About this season
A high energy, fast paced cooking competition that challenges four up-and-coming chefs to turn a selection of everyday ingredients into an extraordinary three-course meal. After each course, a contestant gets “chopped” by our panel of esteemed culinary luminaries until the last man or woman left standing claims victory.
Episodes (13)
1. A Prickly Situation
Aired 14 June 2009
In the Season 2 opener, four chefs find a spiny surprise in their appetizer baskets. Then, one has a serious snafu with snapper in the entrée round. Judges: Aaron Sanchez; Alex Guarnaschelli; and Chris Santos.
2. Salted Veggies and Heated Battles
Aired 16 June 2009
The chefs must use salty vegetables in their appetizers, Thai chilis in their entrées, and Mexican ingredients in their desserts. Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli; Chris Santos; and Marc Murphy
3. High Hopes
Aired 23 June 2009
Featured ingredients include whole calamari (appetizers), bison meat (entrées) and ancho chilis (desserts).
4. Floundering Around
Aired 30 June 2009
The chefs are presented with a challenging cut of meat in the appetizer round. In the entrée round, they work with miniature produce and whole flounder.
5. Pride on the Plate
Aired 7 July 2009
The chefs try to represent their cultural heritage through duck appetizers. Then they work with Serrano ham in the entrée round.
6. Pretty Please with a Pepper on Top
Aired 14 July 2009
Piquillo peppers and snap peas are among the featured ingredients.
7. Pods, Grills, and Sticky Fingers
Aired 28 July 2009
The mystery ingredients include star fruit, liquor and spicy merguez sausage.
8. A Wish Upon a Starfruit
Aired 11 August 2009
Part 1 of 4. Past "Chopped" winners return to compete in a champions round. Some chefs have an edge when a Southern specialty shows up in the appetizer basket. Then Japanese noodles and leafy greens create a challenge for the entrées.
9. Buckwheat Blunders and Twists of Fate
Aired 25 August 2009
Part 2 of 4. Four past "Chopped" winners face off in a champions round. Featured ingredients include cockles, ground chicken and apples.
10. Chopped Champions - