chefs run for the grill pans after seeing the protein in the basket, and a beverage inspires some sweet sauces. Squash in the dessert basket is an interesting challenge for the two chefs as they battle for the title and the prize.

Bring on the burger battle! Four chefs who are obsessed with burger mastery compete to see who will reign supreme. The grinders are going strong from the start as the chefs race to make magnificent appetizer burgers using premium beef before setting their sights on epic lamb burgers for the main. As if making sweet burgers for dessert wasn't challenging enough, one chef ups the level of difficulty by breaking a critical piece of kitchen equipment.

Four chefs hope for a sweet start as they open their appetizer baskets to find a green gummy shocker that is sure to keep them on edge as they try to show off their skills. The big question for the competitors in the entrée round is how to deal with the veal. Then, in the dessert round, a classic Chopped conundrum: when both chefs want to get into the ice cream machine, which one will get there first?!

Do you want kimchi fries with that? When the chefs get fried potatoes topped with Korean chile powder in the appetizer basket, the judges could be in for some fusion confusion or satisfying first plates. The competitors find a versatile and lean cut of meat in the entrée basket: beef knuckle. Then, a strange pizza and a rich nut are two of the mandatory items for the last two chefs in the dessert round.

Southern hospitality at its yummy best! Four chefs who hail from down South aim to up their games against talented peers, all dreaming of the title of Chopped champ. The judges love the appetizer basket, which includes a questionable take on fried chicken, but they worry that the Southern chefs need to pick up the pace to get their dishes plated in time. Then, the chefs must get creative with a casserole in the entrée basket. In the dessert round, when one of the chefs grabs the puffed pastry from the pantry, it's uncertain whether there will be enough time to cook it through.

It's Halloween in the Chopped kitchen, and the basket goblins have been hard at work finding ingredients that are positively spooky. In the first round, the competitors struggle to wrap their heads around a "pasta brain," and ambitious plans go awry in the second round when trying to make something glorious out of something gross. Then in the third round, some tasty syringes may be the shot the finalists need to ace their dessert plates.

Celebrating the trendy tradition of hosting a Friendsgiving meal, four teams of best buddies compete to make a Thanksgiving feast. Cooperation will be key as good pals set out to show that their bonds can withstand the pressure that comes from one of the toughest cooking competitions around. Mayhem ensues with eight chefs in the kitchen in the first round, as everyone tries to make the most of an iffy canned product. A thematically appropriate and totally weird hot dog is part of the entrée round puzzle, and a pumpkin pie-flavored drink in the dessert basket is a sweet surprise for the two remaining teams of friends.

Holiday wishes do come true! Four Chopped Grand Champions are headed home to the Chopped kitchen for the holidays, but they will be challenged with some extremely tough baskets. The chefs must figure out how to use a kooky candy cane in their appetizers. A meat in the entrée basket is bound to be met with some trepidation. Then, ingenuity, speed and skill are on display in a captivating dessert round that includes pomegranate. Every course will be extra special, since the competitors are all amazingly talented winners with nothing left to prove but plenty left to give.

Got the skills to ace the basket? What the chefs know -- or don't know -- about uni (sea urchin) will play a factor in the appetizer round. And the pressure of the clock takes a toll on some of the competitors. A simple soup is part of a complex puzzle in the entrée round, and a corn cake meets a classic candy in the dessert basket.

Chopped is always a gamble, but the Casino Royale tournament takes it to another level. The competitors are given the chance to replace basket ingredients with new ones by the roll of the dice. In this first preliminary battle, something slithery is in the original basket, and a Vegas-themed item in round two isn't a big hit with the chefs. When a chef runs into some bad luck in round three, he doesn't seem phased, but will his bold moves with the ice cream machine result in good flavor? The winner moves on the tournament's finale!

In the second battle of this special Chopped tournament, the chefs get to gamble for a chance to replace a basket ingredient, and the fish offal in the first basket is begging to be gambled away. In round two, all the remaining chefs have a different least-favorite basket ingredient, and more gambling in round three leads to serious drama. The winner of this preliminary battle advances to the finale, where $25,000 -- or more! -- will be at stake.

Roll the dice and change your fate! In this third battle of the Casino Royale tournament, the chefs can gamble to get lucky or unlucky replacement basket ingredients, and the appetizer basket reveals a notoriously challenging ingredient. Will everyone opt to swap it out? In round two, the chefs are second guessing their choices when they have bad luck with an ingredient. Then, the remaining two chefs in the final round decide to take a chance by baking something. The winner of this battle scores a seat in the Casino Royale finale!

In the fourth battle of the Casino Royale tournament, chefs, once again, get to try their luck at replacement basket ingredients, if they dare. When nobody decides to ditch a strange pizza in the appetizer basket, only time will tell if that was a wise move. Before the entree round, a roll of the dice gives one chef two proteins that he must cook, but is there enough time? Then, an interesting gamble and some uncooperative puffed pastry keep things exciting in the final round, and the judges face a difficult decision in selecting the chef who deserves to move on to the finale.

Four winners return to Chopped's Casino Royale, gunning for the jackpot and the title of grand champion! As in the prelim battles, the chefs will have a choice to gamble away an ingredient before each round, and the $25,000 jackpot will get higher or lower depending on the champs' good or bad fortune. The appetizer round is a frenzy of excitement, as the competitors race to raise the bar and deliver the flavor. Nobody wants to swap out the beautiful rack of lamb in the entree basket, but the level of intensity is sky-high as the intoxicating possibility of a finale win sinks in. It all leads up to the final rolls and the final cooking round! Who will leave the casino with a huge jackpot and an even bigger sense of accomplishment?

Looking for love in all the wrong places? Eight single-and-ready-to-mingle chefs are set up with blind dates as their teammates for a quadruple date and culinary showdown all in one! An aquatic aphrodisiac is a fun find in the appetizer basket, and steak in the entree basket takes the date up a notch. Finally, the last two pairs work passionately to create passionfruit and matcha desserts that earn them the $10,000 prize.

A proud legacy of delicious cooking! Four chefs celebrate Black History Month through incredible food. Fish fillets and fish peppers must be combined for the appetizer course, and a hearty soup and a Southern vegetable inspire the chefs in the entree round. Then, when chefs with two unique perspectives make it into the dessert round, they both have a good feeling about the basket, but only time will tell if the ingredients can come together just as they would like.

For the love of chocolate! In this battle, the chefs are blessed with an abundance of the so-called food of the gods. In the first round, the competitors attempt to make duck and chocolate fly. Faux deviled eggs are a sweet trick in the entree basket, and by the time the dessert round is done, it might be natural to ask if there's such a thing as too much chocolate. Not for the winner of this chocolate challenge!

Chomp, chomp, chop! The chefs get alligator in the first basket and race to see who can make it most tender and flavorful. The three competitors who advance to the second round are determined to show their skill and creativity, but the clock threatens to upset their plans. Then, when missteps in the final minutes of the dessert round result in errors, will the judges be disappointed or unfazed by the plates they get?

Golden baskets are packed with the fanciest of ingredients, and the chefs are challenged to rise to the occasion and create upscale meals, worthy of their top-notch components. Caviar potato chips are a posh crunchy surprise in the first basket. High-class sushi and a swanky veggie are two of the grand ingredients the competitors must include in their entrees. Then, as the last two chefs race to make elegant desserts, the clock gives them a run for their money.

Four chefs tackle a takeout takedown in this thrilling battle. The baskets are packed with go-to, to-go choices like pizza in the first round. In the second round, the chefs must make a Chinese specialty work with an Italian cocktail. Then, a tower of something sweet and a cup of something bubbly are part of the puzzle for the dessert round.

What's at the deep end of deliciousness? Deep-fried foods! The competing chefs must make liberal use of the fryers to create crunchy, yummy, decadent dishes. The appetizer basket contains something spicy and a strange soda. The judges are excited for fried fish entrees, but they won't let anyone off the hook for making careless mistakes. Finally, the remaining competitors find an edible enigma in the dessert basket: a treat that is both frozen and deep-fried.

It's viewers' choice time again! The chefs are scared when they find out that the ingredients for their battle were chosen by the fans, via social media. The competitors are trepidatious when they see the alarming sandwich in the first basket. In round two, gummy candies are no big deal compared to a meaty shocker, and a gag-inducing soda and a veggie-licious cake are two of the frightening finds in the dessert basket. Through all this battle's ups and downs, one thing is certain: the winner of the $10,000 will have to work extremely hard for it.

Everybody knows how to stack bacon, lettuce and tomato, but it will take skill and creativity to make a BLT-inspired three-course meal! The chefs find BLT-themed ingredients in every basket and are encouraged to celebrate the classic flavor combination in their dishes. A cheesy-creamy comfort food adds to the challenge in round one. In the entree round, the chefs scramble to make sure their dishes are "bacon-y" enough, and a lettuce-flavored ingredient in the dessert basket has the final two competitors shaking their heads and crossing their fingers that all ends well.

Four competitors set out to make perfect pies in this special competition. In the appetizer round, one chef scrambles to stay on track when a competitor declines to share a coveted pantry ingredient, and an abundance of protein in the entree basket means meat-lovers pies are in order. Finally, when the last two chefs get the chance to create pies for dessert in the third round, will they find sweet success?

In a pickle! Four chefs find themselves eager to show off their pickling talents but with limited time to do so. The competitors must pickle something in every round, and the baskets are packed with pickled goodness as inspiration, like pickle ice cream for the appetizer round. In the second round, the judges encourage the chefs to amp up the pickle flavor. Will they succeed? Finally, an action-packed dessert round features pickled flower blossoms, and the remaining duo work hard to leave a favorable final impression while taking some risks.

Step up to the counter and be amazed! Four delicatessen pros take over the Chopped Kitchen to prove that sandwiches are just the start of their culinary expertise. A platter with a classic combo and a fruit with a cult following are two of the ingredients in the appetizer basket. The chefs get a sweet soda and a stuffed spud to work with in round two, and a clever cold treat must be combined with a salty-sour condiment in the dessert round.

Crunchy or soft, minimalist or filled to the max, it's taco time! The chefs are tasked with making tacos that are worth ten thousand bucks. A beverage is in the first basket, as well as a seafood surprise. Meaty tacos are in the works for the entree round, but can the competitors find a place on their plates for a squirmy shocker? Then, spicy dessert tacos sound delicious in the final round, however, time management issues become a problem after both chefs decide to make tortillas from scratch.

Ooh la la! When the Chopped baskets contain aphrodisiacs, the judges expect the competitors to come through with some sexy dishes. A favorite seductive seafood meets a pun-tastic item in the appetizer basket. In the entree basket, a heart-shaped comfort food and a sweet fruit make for a rare pair. The two competitors who rendezvous in the final round hustle to make sexy desserts with a quirky pie and a spicy root.

The four competitors in this Chopped battle share a common goal: to be the last chef standing! An orange powder provides some colorful inspiration in the first round. A savory cake is not exactly the prized protein the chefs were hoping for in the entree round, but they must make it work. In the final round, the ice cream machine creates drama, and one chef attempts to save their dessert.

Round up the cowboys and cowgirls! Four competitors who love rustic chuck-wagon food are ready to show they have the chops to win. Booze and bell peppers in the appetizer basket get things started as the chefs learn that the pace in the Chopped Kitchen is much speedier than life on the range. The three remaining chefs must hustle to make yummy pork entrees in round two, and in the final round, the judges are on pins and needles waiting to try some prickly pear desserts.

Three legendary Chopped judges are desperately seeking a sous chef, and they've invited 16 ambitious cooks to the Chopped Kitchen to battle for the opportunity of a lifetime. In the first preliminary battle of this five-part event, four hopeful candidates must tackle an appetizer basket that includes some fish-shaped cakes and some plant-based chicken. Major clock concerns make for some dramatic moments. In the entrée round, a flavorful, carb-y snack and an intimidating piece of poultry challenge the chefs. And as the two remaining contenders fight it out for a spot in the finale, they must make desserts using something Sicilian and something gelatinous.

With their sights set on joining a Chopped judge's restaurant empire, four new motivated chefs arrive to give everything they've got to land their dream job. Judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Chris Santos will be watching the competitors' every move and tasting every plate to see which candidate deserves a chance to become one of their sous chefs. In the first round, emotions run high as the clock ticks down. Then, in the entree round, the chefs are challenged to break down whole chickens, and with one of Scott's favorite dessert ingredients in the final basket, it would behoove the chefs to do it justice. The winner will advance to the Desperately Seeking Sous Chef finale, where one champion will score the opportunity of a lifetime.

Four more enterprising chefs try to ace the most difficult job interview imaginable and score the chance to work for a Chopped judge. In round one, offal is an awfully shocking surprise, and judge Maneet Chauhan will be watching to see who stumbles and who shines. Then, in the entree round, when a cut of meat proves problematic, can the chefs figure out the best approach in time to get dinner on the table for a potential future boss? And in the dessert round, judge Chris Santos is excited to see what the chefs can do with deep-fried champagne. The winner of this battle moves on to the tournament's finale, where one champion will conquer all to seize the opportunity of a lifetime.

Four chefs are aiming high as they attempt to impress Chopped judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Chris Santos, who are desperately looking for sous-chefs, but they won't settle for anything less than the perfect candidate. In this fourth preliminary battle of the tournament, the chefs open the appetizer basket and find a special seafood item that Scott knows very well. In the entree round, the chefs gain some confidence as they work with an Asian street food and a sugary soft drink. In the dessert round, Maneet is eager to see how the chefs use one of her favorite ingredients. If they can balance flavors, they might win her favor. The victorious chef from this battle will move on to the tournament's finale.

Excitement is in the air as four champions return to the Chopped kitchen on a mission to become a sous-chef for a Chopped judge and start a new chapter in their career. Expectations and tensions are high as the candidates open the appetizer baskets and find a fusion pasta and a delicacy from the sea. A specialty of Naples is the curveball ingredient of a difficult entree basket, and, in the dessert round, a stinky fruit and a spicy ice cream are a part of the challenge. After the final elimination, one chef will win the title of Chopped Grand Champion and the opportunity of a lifetime. Judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Chris Santos will spell out their respective job offers, and the victorious chef gets to choose which enticing path to take. There has never been a moment like this in Chopped history.

Grilling is living! Four chefs with a talent for live-fire cooking bring their passion to the Chopped kitchen. Beef in the first basket should be a breeze, but nothing is ever easy on Chopped. Second-guessing in the entree round leaves one chef confused about the best plan for the main protein, and the two grilling gurus who advance to the last round must make final plates that include a dough and a fancy fruit.

Small plates, big flavor! The chefs are challenged to take dainty, delicious basket items and churn out petite dishes that don't skimp on taste, presentation or creativity. Tiny sausages and an adorable breakfast item make for a fun and inspiring appetizer basket. There are more miniature surprises in the second basket, but can they add up to mighty main plates? Finally, an unusual berry and a baby vegetable ensure that the small plates in the dessert round will be both daring and darling.

They're hot on social media, but do four online cooking stars have what it takes to compete on Chopped? With scores of fans and followers watching, there's a lot at stake for these competitors, who could be chopped and -- gasp! -- unfollowed. Muscling through the appetizer round proves tough for one competitor, who runs into trouble with the mussels in the basket. In round two, the judges are on the edge of their seats, hoping the cooks' struggles don't sabotage their success. In the dessert round, two social media stars are left to post memories of a lifetime from the Chopped kitchen.

Please, pile on the cheese! The chefs find cheese in every basket and have to make it the star of every plate. They impress the judges with their talent and speed in the appetizer round, raising expectations for the courses to come, and a wild comfort food hybrid proves challenging in round two. The final two chefs take some risks in the dessert round, but will their sweetly cheesy desserts come together in time?

It's Thanksgiving, and class is in session! Four beloved teachers get the chance to compete for the title of Chopped Champion as they share their love of cooking and their heartfelt stories of educating America's children. Digging into the first Turkey Day basket, the teachers find something fried and something shaped like a pumpkin. In the entree round, a thematic loaf of bread seems suitable to gobble, gobble up just as it is, but the teachers must find a creative use for it. In the final round, will a spectacular ingredient inspire the teachers to end the meal with over-the-top desserts?

The baskets are loaded up with ingredients that have the chefs shaking their heads in disbelief. The first basket features a cut of pork definitely not available at the local supermarket, plus a doughnut that, not surprisingly, isn't glazed. A bizarre incident at the end of the appetizer round leaves one of the competitors rushing to finish. The chefs must contend with a wild stew and a savory cake in the entree round, and in the dessert round, a new take on a protein shake and a special candy are part of the final bizarre basket puzzle.

In addition to the three mandatory ingredients in each basket, the competing chefs have to share a colossal fourth ingredient in every round. It's a shockingly big surprise that takes some getting used to, and in the first round, one competitor feels the pressure and their emotions get the better of them. In the entree round, the giant fourth ingredient is an Italian-American classic. In the dessert round, everyone is in awe of the huge sweet, shared surprise, but will the chefs' final dishes leave a big impression on the judges?

It's the most wonderful time of the year with the most wonderful cooks in the kitchen! Four talented grandmothers are put in charge of making a remarkable holiday feast with love in every bite. The grandmas open the first basket to find a wreath made of something sweet, and everyone is excited to get cooking, but nerves lead to some mistakes and scrambling. A classic holiday beverage is a festive surprise in the entree basket, and the judges are in for a treat when two determined grandmas are left duking it out in the dessert round.

Nothing's better than noodles! Four chefs who specialize in all things noodles compete in a delicious battle to see who can take a food that's loved the whole world over and make it out of this world. In the first round, a spicy surprise in the basket means the chefs' noodle appetizers might come with a kick. Something canned and something freeze-dried challenges the chefs in the entrée round, and an extra special coffee makes an appearance in the dessert round.

A $100,000 grand prize is up for grabs in this extraordinary five-part tournament event, featuring some of the most brilliant stars of the game. In this preliminary battle, defeated culinary heavyweights return with a score to settle, and one ambitious champion runs into two major problems toward the end of the first round. Something stinky in the entree basket has the competitors nervous, and after both remaining champs cook their hearts out in dessert, the judges have a gut-wrenching decision to make.

In this spectacular battle of the judges, four Chopped deities -- Amanda Freitag, Marcus Samuelsson, Chris Santos and Tiffani Faison -- bring an intensity to the kitchen that has never been seen before. With their sights set on making it to the tournament's $100,000 finale, the judge-competitors open the appetizer basket and find a strange fish dish and some tiny exotic fruits. A pizza topped with something wild is the star ingredient in the entree basket, and a vegetable disguised as a meat is a treat in the dessert basket. A riveting final elimination will leave only one Chopped titan jubilant.

Four champions who were previously defeated by Chopped judges return to the kitchen, hungrier than ever to take down everyone in their paths and win a $100,000 grand prize. Big stakes, little fish: sardines are the main protein in the champs' appetizer basket, and a jiggly mustard-flavored surprise threatens to throw the chefs off their game in the second round. Then, in the dessert round, two chefs must try to make something magical using unicorn milkshakes.

In this phenomenal battle, Chopped legends Scott Conant, Maneet Chauhan and Marc Murphy are joined by smack-talking champ Stephen Coe to face off for a chance at the $100,000 finale! In the first round, incorporating a sweet, doughy breakfast item into an amazing appetizer is part of the challenge. A clever fusion food in the entree basket has the potential to bring crunch and flavor to the dishes, and will the edible Zen garden in the final basket bring peace and tranquility to the dessert round? With such fierce competitors gunning for victory, it's doubtful!

In the conclusion of this historic tournament, it's judges vs. champions! Two separate knockout rounds with the same basket will determine which genius judge and brilliant champ make it to the $100,000 title fight. The stakes are high as the competitors find an unusual seafood delicacy and a hot regional specialty in the first basket. Then, one champ and one judge will be left to duke it out. Who will score the biggest prize in Chopped history, and who will be chopped?

Meat lovers rejoice as four chefs are amped up for a meat battle featuring goat! In an intense first round, the competitors aim to impress with their butchery and flavor artistry. Then, the three remaining chefs must work with an unfamiliar goat-milk product in the entree basket, and balancing sweet and savory is key in the dessert round. The judges are hopeful that the dueling duo left will rise to the challenge.

Four carnivores are ready to crush it with a chef favorite -- pork! The battle begins with a double helping of piggy goodness in the basket, including a mouthwatering barbecued offering. Gloriously sized cuts of pork are the centerpiece of an entree basket that also includes some fancy mushrooms. The judges giddily approve of the meaty candy bar in the dessert basket, but obstacles arise for the last two contenders with the clock ticking down.

Bring on the beef! Four chefs battle it out with bovine-centric ingredients. In the first round, more than one of the competitors decide to show off their raw talent by serving uncooked meat. The chefs demonstrate their steak skills with the second basket, and some setbacks in the dessert round leave the outcome of the competition up in the air.

For this fierce meat battle, the baskets feature a trending lean, mean protein: bison! The first round sees the chefs going in distinct directions with their jelly bean and short rib appetizers. As the competitors get more comfortable with the bison theme in round two, some unusual rice balls and a savory tea complicate the challenge. In the final round, the last two contenders take on bison for dessert with gusto and grace.

Thank you, nurses! Four compassionate nurses, who also cook, bring their TLC to the Chopped kitchen. The judges are impressed by how the competitors handle the time pressure and their mahi-mahi appetizers. In the entree round, a juice made from a vegetable and a prize protein are two of the ingredients the nurses must nurture. Then, a favorite hospital snack is a funny surprise in the dessert basket, but the cooks may not be smiling when the round is done.

Hangry baskets are back for a battle featuring foods for the broken hearted. The chefs must incorporate the post-breakup standbys wine and chocolate into their appetizer plates. A nostalgic treat and a shocker of a protein keep the competitors on their toes in round two. Then, after the finalists make desserts using "divorce cake," the judges grapple with who has made the hangriest, yummiest meal.

The baskets for this battle are packed with must-have ingredients for feeling hungover and hangry! A greasy favorite and some soupy carbs get the chefs' creative juices flowing in the first round. In the entree round, the judges are curious about some of the unusual choices the chefs make, and the final competitors must transform a tried-and-true hangover snack into a scrumptious dessert.

Hungry plus angry equals hangry! These battles celebrate the foods we crave when "hanger" strikes, and the baskets are filled with super spicy items, including one of the hottest peppers on earth for the first round. An unapologetically hot Indian dish finds its way into the entree basket, and, in the dessert round, some classic spicy candy is part of the puzzle as the last two chefs push hard to impress the judges with their final plates.

In a boisterous battle, the chefs get baskets inspired by late-night food cravings. They must resist the temptation to munch away at the fried snack in the first round and cook something with it! The competitors have some whimsical ideas for the entree basket, which includes a creamy comfort food dish and a simple staple. Then, with the judges hangry for dessert, the last two chefs open the final basket to find sweet and salty surprises.

Martha Stewart takes over Chopped! In a glorious outdoor kitchen in Kennebunkport, Maine, Martha calls the shots and even changes the rules as 16 fearless chefs compete for a $50,000 grand prize. As four competitors set out to make a stellar first impression, Martha has a big surprise related to the pantry. Maine-inspired basket ingredients like blueberry pie and clam chowder set the scene for a sensational coastal feast.

