Chopped Show Summary, Upcoming Episodes and TV Guide

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.

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.

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 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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Strive for excellence, just like Julia! Four chefs arrive to compete in a tournament that celebrates the major impact that Julia Child made on the culinary world. They'll have to be bold and creative as they take baskets inspired by Julia's recipes and make them uniquely their own. Some citrus and a salad are part of the puzzle in the appetizer round, and the three chefs who make it to the entrée round must make use of some unusual powder and fancy mushrooms. Then, they'll do their best with beets in the dessert round. The winner of this battle will advance to the tournament's finale, where a $25,000 dream trip is at stake.

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.

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.

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?!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.'

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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?

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 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.

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.

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?

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.