Martha Stewart takes the reins for another gripping battle in the $50,000 Martha Rules tournament, and she has some tricks up her sleeve regarding the timing of the rounds. In the first basket, the chefs get a seafood delicacy befitting the beautiful coastal setting of the outdoor Chopped kitchen. The three chefs who make it to the second round must whip up Cornish hen entrees, and a citrus fruit meets a local candy in the dessert basket as the remaining competitors fight for a coveted spot in the finale.

Martha Stewart shocks the four competing chefs in the Martha Rules tournament when she reveals that she plans to make them switch stations – and dishes – at any time! Creativity and agility are on display as the chefs cook under the most peculiar and demanding circumstances. The basket ingredients include everything from sea urchin and lobster rolls to peanut brittle and sauerkraut.

Martha Stewart is at it again, revealing a showstopping twist in the Martha Rules tournament: There's only one spot in the dessert round because a mysterious fifth chef is waiting in the wings to compete against whomever makes it that far. The four competing chefs can be eliminated at any time, for any reason, and the mood is tense as they dig into the appetizer basket, which includes a beautiful cake and a bitter beverage. The entree basket contains a hot dog with a long history in Maine, the site of the competition. The mystery competitor steps up for the sudden-death dessert round, and only one chef advances to the $50,000 finale.

In the finale of the Martha Rules tournament, Martha Stewart pulls out all the stops to make the road to $50,000 extra challenging. In the appetizer round, the chefs wonder what's up when they find footwear in the ingredient basket. The entree round has three chefs working with a bountiful collection of New England-inspired gastronomic goodness, and an extra mandatory task in the dessert round promises to be both time-consuming and educational. Only one chef will keep their head in the game and claim the $50,000 prize and title of Chopped Champion.

Let's taco 'bout it! Four chefs attempt to prove who deserves to win all the dinero for their all-taco meal. A frantic first round leads to some missteps in the kitchen, and fish tacos are in order for the entree round, when the chefs find red snapper in the baskets. In the dessert round, a festive cocktail is part of the puzzle, but will the judges be toasting the chefs' final plates?

Hooray for PB and J! The ingredient baskets in this battle are inspired by a low-brow, high-protein, nostalgic classic: peanut butter and jelly! The chefs are encouraged to innovate, but the 20-minute clock in the appetizer round causes some issues. A giant sweet surprise in the second basket must find its way, somehow, onto chicken entree plates, and in a dramatic final round, not everything goes smoothly for the chefs as they hustle to complete their PB and J desserts.

Traveling back in time has never tasted so good! In this battle of the Chopped: Time Capsule series, the competing chefs have to cook with foods that were popular in the 1960s. A certain soda and some sweet meat are part of the appetizer basket, but the clock seems to be the most difficult aspect of the challenge. In the second round, a crazy casserole demands the chefs' attention, and in the dessert round, both chefs seem to have a clear plan, but will all of their ideas make it to the plate?

In this Chopped: Time Capsule battle, the chefs set out to make trendy 1990s foods yummy for a new millennium. The combination of ingredients in the first basket confuses the competitors. Can they shake off their doubts and hammer out great plates? Judge Scott Conant is unimpressed by the canned pasta in the entree basket, and the chefs try to surprise him with how they transform it. Finally, there are some fun nostalgic items in the dessert basket, but missteps threaten to derail one competitor's plans.

Fast-forward to the year 3000! In this Chopped: Time Capsule battle, the basket ingredients are representative of foods we might be noshing on in the future, including insects in the first round! In the second basket, the competitors find an alternative protein and what could be the next big grain. The last two contenders must work with an innovative milk product and a meatless sausage in the dessert round.

Alton Brown is at it again! The chefs in his Maniacal Baskets tournament are seriously tripped up by a canned wonder in the appetizer round, and the clock isn't doing them any favors either. A shelf-stable surprise in the entree basket is unlikely to be a crowd pleaser. Can the chefs elevate it? In the dessert round, pudding in the basket would ordinarily be nice to see, but not this particular type of pudding!

Alton Brown is back with more maniacal baskets! As the tournament heats up, the competitors brace for zany, brainy ingredients courtesy of Alton and his like-minded social media fans. Creativity abounds in the first round as the chefs attempt to make impressive appetizers with a super stinky ingredient. In the second round, a unique style of apple pie may have the competitors asking, "Why?!" While Alton and the judges chatter about chitterlings, the competitors have to figure out how to use them in a dessert!

Make it maniacal! Alton Brown is in charge of an extraordinary Chopped tournament, and the competitors must brace themselves for shocking surprises in the baskets that have been selected with help from Alton's conspiring fans. In the first basket, the chefs get a big surprise ingredient with a challenging texture. Can they make delicious appetizers with it? In the entree round, some sticky beans and a peculiar salad are shockers, and the final chefs attempt to make winning desserts from the wild ingredients in the third basket.

Alton Brown has taken control of the Chopped baskets, enlisting his fans' help to curate maniacal ingredients for an epic tournament. In the first round, two of the chefs decide to make the same thing. Will the judges prefer one version to the other? In the entree basket, the chefs find a fermented Japanese dish that's definitely an acquired taste as well as a strange banana product. It just might be the most difficult Chopped basket ever! Finally, the two bold chefs who make it to the dessert round must work with a fluffy, porky surprise.

In the wild conclusion of Alton Brown's Maniacal Baskets Tournament, champions from the first four battles compete for the title of Chopped Grand Champion! Before cooking begins, Alton has a big announcement that's sure to get the chefs fired up. Of course, the finale ingredients are super tough. For the entree round, the chefs open the baskets to discover one of the items staring back at them! A weird wedding cake is part of the dessert round puzzle as the two remaining chefs face off to see who will score major bragging rights and the grand prize.

It's a doggone Chopped event! In addition to competing with appetizers, entrees and desserts, dog-loving chefs make treats for a canine judge! Things could get "ruff" if the golden retriever with the golden palate turns up its nose at their hard work. The chefs are literally thrown a bone in the first basket, and a dog-friendly beverage and a pasta dish must be combined in the second round. The dessert round finds the competitors figuring out what to do with bananas and a certain nose-to-tail treasure before this Chopped dog show reaches its exciting conclusion.

Simple concession stand snacks are so old-school! The latest stadium fare is substantial and out-of-the-park sensational and substantial, so when four bold competitors get ballpark foods in every basket, the judges have high expectations. Cheesy, fruity and doughy appetizers are in the lineup for round one, and the entree basket contains some basic finger foods that the chefs must turn into home runs. The remaining chefs in the dessert round face no shortage of sweet surprises in the final ballpark basket. 

In a live-fire Chopped tournament to show what hot ideas, techniques and flavors chefs bring to the table, the competitors take a walk on the wild side with wild game in every basket. In the appetizer basket, a crispy Korean snack food is a creepy-crawly shocker. The judges wonder what to expect when they chomp down on alligator entrees, and in the dessert round, the two chefs left fighting for a spot in the finale wrestle with a basket that includes wild sandwiches and daring dairy.

Four phenomenal live-fire cooks stand tall, ready to claim the last remaining spot in the tournament's finale. They get lucky with a promise of perfectly porky baskets, but only one chef will take the judges to hog heaven. One of nature's sweetest gifts is a part of the appetizer basket, but it may not be a treat to the competitors. A prized piece of pork seems like a gimme in the entree basket, and as the last two competitors race the clock in the dessert round, the $25,000 grand prize begins to feel within reach. But only one chef will still be in the running after the last cloche is lifted.

Playing with fire is serious business in this "high-steaks" preliminary battle of Chopped's thrilling, flame-filled tournament. The four competitors are excited about the delicious possibilities of a steak-centric meal, but a weird watermelon adds to the challenge in round one. The entree round finds the chefs wondering what to do with a giant slab of meat in just 30 minutes, and the two chefs who make it to the dessert round compete with humility, passion and grilled pizza as they face off for a spot in the finale. 

Four talented chefs push themselves to the limit in order to impress the judges and win a spot in the $25,000 live-fire tournament finale. They must make flame-kissed dishes that celebrate the treasures of both land and sea, and the judges want to see them modernize an old concept. In the first basket, strange sushi requires raw talent, and a bowl of cheese could be an unwelcome addition to the entree basket. The two finalists discover what's lurking inside the surf-and-turf dessert basket.

In this fiery tournament finale, four winners return with their sights set on taking the title of Chopped Grand Champion. The baskets contain ingredients reminiscent of the preliminary battle themes: wild game, steaks, surf and turf and pork. The appetizer round has the chefs working with a meat not found in the grocery store. A bucket of something frozen is part of the entree basket puzzle, and the two finalists who make it to the dessert round endeavor to give it their all with corn on the cob and an unconventional cheesecake. Only one chef can score the life-changing grand prize and walk away knowing they triumphed while 15 other skilled chefs went down in flames. 

Two diner favorites find a home in the ingredient baskets, and the competitors are challenged to make the most of milkshakes and French fries. First, they must make berry and basil work together in the appetizer round. A city's signature dish is part of the challenge in round two, and a toaster treat meets a fun fry variation in the dessert basket.

Four chefs who are passionate about pasta are ready to show the judges what they've got! The appetizer basket seems like a gift, but ambitious plans leave some of the competitors racing the clock. In round two, the chefs hurry to make spectacular pasta plates that must include a succulent seafood and a strange sweet. Then, the last two chefs bring a ton of heart to the final round, and the judges are eager to try desserts made with cookies and coffee.

The chefs get a sweet and salty theme and are tasked with perfectly harmonizing the quintessential flavor pairing on their plates. In the first round, the competitors must combine a Moroccan pie and a sugary take on bacon. A classic fair snack and an imaginative breakfast food are included in the entree basket. And the judges are hoping for creative, beautiful desserts made from a puzzling final sweet and salty basket.

Four college students with a passion for cooking take over the Chopped Kitchen to prove who can make the grade. A humble pizza and common protein keep the appetizer basket relatable but present a challenging culinary puzzle. A caffeinated drink is a featured ingredient in the entree round, although the wildly energetic competitors hardly need it. The two remaining competitors must then make ambitious plans for the peanut butter and banana dessert basket.

Chopped champions return to the stoves, racing the clock and conquering basket after basket with the hope of moving on to the $50,000 finale. Watermelon weirdness in the first basket threatens to shake the champs' confidence, and a funky soybean product and an unusual cut of meat challenge the chefs to come up with wholly original entrees. Inside the dessert basket, the remaining chefs find a crunchy surprise that they must make work with a delicate fruit.

It's a rough reunion with the Chopped kitchen when the returning champs find a diabolical set of ingredients in their first basket. In round two, a giant fish and a sweet space food get the chefs thinking creatively. The final two champs wrestle to make sense of a salad cake as time ticks away in the dessert round, which sends one chef on to the $50,000 finale.

The chefs set out to make a whole day's worth of amazing food when the cooking rounds are changed to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eggs are not in the breakfast basket but the chefs still race to grab them in the fridge. In the second round, the competitors must make terrific mid-day meals with something salty and something reminiscent of a typical American childhood. And the judges hope the chefs who make it to the final round will be able to make lamb dinners to remember.

The fiercest Chopped champions are back to defend their titles in a whirlwind, no-holds-barred battle. A frozen oddity throws them a curve ball in the first round, and they find a box of something sweet plus a yummy Chinese specialty in the entree basket. The judges watch to see whether flowers in the dessert basket inspire creativity to bloom, and the winning chef advances to the $50,000 finale.

The chefs are excited to face smoked-food challenges requiring them to make delicious modern dishes with the ancient cooking method. First, a colorful, sweet surprise and a buttery fish are two of the ingredients the competitors choose to smoke in the appetizer basket. The second basket features a lean specialty meat and a spicy liqueur. The two chefs left standing must make do with a fishy candy in the dessert round.

Passionate Chopped champions return for a shot at $50,000, and the competition kicks off with a colossal clam and a starchy comfort food in the first basket. In the entree round, the judges are eager to find out if the chefs can wing it with squab, and the dessert round puzzle includes a wild pizza pie and a purple tuber. The chef who outperforms the others gets to advance to the $50,000 finale.

Tenderizing beef tendon and bringing joy to bok choy are two of the challenges in round one; a veggie and a prized protein are part of the culinary puzzle in the entree round; a famed French dessert meets a bubbly surprise in the dessert basket.

Four repeat champions make their triumphant return to the Chopped kitchen to do it all over again for a shot at $50,000! Jaws drop when the chefs find out what's in the first basket, and a dream cut of beef could turn into a nightmare in the 30-minute entree round. The dessert round is the ultimate challenge for two seemingly unstoppable champs, but only one can take the title of Chopped Grand Champion and the $50,000 prize.

The chefs set out to make an unforgettable summer feast after learning each challenge will have a clambake theme. In the first round, a colorful cocktail and a gamey sausage help get the party started. The entree basket includes a strange starch and plenty of gifts from the sea. Finally, the competitors who make it to round three get to work with a juicy fruit and something cute.

Four bold contenders stride into the Chopped Kitchen with winning on their minds. If the tri-tip in the first basket doesn't trip them up, the edible bird's nest just might. Stinging nettles threaten to hurt the competitors' chances for success in round two, and the two finalists must make good use of a dairy delicacy in their desserts.

Mock meat and an unusual green powder set the level of difficulty high in round one, and an Italian-Japanese mashup ingredient in the entree round threatens to mess up the chefs' plans. When the two remaining competitors find something called frog eye salad in the dessert basket, they both have their eyes on the prize, but only one can achieve their dream.

Is pickle pizza dill-ightful or frightful? Four chefs must sort out what to do with the unusual pie in the appetizer round. An egg-flavored snack in the second basket leads to some novel ideas for the entree plates, and there's hardly time to stop and smell the rose latte in a speedy dessert round.

A plate of poutine and a jar of bamboo challenge the competitors in the appetizer round. Not all the chefs are happy to see a whole fish in the second basket, and as the round winds down, the judges start to panic that not everyone will finish. In the dessert round, the chefs must hurry up and figure out how to use a colorful snack food.

Four pastry chefs step into the Chopped kitchen to show off their chocolate skills. A chocolate-covered seafood snack is a sneaky surprise in the appetizer basket, and a tart fruit and a Japanese food staple find their way into the entree basket. The remaining chefs find jerky in the dessert basket, and it just might work in their favor.

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.

With $10,000 at stake, there's a twist in the competition! The chefs learn that they will be required to fry something in every course. In the appetizer round, a brightly colored beverage and a stuffed pasta are part of the puzzle. A decadent finger food and a protein-packed shocker challenge the chefs in the entree basket, while a classic cookie and a wild sundae bring the fun to an exciting, frying dessert round.

Can Chopped champions beat Chopped royalty? In this first-of-its-kind battle, fearless returning winners compete for a chance to face off against illustrious Chopped judge Alex Guarnaschelli. The chefs are brave to attempt to beat Alex on her home turf, but these competitors may have second thoughts when they feast their eyes on the jar of bright orange sauce in the appetizer basket. In the entree round, the chefs have a lot to deal with, including a latte in a puzzling package. The champ who makes it to the final round stands to win major bragging rights if they can turn a gooey cake and savory morsels into a $10,000 dessert. The round ends on a chaotic note, leaving everyone wondering how the final dishes from Alex and her challenger will turn out.

Three Chopped winners with more to prove set out to pull off an upset by taking down Chopped judge Scott Conant. First-round jitters could make the champs' path to another victory more difficult, and the alligator in the entree basket seems more frightening to one chef than the other. In the last round, Scott Conant's rare appearance at the Chopped stoves is made memorable by his fierce determination to succeed and his fierce hatred for one of the basket ingredients. Can he rise to the challenge and defeat the champ?

Three determined chefs return to the Chopped kitchen eager to take on Chopped judge Tiffani Faison, but first they have to battle each other! An unusual snack food is part of the puzzle in the appetizer round, and in the entree round, the champs try not to let a mashup ingredient get them down. The chef who moves on to the Beat Tiffani round faces some high-brow and low-brow ingredients and stiff competition from a judge who loves to win.

Three champions arrive back in the Chopped kitchen with their sights set on taking down a formidable foe, esteemed judge Amanda Freitag. The champions realize it will be a tough challenge when they open up the first basket and find chicken gizzards and fish heads. In the entree round, duck seems like a gift, but at least one champion struggles to cook it properly in the given time. When Amanda and her challenger must work with a Japanese omelet and a Mexican beverage in the final round, will the combination result in brilliant fusion or total confusion?

Three champions are on a mission to beat Chopped judge Marc Murphy and prove they're top-level, no-nonsense contenders in the competitive cooking world. The champs get escargot in the first basket but have to move a lot faster than a snail's pace to get amazing appetizers done in 20 minutes. Then a superspicy surprise awaits the chefs in the entree basket. Finally, Marc must outsmart and outperform the last remaining champ to claim his first victory in the Chopped kitchen.

Three bold, talented Chopped winners return with purpose and passion to beat judge Maneet Chauhan. Sugary cereal and oddball meatballs make for a tough challenge in round one, and an edible centerpiece is a fun find in the entree basket. The champ left standing gets the coveted chance to battle Maneet in a round featuring a spice that she knows well.

Four chefs who specialize in cooking lighter, healthier fare are challenged to make delicious, lean dishes in the Chopped kitchen. Low-calorie chips and some leafy greens inspire creativity in the first round. After opening the entree basket, the chefs are left pondering whether avocado-free guacamole is yucky or yummy. Finally, light desserts are a tall order, and the remaining chefs try to measure up.

Nose-to-tail cannot fail! The competing chefs are elated to get a pork theme for their battle, and the gorgeous cuts of premium meat in the first basket don't disappoint. A Bloody Mary with a special surprise adds to the porky fun in the second round. Then something fizzy and something "offal-ly" difficult to incorporate in a dessert are part of the final challenge.

The chefs race the clock as they attempt to bring dynamic flavors to their dishes including a creative take on poke and some special seafood in round one. A piece of pork not found at your average grocery store is a strange discovery in the entree basket. Finally, the competitors who make it all the way to the dessert round must work with a salty and sweet snack.

Four chefs set out to prove that fish heads are delicious in an exhilarating appetizer round. A strange-flavored fizz threatens to throw off the chefs and make their entrees flop, and an equally odd taffy perplexes the remaining competitors in the dessert round.

The chefs must hop to it and make rabbit terrine work with a less highfalutin, packaged product in their appetizers. Combining cake mix and ramen is part of the challenge in round two, and a weird ice cream and a curious condiment test the two finalists as they attempt to make desserts that the judges will love.

Four daring competitors are up against the clock to come up with amazing appetizers using a cheesy creation in the first basket. A red spread and dried fish are two of the surprises the chefs must make sense of in round two, and a citrus food and an unusual seaweed snack must be combined in the desserts.

The four competing chefs are surprised to open their baskets in the appetizer round to find a large, imposing cut of beef. Unusual cupcakes and a curious jarred "candy" are two of the mystery ingredients in round two. When the final two chefs feast their eyes on a jar of pigs' lips in the dessert basket, they struggle to face the challenge gracefully and successfully.

It's a match made in culinary heaven as four chefs must tame wild game meat in every round and use a different bourbon to accent and complement their dishes. The meaty surprise in the appetizer basket is a giant one, and a crispy, carnivorous bite is a tasty part of the challenge in round two. The chefs who move on to the dessert round find that the beasts and bourbon theme plays out with a challenging and sweet final basket.

Cauliflower is the veggie of the moment and the undisputed star of this Chopped battle. In the first round, the chefs must use the ubiquitous carb substitute in their dishes along with a funky Mexican delicacy. Kung Pao cauliflower is featured in the entree round, and the judges decide whether the remaining chefs' halo-halo cauliflower desserts are so-so or so good.

The four competing chefs have a lot to sort out in the appetizer round when they're challenged to create plates with a Korean dish made with intestines and a super spicy condiment. The three remaining competitors attempt to make successful quail entrees, and a shaker of Australian seasoning and a jar of Mexican caramel are two of the surprises in the dessert basket.

It's game day in the Chopped kitchen, and when four football-loving chefs bring their best offense, anything can happen. After kickoff, the chefs get an appetizer basket loaded with foods to fuel hungry sports fans. The entree basket has more of the same, including a super strange shot glass and some winning wings. Finally, the chefs left tackling game-day desserts must make cookies work with a cocktail.

For this Chopped tournament event, 16 fearless champions are back to defeat the ultimate competitive-cooking heavy hitter, Chef Bobby Flay! The winner of each preliminary battle will advance to the Beat Bobby Flay finale for a chance to take on Chef Flay for $50,000. In this premiere battle, a strangely sweet sandwich and beautiful seafood await the champs in the first basket. Round two involves an unusual beef jerky product and a twist on hummus, and in the do-or-die dessert round, the remaining chefs have to use a special banana pudding and some fancy bacon.

The competing chefs work quickly to make appetizers in just 20 minutes from chewy candy and a canned sauce. The three remaining competitors make some creative choices in the second round, hoping the judges think their dishes are brilliant, not blah. Finally, inspiring sweets in the dessert basket, including a nostalgic powder, keep the final two chefs churning out unique, spontaneous recipes to the end.

Four returning champions try to impress Food Network superstar Bobby Flay for a chance to compete against him for $50,000! In the first round, an oven mishap leads to an alarming situation. An American classic in frozen form threatens to stump the chefs in the entree round, and the two champs who remain for the dessert round must make big plans for a candy-themed tart and a peculiar popcorn product.

The competing chefs are in for a surprise when they open the appetizer basket to find a peculiar pate. In round two, the competitors must work with a fish that they've never cooked before. When one of the final competitors has difficulty making ice cream in the dessert round, their Plan B may be meant to be.

Four Chopped champs compete for a spot in the tournament finale to take on Food Network superstar Bobby Flay and score $50,000! In this preliminary battle, the first basket includes champion-caliber ingredients like an anything-but-basic burger. The three chefs in round two have ambitious plans for their dishes, and a green veggie is part of the puzzle in the dessert round.

Creativity is crucial for the competing chefs trying to impress the judges, starting with deviled ham spread in the first basket. Sweet booza ice cream in the second basket is an unwelcome surprise for savory entree plates, and the competitors who make it to the dessert round get a colorful basket that includes a bright green fruit and a deep red spice.

Four returning champions get another shot at facing Food Network heavyweight Bobby Flay. In the first round, the chefs cook up appetizers using pizza bites and caviar -- a match made in Chopped heaven! In the entree round, the champs aim to make the most of a magnificent comfort food creation and a basic veggie. The final two chefs tackle a difficult dessert basket featuring a sugary cereal and a gelatinous stumper.

Four chefs embrace a sweet-and-sour theme and seek to harmonize opposite flavors on their plates. A furious first round has them racing to figure out what to do with a ready-to-serve soup and three other basket finds. The goodies in the second basket might point the chefs in an Italian direction, and the remaining competitors invent two very different desserts from the sweet-and-sour surprises they find in the final basket.

The finale of the Beat Bobby Flay Tournament brings four outstanding winners back to the Chopped Kitchen for a chance to defeat a Food Network legend and score $50,000. In round one, a pork product goes through a grinder as the champs try to make it taste good. A canned surprise in the second basket is not exactly what the chefs hoped to find, and as the tournament approaches its dramatic conclusion, a twist or two are in store. Finally, the last champ standing gets to cook their signature dish against Bobby Flay, who has been eagerly awaiting his chance at the stoves for 14 rounds of competition! Will the proven Chopped Champion remain undefeated, or will this day belong to Flay?

The competing chefs attack an appetizer basket that includes a classic Italian sauce and a simple sandwich. A popcorn product not available at movie theaters plays a starring role in round two, and the final two chefs attempt to make incredible final plates with the bouncy cake and sweet wine they find in the dessert basket.

It's wild times in the Chopped kitchen as the chefs get loco with Loco Moco, a Hawaiian comfort food, in round one. It's three cheers for the pom pom mushrooms in the entree basket, and the finalists are challenged to use a weird coffee and a crunchy cake in their desserts.

The competing chefs are challenged to make a scrumptious soup-and-sandwich duo for every round. In the appetizer round, they set out to make dunkable, slurpable creations while utilizing an unusual egg in the basket. In round two, duck bones in the basket seem to hint at the competitors making a stock, but they're short on time. The last two competitors break into a dessert basket that includes prunes in a form the chefs wouldn't ordinarily consume. 

The competing chefs are under pressure as the clock ticks down and the judges wonder whether all the steak and dandelion green appetizers will be plated in time. In the entree basket, the chefs get more than they bargained for with gnocchi in sandwich form. Finally, the judges dispense pearls of wisdom after eating desserts that include balsamic pearls. 

Four chefs enter the Chopped kitchen for a diner-themed battle with three courses of elevated comfort food, all under the watchful eyes of guest judge Neil Patrick Harris. The chefs find pie in the first basket and must rise to the challenge of making an appetizer with it. A play on pancakes is a clever addition to the second basket, and a breakfast-inspired final basket leads the chefs in two distinct directions. 

The competing chefs get a ton of sugar in the first basket in the form of a breakfast classic with a twist, and the level of cooking in the entree round seems extraordinary as the chefs excitedly dig into a seven-layer dip. In the dessert round, the remaining chefs are happy to see loquats in the basket, but ice cream machine drama threatens their plans. 

The chefs get fries and thighs in every basket, starting with a delicate protein paired with a newfangled starch in the appetizer basket. Bubble tea crashes the theme party in the second round, and the dessert basket features a fun, sugary twist on fries, but the chefs are challenged to make thigh meat work with dessert. 

The chefs open the first basket to find dressed beer and three other surprises. A weird fungus and a peculiar pizza pie are the shockers in the entree round, and the two remaining chefs break down some adorable dumplings on a quest to build remarkable desserts. 

Four competitors embrace bacon perfection as they attempt to advance to the grand finale of the Comfort Food Feud. The appetizer basket includes a Japanese condiment and a bacon-y bar food. Biscuit dough is part of the puzzle in the entree round, and the two chefs remaining in the final round attempt to make satisfying desserts featuring chocolate and more bacon!

Burgers, how do we love thee? The competitors count the ways in a thrilling battle of the $25,000 Comfort Food Feud. In the first basket, the chefs get a deep-fried surprise and a sloppy classic. In the entre round, they must figure out what to do with a bizarre canned product. The burger-themed dessert round includes sweet creations made with mustard ice cream, and the winner advances to the Comfort Food Feud finale. 

In this round of the Comfort Food Feud, the chefs try to prove they have what it takes to conquer mac and cheese and move on to the tournament's grand finale. In the appetizer round, the chefs get creative with a cocktail and tiny cheesy morsels. The entre round sees the competitors working with a mac and cheese-inspired brunch item, and the final two chefs hope to turn pancake mix and mac and cheese into a heavenly dessert.

The $25,000 Comfort Food Feud continues with a battle devoted to everyone's favorite cheesy, doughy guilty pleasure: pizza. A flavor-packed appetizer basket leaves the chefs with a lot of decisions to make. The competitors find spaghetti and meatballs in an unusual form in the entre basket, and the two chefs who make it to the dessert round get some spicy, salty and sugary ingredients to reimagine. 

Four Comfort Food Feud champions return to a decked-out outdoor arena to battle for the $25,000 prize and the title of Chopped Grand Champion! The ingredient baskets contain delicious reminders of the tournament's culinary themes, starting with a special sandwich and a play on pot pie in the appetizer round. The entre basket contains a turkey stuffed with something somewhat shocking, and the last two chefs battling it out for the grand prize race the clock to create $25,000 desserts that make brilliant use of a mashup monstrosity and mango ketchup.

Competing chefs attempt to prove from the start that they're the one to beat. In the first basket, a big burger with a gluttonous twist gives the chefs a lot of options. Parsley cake is a curve ball in round two, and when the last remaining chefs focus their attention on a dessert basket that includes Cara Cara oranges and a curiously boozy condiment, the judges are impressed by the level of skill they see. 

The chefs are thrown off by the combination they see in the first basket, including some beer-battered seafood and a bizarre bouquet of pickles! The second basket fails the smell test with a stinky surprise inside. Then, salty and sweet meet in the dessert round as the chefs attempt to make delicious final dishes using powdered candy and a savory-sounding cookie.

Four bartenders who love to cook compete in this special competition to prove that barkeeps know how to keep the flavors coming. An outrageous cocktail is the centerpiece of a fun first basket, and in the entree round, a potato dish prompts two of the contenders to grab more spuds from the pantry. The pressure is on in the final round when the two remaining bartenders must make the best desserts they can with a trendy drink and a classic pie.

The chefs get foods that heal in the ingredient baskets and have to make dishes that are both yummy and healthy. A little fish packed with nutrients is the star of the appetizer basket, but will it go well with the rest of the mystery ingredients? Following some frantic moments at the end of the entree round, the judges must decide whether a competitor's ill-advised decision to slice beef tenderloin is a deal breaker. In the dessert round, the final two chefs race to make plates that include nuts and berries.

The chefs face an adrenaline-packed competition filled with daunting seafood ingredients. A prized surprise awaits them in the first basket and a shocking salad meets a beautiful fish in the entree round. Finally, the judges temper their expectations as the chefs face an extraordinarily tough dessert basket.

Talented kid cooks compete with their brothers and sisters in an impressive show of cooperation in the Chopped Kitchen. The sibling teams uncover a strange pizza and some bitter greens in the appetizer basket. In round two, the judges find out if the kids have the chops to cook goat chops. Finally, a tropical fruit and a sugary cereal keep the kids on their toes in the dessert round.

The chefs must cook a game-day feast and set out to tackle the challenge with gusto! In the first basket, they find a whimsical dish that looks like nachos. Three chefs then get to feel the rhythm of a drumsticks entree round. Finally, a fusion snack meets a hybrid beverage in the dessert basket.

Four talented pastry chefs get to make a chocolate feast for the Chopped judges. In the first round of this all-desserts battle, the competitors must make dark chocolate creations that include a prized fruit and a salty snack. The second round is a celebration of judge Martha Stewart's favorite variety of chocolate, milk chocolate. And 30 minutes might not be enough time for the last two competitors to get everything they intend to their final plates.

Four chefs have to get creative with wonton wrappers after finding lowbrow eclairs in the first basket. A can full of cheesy comfort food and a lean bird are on the entree agenda. And a strange pastry is the odd find in the final round -- will it be a piece of cake for the final two competitors?

The competitors must stay steady and focused as they take on three chicken-themed rounds in this special competition. The chicken in the first basket looks strikingly strange. Can the chefs make it taste delicious? Another unusual poultry product graces the basket in round two. Will the chefs know just how to treat it? And the chefs nervously wonder what a chicken-themed dessert basket might contain.

The chefs take part in a Bavarian bash, starting with an appetizer basket that also includes potato chips. The entree basket includes a savory pie that's fun to say and a flight of beers that's a blast to taste. Finally, the judges watch to see what the final two chefs can do with beer and brats in their dessert basket.

Four female butchers battle it out for a shot at $10,000. In the first round, the competitors must break down a large piece of beef while sizing up a sweet salad in the basket. Fresh chickpeas pose a time-consuming challenge in the second basket. Then, a third savory round gives the last two women a final chance to show off their butchery skills.

The chefs get some surprises in the ingredient baskets, starting with the appetizer round, when they have to make gefilte fish work with something super sweet and something soft and salty. The judges are excited to see a beautiful pork product in the entree basket, but will the chefs treat it right? And a particularly strange collection of ingredients in the dessert basket leaves the remaining two chefs scrambling to solve the final culinary puzzle.

When four pizza pros bring their considerable talent and competitive drive to the Chopped kitchen, the judges are in for a pizza party to remember. A piece of pork that takes up much of the first basket has the competitors getting their hands dirty from the start. A regional dough and a convenience store staple are part of the pizza puzzle in the entree round. And do the final two pizza pros really have to use olives on their dessert pizzas? You bet they do!

Four chefs set out to make low-cost items taste like a million bucks in three "dollar dish" challenges. Some homegrown greens and a box of frozen finger foods are two of the no-frills finds in the appetizer round. One of the competitors is shocked to find the ingredient that they most fear is in the second basket. Finally, the inexpensive collection of goods in the dessert basket includes a clever hack for what to do with leftover wine.

Four chefs face a three-round culinary battle where pasta is found on every plate. They start off the carb-tastic competition by making pasta appetizers that include pea tendrils and a fatty, delicious fish. A common vegetable causes some surprising problems in the entree round. Finally, a huge, sweet surprise in the final basket gets the judges excited for dessert.

The bar for balancing flavors is set high as four chefs find sea snails and candy in the first basket. A mishap in the entree round dramatically affects one chef's scallop dish. The two remaining competitors must then work with a dessert basket that includes something porky and something sticky.

An ingredient basket containing squab kicks off an action-packed first round in the Chopped kitchen. As the chefs endeavor to make great entrees in round two, they must break down a large fish and figure out what to do with a sweet beverage. Cookie mix in the dessert basket seems like a breeze, but the variety of cookie mix may give the competitors pause.

The chefs gear up for difficult baskets when they find out that Chopped viewers have selected all their ingredients. A stunning but texturally challenging dessert meets a canned meat product in the appetizer basket. A weird egg from the Philippines in the entree round is startling, even for the judges, and fishy ice cream in the dessert basket proves that Chopped fans show no mercy.

The chefs dive into the first basket to discover a beautiful example of their competition's "belly of the beasts" theme -- tuna belly! A cocktail named after poultry and a boxed product that brings low-cost meals from childhood to mind play supporting roles in basket two. And both chefs choose to add chocolate to their desserts but will it taste great with the mystery ingredients?

The chefs set out to wow the judges with brunch meals that wake their palates. A classic brunch combination-turned ice cream flavor makes for a challenging first basket. A unique take on eggs keeps the brunch theme front-and-center in the entree round. The two chefs remaining in the dessert round then get to find out what goes into boozy cereal.

Martha Stewart, the queen of farm-to-table cooking, is excited to judge a competition with gorgeous garden goodies in every basket. In the first round, the chefs find some impressive greens and a sweet treat with a good-for-you spin. Squash is the meatiest find in the second produce-packed basket. Will the chefs successfully make it a star on their plates? Finally, a puzzling dessert basket includes spinach as a savory surprise.

In what may be the best Chopped competition theme ever, the chefs' baskets are packed with bacon, burgers and beer! In the bacon appetizer round, the competitors go in some inventive directions with their dishes, including pizza and poutine. Round two is an adrenaline-packed burger battle that has the chefs working with a fun take on onion rings. And the alliterative theme comes to its boozy conclusion in the dessert round, with beer boldly represented in the baskets.

There's a flavor clash happening in the Chopped kitchen as the first basket challenges the chefs to come up with a yummy solution to a perplexing culinary puzzle that includes a dill pickle-flavored treat. A Midwestern casserole and some stunningly presented pork make for a grand entree basket, and as the clock winds down in the final round, a chef's injury puts their Gjetost cheese dessert in jeopardy.

Comfort food connoisseurs and gourmands alike know that any dish can benefit from a slice, a melt or a sprinkling of cheese! In this special competition, every basket is filled with cheesy yumminess including an unusual take on a Philadelphia classic in the first round. The chefs must work with a crunchy cringe-worthy surprise in addition to a fancy Spanish cheese in the entree round. And a cheese-tastic tower is one of the building blocks for the finalists' desserts.

Four chefs set out to prove that ice cream can work well in two savory courses. A scoop is sandwiched in the middle of an indulgent ingredient in the first basket. Then a unique ice cream flavor at the center of an unusual dish is the big surprise in the second basket. And the judges have high hopes for the much-anticipated ice cream dessert round.

Four chefs are forced to get creative from the start when they find a kitschy, oddball cake and an unusual hybrid veggie in their appetizer baskets. An offal surprise and a fun fungus dish keep things interesting in round two. In the final round, an ice cream mishap leaves one of the chefs scrambling to put a key lime dessert together.

As the competition kicks off, the chefs are challenged with making appetizers using a delicate herb and a playful take on potatoes. When the chefs get a strange Italian street food in the entree basket, they must do as the Neapolitans do. And the judges hope the Dutch baby pancake and sour plums in the dessert basket will spark some delicious creativity.

Four chefs prepare for summertime dinners in America using a variety of sunny ingredients including patriotic deviled eggs and star-spangled spaghetti. A clever keg and a new spin on a fair favorite kick off the fun in the first round. Then, the bounty of the second basket includes a cowboy's dream ingredient and some colorful kebobs. And there's a bombshell surprise in the dessert basket -- can the chefs successfully create something delicious to complete the meal?

When the ovens and fryers are turned off, four chefs have no choice but to get their grill on! A rare meat hits the heat in round one, and a frozen food favorite in the second basket might not thrill the competitors. The final two grillers must contend with double-smoked bacon in the dessert basket, and each chef tries to smoke the other in this fiery contest.

The chefs gear up for an epic hot dog battle in a nonstop celebration of the phenomenal frankfurter. In the appetizer basket, they discover a hot dog creation that takes the prized piece of Americana to another level. A state fair treat with a twist awaits the three contenders in the entree round, and an intriguing dessert basket contains the mysterious "wieners in a quilt."

In the first round, the chefs learn they must make appetizers that include ginger-like galangal and a trendy taco. Miniature fruit and softshell crabs are two of the surprises that the competitors face in the entree round, and a pretty cake that reminds one judge of his childhood is at the center of an eclectic dessert basket.

Four talented chefs are ready to compete in the Chopped Kitchen, but there's something peculiar about the huge, elaborate cake in the appetizer basket: It's made of beef! In the second round, a strange twist on a classic Italian dish tests the competitors' creativity, and the two remaining chefs are challenged to make desserts using a mayo that may be tricky to incorporate.

The chefs battle it out to see who can build the most epic burger masterpieces. An awe-inspiring tower kicks off the first round of hamburger hustling. An old-school lunchbox favorite adds a bite of yummy, kitschy fun to the entree round, and a sweet challenge is in store for the two remaining chefs who must make epic burgers suitable for dessert.

Four enthusiastic chefs are up to the challenge as they attempt to outsmart the baskets in a race against the clock. Minced meat and something sweet are part of the appetizer round puzzle. Will sumac plus a super salty curve ball in the second basket leave the chefs wondering what to make? And eggs, fruit and sugar in the dessert basket should be relatively easy to work with, but nothing is as simple as it seems on Chopped.

The chefs gear up for an epic hot dog battle in a nonstop celebration of the phenomenal frankfurter. In the appetizer basket, they discover a hot dog creation that takes the prized piece of Americana to another level. A state fair treat with a twist awaits the three contenders in the entree round, and an intriguing dessert basket contains the mysterious "wieners in a quilt."

The competitors get the surprise of their lives when they find out that three original cast members of the legendary 70s sitcom will be tasting their food! Christopher Knight, Maureen McCormick and Susan Olsen -- famous for playing siblings Peter, Marcia and Cindy Brady -- take on the role of Chopped judges. In all three rounds, the baskets feature ingredients inspired by the groovy show, including pork chops and applesauce.

Three stars from the legendary TV show The Brady Bunch are perched at the Chopping Block as guest judges, and they're eager to enjoy a meal prepared by some of their biggest fans. Barry Williams, Eve Plumb and Mike Lookinland -- famous for their roles as Greg, Jan and Bobby Brady -- share stories from their time as fictional siblings. Meanwhile, the starstruck competitors open the first basket to find Hawaiian ingredients in a tribute to the Brady family's notorious vacation to the Aloha State. A creepy-crawly finds its way into the entree basket, and popcorn and a tropical drink keep the Brady bash going in the dessert round.

The chefs take on a melted cheese theme with the hope of giving the judges stretchable, craveworthy dishes. A platter of comfort food yumminess is at the center of a decadent first basket, and the ultimate melty cheese dish -- fondue -- finds its way into the second basket. In the dessert round, the remaining chefs have to get creative with the strange, colorful cheese snacks in the basket.

The chefs face baskets filled with some of the most bizarre ingredients imaginable. To start, a strange pig part is the bombshell in the appetizer basket. The competitors then open up their second basket to find a fuzzy vegetable and a shocking meat. Finally, the unusual ingredients in the dessert round include an eye opening, oddly named sweet treat.

In a Halloween-themed competition, the four chefs face ingredient baskets packed with nods to horror movies, which guest judge and actor Rose McGowan knows well. A cringeworthy surprise in the appetizer basket brings to mind a startling plot twist in a classic scary scene featuring maggots. The entree ingredients -- liver, fava beans and Chianti -- are inspired by one of the creepiest quotes in movie history, and a bubbling cauldron is a nice touch in the final basket.

Kicking off a first-of-its-kind, high-stakes desserts tournament, four chefs compete in a series of chocolate challenges. Spicy booze and a book filled with bonbons are in the mix in round one, and an oversize beverage meets a stinky cheese in the entree basket. The dessert basket features a can of something that could be cause for concern as the chefs make chocolatey showpieces to earn a spot in the grand finale and a shot at the $50,000 prize.

It's much ado about doughnuts in this exciting heat of the $50,000 Sweets Showdown. The chefs must demonstrate doughnut dexterity as they create sweet, savory and filled varieties that incorporate challenging ingredients such as onions and grasshoppers. Only one tenacious chef will conquer all and win the chance to return for the finale.

With their eyes on the Sweets Showdown $50,000 prize, four top-tier dessert chefs strive to bake their way into the judges' hearts in this all-cakes preliminary battle. A beautifully bare edible art piece is at the center of the first basket, and a soup and a leafy green threaten to hinder the competitors' progress in the entree round. In round three, only one chef can win ultimate baking bragging rights and a trip to the finale.

The $50,000 Sweets Showdown continues with a preliminary battle that shines the spotlight on ice cream. Each round challenges the competitors to churn out a different frozen treat: milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches and sundaes. But after the judges sample all the cool creations, only one chef can advance to the finale.

In the thrilling culmination of a five-part tournament, four dessert dynamos return to the Chopped Kitchen in pursuit of the $50,000 prize, but the ultimate sugar high and the prestigious title of Chopped Grand Champion can only go to one extraordinary chef. A wild-looking citrus fruit and some syrupy flowers are part of the challenge in the first round. A colossal cocktail is all the buzz in the entree round, and an edible candelabra is a bright surprise for the two chefs left in the dessert round.

The competing chefs are challenged to make delicious dishes from plant-based mystery basket ingredients. A marvel of modern food science is the centerpiece of the first basket, and a crispy green makes an appearance in round two. Finally, tomato cookies are more than meets the eye in the dessert round.

Four Chopped champions are hungry for more as they return for a special Thanksgiving competition. The ferociously competitive chefs must deal with a shocking poultry product in the appetizer round, and the three who make it to the entree round get a big, bright orange surprise. A Thanksgiving dessert basket packed with pumpkin and cranberry flavors inspires the chefs to celebrate the holiday on their final plates.

Four big-hearted amateur chefs arrive in the Chopped kitchen ready to give the judges an unforgettable Turkey Day meal. The competitors, who are celebrated for serving their communities, get creative in the first round when they must make something usually paired with coffee work with ham. Everyone gives thanks for turkey in the entree basket, and the final two unsung heroes are challenged to find a place for a festive beverage in their desserts.

Where's the beef? In the baskets! A beef theme is a meat lover's dream in this competition. The four chefs must cut jumbo-sized ribs down to appetizer-appropriate portions in the first round. A premium steak and a second-rate grocery store meal meet in a puzzling entree basket, and creativity and a shining example of good sportsmanship are on display in the dessert round.

Four Chopped judges compete alongside their significant others in a festive, feisty battle between friends. As the teams endeavor to create appetizers quickly and cooperatively, they must figure out how to use novelty pasta and a splendid fruit in their plates. The entree basket contains a stunning protein and a sweet seasonal surprise, and gingerbread and olives are an odd couple in the holiday dessert basket.

Holiday desserts take center stage as four Chopped champions return for a sweet competition with sugar and spice and not everything nice in the baskets! A bold beverage in the first round has the chefs making faces and making do. Unwrapping chocolates in a hurry is a tedious part of the challenge in round two, and a candy cane with an unconventional flavor threatens the champions' plans for magnificent desserts.

As the clock counts down on New Year's Eve, four chefs take on Chopped baskets to celebrate another trip around the sun. In the appetizer basket, a bite of something decadent and a peppery sauce await. Incredibly luxurious ingredients in the second basket set expectations sky high for the New Year's entree course, and a clever champagne treat is a nice touch in the dessert basket.

The four competing chefs get budget baskets full of low-cost ingredients for every round, and they have to make basic foods burst with flavor. A box of fish sticks is the big catch in the first basket, and the second round involves a lesson in putting your best foot forward when cooking with chicken feet. Finally, cheap wine and a cake mix mingle in the last budget basket.

Get ready for some culinary revelry as four New Orleans chefs take on a Mardi Gras competition! The baskets are packed with perennial NOLA favorites, including po' boys in the appetizer round. The judges hope none of the competitors ruin the roux in the second basket, and a traditional cake and a boozy coffee challenge the final two chefs in dessert.

The pastry experts battling it out in the Chopped Kitchen are excited to learn that they'll be making candy, cake and ice cream in this all-desserts challenge. They face three rounds of chocolate, but an unwelcome, squirmy invader in the first basket threatens to dampen their enthusiasm. Round two has the chefs making ambitious baking plans that must include hummus, and some savory finds in the final basket challenge the remaining competitors to strike a flavor balance or risk being chopped.

Four fit chefs take on the challenge to cook creative, healthy dishes that are light on calories but big on flavor. A faux noodle and a beautiful fish fillet are two of the round one mystery ingredients, and the second round revolves around a diet drink and a protein-packed snack box. When both remaining chefs plan to use the ice cream machine for their acai berry powder desserts, there's a chance someone will be left out in the cold when time runs out.

In an indisputably indulgent competition, the chefs find that every basket contains at least one epic ingredient -- an extreme example of something completely craveable. The appetizer basket brings them a big, bold marriage of two classic American comfort foods, and a savory cake is the showstopper in the entree round. A puzzling dessert basket reveals something gummy and something over-the-top yummy.

Pop goes the basket as the chefs must make bubblegum-flavored candy balance with hot and sour soup in their appetizer plates. Classic Cantonese dim sum is a yummy surprise in basket two. Then, the competitors who make it to the dessert round wind up working with something out-of-the-ordinary in a can plus a pink paste.

The chefs have the good fortune to get treats from Ireland in every round, beginning with an iconic stout in the appetizer basket. One chef doesn't hide their distaste for a certain Irish delicacy in the entrée round. Finally, the two remaining chefs hustle to make plates with a favorite Irish ice cream treat and some booze for the third round.

Everyone goes hog wild in the Chopped Kitchen as the chefs take on a pork-themed competition. The first basket threatens to contain too much of a good thing, and a beautiful cut of heritage-breed pork is juxtaposed with a questionable canned product in the entrée round, sending the chefs in some creative directions with their dishes. While they would have welcomed bacon in round three, the finalists must make use of more unusual porky items in their desserts.

The appetizer round prompts a couple of critical questions -- namely, what in the world is a narutomaki, and what are you supposed to do with it? The judges are astonished when one of the chefs takes an extremely unusual approach with the fish from the entrée basket that also includes caul fat. Finally, the last two chefs attempt to make scrumptious dishes in the dessert round with Swedish syrup and a classic cookie.

The competitors are in for some wild times after they learn they'll be working with game meat in every round, starting with wild boar in the first basket. Two wild proteins then make for a crowded entrée basket. Finally, Black Forest cake is the sweetest of the woodsy treasures that the two remaining chefs are up against in the dessert round.

The judges are excited by the prospect of beautiful octopus appetizers in the first round as the four chefs scramble to create dishes featuring mollusk morsels. The canned product in the second round threatens to throw the competitors off their game and leaves one chef in an unusual predicament. The two remaining chefs choose the same format for their Gorgonzola dolce desserts in the final round, leaving the judges to thoroughly compare the two dishes.

Four chefs open the first basket to find a strange, modern food: donut-shaped sushi. Will they know how to make it work with a crunchy snack in their appetizers? The judges are happy to see frog legs in the second basket, but they aren't quick to leap to any conclusions about how the entrees will turn out. And some challenging textures in the dessert basket jeopardize the last two chefs' chances for perfect final plates.

The chefs get revved up for a sensational sandwich battle that begins with a mound of meat and some colorful potatoes in round one. Everyone's favorite hybrid bird makes an appearance in the second basket. And sandwiches for dessert? You bet! The final two chefs take on a salty-and-sweet basket in the last round.

The competitors are called upon to rescue foods that would normally be thrown out in a special leftovers competition. Some unfinished Chinese takeout and something remaining from a meal at an Italian restaurant make for some fusion cooking in round one. Half of a sandwich and a bottle of sweet liquid are two of the leftover surprises in the second basket. Then the chefs face a confounding culinary puzzle when they find coffee and grapes in the dessert basket.

The competitors take on Southern classics like hush puppies and black-eyed peas in the first basket. Something fried meets something sweet in the entrée round. Then fruity, creamy and doughy desserts are the result of a busy final round.

In the first round, the chefs find a classic Asian food in an innovative form and some lovely plums. A tough cut of meat and a container full of an unusual mayonnaise product test the chefs' creativity in Round Two. And a giant surprise made of sugary breakfast cereal invigorates the competition in the final round.

The chefs must cook a glorious meal for the judges using only fired-up grill pans. The first basket contains a shocker of a meat and a sweet surprise that the competitors wish they could ignore. A freshwater fish and a fermented product challenge the chefs in Round Two. And in the dessert round, some strange s'mores and weirder burger buns keep things interesting for the last remaining contenders.

The chefs are asked to make a special-occasion meal, starting with appetizers that include a rare prized crustacean. In the entree basket, the competitors encounter more exquisite ingredients from land and sea -- as well as a sweet curveball. And the final two chefs open the dessert basket to find a playful take on the theme that proves to be quite difficult.

Four competitors learn that they will be treated to high-end, top-dollar ingredients, but can they do justice to the culinary treasures they receive while handling the added pressure of cooking for judge Martha Stewart? A prized pork product and a spruced up baked good are some of the wonders that the chefs discover in the appetizer basket. In the entrée round, an extraordinary burger and a fancy adult beverage are part of the basket riddle. And an unusual chocolate treat and a special cake up the "wow" factor in the dessert round.

The plates are packed away and the chefs set out to layer flavors in perfect, trendy bowls, under the watchful eye of the queen of precision herself, Martha Stewart! For the first basket, Martha brings a special surprise from her garden. In the entrée round, the chefs must make a nostalgic canned food balance with an Indian condiment in their bowls. And dessert bowls made from an Italian syrup and a candied treat are the final order of business for the last two remaining chefs.

From kitschy classics to artisanal designer donuts, the chefs will get a taste of it all as they celebrate delicious rings of joy in every round and feel the pressure of performing well for a very demanding donut connoisseur, judge Martha Stewart. A box of donuts and a jar of a particular condiment challenge the competitors in the appetizer round. A wild donut creation is the centerpiece of the entrée basket. Then, the two chefs lucky enough to advance to the donut dessert round must make Martha proud using her own donut dough recipe.

The chefs are excited to find out that a small plates theme is in effect for their competition. The judges - including the goddess of high standards, judge Martha Stewart -- are expecting modern, creative dining experiences in every round. The first basket features a surprise from one of the judge's restaurants. The entrée basket contains a German sandwich that sounds unappealing to the uninitiated. And the dessert round basket has the final pair of chefs scrambling to make small plates with big flavor that include a sensational citrus.

Judge Martha Stewart tastes a corn dog for the very first time as a fun version of the famous fair food challenges the chefs in the appetizer basket. Then, an exciting second round has the competitors working with lamb and pie. Will the judges slam their dishes or find them delicious? In the final round, an unusual coffee drink and a special citrus ingredient prompt the chefs to bring some distinct flavors to the plate.

The Chopped chefs get swept up in mushroom mania, with mushroom surprises in the baskets and plenty in the pantry. In Round One, the competitors try to make a great first impression on judge Martha Stewart with an unusual cocktail and an intensely-flavored protein. In the second basket, the chefs discover a creative use for bacon and a French dessert with a wild twist. Then in the final round, two chefs face the difficult task of making mushrooms into sweet creations.

Firefighter cooks take over the Chopped stoves in this special competition, proving that they're cool under pressure and thrive when the heat is on! Will some familiar finds in the first basket lead the competitors in predictable or creative directions? In the entrée round, the firefighters must make a strange sweet treat work with beef, and the dessert basket reveals a flaming surprise for the two finalists.

Four bold female bakers attempt to rise to the challenge and clinch a $10,000 victory. A dough typically used for flatbreads and a strong-tasting melon are two of the mystery basket items in round one. A different dough is at the center of the second basket, prompting the competitors to bake again. Then, the two competitors who make it to the dessert round jump at the chance to show off their pastry skills in final dishes featuring a marshmallow spread and lemon balm.

The competing chefs are told to picture themselves in a lovely coastal town as they prepare a meal of magnificent beach bites for the judges. A variety of seafood and a flotilla of edible boats kick things off in the appetizer basket. When more than one of the competitors don't leave much time to plate, they cut it close and try to beat the clock. A cute, beach-themed surprise makes an appearance in the entrée basket, and desserts with a splash of rum and a dose of fun are in store for the judges.

Kids who love to cook take over the Chopped Kitchen to prove they are forces to be reckoned with in the culinary world. The young competitors focus on finding creative ways to prepare ground chicken in round one. Both fries and sprouting cauliflower are found in the tricky entrée basket. And not everything goes according to plan when the final two kids take on desserts made from a fermented beverage and a sweet novelty item.

Four chefs with personal connections to Cuba are treated to ingredient baskets filled with a variety of Cuban foods. But which competitor will best represent the country's cooking traditions? In the appetizer round, butchering a whole fish gives one chef a whole lot of trouble. The chefs are less than thrilled to find a jarred version of a favorite Cuban sauce in the entrée basket, and the two who make it to the dessert round must piece together a culinary puzzle that includes a cocktail and a fruit.

The competitors bring their best to the Chopped kitchen to impress judge Martha Stewart. In the appetizer round, they face a modern take on beef Wellington and an iconic canned meat, and one chef's ambitious plans force him to rush to beat the clock. In the entrée round, Martha is excited to see what the chefs create with one of her favorite ingredients. The final two competitors have the same idea about what to make for dessert, but whose dish will be better?

It's fiesta time and the chefs are taking on tacos and tequila-themed baskets. Each competitor must make taco-inspired dishes that include a delicious delicacy in the blanco tequila-spiked first round. Two out of the three remaining chefs feel the meat grinder is a must in the second round. Then, a sweet take on taco shells keeps the theme going into the dessert round.

Martha Stewart is thrilled to celebrate her favorite holiday, Halloween, as a judge in the Chopped kitchen. All manner of spooky fun is found in the first basket, including a scary sight in a martini glass and macaroni and cheese in a clever package. A witch's cauldron holds a green, savory surprise in the entree basket, and it's demolition day at the haunted gingerbread house as the final two chefs make their desserts.

In pursuit of $50,000, four Chopped champions are back at the stoves with renewed ambition, seeking to be named the best of the best! The appetizer round is as exciting as they come, and a fire extinguisher is used for the first time in Chopped history. Extreme examples of salty and sweet meet in the second basket, and a colorful, unconventional surprise in the dessert basket gets a "wow" from everyone, but can the chefs get it to work in their final plates?

Four Chopped champions come back fiercer than ever with their sights set on the tournament's $50,000 grand finale. The chefs create wildly different appetizers from a basket that includes black garlic. A novelty candy in the second basket requires a hammer and some culinary imagination, and plenty of competing flavors in the dessert basket leave the chefs with some decisions to make.

The judges grapple with how to chop champions when four talented winners return to the Chopped Kitchen for a shot at $50,000. In the first basket, the chefs face a delicacy from the sea. A fancy sauce and a plain vanilla treat are two of the ingredients in the mix in round two, and a giant, chocolaty surprise awaits the chefs who make it to the dessert round.

Four returning Chopped champions compete for a chance to make it to the grand finale to fight for $50,000. In the first round, the chefs contend with a basket that includes tiny, infuriatingly time-consuming eggs and a Moroccan meat. Red snapper in the entree basket must be filleted in a snap, and pastries and pops in the dessert basket challenge the two remaining competitors.

Four repeat champs are back for the Chopped Champions Grand Finale and the chance to make a $50,000 meal! The appetizer basket challenges the chefs with a seafood delicacy that requires a high degree of thoughtfulness. An in-your-face shocker in the second basket leaves the remaining chefs racing to make bold plates. And with the prize at stake, the two remaining chefs face off in a dessert round with a basket that is fittingly difficult.

Host Ted Allen and his sister -- plus three judges and their siblings -- crowd the kitchen for a wild Thanksgiving competition! These turkeys are sure to have a blast cooking together, starting round one by tackling a curious green bean creation and a bitter green. There's no bird in the Thanksgiving entree basket but there's plenty of delicious fall goodness. Finally, a latte and lots more await the final competitors in the dessert basket.

The chefs learn that instead of the usual appetizer, entree and dessert baskets, their Thanksgiving-themed rounds will be sides, turkey and pie -- all Turkey Day essentials! In round one, the competitors hustle to make magnificent side dishes using a strange ice cream and soup made from judge Martha Stewart's recipe. The remaining three chefs must attempt to put a creative spin on their turkey plates. Finally, the promise of pies and tawny port makes for a festive pie round.

Four chefs enter the Chopped Kitchen and lay it all on the line to get it done! The appetizer round has the chefs wondering what exactly a Chinese tea egg is and what exactly they got themselves into by agreeing to compete. Pizza in a strange format and an uncommonly eaten piece of pork appear in the entree basket. A big, stinky fruit is the talk of the dessert round, and the big question is whether the finalists know how to make it delicious.

Four grandmas bring their homey cooking styles to the Chopped Kitchen and give the judges a holiday dining experience to remember. In the first round, the matriarchs cook appetizers with love, care and some unusual candy canes. A gilded surprise is the centerpiece of the second basket. Finally, the two grandmas who move on to the dessert round are delighted to find a selection of holiday cookies -- but will they know what to make with them?

Four chefs who didn't make it in high-stakes tournaments return in search of redemption. The competitors face goat chop appetizers in the first round. A breakfast cereal is the crunchy curveball in the entree basket. The remaining chefs then open their final basket to find a cookie behemoth and a strange soda.

The chefs get bountiful breakfast foods in every basket and are asked to stretch the most important meal of the day into three indulgent courses. They even get to work with farm fresh eggs direct from the chicken coops of judge Martha Stewart! A series of mishaps plagues one of the competitors in the second round, and then in the dessert round, French toast and Chinese porridge must find a place in the remaining chefs' final dishes.

Right out of the gate, the chefs are surprised by a bold delicacy that is seafood in name only. Will they know how to turn Rocky Mountain oysters into a tasty appetizer? A soda shop treat is a sweet hurdle for the entree-round competitors, and the finalists find a jackfruit in the Round Three dessert box.

The chefs are instructed to make delicious healthy dishes that are suitable for someone who's watching their weight and concerned about nutrition. In the first round, some legumes legitimately confound some of the chefs. Then, a fancy fish and a fermented drink must make their way onto the competitors' entree plates. Finally, fruit-and-grain dishes sound like healthy options for dessert, but will they be tasty?

Whiskey and wings appear in some form in every basket, guaranteeing a good time in each round! A fun starch must also make its way onto the chefs' appetizer plates, then hot sauce is in the mix for round two. Finally, what type of wings will the competitors get in the dessert round?

Four former military service members who are pursuing culinary careers compete to see who will be the Chopped Champion. In the first round, a favorite American comfort food must mingle on the plate with a super-sweet drink, and curiously, three of the four competitors pull tortillas from the pantry. A patriotic pasta and an already-cooked savory pie are two of the mandatory ingredients in the entree round. Then, will the finalists be able to adeptly combine cheese and pudding in desserts?

The chefs are tasked with making noodle or pasta dishes from the items in the mystery baskets. In the first round, the competitors get ingredients that seem to point them in an Asian direction, then they crank out fresh pasta in round two. The final round has the chefs using their noodles to try to make desserts that fit the theme.

The chefs take on a football-themed competition, aiming to create elevated game day food in every course. Creative reinterpretations of mac and cheese add a comfort food spin to the appetizer round. Artichokes prove to be a difficult ingredient for some of the competitors in the entree round. And will a stadium starch in the dessert basket help or hurt the final chefs' chances of finishing strong with their football feasts?

In this competition, the chefs get grand chocolaty surprises in each basket. The appetizers must combine white chocolate and soft shell crab. A chocolate adult beverage and a chocolate showpiece dessert keep the delicious theme going in the second round. The two chefs with the privilege of making chocolate desserts get luscious apricots to work with as well.

Four modern diner chefs compete to transform the baskets into blue plate specials worthy of $10,000. In the appetizer round, the chefs must sling out dishes using some late night food and a classic three-ingredient sandwich. Then, the chefs get creative with a deep-fried snack in the entree round. Some diner staples in the dessert basket are tasty on their own, but can the final two chefs succeed in reinventing them?

The tricky challenge in this competition is to include pickles in every dish -- including dessert! The first round has the chefs working with brine and Brussels sprouts. Half-sour but entirely delicious flank steak dishes are the goal in the entree round. Then, pickles with peanut butter is an unusual but not unheard-of combo that the chefs find in the dessert basket.

Raw fish is in the first basket, but in a rather unusual form. A wonder drink and some beautiful peppers must grace the entree plates, then will a hefty salt block ruin the chefs' chances of success in the dessert round?

Dumplings are the theme for this competition, as the chefs are instructed to make stuffed morsels of dough inspired by any part of the world. A flavorful pork product and a Japanese condiment make up part of the first mystery basket, and nerves and timing take a toll. Meat-and-potato dumpling entrees are in order for round two, and the two chefs left to cook dessert dumplings must marry some spicy chips with a tropical fruit.

The baskets are packed with favorite foods from Latin America, and the chefs bring pride of their native countries to every plate. In the first round, the competitors get a soup and a dough to show off their appetizer-making skills. A yummy cookie and a can of beans are part of the puzzle in the entree round. Then, will the final two chefs feel the love for the passion fruit in the dessert basket?

A big setback leaves one chef unsure whether her sausage and okra appetizer will come together on time and as planned. Savory pie and a fresh Italian cheese meet on the chefs' entree plates. Then, peppers and pears pair up in an exciting dessert round.

Chopped kicks off a magnificent, five-part, star-studded tournament event, where celebrities who are famous in different fields take over the kitchen for a shot at scoring $50,000 for charity. In the first competition, web stars who shine online for millions of followers will shine on TV, including Josh Elkin, Justine Ezarik, Hilah Johnson and Lazarus Lynch. In the appetizer round, the Internet phenoms seek to dazzle the judges with their blood sausage appetizers. Dealing with duck could be the biggest obstacle in the entree round, then a Japanese frozen dessert and an instant breakfast food challenge two web stars in the dessert round.

In the second preliminary competition of Chopped's Star Power Tournament, four star athletes -- Dorothy Hamill, Paige VanZant, LaMarr Woodley and Mariel Zagunis -- battle it out in the kitchen. An exceptionally weird flavor of soda and a pleasingly cheesy dish are two of the basket stumpers that they face in round one. The judges get three distinct lamb dishes from a threesome of sports stars in the entree round, then the two athletes who get to rock dessert get rock candy as one of their mandatory ingredients.

Four funny actors engage in a rowdy display of cooking improv in the third competition of Chopped's Star Power tournament, including Illeana Douglas, Ron Funches, Jonathan Sadowski and Julie White. In a frenzied first round, a South American flatbread and a beautiful seafood product take the spotlight. Taming the sweet factor becomes important in an entree round with marshmallows in the basket. Then, premade dough seems to give the final two cooks a head start in the dessert round, but will they know what to do with it?

Four famous stars of film and TV light up the fourth and final preliminary competition of the Star Power tournament! In the appetizer round, actors Rick Fox, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Alysia Reiner and Alan Thicke must find a role for bass and ice pops in their dishes. The judges are entertained by one competitor's liberal use of a particular pantry ingredient in round two. Finally, the ice cream machine is a hot commodity for making cold treats in the dessert round.

Four celebrity champions return to try to reap a $50,000 win for their favorite charity in the grand finale of the Star Power tournament! The finale drama revs up after the competitors find a breakfast pastry and a pretty but bland fruit in their appetizer baskets. A pineapple transformed into something extra special is at the center of an exhilarating second round, then the last round of the tournament features a basket with a tower of cookies and a tropical fruit.

An Argentinian meat and something challengingly sweet are two of the appetizer surprises. In round two, the judges are happy to see a favorite seafood selection in the basket, and bok choy also finds its way to their plates. Finally, some giant sheets of tofu and an alluring take on cheesecake keep the finalists on their toes in the dessert round.

To honor the wonderful women who raised them right, four famous Food Network cooks -- Ted Allen, Jeff Mauro, Jet Tila and Chris Santos -- compete with their moms! In the first round, the mother/son teams strive to manage their time and to carefully crack quail eggs. A large fish and some lovely lemons make up part of the second basket. Then, the final two family duos must find sweet ways to use blood oranges and walnuts.

Four newlywed couples compete as teams to see which married pair will be united in victory! A playfully-named toast and some sexy shellfish get the party started in the appetizer round. In the second round, the chefs must tackle a legume that's time-consuming to deal with and a pork cut that's challenging to cook just right. And will making desserts with the loves of their lives be as sweet as can be, or a Chopped nightmare?

No ovens? No problem! The chefs give the grill pans a major workout in this special competition, where they must get grillin' from the get-go. The group makes sausage appetizers that must also include a fruity beverage. A beautiful open-faced sandwich meets a diminutive veggie in the entree basket, then the two competitors left to grill dessert face a basket that includes a boozy marshmallow and a bag of nuts.

The chefs are encouraged to embrace beautiful imperfections as they work with so-called ugly ingredients. In the appetizer round, they find often-discarded seafood and misshapen veggies in the baskets. A perilous-looking fish presents a fierce challenge in the entree round. The last ugly turn is the dessert round, which has the chefs working with an overly-baked item.

The chefs learn that their competition has a potato theme, with spuds of some kind in every basket! The chefs must incorporate two tater products into their Canadian bacon appetizers. In a wild round two, chili fries find their way to a blender and a whole potato finds its way to the deep fryer. Then, sweet potato pie meets toffee in the dessert basket.

Who could ask for a better teammate in the Chopped Kitchen than good ol' Dad? Four fathers join forces with their grown-up kids to make collaborative dishes and to make their families proud. A thematic cookie in the first basket gets a laugh, then the salmon in the second basket seems simple but creates some problems. In the dessert round, an unusual flavor of gelato presents the final father/kid pairs with a challenge.

The chefs race to figure out what to do with a seafood product and some boozy veggies in the first round. Then, the judges must decide who's got the chops to get goat chops just right in the second round. Finally, a tough dessert basket, which includes a cheese and a vegetable, keeps the finalists scrambling to the end.

In the first round, the chefs must make lamb appetizers that include a trendy toast, and one competitor gets a little overzealous trying to make his plates pretty. Poultry and snap peas are part of the round two challenge, then the competitors do their best with fruits and a fermented beverage in the dessert round.

The chefs imagine they're making a memorable meal for a backyard party in this cookout competition. A wacky hybrid protein and a ketchup stand-in are two of the ingredients the competitors must work into appetizers. Burger fixings but no beef in the second basket force the chefs to get creative, then a clever edible centerpiece meets a crunchy snack in the dessert basket.

Four bold female bakers attempt to rise to the challenge and clinch a $10,000 victory. A dough typically used for flatbreads and a strong-tasting melon are two of the mystery basket items in round one. A different dough is at the center of the second basket, prompting the competitors to bake again. Then, the two women who make it to the dessert round jump at the chance to show off their pastry skills in final dishes featuring a marshmallow spread and lemon balm.

In the lightning-fast first round, the chefs must create appetizers in just 20 minutes from clams and a sweet dried fruit. Squid ink and a strong-flavored candy are part of the entree round puzzle. Then, a pie made of beans and an alcoholic drink made with sorbet are two of the mystery basket ingredients for dessert.

The chefs get some gorgeous crustaceans and a fancy pasta in the first basket, and the clock surprises them with its speed. Then, the judges hope that the competitors make the most of an expensive mushroom in round two. Finally, one of the last two chefs runs into trouble while trying to make an apple dessert.

Which food truck chef will fortune shine upon in this competition of determined mobile meal vendors? There's a traffic jam at the fryer as the chefs attempt to make outstanding appetizers with two proteins. In the entrée basket, the chefs find a New England sandwich and a Mexican pepper. The final two food truck chefs left in the fight receive dessert nachos in the last basket.

The judges have a pressing matter to discuss with four lucky chefs: waffles! The competitors prove waffles are no longer just for breakfast by making them the star of every plate and every round. First, the chefs bring some heat to their waffle appetizers by seasoning them with chiles de arbol. A thick Belgian waffle dough hits the irons in round two, then waffles take the form of cookies in the dessert round.

In this special competition, the baskets are filled with enticing, soul-soothing comfort foods! The chefs are asked to carry the comfort food theme onto their completed plates, starting in round one when they must utilize something starchy and something greasy. A homey protein and some beautiful tomatoes are in the mix in the entrée round, then a nostalgic cookie meets a dairy delight in the dessert basket.

In the appetizer round, the chefs bake premade dough and try to figure out the best plan for including a Persian hot dog stew in their dishes. The entree plates must include a prized seafood and a floral component, then the competitors discover beets and a classic French dessert in the final basket.

Creepy surprises and freaky finds -- the chefs are sure to be spooked by what they get in the baskets for Halloween! A special meat platter grabs the competitors' attention at the start of round one, then a certain frightening ingredient is staring back at the chefs from the entrée basket. The two finalists get hyped up on Halloween candy as they scare up some creative desserts.

In this heated competition, the chefs make the most of fiery, spicy ingredients in the baskets. In round one, a dip made with hot sauce and a spicy piece of poultry challenge the chefs. Then, the hot raw root in the entrée basket serves as proof that peppers aren't the only way to spice up a dish. Finally, some spicy candy and a baby fruit occupy the competitors' minds in the dessert round.

Strange incarnations of everyday ingredients, black garlic and coconut vinegar, challenge the chefs in the appetizer round. The judges go on the hunt for compelling flavor combinations in the chefs' alligator entrees, then a Peruvian fruit is the most unusual find in the dessert basket.

The chefs are pleased when they open the first basket and it's filled with bright, fresh Mediterranean foods, including baby octopus. A prickly green and a meaty fish share the entrée basket spotlight. Finally, the ice cream machine and the deep fryer come into play in a busy dessert round.

The chefs get news that the judges will be expecting three courses of flaky, perfect pies. Sour gummies and sausage are part of the appetizer round pie puzzle, then the entrée round has the three remaining chefs making savory pies that must include baby kale. After a dessert round with candied ginger in the basket, who will be left eating humble pie, and who will win $10,000?

Three brilliant Iron Chefs -- Marc Forgione, Jose Garces and Alex Guarnaschelli -- are set to judge four exceptional Chopped Champions on a mission to create an incredible Thanksgiving feast! The champs' Turkey Day appetizers must include turkey in more than one form, then another bird gets some love in the entree round. Then, an epic sandwich and a sweet casserole are two of the ingredients that keep the final two champs' gears spinning.

The chefs get a jolt of energy in the first basket in the form of ground espresso, but can they quickly make coffee click with the rest of the ingredients? Sweetbreads are one of the sweet surprises that the competitors must work with in round two, and a brightly-colored sugary snack must be balanced with black molasses in the dessert round.

The chefs learn they'll be cooking with ingredients that are bizarre, even by Chopped standards. Something slimy and something strangely-shaped are found in the first wonderfully weird basket. Garlic ice cream is not the most startling discovery in the entree basket. Then, the most shocking ingredient in the dessert basket doesn't seem so wild -- until you pop it in your mouth and get a jolt!

Four of Chopped's biggest winners return to share stories of their life-changing victories and -- in the spirit of the season -- play for a favorite charity. The four undefeated repeat champs open up the first basket to find a variety of festive surprises. A clever take on hardboiled eggs and a deckle of beef present the champs with a challenging task in the entrée round. Then, only one chef can be named the champion again after the judges taste creative holiday desserts that include honey and chocolate.

The chefs get the Southern classic grits in the first basket and race to make appetizers that deliver on flavor, but one of the competitors has major difficulties in the final seconds of the round. An ingredient that is surprisingly similar to grits is discovered in the second basket, so the chefs must think fast and keep the creativity level high. Then, something blue and something boiled are in the dessert basket.

Luck is not on the competitors' side as they open the first basket to find not duck breast, but a more formidable foe: duck tongue. A bitter juice and a pretentiously presented American classic challenge the chefs in the entrée round. For the last two chefs battling it out in the dessert round, a peachy final basket is anything but easy.

Shaken, stirred, or Chopped? Cheers to a fabulous first: a Chopped cocktail party! The chefs learn that they'll be preparing small plates as well as creative drinks in every round of this special competition. Tiny, lovely finger limes must end up on the plates or in the cocktails in round one. Scotch whisky and summer truffles keep the party going in the second round, then edible gold in the final basket guarantees the chefs will end on a festive note.

The competitors find a prized member of the onion family in the first basket, ramps! But will the flavorful wild leeks play nicely with the other mandatory ingredients? An organ meat and an Italian treat are in basket two, then the two chefs who make it to the dessert round get a popcorn-flavored candy and a citrus-flavored stalk.

The competition begins with a gory story in the appetizer round, when the chefs find blood sausages in the basket. Then, in a wild entree round, the chefs attempt very ambitious plans for a basket that includes a caramelized pudding and a pork product. Finally, a fat and a dough in the dessert basket result in some decadent dishes.

Four chefs are challenged to create light dishes from baskets full of nutritious surprises. In the first round, the competitors must make tasty fish dishes that include an unusual alternative carb, and two of the chefs suffer from serious time-management issues. In the entree round, a grain and a green noodle are part of the culinary puzzle, and moderation is key in a dessert round that forces the chefs to use butter and sugar in smarter, minimal ways.

Four chefs are challenged with making the magic of brunch look easy and creating the kind of meal that friends and family would love to linger over. Booze and eggs are some of the very brunch-y surprises found in the first two baskets, and in the dessert round, the finalists must make a fried sweet work with a poached fruit.

Cue the fireworks as China's biggest holiday has its moment in the Chopped Kitchen! For the first course of their Chinese New Year feasts, the chefs must create appetizers using one of American diners' favorite Chinese dishes. Then, in the entree round, a giant fish is front and center in the basket, and in the final round, the chefs must include an oversized cookie and a strawberry-flavored treat in their desserts.

It's game time in the Chopped Kitchen for four fanatical tailgaters, who are out to prove that their passion for cooking is equal to their passion for their teams. Some of the competitors are not pleased to find a vegetarian patty in the first basket, and in the second round, cheese and sausage are two of the mandatory ingredients. A salty and sweet treat in the dessert basket makes for a fine tailgating dessert on its own, but how will it be transformed into a final, plated dish?

Four self-assured guys are lucky to get bacon as their theme, but how will these "bacon boys" do in the first round with bacon in the baskets alongside banana jam? A bacon-packed round two has the chefs wondering what to do with a weird ice cream and some lovely greens, and bacon in dessert is not a new thing anymore, but can the last two chefs create original, delicious sweet-and-salty dishes?

It's food to get you in the mood, with aphrodisiacs in all of the baskets! As the chefs attempt to get in touch with their sensual sides, some are turned off by the oysters in the first basket. Tasting the entree dishes, the judges criticize a chef for not plating some sexy stuff, which he left in a pan. And two alluring, pre-made desserts in the final basket seem like a head start but could be a trap.

Four former Chopped runners up are brave enough to return to the Chopped Kitchen, and in the appetizer basket, they find a shocker of a protein and some sweet jam. Sugar and spice are in store for the chefs in the second round, when they must use cheesecake and garam masala in their entrees. The dessert round finds the remaining two chefs gunning for victory... finally!

Full of flavor and fun, Caribbean cuisine is the focus of this special Chopped competition! The judges are excited to taste four shrimp appetizers, but one chef suffers a big setback. Then, some beautiful Caribbean ingredients in the second basket inspire the chefs to embark on laborious entree plates, and in the final round, the judges look forward to tasting some sweet potato and rum desserts.

Four talented truck stop chefs bring their renowned take on comfort food to the Chopped Kitchen. In the first round, meatloaf mix is a pleasant surprise, but some are not very familiar with fennel. A purple veggie and a sweet drink are two of the mystery ingredients in the second round, and the finalists hope the dessert round will be easy as pie after they discover apple pie in the basket.

In the first basket, nobody is thrilled to see a slimy surprise -- will there be enough time to deal with it properly and still creatively address the other three ingredients? Displays of talent and technique in the entree round have the judges eager to taste three Cornish hen dishes, and a very bold choice with a nostalgic treat in the dessert basket keeps the judges guessing.

Four college kids with serious cooking chops take over the Chopped Kitchen to see if they can make the grade. First, they must think of something new and delicious to do with the chicken and tomato soup in the appetizer basket, then in the entree round, they must contend with a hot drink and a frozen side dish. Finally, dessert has the last two college kids working with a tropical fruit and a tasty topping.

In the first basket, the chefs are shocked to find that a certain fun food has been wrapped in bacon, and in round two, the three remaining competitors present pork and noodle dishes. Then, one of the final chefs looks very proud of a bold chance he took with his dessert, but will the judges agree that his final plate is both creative and delicious?

Returning winners, daunting baskets, killer pressure -- it must be Chopped Champions! The five-part tournament kicks off with a stellar group of defending champs, who must first rock a basket that includes pig ears. In the second round, the chefs must navigate the complicated relationship between fish and cheese; then, both the chefs and judges agree that artichokes are a cruel draw for dessert.

A lively group of returning winners are revved up for more Chopped Champions drama and excitement, but when the first basket features deceptively simple sausage and cabbage, will they choke or shine? An organ meat plays the starring role in the second basket, and the final, extremely challenging basket will take some champion swagger and skill to crack.

Four returning champs are ready to give it all they've got, and in the appetizer round, they must endure a hard-to-melt candy and a difficult-to-prep veggie. In the entree round, the champs suffer some surprising execution errors with a seemingly cheffy protein. Then, will the finalists think it was jerky to put bison jerky in the dessert basket?

Geared up for killer cooking and serious drama, a husband and wife are among the returning champs for the fourth round of Chopped Champions. Crab claws and vanilla frosting are two of the surprises in the first basket, then the champs must confront a wild boar for their entrees. In the dessert round, a savory mousse causes the competitors some alarm.

It's the $50,000 grand finale and one of the returning champs is destined to win the grand prize and considerable bragging rights! Some unusual clams and a decadent meat are part of the culinary riddle to be solved in the first round. In the entree round, the protein almost takes up the entire basket. Then, when the last two chefs face each other in the dessert round, will the onions in the basket make them cry?

Four cooks are surprised by a Cinco de Mayo theme, and in the first basket, they must grapple with a green pie and a big fish fillet. The fiesta continues in round two when the chefs must work with a cheese blend and a Mexican barbecue specialty, then black beans and chocolate are part of the dessert challenge.

It's trying times in the appetizer round when the chefs aren't sure how to creatively use the pasta from the basket. Then, in the entree round, the judges are worried about what the competitors might do with a particular chocolate-covered ingredient. Finally, the two chefs who move onto dessert must make the most of a tropical fruit and a super-savory jarred product.

There's romance in the air in the Chopped Kitchen as eight cooking singles are paired up on blind dates! In the first round, the couples get to know each other and the ingredients, which include scallops in the shell and a strange citrus. The six competitors left for round two all decide to grind the protein in the entree basket, and the minimal use of one of the ingredients gives the judges something to discuss. Then, the creme anglaise in the dessert basket seems like a gift for the final two pairs, but neither team makes a dash for the ice cream machine.

For this heated summer battle, the chefs must work with seasonal foods like lobsters and cocktails in the first round. In the second basket, the chefs find another seafood mystery ingredient and potato chips. Then, the two chefs who make it to the final round must figure out how to make summer desserts from a refreshing beverage and an indulgent frozen treat.

Chefs, beware: every round in this special competition will feature ingredients that are not just challenging, but actually dangerous! Poisonous seeds and a fierce creature make round one interesting for all. In the entree round, a potent alcohol and a shellfish keep the chefs fearful, then some ugly fungus and a deadly fruit keep the finalists on edge in the dessert round.

There's eggs in the baskets -- Scotch eggs, that is! Will the competitors know what to do with this sausage-enrobed pub food in the appetizer round? In the entree round, some big fish and a black liquid are two of the ingredients that need taming, then the finalists get reacquainted with a super sugary kids' cereal in the dessert round.

Four chefs from the same city throw down in the Chopped Kitchen to find out who's the best in town! In the first round, a mighty midnight snack poses a creative challenge, then the chefs who move on to the entree round get a beer and a bird they should know well. To decide a tightly contested battle, the chefs cook up desserts that include premium chocolate bars and Irish coffee.

A priest, a nun-in-training, a rabbi, and a pastor compete in the Chopped Kitchen! In the first round, the judges are surprised to find out that one of the cooks has never worked with fish before, but salmon is in the basket. Fruit and wine are two of the mystery basket items that must make it to the faithful cooks' entree dishes, then the two finalists draw on their heritage to make yummy fig desserts.

Comfort food king, fried chicken, gets the royal Chopped treatment for three rounds! A weird syrup and a savory pancake are two of the ingredients that the chefs must use in their fried bird appetizers. The poultry party continues in round two with fried chicken entrees that have to include peach cobbler, and what will be expected from the chefs in a fried chicken-themed dessert round?

When the chefs get escargot in the appetizer round, they have just twenty minutes to prove that snails can work with the other ingredients in the basket, including some troublesome sprouts. Garlic knots prove to be easy to use in the entree round, and a light and airy cake in the dessert round puts the chefs in a focused and inspired mood.

The theme for this competition is everyone's favorite all-American bun-buster, the hot dog! In the first round, the chefs get some very rare hot dogs and an uncommon condiment. A tiny ingredient causes big problems for two of the competitors in the entree round, and the last two chefs are left to tackle the strange challenge of making hot dog desserts.

Never stop cooking -- a seventy-something chef who blew off retirement to return to the stove is among the four chefs competing! In the appetizer round, he and the rest of the group must make trout dishes that also include dill pickle soup. A weirdly spicy beer is one of the entree basket ingredients. Then, dough and sugar in the dessert basket seem to give the finalists a head start, but looks can be deceiving!

The chefs battle in a Chopped chili challenge as they put their own spin on the classic American dish. Chocolate and sausage are two of the mandatory ingredients in the appetizer round, and degrees of spice and levels of creativity are big factors in the entree round. For dessert, chili-inspired sweet dishes are requested.

Sixteen young chefs-in-training will compete to see who can become the Chopped Teen Tournament Grand Champion and score the $25,000 prize! In this first preliminary battle, the young competitors must make appetizers from a strange hybrid snack and a decadent pork product. In the entree round, the teens must figure out how to combine poultry with a weird casserole, then work with a spicy nut and a savory green fruit for dessert.

Four new formidable young competitors fight to get to the finale, but in the first round, nerves and indecision keep everybody guessing whether all the teen chefs will finish their sausage appetizers. Seafood surprises await the teen chefs in round two, then some breakfast items take on a creative form in the dessert basket.

In the third of four preliminary competitions, a new group of teen chefs arrives in the Chopped Kitchen with tons of energy, which they put to good use cooking short rib appetizers. An already-cooked, artificially-colored ingredient appears to be the most puzzling ingredient in the entree basket, and in the dessert round, a pastry bag of pate a choux leaves the competitors wondering what to do.

Teams of twins face off in this competition, bringing twice the excitement to the kitchen! In the first round, some improbable eggs and incomplete crustaceans are in the basket. A royal-inspired meat product and a soda shop staple keep things interesting in the entree round, then the last two pairs of twins make some surprising choices when they get pastry dough in the dessert basket.

Four more teen chefs battle it out for the last spot in the $25,000 finale. A can of something strange and a bottle of something sour are two of the ingredients that the competitors must use in the appetizer round. The fryer sees some action in the entree round when one teen chef decides to deep-fry the basket's protein. Then, the two finalists must figure out how to repurpose a cake they find in the dessert basket.

A serious time management issue in the first round featuring naan and blood sausages gets one of the competitors in trouble as the last seconds tick away. A very expensive fish in the entree basket has the judges hoping that the chefs know how to treat it right. Then, the finalists come up with some creative desserts as they tackle a fruit-filled third basket.

Four teen winners have returned to compete in the grand finale of the tournament with $25,000 at stake. The young cooks find a surf-and-turf combination in the appetizer basket and aim to distinguish themselves from their opponents with their first plates. Butchering skills come into play in the entree round, then one teen chef's premonition about a mango in the dessert basket comes true!

A basket ingredient with a "secret" history and the fermented milk drink kefir are at the forefront of the appetizer round. The second basket looks to be deceptively simple, except for a strange blue drink. Then, something you wouldn't expect to find in a can is discovered in the dessert basket, and the last two chefs decide to go in a similar direction with their final plates.

Former winners and runners up from Worst Cooks in America arrive at the Chopped Kitchen with something to prove. In the first round, the competitors do a nice job with their frog leg appetizers, but the second round has the remaining chefs struggling to cook steak correctly. Then, in the last round, the cooks rely on ready-made doughs from the pantry to help them with their cocoa powder and pear desserts.

The judges are pleased to see fresh sardines in the first basket, but will the competitors treat these little fish properly? Some pricey basket items, including sweetbreads, add an air of luxury to the second round. Then, both of the final chefs want to make ice cream in the dessert round, but will they have time to pull it off?

Four one-of-a-kind cooks have dressed up for Halloween in the Chopped Kitchen, and the judges are eager to see what a drag queen, a witch, a medieval re-enactor and a bloody-faced warrior will cook for them using a wild collection of appetizer ingredients! Some frightening sights in the second basket turn out to be pretty nice picks for a pork tenderloin entree, and a spiky fruit and clever cookie-crumb creation are two of the ingredients that the final competitors get to scare up a dessert.

Quack if you love duck tongues! The chefs must make use of this unusual meat in their appetizers, and a seaweed pasta product may be the weirdest item in the second basket. Then, spicy alcohol and a sweet cream are two of the components that the finalists have to work into their desserts.

Competitors with successful online cooking shows arrive in the Chopped Kitchen ready to put their web-honed culinary skills to the test. There are smiley faces all around when the cooks find emoji cookies in the first basket, but round two has the judges monitoring the clock with doubts that all three chefs will be able to get a particular basket ingredient cooked in time. Then, a familiar boxed ingredient is one of the first things the finalists need to tackle for dessert.

The chefs learn all about the wonders of savory Swedish layer cake when they get the competition underway with some smorgastarta appetizers. A sweet powder and prickly produce make the entree round more complicated than the competitors wished it would be. And eggplant seems like a doozy for dessert, but preserved in sugar, the veggie is easier for the finalists to incorporate into their sweet plates.

Four devoted football fans are super proud of their can't-fail tailgating games, but in the Chopped Kitchen, only one can become a champ. Handy sandwiches and sweet popcorn are two of the ingredients the competitors face in the first round. Will a strange take on mimosa be hard for the chefs to swallow in the second round? Then, the two finalists hustle to figure out the correct technique to execute their creative ideas for dessert.

Chopped has joined forces with Beat Bobby Flay for a spectacular crossover event. Twelve returning Chopped Champions sweat and scramble to get to the $40,000 Grand Finale. In the appetizer round of this premiere competition, the champions are tested with a Scandinavian fish and a sugary cereal. A flowery syrup and an onion with sprinkles appear in the second basket, while sandwiched between a cheesy sandwich and some jelly in the dessert basket, the chefs find an ingredient that Bobby particularly likes.

The four chefs in this special competition are tasked with making the perfect midnight meal. In the first round, fried foods and a trendy cocktail are creatively reimagined in appetizers. Prized mushrooms and a much-craved street food are part of the basket challenge in the second round. And the finalists hope breakfast flavors wake up the judges' palates in the last round.

Four more returning champs battle for their chance to go head-to-head against Chef Bobby Flay in the Chopped: Beat Bobby Flay tournament. A seafood that needs tenderizing and a canned product that needs to be creatively incorporated are two of the ingredients found in the appetizer basket. A king of the sea and a cake of the ice box are found in the entree basket. In the dessert round, an ingredient that Bobby loves ends up in one chef's ice cream recipe, but trouble with the machine has everyone wondering how it will turn out.

The chefs unveil a Cajun specialty in the first basket that is "offal-y" special. A prized protein adds some porky flavor to the chefs' fish entrees. And a drink that you have to chew is certainly the oddest mystery ingredient in the final basket.

A set of twins is among the returning Chopped winners striving for the opportunity to Beat Bobby Flay. In the first round, a cold soup and a stuffed lobster challenge the champs, and keeping track of all four ingredients proves problematic for some. The entree basket includes a giant piece of meat and some tasty little dried fruits. Then, nobody knows how to pronounce the name of a Swedish cookie in the final basket, but will the two chefs who are making dessert know what to do with it?

The chefs are surprised with some thrifty, yet uniquely yummy, finds in the baskets, like pork buns and Mexican street corn in the first round. The competitors must pair a pickled product with a fair favorite in their entrees, then some delectable little cakes and an odd sauce make an appearance in the last basket.

The $40,000 title fight finale is here! Ferocious repeat champs return to the Chopped Kitchen to bring all they've got to the first two rounds to see who gets to face Bobby Flay! The group of three undefeated champs must make appetizers with camel meat and a strange sauce, and the level of difficulty in the entree round is off the charts. The one contender who survives to compete in the highly-anticipated Bobby Flay bonus round has the advantage of making their own signature dish, but using ingredients from a Chopped basket!

Four chefs who cook in soup kitchens come to the Chopped Kitchen to face off in this special competition. In the appetizer round, they get creative with some fun bread and orange sauce. Turkey is a given in the entree round, but they also face an epic cake which defies description and is more than meets the eye! Some items in the dessert basket sound pretty healthy, like yogurt and fruit, but will the finalists' Thanksgiving desserts be nutritious or decadent?

Chopped brings butchers to the stoves to show what practiced protein pros can do! In the appetizer round, the butchers direct their cleavers at a beautiful cut of pork as one of the competitors passes around whiskey shots. A big bird and an unfortunately-named radish mingle in the entree basket, then in the dessert basket, the finalists find an ice cream that only a butcher could love.

The competitors face off in a protein-packed battle, even featuring some fierce ingredients that are too big for the baskets. In a fast and loud appetizer round, the blenders are booming as the chefs try to make meaty appetizers with a creative touch. Then, the chefs get to choose what part of an imposing whole animal to use in their second dish. The final chefs must rise to the challenge in order to make marvelously piggy desserts.

The baskets are filled with retro ingredients, which have the competitors and the judges thinking back on bygone eras and savoring flavor memories. In the first basket, a familiar can and a space-age beverage are two of the foods that transport them back in time. Something frozen in time and something nostalgically spherical are part of the challenge in round two, and a refreshment named for a movie legend is one of the throwback ingredients in the dessert basket.

Extra difficult baskets are guaranteed when four lucky chefs arrive in the Chopped Kitchen for a viewers' choice competition! The fans pick a creepy protein and a bloody soup for the first round, while something hearty and something super-hot are in the second basket. Then, the judges must put a fork to pork in dessert dishes made with offal and atole.

Making canned ham tasty and cleaning mussels are a couple of the challenges in round one. In the entree round, some of the chefs attempt to creatively mask the bright blue color of one of the basket ingredients. Then, will the final two chefs' fruit-and-fries creations please the judges?

Chopped is hosting a holiday party with four stars of reality television: Les Gold (Hardcore Pawn), Claudia Jordan (The Real Housewives of Atlanta), Jenni Pulos (Flipping Out) and Karina Smirnoff (Dancing With the Stars). In the first round, the larger-than-life celebs must use an edible wreath and festively-shaped bread. In the second round, the judges are surprised to hear that one of the competitors has never eaten a common green veggie found in the basket. Finally, marshmallow men and holiday cocktails make for a celebratory, unpredictable dessert round.

In each round of this competition, the chefs are tasked with showcasing their creative take on the taco. The judges talk tripe and mustard rabe after an exciting appetizer round. Asian sauce and a beautiful protein are in the entree basket, and the finalists bring tortillas to the sweet side with inventive desserts that include Mexican chocolate.

First, it's a pizza puzzle when the chefs open the appetizer basket to find something that's called pizza but doesn't look or taste like the dish they know and love. Two proteins in the second round require the competitors' attention, then the judges expect a hit of heat with their sweets during a dessert round featuring chilies.

The chefs are treated to some farm-fresh basket ingredients directly from the source! The first round has them rushing to make dishes with poultry and pickled chilies. In the entree round, the judges are eager to eat three lamb dishes, but worry that some fresh greens might be forgotten as the clock ticks down. Then, some odd choices by the finalists in the dessert round keep everyone wondering how the competition will end.

It's the first ever Chopped New Year's party and the competitors get the celebration started with an extravagant appetizer basket that includes $50 worth of caviar and other pricy ingredients. The chefs find more premium items in the entree baskets, as well as a traditional southern New Year's legume. The last two chefs in this New Year's fight face some dressed-up ice cream cones and a limited number of grapes for dessert.

No expense has been spared with these top-notch, top-dollar basket ingredients! The chefs get to work with caviar and a very pricey seafood in the first round. The second million dollar basket features something lavishly sweet and something deliciously rare. And a $100 breakfast item is one of the prize ingredients that the finalists discover in the last basket.

The first basket includes a giant circle of dough with a long history and veggies that look like tiny watermelons, but taste like something else. Chewy candy and sweet cheese must make their way to the chefs' entree plates, and in the dessert round, green leaves and blueberries present a colorful challenge.

Straight from nature to the chefs' baskets, ingredients in this competition are favorites of hunters and foragers! The first round puts an aquatic wonder and a delicate flower into the hands of the four competitors. An imposing root and a wild beast are part of the entree round challenge. Then, the final wild round is a sweet one featuring berries and butter.

In this competition, the mystery basket ingredients were suggested by fans on social media. The chefs open the first basket and find a frightfully difficult protein. In the second round, boxed macaroni and cheese returns to the Chopped Kitchen! And a giant egg and some mushy fruit are at play in the dessert round.

The chefs learn that there is a "money saver" theme for this special competition: Ingredients in each basket will not exceed $10, but the chefs' dishes are still expected to look and taste like a million bucks. In the first round, a meatless basket has some of the chefs searching for protein in the pantry. Then various levels of creativity are one of the factors that the judges consider while analyzing three ham-steak entrees. And the dessert basket, including chocolate chips, seems deceptively simple.

Guest judge Andrew Zimmern is on hand in this competition filled with bizarre surprises in all the baskets. The chefs have to contend with an offbeat ice cream flavor and an unusual meat in the appetizer round. In the entree round, a shocking-looking protein must be combined with a pink veggie. And the dessert basket contains some odd eggs and a peculiar Turkish treat.

It's a second chance at victory for four losing chefs seeking redemption. After the chefs make skate and pomegranate molasses appetizers, one chef must endure the indignity of being the first chef re-chopped. In the entree round, the competitors work with a boozy ice cream and an amusingly-named British pudding. In the dessert round, a German tart is a good start.

Cheese is not just a key ingredient for many comfort food classics, it's also the theme for this competition. In the first round, the chefs must make creative use of blue cheese and goats cheese in their appetizer plates. In the entree round, two French cheeses must be used with chicken thighs and garlic scapes. Two ferocious competitors fight the final cheesy course to the very end.

A surge of excitement is felt in the Chopped Kitchen when the chefs find out that every mystery basket will contain chocolate! In the first round, the chefs must figure out how to make chocolate ingredients work with pork chops. The baskets in the entree round contain beef along with dark chocolate. The two lucky, talented finalists aim to amaze the judges with their milk chocolate and graham cracker desserts.

Reality stars Renee Graziano (Mob Wives), Travis Lofland (Deadliest Catch), Amy Roloff (Little People, Big World) and Kathy Wakile (Real Housewives of New Jersey) are ready for battle in the Chopped Kitchen. They'll have to tackle biscuit dough, vegetable cream cheese and cherry pie filling if they're going to take home $10,000 for their favorite charity.

It's a night owls' nosh-fest, when the chefs learn that they will be preparing decadent dishes best enjoyed in the late-night hours. For the first course, the chefs must work with a carb-heavy Canadian snack and an Italian sausage. In the entree round, the chefs find themselves taking apart tiny burgers in an effort to creatively transform a midnight snack. Things get really "loco" in the dessert round with burritos in the basket.

Eight chefs comprised of cooking duos have been invited to the Chopped Kitchen to compete in pairs. In the first round, the couples learn to navigate the space together as they make appetizers that include date vinegar and chili garlic coated peas. For the entree round, there is a lively sea critter in the basket as well as some sweet potato patties. And the two cooking couples who make it to the dessert round must come up with some fresh ideas for creme fraiche and port wine.

It's fry-day in the Chopped Kitchen and the judges will be expecting deep-fried deliciousness on every plate. In the first round, the competitors work with hot dogs and taro root. During judging on the entree round, featuring cookies and cube steak, the judges must debate whether a repeated mistake should warrant one chef's elimination. And an ooey, gooey cake and salted caramel make for some sweet creations in the final round.

It takes a very brave home cook to take on Chopped once, and these amateurs are courageous enough to come back for a second time. In the first round, vegan roast is an ingredient to be reckoned with. In the second round, a small bird and a sugary breakfast item are part of the vexing entree puzzle that the amateurs must solve. Some sweet-and-savory candies and a special spice blend keep the last two competitors on their toes, as they fight to be the last one standing tall as the Chopped Champion.

In this competition, the usual rounds are replaced with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The morning meal must include tiny eggs and fancy coffee. In the second round, the chefs have to make midday meals featuring lunchbox favorite peanut butter and jelly. A strange turn of events in the dinner round finds one of the competitors searching frantically for an ingredient that has mysteriously vanished from sight.

It's a great fake out, when all the basket ingredients are in disguise. Everyone should taste the "chicken wings" in the first basket, which are a secretly sweet item. The "cake" in the second round and "tomato soup" in the dessert basket also require a close inspection. The duplicitous ingredients lead to trouble for all and even more potential for trickery lurks in the pantry.

Four fearless home cooks put their pride on the line in the Chopped Kitchen. In the first basket, this group of awesome amateurs must transform spinach vinaigrette and chicken truffle sausages. Then in the entree round, will the chefs endeavor to be wildly creative with wild boar roast? And the finalists utilize some interesting techniques to makes something new from marshmallow chocolate cookies.

Police officers and paramedics with culinary chops are in the Chopped Kitchen. In the first round, the contestants respond to a basket with hummus chips and ground bison. In the second round, they must jump into action and figure out how to make fiery jawbreakers work with rotisserie chicken. And angel food cake in the final basket is apropos.

You can put all your bread on a bet that a baker is going to take the $10,000 prize in this competition. In the first round, the competitors must bake focaccia and figure out how to make a rich fish work with rice pudding. The ingredients in the second basket strongly hint at a particular recipe: Is it a trap? The two bakers to make it to the dessert round consider themselves lucky, until they are stymied by an alarming candied ingredient.

All-Star chefs Madison Cowan, Eric Greenspan, Brian Malarkey and Art Smith converge in the Chopped Kitchen to fight it out for a spot in the $75,000 finale. In the first round, a slimy ingredient provokes some disgusted reactions from the competitors and judges. In the entree round, the beautiful fish in the basket leads the chefs to make some surprising mistakes. And when the two finalists go in totally different directions with their desserts, it's up in the air which approach will be more pleasing to the judges.

The second group of All-Star chefs, Anne Burrell, Hung Huynh, Mary Sue Milliken and Dale Talde, come out swinging for the fences with appetizer baskets containing a soup and a sour surprise. In the entree round, a cheesy party food must be matched with some expensive offal. The two star chefs who make it to the dessert round are challenged to make delicious dishes with a refreshing drink and some airy cookies.

Four new All-Stars (Cat Cora, Antonia Lofaso, Michael Psilakis and Marcel Vigneron) strut into the Chopped Kitchen, sights set on the Grand Finale. In the first round, a special Spanish meat must be paired with an airy cookie. The chefs who make it to the second round face a huge ingredient to butcher and some tiny, sour fruits to tame. Flavored water and clarified butter are part of the culinary puzzle that the final two chefs have to solve in their desserts.

There's just one more spot in the Grand Finale up for grabs, and Rocco DiSpirito, Jet Tila, Fabio Viviani and Lee Anne Wong all want it. The All-Stars open the appetizer baskets and find a succulent seafood and an Asian pastry. In the entree round, the chefs will need to get creative in order to cook a perfect piece of beef in time. And some fish-shaped snacks meet crystals that pop in the dessert round.

With four winning All-Stars returning to the Chopped Kitchen, and $75,000 on the line for someone's favorite charity, the judges are set to enjoy a masterful meal. The competitors find something purple and something fishy in the appetizer basket. In a tense entree round, a seafood tower threatens to topple the competitors' cool. Before being awarded the largest charitable prize in Chopped history, the final two All-Star chefs must handle a very hot pepper and conquer a cookie cake in the dessert round.

Will the chefs think the "chilified" baskets in this special competition are too hot to handle? In the first round the heat is on with habanero peppers. In the entree round, the competitors must work with one of the hottest peppers known to man, in beef jerky form. And the finalists must find a way to balance spice and sugar in their desserts.

It's a friendly competition between friends, when the Chopped judges face off with baskets containing leftover ingredients. In the appetizer round, the chefs must turn tuna noodle casserole into something new. Rice left in a pan and soup saved for later are two of the ingredients in the entree basket. In the dessert round, leftover cake must be turned into something innovative and delicious.

It's a battle for all the carnivores, celebrating the art of barbecue in the Chopped Kitchen. In the first basket, the chefs find a regional barbecue sauce and jumbo shrimp. In round two, the chefs scramble to make delicious pork spare ribs entree. After two savory barbecue courses, the last two chefs must make sweet and hearty desserts with bananas and coconuts.

The chefs learn that they must grill something in each round of this competition. For their appetizers, the chefs discover watermelon and wine coolers in the basket. A beautiful cut of beef and tedious-to-prep beans await the chefs who make it to the second round. A cone of sugar and a pitcher of lemonade are two of the fun items found in the dessert basket.

It's an ice cream dream come true with an entire Chopped competition devoted to everyone's favorite sweet, cold treat. In the first round, the chefs find some beautiful gourmet scoops in cones, which they must find a way to make work with halibut. In the entree round, another ice cream surprise awaits the competitors, as well as some premium cuts of beef. When the two finalists move on to the dessert round, they'll have two ice cream machines and one goal: frozen perfection.

The chefs get beef tendon balls in the appetizer basket, a very tough ingredient — literally. In the entree round, fresh vermicelli noodles seem to get the best of some smart competitors. And caramelized onions don't scream dessert, but shouting out for more time in the final round is not an option for the last two chefs.

Four rock stars with a passion for cooking (Lita Ford, Kelly Hansen, Eddie Ojeda and Dweezil Zappa) take over the Chopped Kitchen in hopes of winning $10,000 for a favorite cause. In the first round the cooks attempt to make harmonious appetizers with a bubbly drink and a "punny" protein. In the entree round, lamb is the jam. The final rock 'n' roll-themed round has the competitors cooking with rock candy and lemon rolls.

In the first preliminary competition of the Chopped Teen Tournament, a strangely fuzzy ingredient is one of the surprises awaiting the young chefs in the appetizer round. Then in the entree round, a challenging protein must be paired with a processed cheese. And the judges become increasingly concerned for the last two teens, who encounter a number of problems combining chips and candies into yummy final dishes.

Four new whiz kids battle it out in this second competition of the Teen Tournament. Expensive crustaceans are a bit of a shocker in the appetizer baskets, while nerves and mishaps plague round two, and one of the competitors gets flustered with the sharpness of the knives and the scarcity of time allotted to complete creative lamb entrees. The two teen chefs who make it to the dessert round must create yummy, sweet dishes with a frozen treat and an Indian spice.

The new group of teen chefs must grapple with vegan chicken in the first basket. The entree round finds the teens daringly slicing into big butternut squashes and working out their mixed feelings about okra. There's a special delivery in the dessert basket — a box of assorted cookies — which the teen chefs are tasked with repurposing into dishes that also include walnuts and plums.

Four ambitious teens set their sights on the last remaining place in the Teen Tournament Grand Finale! The heat is on in the appetizer round with a spicy protein and a strong pepper in the basket. The judges find it difficult to watch without offering help as the young chefs tackle an entree basket that includes thick veal chops and beautiful heirloom tomatoes. Then a classic candy bar and a sweet fruit juice are two of the ingredients at play in a very competitive dessert round.

Four returning teen winners come back to compete for $25,000 and the title of Chopped Grand Champion! Excitement is at an all-time high, as the young cooks open the first baskets and find a pasta, some jarred seafood, a candy, and a veggie. Breaking down a giant fish is a daunting way to begin the entree round, and scant use of a certain other basket ingredient could mean elimination for one young champ. Then in an intense final round, the two remaining teens turn a mocktail and a festive cake into a $25,000 dessert.

Four teen chefs return to the Chopped Kitchen with victory -- and redemption -- on their minds. With lump meat crab and mayo in the first basket, crab cake seems like the safe route, but will they surprise the judges with something more creative? In the entree round, one of the teens seems particularly unhappy to see a nostalgic candy, and a lovely vegetable is a novel ingredient for the young cooks. And the two teenagers who make it to the dessert round hustle to make sweet creations from Italian cookies and peanut butter toast.

Four funny women (Tichina Arnold, Jackee Harry, JoMarie Payton and Betsy Randle) who are best known for playing mothers on TV, take on the role of Chopped competitor! The actresses have a hard time coming up with solid ideas for what to do with the mushrooms and frozen TV dinners in the appetizer basket. In the entree round, the cooks have 30 minutes to deal with minute steak, and the judges worry they might get served overcooked meat. In the final hilarious round, the two sitcom moms remaining are asked to get creative with tiramisu and strawberry sauce.

The chefs are sure to be spooked when they see the Halloween-themed ingredients in the baskets. In the first round, real blood and fake eyeballs are some of the freaky surprises. In the second round, a coffin-shaped seafood creation prompts the competitors to get dead serious about making outstanding Halloween entrees. And there's plenty of fright packed into the dessert basket, in the form of a ghostly drink and some chocolate creepy crawlies.

Four chefs who are also fashion models strut their stuff in the Chopped Kitchen, where they find tuna and kale chips in the appetizer basket. In the second round, the chefs must make fish and seeds work in their dishes. Something frozen and something crunchy are found in the dessert basket.

The Chopped Kitchen is taken over by food truck chefs, steering toward success! The first basket contains ingredients from Chinese and Greek cuisines, while a classic American street food meets a fun-to-say Korean dish in the entree basket. The two food truck chefs facing off in the dessert round work with unripe fruit and a much-loved sweet spread.

Veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard face off in the Chopped Kitchen. In the first round, one of the chefs stumbles upon a brilliant way to treat scalloped potatoes. What to do with a precooked meatloaf is the big challenge in the second round. And the two final chefs go all out in the dessert round, making very clever sweet treats from a crispy snack and a sweet and tart drink.

The normal Chopped rounds have been replaced with chocolate, candy and cake for this special competition, featuring four pastry chefs. In the first round, the judges are drawn in as they watch the competitors make delicious chocolate dishes that include Mississippi mud pie and cherries. Then in the second round, the chefs have to incorporate something bubbly and something crispy into their candy creations. And the finalists have an hour to mix, bake and decorate cakes that contain rice and avocadoes.

They're family by marriage, and teammates in this competition: Pairs of mothers and daughters-in-law are taking over the Chopped Kitchen. In the appetizer round, a boozy accessory and a standard leftover are part of the challenge. In the entree round, the remaining teams find odd eggs and mashed potatoes in the baskets. And a subtropical fruit and a gooey bread are two of the surprise ingredients that the final teams must conquer in their desserts.

A mom, dad, son and aunt who work in the same restaurant meet in the Chopped Kitchen, where it's every chef for themselves. In the first round, one family member's grill pan gets taken over by two relatives. In the entree round, chicken breasts seem like an easy protein to work with, but how will the chefs fare with the other mystery ingredients? The final two family members make desserts using dried fruit and a very sweet cake.

Four beloved grandfathers fight it out in the Chopped Kitchen in hopes of making their families proud. In the first round, a breakfast starch and a classic soda fountain choice are two of the mystery basket ingredients. Then in the entree round, beef and peanut butter taffy bites are what's for dinner. And in the final round, featuring a homey pie and a fresh fruit, one of the granddads experiences a moment of confusion, resulting in a potentially costly mishap.

The chefs must make use of ingredients that are usually thrown out, for being imperfect, overripe or stale. For example, the first basket includes juicer pulp and tea bags. Then in the second round, the competitors have to get creative with a little bit of salad dressing and some paltry scraps of poultry. And the finalists get some often-tossed portions of a fruit and the peels of a veggie to work into their desserts.

The firefighter competitors get the meal started with some hearty meat-and-cheese appetizers that would be a hit back at their firehouses, but will the judges enjoy them? Then in the entree round, some big errors with a non-basket-ingredient gets one of the judges inordinately upset. And playing with fire is part of the challenge in the final round.

When the clock starts ticking down from 20 minutes, the chefs must rush to make appetizers with pickled pigs' feet and sweet potato chips. And one chef doesn't realize they've made a potentially costly mistake until it's too late. Then in the entree round, the competitors must try to make pie work with venison. And the two finalists come up with similar ideas for their desserts, but which dish will the judges prefer?

The chefs learn they will be expected to make a pizza perfect meal. In the first round one of the competitors takes a loose interpretation of the theme: How will the judges react? Then some unusual toppings must make their way onto the entree pizzas. And the finalists must make pizza for dessert, with candied mushrooms and salted caramel sauce.

With courage to spare, four home cooks compete in the Chopped Kitchen to prove that they are as good as they think they are: But what will the judges think after tasting their chicken tenderloin appetizers? Then in the entree round, one of the competitors endeavors to pull off a very ambitious hanger steak dish within the 30-minute time limit. And two very unusual ingredients show up in the dessert basket, and the judges watch to see if the amateur cooks can figure out what to do with them.

The chefs learn that they will be making hamburgers, in some shape or form, for every round, starting with veal burgers for appetizers. Then in the entree round a little quail egg causes a big headache for some of the competitors. And who's ever heard of a dessert burger?

With chocolate in every basket of this themed competition, the chefs must figure out how to make this perennial dessert favorite work in the first two, savory, courses. Then the two competitors who make it to the end must find a way to combine two chocolate ingredients with cherries and a German layer cake.

The chefs get some great news before the cooking begins: Bacon will be in every basket! In the first one, they find Mangalitsa bacon and apple chips. Then in the second round, the judges watch to see if the competitors will be able to make dried cherries work with their pork entrees. French toast and bacon are a breakfast classic, but can the final two chefs manage to transform these mystery ingredients into dessert?

Chopped is brewing up some serious competition, as all three rounds are devoted to beer. For their appetizers, the four chefs must make sausages work with toasted lager. A tasty tripel ale is the beer in the basket for the entree round. And in the final round, the iconic beer and pretzel combination must be made delicious in dessert form.

Four chefs who lost in previous competitions return, wanting the win more than ever. A bright green dessert and a seafood snack must be worked into the competitors' appetizers. Then in the entree round, the chefs must contend with quinoa and sour candy. And with one more chance to redeem themselves, the two finalists fight to the end, as they make desserts from palm seeds and dulce de leche.

For the first time, four determined grannies face off in the Chopped Kitchen. In the appetizer basket they find a favorite grandma leftover: a coffee can of bacon grease. The three feisty grandmas who make it to the entree round must make meatloaf mix work with an aptly named cocktail. And the judges can't wait to get some grandmotherly love served up with their oatmeal desserts.

Four athletes, Brandi Chastain, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Greg Louganis and Charles Oakley, bring their fierceness and passion to the Chopped Kitchen for the premiere competition of a five part $50,000 Tournament of Stars. With the charities they are competing for in their minds, they open the first basket to find a scary ingredient: alligator. Then in the entree round, the celebs must cook with strange eggs and tiny limes. The two sports stars who make it to the dessert round put their athleticism and enthusiasm into making great final dishes that include crystallized ginger and wafer cookies.

The four competitors for this second part in the Tournament of Stars are all cooking-competition veterans, alums of Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. But Coolio, Lou Diamond Phillips, Penn Jillette and Carnie Wilson have never stepped foot in the Chopped Kitchen! How will they do with beef tongue and microwaveable chocolate cake in the appetizer basket? Then the stars have a pizza party in the entree round, after they discover leftover slices in the basket. And with hopes of making it to the $50,000 finale, two competitors must make desserts using chocolate bars and banana chips.

The usual rounds are replaced today by breakfast, lunch and dinner. In round one, the chefs attempt to make a glorious morning meal from coffee cake and cream-filled chocolate eggs. Then in the second round, three young, very energetic chefs race to create delicious fish dishes for lunch. But one competitor's recklessness leads to an emergency situation. And the judges are excited to see what the two finalists can do with a divine dinner basket.

Bringing the funny to the Chopped Kitchen, four comics (Sinbad, Tommy Davidson, Robert Wuhl and Gillian Vigman) compete for a chance to move on to the $50,000 finale. The stars open up the first basket and get a pork delicacy and a gummy candy. In the entree round, the three remaining comedians must make jalapeno poppers palatable with beer can chicken. And with vanilla cupcakes in the final basket, transforming the ingredient becomes key for the two finalists.

With only one spot left in the $50,000 charity tournament finale, actors Lucas Grabeel, Michael Imperioli, Peter Scolari and Tasha Smith bravely take on the role of chef. In the first round, one competitor tries desperately to figure out the right cooking technique for a tricky ingredient. And a pretty citrus fruit and a spiny lobster are two of the mystery ingredients that the competitors must demystify in the entree round. Then in the final round, the two remaining stars make a mess in the kitchen and some very creative desserts with mascarpone and strawberries.

The four amazing finalists open the first basket and get a drive-thru snack and a cold dessert. $50,000 is destined to go to one of the last three celebrities' favorite charities, but which stars will have good luck with the duck in the entree basket? And the fifteenth and final round of the Chopped Tournament of Stars is bound to be intense: do the competitors have enough culinary stamina left to make something yummy, beautiful and creative from churros and champagne?

The chefs have two starchy ingredients to work with in the appetizer round: Chinese dumplings and Middle Eastern noodles. Then in the entree round, the three competitors go in different directions with lack of lamb, and will one chef recover after burning two of the mystery ingredients? And two pawpaw desserts are critiqued as the judges decide which chef will be the Chopped Champion.

In the first basket, the fryer gets pretty crowded as the chefs race to make crispy chicken wings, and the chefs are challenged to make African peri peri rub work in their dishes. Then in the entree round, a difficult cut of meat and a salty sandwich spread are among the mandatory ingredients. And will either finalist decide to bake a pie from the pie dough in the dessert basket?

There are mixed reactions from the chefs when they learn that they will be competing with three baskets of leftovers. When time starts in the first round, the chefs frantically dig in to takeout containers from various types of restaurants. Then in the entree round, some forgotten packets of hot sauce find their way in to the basket and one chef realizes a critical error too late. And who knew there was such thing as leftover bacon, one of the ingredients in the dessert round?

Four mothers who rule their home kitchens attempt to stay composed and confident as they cook in a much larger arena. Among the goodies in the appetizer basket are chicken noodle soup and salsa. Then in the entree round, the moms must contend with a sugary ingredient that kids tend to love but parents often ban from breakfast. And the two ladies who make it to the dessert round find lady fingers in the mystery basket.

The chefs battle for the lead in the first round, as they try to figure out what to do with a potent ingredient: so-called 100-year-old eggs! Then in the second round, mango pudding must make its way into the competitors' main course dishes. And with waffle cones in the final basket, will either chef make ice cream for dessert?

Every basket has a little bit of an Australian slant to it: Will the competitors think this theme makes for a g'day in the kitchen? In the first round, lamb ribs are the Down Under favorite that the chefs must make their own, and a very alcoholic beverage leads some chefs down a dangerously fiery path. Then in the entree round, fans of emu fan fillets will be happy about what's inside the basket? And in the dessert round, the settings on the ice cream machine trip up one of the finalists, while the judges are on the edge of their seats, wondering if the mistake can be corrected in time.

The chefs find blowfish tail in the first basket and hope they can stay cool as they cook up an amazing appetizer in a hurry. Then in the entree round, the competitors find a can of something orange and a jar of something rather unusual: date palm. And when the two finalists take on dessert, aiming for perfect final plates, they must work with basil juice.

The chefs open up the first basket to find a fancy cake and a Bloody Mary. Then in the entree round, the three chefs try to create excellent dishes from ground chicken and seafood paella. And an ice cream machine blunder causes problems for one of the finalists.

Making their kids proud, four daring dads take on the pressure cooker that is the Chopped Kitchen, but how will the fathers-turned-competitors fare with fish and salt and vinegar potato chips in the appetizer round? The dads get the gift of a bottle of scotch in the entree basket. And after the two fathers fight it out in the dessert round, the judges debate whose rice pudding and pretzel dessert was more successful.

Presentation is at the forefront of the judges' first decision, as they compare shrimp and chickpea dishes. In the entree round, the flavor profile of the baklava in the basket might cause the chefs to stumble. And the chefs try to find wise ways to use salt pearls in their dishes. Then the finalists must work booze and cashews into their desserts.

The chefs open up the first baskets to find falafel mix and date paste, among the four appetizer ingredients. Then in the entree round, the chefs must work with a fish that is new to them. And the chefs get cookies in the dessert round that they are hesitant to transform.

The chefs open the appetizer baskets and find sweetbreads, which they must make into a delicious dish in 20 minutes. Then in the entree round, "a little or a lot" comes into play when the competitors have to work with a strong spice blend. And the final two chefs must make chocolaty, salty, fruity desserts.

The chefs find two fishy ingredients in the first basket: Will their appetizer dishes hook the judges? Then in the entree round, some spiny leaves and beef kidneys must be combined. And as the finalists rush to make dessert from figs and lemon verbena, a collision in the kitchen causes a stir.

For the first competition in the first ever Chopped Teen Tournament, four very talented young cooks compete for a chance to move on to the finale and win $25,000 and a culinary school scholarship. In the appetizer round, the cooks must work with lamb loin chops and kale chips. Perhaps surprisingly, the teen chefs seem less than happy to get French fries and cookies in the main course round. Then when the final two cooks open the dessert baskets to find a frozen treat, will they transform the ingredient into something new and delicious?

Intensity and energy abound in the second competition of the Teen Tournament! Cleaning shrimp and slicing jalapenos are the first order of business in the appetizer round. The teen chefs have to hop to it when they find out they have to cook frog leg entrees. And in the dessert round, an iconic New York cookie must be combined with a popular nut.

Four new teen chefs enter the Chopped Kitchen with their sights set on winning a spot in the Grand Finale. Will they think dandelion greens are a dandy ingredient for the first round? The fryer is in high-demand in the entree round, featuring Cornish hens. Then in the dessert round, the ice cream machine is the kitchen toy of choice.

Four more very skilled teen chefs fight it out in the Chopped Kitchen for the last remaining place in the Grand Finale. In the appetizer round, salsa verde is a very fresh surprise. Then in an intense entree round, the competitors do their best with couscous and buffalo, and one teen chef must stay strong to finish the round after a big setback. And popcorn balls and gummy fish are paired up in a sweet dessert round.

In this finale of the Chopped Teen Tournament, four amazing champs from the preliminary competitions return to see which one will take the tournament and the huge grand prize: $25,000 and a culinary school scholarship! In the first round, there's a spectacular sea creature shocker in the basket. A classic kids' snack in the basket adds to the fun in the entree round. And when the last two remaining teen chefs face off in their second dessert round, the ice cream maker stirs up an interesting encounter between the competitors.

Food-truck and food-cart pros, on a roll, fight it out for Chopped Kitchen dominance. The mandatory appetizer round ingredients range from a cheap, sweet treat to a fine-dining indulgence. The three chefs who move on to the entree round find a pork delicacy and a Mexican staple. And when the finalists take on the dessert round, there is potential for confrontation over a key piece of equipment.

Four distinct groups of champs will return to the Chopped Kitchen: professionals, amateurs, heroes and celebrities, all leading up to a grand finale where one chef will seize the biggest prize in Chopped history: $50,000 and a new car! In this initial battle, four stellar professionals fight to see who will represent the pros in the finale. They have to wrangle and cook eels and figure out what to do with a super salty veggie for their appetizers. Then in the entree round, the champs have to work with a bird and a soda. And a special cheese and a creepy chocolate item appear in the dessert basket.

Some of the most beloved amateur winners return to the Chopped Kitchen for a shot to compete in the $50,000 finale. In the appetizer round the competitors must use salsa and cheese blintzes in their culinary masterpieces. Then as the entree round gets started, an off-balance tug-of-war over a piece of equipment has everybody laughing, except for the chef who loses the fight. And grapefruit is among the loot the last two champs find in the dessert basket.

With two spots left in the $50,000 Ultimate Champions Grand Finale, the Chopped Kitchen welcomes back four incredible cooking heroes -- two firefighters, a police officer and an army vet. In the appetizer round, the hero champs must get creative in order to make savory dishes with pineapple and fruit and nut bars. Then in the entree round, the champs find some lovely stalks of spring garlic in the basket, as well as some beautiful lamb chops. And an unpleasantly purple ingredient that the cooks must work into a dessert makes for a challenging last round.

Four Chopped Champions from the world of entertainment and sports compete for the last spot in the $50,000 finale. In the appetizer round, the celebrity champs find a peculiar type of flour and sweet tea in the baskets. Then a can of soup in the entree round causes various issues for the competitors. And the judges taste banana paste and cream cheese desserts before deciding on the last finalist.

In a Chopped first, three not-at-all-average "Joes" fight it out against one outstanding pro, with $50,000 and a new car on the line! When the competitors get risotto in the first round, they have to decide whether to completely transform it or to greatly enhance its flavor. Then in the entree round, there's a huge surprise in the basket that not all of the champs are excited to see. And with the grand prize looming large, the last two competitors open the basket to find some booze and some baked goods.

Four fourth and fifth graders attempt to stand tall in the Chopped Kitchen! The mini culinary artists find a very kid-friendly ingredient in the first basket: cotton candy. In the second round, the judges are thoroughly impressed by the three remaining little cooks, who are seeking to make delicious entrees from pizza dough and a bitter green. And an exciting dessert round features brownie mix as one of the mystery ingredients.

Four chefs from America's baseball stadiums arrive in the Chopped Kitchen hoping to be big hitters! In the first basket they get some typical game-day eats, including Italian sausage. Then in the second round, the chefs are pleased to see a beautiful flank steak. And the judges hope that the desserts are delicious, down to the last blueberry.

In the first basket, a freaky gummy and a funny mummy hit on the Halloween theme. In the second round the chefs find some awfully scary offal and some more gummy goodness. When the final round rolls around, the remaining two chefs are left spinning their gears about what to do with spider webs made with pretzels and blue cheese.

The chefs set out to utilize ramen in a creative way in their appetizer dishes. Then in the entree round, an offal surprise in the baskets is a source of jokes for the judges and stress for the competitors. And a New England treat in the dessert basket might make the final two chefs shout for joy. But can they combine it successfully with the other three ingredients in the basket?

Yes, we have no bananas! But we do have banana blossoms in the first basket and four women competing! The three chefs who make it to the entree round must work with a notoriously stinky ingredient. And will a colorful ingredient in the last basket prompt the finalists to sprinkle a little fun on to their desserts?

The chefs open the appetizer basket to find vegan franks and three other meatless ingredients and have to work frantically to compose appetizers in 20 minutes. Then in the entree round, the judges wonder if one chef's strange decision about what to throw into the blender will be a blunder or a surprise success. Then the finalists find a green soda and a Russian sweet in their dessert baskets.

Turkey time means family time, even in the Chopped Kitchen as the whole Chopped family -- all of the judges -- are gathered together. In the first round, the four judges-turned-competitors must use hominy and gummy turkey feet in the appetizers they make for their four colleagues judging from the Chopping Block. Then in the entree round, beautiful ingredients like boniato sweet potatoes and savoy cabbage allow these world-class chefs to showcase their skills. And a Thanksgiving-themed spirit is one of the mystery ingredients in the final, suspenseful round.

Frog leg fest: The chefs open the first basket to find the French delicacy and some fine fungi. Then in the entree round, some little beans and big pork chops cause the competitors difficulties. And one of the finalists decides to take the cheese in the basket and use it in an ice cream. Will it work?

The chefs must work their magic in the appetizer round using pesto sauce and chicken. Then in the entree round, a second basket of beautiful ingredients, including spirulina chips, challenges the chefs to get creative. And a treat from Kazakhstan is the most interesting find in the final basket.

Spaghetti's bosom buddy, and breadcrumb's perfect mate, is the tasty theme for this special competition as the chefs learn they must make meatballs in every round. Creme brulee is the mystery ingredient curveball in the first meatball round. Then in the entree round, boar shoulder meets the meat grinder. And what exactly constitutes a "dessert meatball?" The two finalists come up with unique interpretations.

We're decking the Chopped halls with the stars of Food Network's The Kitchen! In the first round, the talented co-hosts must make merry appetizers out of seafood salad and challah bread. Then in the entree round, meat and potatoes seem like a great gimme, but what will the star cooks do to bring yule logs to the holiday party? And the two finalists' demeanors become fast and focused as they try to win a $10,000 holiday gift for a favorite charity.

This special competition is all about celebrating the sandwich, every "wich" way it may be prepared. The four competitors must get creative, starting with beef brisket appetizer sandwiches, but when two chefs make the same big mistakes, who will move on? The chefs must make entree-worthy sandwiches from pork shoulder and pate. And stacking up dessert sandwiches is so much fun, but what will the two finalists make with Thai curry paste and chocolate-covered espresso beans?

It's four chefs, one family, in a Chopped first when a mother, father, daughter and son who run a restaurant together compete to see who will become the Chopped Champion. The family opens up the first basket to find a flatbread and a strong citrus. Then with three family members left in the entree round, there is fish to de-bone and tofu to flavor. The last two chefs proudly fight for the title as they create desserts using lobster tail pastries and cinnamon chips.

The chefs must combine cocoa mix with Japanese peppers in challenging fish-course round. Then in the entree round -- a big, big, oops! -- one chef accidentally drops pork belly onto the floor! But it's what happens when the chef picks the meat up off the floor that shocks the judges most. Then can an ice-cream-truck treat go well with wheat grass? The two finalists attempt to make great, green desserts.

In this special episode, all the baskets are full of leftover foods, and the four competitors demonstrate some tricks and recipes you might want to try at home. In the first round, one chef makes a very daring soup using pieces of a sub sandwich, and the judges do not know whether to be impressed or frightened. Then in the entree round, two competitors think of a similar idea, and the other chef tries to make the argument that creativity with the leftover rib-eye steak is higher in his alternative concept. And the two finalists endeavor to create fresh, fun desserts from flat soda, mushy bananas and a melting sundae.

Four champions return to try to win a chance to compete for the $50,000 grand prize, and the baskets are far from simple. Hating haggis will get the champs nowhere in the first round, where they must find creative approaches to the much-maligned meat dish in order to pass the judges' scrutiny. Then in the entree round, sweet dough and an unnerving protein put the pressure on the competitors. And with unripe plantains in the final basket, the kitchen is rife with creativity. Both finalists pull from the pantry to make innovative wrapped dessert, but how will the competition wrap up?

Vying for one of three remaining spots in the Chopped Champions $50,000 grand finale, four returning chefs open the first basket to find a seafood delicacy and a traditional holiday food/gift. In the second round, a slip of the knife threatens to slow one champion down, as the chefs put together entrees using peanut butter and jelly ... and squab. Then, with just two chefs left fighting in the dessert round, patience might be the most important ingredient, as one competitor seems overly eager to take his baked concoction out of the oven.

With just two spots left in the tournament's $50,000 grand finale, four winners return to try to beat the odds and be victorious again. As time runs out in the first round, one chef struggles to get every ingredient onto every plate of his smoked eel appetizer: Will he do it? The champs leap into an entree round, featuring frog legs and gin. Two very different styles are represented in the dessert round, featuring araucana eggs and coconut macaroons, leaving the judges with a complex final decision to work out.

Four new returning winners battle for the single place remaining in the $50,000 Chopped Champions grand finale. In the first round, the chefs must shake things up with sour apple martini mix in the basket. Then with an imposing cut of meat and a sweet wine in the entree round, the champions aim to keep the creativity level high. And after the judges taste two very different desserts made from corn nut and Marashino cherry desserts, which champion will you be cheering for?

In the grand finale of the Chopped Champions tournament, four two-time winners stride into the kitchen with their eyes on the big prize: $50,000! Some fresh surprises and a baked good challenge the champs in the first round. Then after saying goodbye to the first chef, the competition takes a slimy turn with sea snails in the basket. And with expectations and pressure sky-high, what will the two chefs who have managed to make it through nine rounds of cooking manage to do with carrot juice and honeycomb for dessert?

Four returning losers -- chefs who made big mistakes in their first competition -- are dead set on not repeating history in the Chopped Kitchen. Having practiced and prepared to do better, the chefs open up the appetizer basket and fight to stay in it: but one pulpo and fava bean appetizer will not be good enough. Then, in the entree round, the chefs have to stay sharp to cook with cactus and manage their time well. And when the two finalists find a classic cookie and a tangy fruit in the dessert basket, make no mistake both of these former losers really want to win it!

Four amateur cooks step into the Chopped Kitchen, believing that they can show the pros how it's done. First, the cooks' raw talent is put to the test with a sushi platter in the appetizer basket. Then in the entree round, do the home chefs have what it takes to take ostrich fillets and blueberry wine and create remarkable dishes? Lastly, after the dessert round, the judges are left to compare two very similar plates.

The chefs open the appetizer basket and find exciting ingredients from Mexico, including pigs' feet and tres leches cake. Then the chefs are presented with a second basket of surprises from South of the Border, including goat chops. And one chef sees the chance of a carefree round literally go up in flames when a pan gets much too hot. Nothing is yucky about yucca and coconuts. But when one of the finalists runs into all sorts of trouble getting through the round, will the judges like the end results?

The chefs hope the basket ingredients speak to them and inspire them to create some delicious appetizers from smoked beef tongue and garbanzo beans. Then the competitors have a heck of a time making halibut work with aquavit in their entree dishes. And the judges are eager to see what the last two chefs can do with banana chips and almond butter in the dessert round.

Back for the victory! Four Chopped runners-up courageously return to the competition, intent on redeeming their previous defeats. Will a pre-cooked protein and a slimy sea creature in the first basket throw anybody off their game? The chefs who make it to the entree round cannot duck a very difficult basket, featuring poultry tongue and pineapple.

The chefs are alarmed to see one of the ingredients in the appetizer basket staring back at them. Yet, that "heady" ingredient is not the challenging item for some of the competitors. Then in the entree round, one chef finds himself unexpectedly playing with fire, creating a dangerous situation. In the end, two finalists must find a way to combine yellow rice and persimmon.

In this first competition of the celebrity tournament, fans of Food Network and Cooking Channel get to see some of their favorite stars in action in the Chopped Kitchen. One chef's dash to deliver a creative appetizer before the clock runs makes for a very exciting first round. Then in the second round, something's fishy in the basket, and one chef's dish is at risk when two competitors bump into each other. And with a spot in the $50,000 All-Stars finale and a favorite charity on the line, two finalists go head-to-head in the dessert round. Will their creations from marshmallow and coconut flakes make the judges happy?

Chopped fans logged on to Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter and suggested the ingredients for this Viewers' Choice competition, resulting in possibly the cruelest baskets ever. In the appetizer round the chefs are stunned and stumped to see two brightly colored manmade items and one of nature's most odious foods. Then for the entree basket, the viewers chose a canned product that became infamous in a previous competition. In the end, the last brutal basket proves very difficult for the finalists.

In this second fight of the All-Stars $50,000 tournament, contenders with considerable competitive prowess take each other on in the Chopped Kitchen. The judges are eager to see what the chefs can do with sea bass and cream soda in the first round. Then in the entree round, the competitors must get their tails in gear to make oxtail and labaneh into delicious dishes. And it is no piece of cake for the finalists, figuring out how to transform a classic snack cake into an elegant dessert.

The chefs open the first basket to find ingredients inspired by Australia, including one that has everybody's jaw dropping. Then in the entree round, one competitor makes very ambitious plans; will everything come together for him as time runs out? And the finalists better not lollygag with lollies and lemon verbena in the dessert basket.

What will happen when the tables are turned and four friends and colleagues compete in the Chopped Kitchen? In the first round, the judges-turned-competitors must crack the code of the basket after cracking open diver scallops. Then in the entree round, can the chefs make a beautiful bird fly with canned pizza sauce? And with bragging rights and a shot at making it to the $50,000 finale on the line, the last two chefs bravely tackle the dessert basket.

Four celebrities with different backgrounds, and a shared love of cooking, charge into the Chopped Kitchen. Plain vanilla is something that none of the competitors can relate to, but can they skillfully use vanilla cupcakes to create appetizers as one-of-a-kind as they are? Then something crispy and something jiggly make the main course a study in contrasts. And when two entertaining cooks proceed to the final round, they put on a performance with circus peanuts and curry powder.

With a pre-grilled protein and a dried fruit in the appetizer basket, the chefs attempt to make an amazing first impression in the first round. Jitters in the second round cause one chef to drop something on the floor: Will she be able to pull herself together to put together a decent entree? In the final round, the last two chefs are in a hurry to make curry desserts that the judges will love, but one chef runs into serious trouble in the final seconds.

Four returning All-Stars champs compete for $50,000 for charitable causes that are very meaningful to them. Two of the surprises in the first basket are a super salty veggie and a super fresh seafood item. Then cheddar-filled pretzels help make it a fun-filled entree round. And the judges cannot wait to taste a couple of creative desserts made from freeze dried grapes and marcona almonds.

Four talented moms, who are not professional chefs, take on the mother of all kitchens, the Chopped kitchen. In the first round, the competitors have a lot of work to do, including breaking down an uncommon protein and figuring out how to make coffee a key part of their appetizers. Then in the entree round, a grain and a green must make it onto the plate. And when the last two moms find themselves facing off in the dessert round, they must make nutty and fruity flavors work together.

Four amateur chefs who have been yearning to compete in the Chopped Kitchen get their chance! Yet, will they be sorry when they open up the first basket and find a daunting sea creature? Then in the entree round, an unfamiliar tuber challenges the competitors as the energy level peaks. The two amateurs remaining in the final round must create desserts using crackers and red wine.

The usual rounds of appetizer, entree and dessert are replaced with breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the judges are hoping for pure decadence! In the first round, black forest bacon and prune juice are two of the mystery ingredients that the competitors must manage to transform. Then in the lunch round, some colorful surprises are in the basket. Finally, when the chefs find some dream ingredients in the dinner basket, will they successfully rise to the occasion and make a final plate that the judges will adore?

Hup, two, three ... four chefs who have served in the Army or Navy bring military precision to the Chopped Kitchen! In the appetizer round, a freeze-dried surprise in the basket has the chefs scrambling to add much-needed flavor to their plates. A large loaf, getting a perfectly grilled chop and a tough candy make for a challenging second round. The last two military chefs go head-to-head in the dessert round, both badly wanting the win.

Four chefs with incredible weight-loss stories charge into the Chopped Kitchen to compete. In the first mystery basket they find a fatty protein that challenges them to stick to their healthier-food philosophies. In the entree round, there's a fish to breakdown and a snack food to transform. And when the final two physically fit competitors dash into the dessert round, the judges watch eagerly to see if their angel food cake creations will be heavenly.

The chefs are given pots of bubbling oil, so that they can create crispy, delicious additions to their dishes. Catfish catches the chefs by surprise in the first round. In the entree basket, the competitors find a cheese and a cherry preserve. Will the mandate to make a fried dessert unnerve the two finalists?

A deaf chef shares the Chopped kitchen with three hearing chefs to face off in the appetizer round, resulting in four unique interpretations of mussels with saffron. In the entree round, the baskets contain a particularly daunting protein: Will the competitors have the knowledge or experience to treat it correctly and make it work with blackberries? And pasta sheets make for a good blank canvas for dessert.

In the appetizer round, the chefs discover various creative ways to combine peppers and pork, and the judges wonder why one competitor makes a strange, last-minute decision. Then in the entree round, the chefs must wrestle with a heart-stopping protein. And the challenge in the dessert basket seems to be taming some super sweet ingredients.

To avoid the judges' cleaver fever, the competitors have to work with bacon popcorn in the first round. In the entree round, an injury causes one chef to lose valuable time on his lamb dish. A mashed treat meets floral syrup in the dessert basket.

An odd mix of ingredients in the first basket, including mache and pickled sausage, has the four chefs working hard to complete unique appetizer plates: And one chef is up against a personal challenge, defending his dish while trying to control a life-long speech impediment. Then in the entree round, the chefs must make squid dishes that impress the judges. And will a hard to pronounce ingredient in the final basket be hard to incorporate into desserts?

The chefs' first challenge is to see what they can do with a very earthy first basket, including chia seeds and dandelion greens. Then in the entree round, tempeh is the tempting center of every plate. And the two finalists get a local sweetener and a fresh berry from which to make delicious desserts.

Another intense competition in the Chopped Kitchen starts when the chefs get gyro meat and hearts of palm in the first basket! Then in the second round, the remaining three chefs must pair steak and donuts. When the finalists find a classic American finger-food and a sticky surprise in the last basket, what will they put together?

The competitors leap into action and come out strong with four impressive appetizers, made with seitan and mezcal. In the second round, pre-made sauce and a sizable fish are in the basket. When the two finalists proceed to dessert, they must make a pastry and a pork product play nicely on their plates.

Four amazing teenaged chefs invade the Chopped Kitchen for Chopped's second teen competition. The judges are in awe of what the teen chefs do with tuna and cereal in the first round. In the entree round, will the young cooks be taken aback when they open the basket to find something that requires some skilled butchery? The last two teens standing must make dessert with a snack food and an Asian condiment.

In the first round, the competitors must very quickly compose dishes from escargot and biscuit dough. Then in the entree basket, the chefs find an unfamiliar produce and an unappealing pate. And will the judges be much obliged to eat two mochi and mango desserts?

The chefs are surprised to discover a decadent sweet creation along with every basket. In the first round a towering cake threatens to topple the chefs' chances at producing perfect plates. Then in the second round, a very colorful dessert ingredient makes for a very stressful challenge. And the two lucky competitors who make it to the last round are happy to see a fabulously chocolatey treat -- a sweet surprise that may finally work in their favor.

Four energetic chefs hit the ground running in the appetizer round, but the one chef who runs into the worst trouble with their currywurst dish must be chopped. The big curveball in the entree round -- popcorn balls! Berries and oats meet in the final basket. Will the chefs be able to make this culinary pairing work?

Some of the ingredients in the first basket are difficult to identify and even more difficult to incorporate into proper appetizers. In the second round, the chefs open the basket to find a gargantuan seafood surprise. And when the final two chefs move on to the dessert round, they must waste no time inventing dishes using jicama, but a hiccup with the ice cream machine leaves one competitor unsure of how to carry on.

A wild first basket, including whelk snails and lemon bars, has the chefs battling the clock to create delicious dishes. And in the entree round, the chefs all bring their personal styles to their plates in a notable way in their lamb shawarma dishes. Then cucumber salad is a cumbersome ingredient for the finalists' desserts.

In a Chopped first, two pairs of brothers compete to see which chef family prevails. In the first round, the competitors must come up with oodles of ideas for falooda noodles. In the entree down, the judges watch eagerly to see how the three plates of steak and cinnamon rolls will turn out. With family pride and bragging rights looming large, the last two chefs must make desserts from a Greek pudding and a Japanese candy.

In this competition, the baskets are full of usually-discarded food scraps. In the first round the chefs must contend with herb stems and what is left of a filleted fish. Then the competitors open the baskets to find eyes on potatoes looking back at them. And the two chefs left in the dessert round must make yummy sweets from the least desirable part of the bread and the least juicy part of the orange.

Four chefs with connections to the booming truck-food business motor into the Chopped Kitchen. And the first basket with two assertively-flavored meats makes for a challenging appetizer round. In the second round, the competitors must make dishes that include a sugary powder and a leafy vegetable. Then guanabana is going into the ice cream machine in the dessert round!

Four athletes who feel right at home in the kitchen battle it out for charity. The judges are presented with four salmon dishes to taste for the first course. In the second round chocolate-covered marshmallows seem to be the most stress-inducing ingredient. And figuring out how to transform olive oil cake is the challenge for dessert.

These four extraordinary chefs all serve their communities with their culinary talents. In the first round they must combine chicken soup and barbecue sauce. The second round has the chefs creating scallop dishes with two unusual produce items. And the finalists have to get their buns in gear in the last round, when they are given hamburger buns to cook with.

All leftovers in the baskets today, and some of the chefs are not happy to hear the news. In the first round the competitors must work with what is left in a casserole dish and at the bottom of a takeout bag. The second round has the chefs wondering what to do with something soggy and something sweet. In the final round — featuring a leftover party beverage — one chef beats the other to the ice cream machine, leaving his competitor scrambling for a new plan.

The chefs get a first basket with two chicken surprises: chicken livers and chicken tenders. The trend continue into the second round, where the chefs must make a delicious entree with chicken legs and chicken-flavored crackers? Then in the dessert round, an often-disparaged dessert must be elevated.

The chefs receive calves' livers and ranch dressing in the first round, and the judges watch as four appetizers come together in 20 minutes. Then in the entree round, a small bird and a citrusy spice make for an interesting combination. And will hot sauce be a hit in the finalists' desserts?

Halloween means very frightening surprises in the baskets for the chefs. In the first round, they encounter a very troublesome, bloody protein and a can of chips that's more than meets the eye. The three chefs who move on to the second round are in for something gooey and gory -- and something that is just offal. The final two chefs boldly move on to a devilishly difficult dessert round.

In this Chopped competition, the baskets are all packed with ingredients you might find on a sophisticated brunch menu. Near the end of a champagne and caviar appetizer round, one chef makes a generous, but potentially costly, choice. How will the chefs pair a seafood extravagance with pancake mix in the entree round? Then turning classic brunch items into dessert is the final, demanding challenge for the last two chefs.

Every basket in this competition features circus-themed ingredients. In the first round the chefs have to make cotton candy and corn dogs doggone delicious. Then in the entree round, one competitor decides to put his nachos -- cheese and all -- into the food processor: Will the judges like the result? And when snow cones and popcorn pop up in the dessert round, what kind of circusy sweetness will end up on the finalists' plates?

The chefs are pleased to see a delicious selection of Italian ingredients for the appetizer round, including pasta dough, but time management issues lead to some big problems with the plates. The tasty trend continues in the entree round, with veal chops and bottarga in the basket, and one chef makes a repeat mistake. Then desserts made with figs are the final two dishes the judges will taste.

With the odds stacked against them, four former runners-up seeking redemption return to the Chopped Kitchen. In the first round, a faux meat and a hot mustard must be successfully combined. Then in a competition between chefs who questioned the judges' decision to send them home the first time, sour grapes is an appropriate ingredient in the second basket. And due to an extraordinary chain of events, neither finalist will ever forget the desserts that they prepared from bubble tea and papaya -- or the judges' reactions to them.

Two cultures collide in the first round, when the chefs must combine kimchi and gefilte fish. The second round has the chefs working with uniquely flavored vodka and a green snack. And when the two finalists find marshmallow cake and citrusy water in the final basket, the judges hope for delicious desserts.

The chefs get a special tool in the basket to help them bust apart a challenging ingredient: a giant jawbreaker. The judges hope the shards-of-candy appetizers do not cause them any harm! Then a trendy pastry meets a North African stew in the second basket. And rosemary and ginger must be combined in the desserts.

Four stars who love to cook -- Teri Hatcher, Anthony Anderson, Dawn Wells and Antonio Sabato, Jr. -- compete in the Chopped Kitchen for a favorite charity. The party begins with sparkling cider and doughnuts in the first basket. Wagyu steaks are served up for the entree round. And the final moments of the competition are filled with drama and suspense as the competitors rush to get their plum pudding desserts plated.

Four talented teenaged chefs bring their energy and ambition to the Chopped Kitchen! With a $40,000 scholarship on the line, the young competitors open up the first basket and find a sweet drink and a juicy fruit. Then in the entree round, the teen chefs are given some super sophisticated ingredients. And breakfast-like ingredients give the final two teens a rude awakening in the dessert round.

Time to shake things up in a big/small way as the chefs find out that this competition has a tapas theme. In the first round, the baskets contain some beautiful Spanish ingredients, including gazpacho. In the entree round, one chef makes an alarming choice after accidentally starting a small fire. And the two competitors who move on to the dessert round, featuring catalan creme, try to make mini creations bursting with flavor.

With a fruit and a root in the first basket, two of the chefs go with a similar approach for their appetizers. Will one dish turn out better than the other? Then in the entree round, a cut of meat with a peculiar name gives the judges something to talk about, while the chefs rush to get the main dishes made. And Camembert is the fromage of choice in the dessert basket. Whose cheesy, sweet creation will be most pleasing to the panel of experts?

A very lively group of competitors go after the $10,000 prize with gusto. In the appetizer round, distaste for a processed food in the basket inspires some creativity and some defiance. In the entree round, chefs try to find success combining the Indian snack food known as far far and the bird known as squab. While one chef appears to have a clearer plan than the other in the final round, whose corn flakes dessert will taste better?

When the chefs, including two previous co-workers, find a classic but still-frozen ingredient in the appetizer basket, they must both heat it up and up the creativity level to impress the judges. Then, in the entree round, a strange meat and a strong drink make for interesting basket fellows. In the dessert round, vinegar is in the mix. Will things go sour for the finalists?

Back to take it! Four previous Chopped runners-up compete to see which one can finally walk away the winner. The competition gets off to a sweet start, with sweetbreads. But in the entree round, root beer schnapps in the basket proves very problematic for one chef. And the judges are on the edge of their seats for a very tense dessert match-up.

Competitors hailing from different countries bring their international know-how to the "Chopped" kitchen. With $10,000 on the line, the chefs are surprised to find fish in both of the first two baskets. Who will catch a break and make it all the way to the final round to make the best desserts possible with cheese wedges and clove candies?

In the first round four competitors try to make octopus and huckleberry into dishes that will make them stand out as Chopped Champ material. Then in a high-energy second round, champagne corks and hammers go flying. After two finalists create desserts with a Peruvian drink and a Mexican cheese, one walks away with all the dinero while the other gets nada.

As the clock ticks down on the first round, one chef gets into a pickle with the pickle juice. Then in the entrée round the chefs must figure out something savvy to do with Savoy cabbage and a curious web of fat. And a very competitive final round - featuring edible flowers - results in a daring dash for the ice cream machine.

With canned spiced ham in the first basket the chefs must stay determined if they want to elevate their dishes. Lake perch is the catch of the entree round. What will the judges think of one chef's unorthodox decision with the avocados? A French bakery staple makes for a buttery surprise in the final basket.

It's a leftovers extravaganza! In this special competition, every basket contains some "leftover" ingredients. For an appetizer, the chefs race to make something fun and tasty out of slices of leftover pizza. A takeout container holds a surprise in the entrée basket. The final two chefs shock the judges with their cold refried beans dessert creations.

In the first round, the chefs do their best to delicately cook a familiar fish, as they struggle to decide what to do with a tiny, Indian gourd. A smelly fish product in the second basket leaves the competitors taking risks with lutefisk that they hope will pay off. Then the two remaining chefs hustle to put together their final dishes, but can they create genuine desserts out of Chinese sausage and baby eggplants?

Four firefighters battle to become the Chopped Champ! The kitchen is abuzz with camaraderie and competition, as the brothers jump into the first round. They must find a way to take hot dogs and smoked mozzarella and create an elegant appetizer. Then, in the entree round, the firefighters/chefs try to make the perfect main dish of bison steaks and fire-roasted tomatoes. And when it is time to cook desserts, will the instructions on the crescent roll dough package give the competitors the edge they need to bake something delicious for the judges?

Let's hear it for fan participation! Chopped viewers finally get their chance to weigh in on a weighty question: What should go into the mystery baskets? In the first round of this special competition, the chefs must figure out how to make the fans proud by cooking a dish made with a favorite regional meat product. Then for the entrée round, the viewers have chosen a jarred ingredient that few professional chefs are likely to like. Will one chef's ambitious plans backfire as the clock runs out? Then, while trying to figure out how to combine black licorice root with a salty snack food, one of the final two chefs uses a clever time-saving technique in the dessert round.

Iron Chefs in the Chopped kitchen! Four world-class Food Network chefs go head-to-head in the first competition of the $50,000 All-Stars tournament. In the appetizer round the Iron Chefs race into action to make amazing dishes out of beef tendon and crawfish. Then in the entree round a very challenging protein has all the Iron Chefs using a different cooking technique. Who will be successful? And the two remaining Iron Chefs must tackle a dessert round, featuring black beans and queso fresco.

Snails are the first order of business in the Chopped kitchen. Can the competitors make escargot go with red jalapenos? A mishap with a paper towel leads to a dangerous situation at one chef's station. With Chinese eggplant and ground lamb in the entree basket, three chefs all choose a similar direction for their dishes. Then two very driven finalists compete to make great desserts from garnet yams and roasted noodles.

Globe-trotting gourmets! Four sensational series' hosts bring international flavors to the All-Stars tournament. But chicken feet in the first basket force them to step out of their comfort zones, and the pressure of the Chopped kitchen affects the caliber of the appetizers. Another difficult protein makes the entree basket a huge challenge. Can these All-Stars hit their stride? When the final two open the dessert baskets and see a giant surprise, will they know what to do with it?

Four chef/entrepreneurs have something to prove in the Chopped kitchen. In the first round, will their hearts sink when they see hearts of palm and rabbit escabeche in the basket? And a curious ingredient substitution leaves the judges perplexed. Then three chefs fight to make goat chops a great main dish ... or risk being chopped. And it's crunch time for two finalists, when they must make dessert using blue corn tortilla chips.

Food Network Star fans, this Chopped is for you! Four chefs from the hit casting competition attempt to excel in an entirely new arena. First, they try to impress the judges by exhibiting razor sharp skills in the razor clams appetizer round. In a meat-and-potatoes entree round, standing out is the challenge for the chefs. Established rivalries make the fight to get into the final round even more intense. And following the dessert round, featuring white apricots and bacon bits, the judges have some stern words for the chefs.

No fear! Vying for the last remaining place in the $50,000 All-Stars finale, four Chopped judges head to the kitchen to prove that they know whereof they speak and really know how to cook. Brawn and brains -- goat brains that is -- are requirements of the appetizer round. At the Chopping Block, we see how the judges feel about being judged themselves. Then, after one judge-turned-competitor is chopped, three go on to the entree round where they must create main dishes using Berkshire pork and preserved duck eggs. Who will represent the judges in the All-Stars grand finale?

Does yuzu juice go with sturgeon? That's part of the first-round riddle that the competitors face. One chef's recollection of what he did with a mystery ingredient comes into question when facing the judges. In the second round, something orange and something green color the chefs' choices. And the two finalists find a spicy surprise in the dessert basket.

This is it! Four Chopped All-Stars champs face off for $50,000 for a good cause! With so much on the line, the celebrity chef who wins it will have to have heart, and guess what is in the appetizer basket? Beef heart! After an excruciatingly difficult first decision, anything can happen in the exciting entree round, featuring a beautiful fish, some beautiful greens and some less-than-beautifully plated dishes. Panforte and pancetta must be included in the finalists' desserts, and the judges must designate just one winner.

The chefs struggle to make composed, elegant dishes with green goddess salad dressing in the first round. The second round brings about a reversal of fortune, when the competitors impress the judges with what they can do with fortune cookies and brazino. Two finalists go full steam ahead into the last round; but when the chefs realize they are making the exact same dessert, using sourdough bread, will either competitor change course?

It's a grilling spectacular! Four pros set out to show how good cooking over extreme heat in a short period of time can be. But what will these meat-loving competitors do with an unwelcome surprise in the appetizer basket? In the entree round, the judges hope that the chefs are able to coax some big flavors out of some dream ingredients, including wagyu steak. And when one of the final two competitors attempts to wow the judges with a signature recipe in dessert, will the tried-and-true specialty turn out to be truly delicious with mystery basket items like marshmallow spread and stout beer?

The chefs get an unusual wake-up call in the appetizer basket: gummy fried eggs. Will they be able to successfully transform this novelty candy into something that tastes good with corned beef? Then a sweet-and-sour surprise in the entree round sends the chefs running to the pantry to find suitable complementary ingredients. The two chefs who make it to a fiercely competitive dessert round must make do with knodel and almond flour.

The chefs need to have guts when they discover poultry intestines and red miso in the first basket. The ingredients are less daunting for the entree round, but some big technical flaws are disappointing to the judges. And two talented competitors advance to the dessert round with something to prove with candied nuts and kombucha as mystery ingredients.

It's a chocolate lover's dream competition: Chocolate in every course! Will the chefs take well to this sweet challenge? The appetizer round is a heart-stopping affair with a romantic gift as the centerpiece of the basket. The three chefs who advance to cook the second course have a love/hate response to the thematic ingredient. And when the chefs are given a molded chocolate novelty item in the dessert round, they battle to prove who can finish strong.

Four chefs from the Big Easy take on the big challenge of excelling in the Chopped Kitchen. In the first basket, half of the ingredients are very familiar, while the other mystery items just might throw the competitors off their game. In the entree round, the chefs make some very original choices with chai tea powder, and a judge makes a very surprising discovery on one of the plates. When both finalists take similar approaches to the dessert course, whose dish will the judges prefer?

It's a special all-American Chopped! Fierce competition is a matter of national and personal pride, as four chefs face off to see who will be the champ. From apple pie in the appetizer basket to bourbon for dessert, the patriotic theme makes for some yummy, original dishes. And 10,000 American dollars will go to the one chef who bests the others.

Three of the chefs go in a very similar direction with the first course, and yet the judges find creativity in the variety of flavors in their seafood sausage appetizers. In the entree round, the chefs must integrate tiny pasta and a powerful liqueur into their dishes. In the dessert round, when one competitor's plans fall apart, will there be enough time to redirect?

When the chefs confront the first basket, their degrees of expertise with tuna belly comes into play. Lamb top round is round two's mystery protein, and it's a mystery whose dish the judges like least, until the cloche is lifted. With cayenne pepper and canned pumpkin desserts in the works, one chef has some serious difficulties and races to get everything onto the plate.

The chefs find carrot cake in the first basket, along with an unusual seafood product: Will they be able to pull together cohesive appetizers? In the entree round, the competitors take three different approaches with a familiar protein, but the judges are disappointed by the chefs' scant usage of a prized ingredient. Pop goes the dessert round, with caramel corn in the basket.

The judges are pleased to see duck confit in the first basket. But when it comes time to taste, they're disappointed that they must consider a competitor's very minimal use of one of the other ingredients. Then in the entree round, a jar of peanut butter and a can of shrimp are two of the puzzling items that the chefs discover in the baskets. As the competition wraps up, will wonton wrappers and grape jelly beans stump the finalists?

When the first basket contains licorice, licking the competition on creativity becomes the chefs' main challenge in the appetizer round. The competitors get a jolt of energy in the form of espresso powder, which they must match with flank steak for their entree dish. When it becomes clear that neither finalist's polenta and sherry dessert is a sure thing, who will become the Chopped Champion?

The competition starts off strongly with four chefs, cooking with gusto, as they attempt to make delicious jumbo shrimp appetizers. Then, in the entree round, with less than a minute remaining, one of the chefs has yet to get one of the mystery ingredients on the plates! The judges watch on the edge of their seats to see if the competitor will remember before time runs out. When the two finalists find frozen pancakes in the final basket, whose dessert will stack up to a $10,000 victory?

A pink candy surprise in the appetizer basket prompts the chefs to make some very creative choices. Then in the entree round, the chefs have to hop to it with a chocolate bunny and an imposing cut of meat as ingredients. A sweet baked good seems like a good start for some delicious desserts, but will the chefs' final dishes be inventive enough to impress the judges?

Class is once again in session in the Chopped Kitchen, with ladies from America's school cafeterias competing and sharing their stories. In the first round, ground turkey and frozen yogurt test the chefs' skills. Then the ladies must sweat out a 30-minute entree round with sweet potatoes and hoisin sauce as ingredients. The final two competitors advance to dessert round to find a basket of healthy items. And when one chef's plans literally fall apart, she must decide whether to rethink her idea or try, try again.

Teenagers are taking over the Chopped Kitchen! Four talented young cooks bravely attempt a challenge that often throws off trained professionals. Watching the first round, featuring fish filets and a sugary frozen treat, the judges are amazed by the level of maturity, poise and skill: And it's a very difficult choice deciding which rising culinary star will not get a chance to move on. There are some fun items in the second round baskets: cotton candy and French-fried onions. Then the two terrific teens who make it to the dessert round, and find movie-theater popcorn in the basket, put on a great show.

With pluck aplenty, four chefs charge into the competition. But will spaghetti in a can spell trouble for them in the first round? In the entree course, everybody raids the pantry for potatoes that they think will complement the tile fish from the basket. A very tough final basket, which includes cocktail franks, has the two final chefs puzzled. Can they come up with creative, delicious desserts?

Getting piggy with it for Halloween, the chefs have to cook with snouts in the first round. Then with fear in their Halloween-loving hearts, the competitors open up the second basket to find a dangerously hot ingredient and popping candy. The judges are in for a main course that is both frightening and delightfully surprising. The finalists pull out all the stops to make lollipops and cereal bars into devilishly delicious desserts.

The chefs learn that they have come to the Chopped Kitchen for a special competition where they will be cooking with unusual cuts of meat, embracing the philosophy that almost every part of an animal can be considered food. The big surprise for the competitors in the first basket, a whole pig's head! The chefs who make it to the second round open the basket to find out how the nose-to-tail theme will play out, and the task looks three-times more difficult than imagined. When the last basket is opened, the competitors' faces say it all: it's going to be a very tough round.

Four culinary heroes, who use their talents to do good in their communities, arrive at the Chopped Kitchen to compete. In an impressive first round, the chefs pull from their varied skill sets to create four beautiful plates of food. Then in the entree round, something gamey and something fizzy make for an interesting mix of mystery ingredients. And when the final two chefs advance to the last round, they make desserts layered with sugary surprises. Which chef's final dish will complete the winning meal?

Gobble, gobble, it's Turkey Day in the Chopped Kitchen! When the chefs are given gizzards in the first basket, will they feel thankful? The competitors step up their games when everyone's favorite -- pumpkin pie -- shows up in the entree basket. In the end the challenge is to compose some chocolatey desserts as part of the final Thanksgiving offering.

Ostrich tenderloin appetizers are on the menu for the judges after a dramatic first round of cooking. And then, for creativity's sake, the chefs must work hard to make terrific entrees with sable fish and sake. When one of the final competitors uses a rolling pin to compress hot dog buns, the judges wonder what kind of dessert they will get.

Holiday time is here! The chefs open up the first basket to find spiral ham and beautiful Italian cookies. Family memories influence decisions in their first dishes. Santa Claus melons come to town for the entree round, and one of the competitors makes a big holiday mess in the kitchen. Then in the dessert round, the two remaining chefs must turn eggnog and Hanukkah gelt into the perfect final gift for the judges.

In the appetizer round, three out of the four chefs make a similar choice with a tricky basket ingredient: Will the fourth chef's different approach work in his favor? Then for the entrees, the competitors attempt to make delicious Cornish hen dishes, knowing that a nicely cooked bird in the pan could be worth a trip to the final round. And in the dessert round, neither the judges nor the chefs have any idea what to expect on the plates after a wild fiasco with the ice cream machine.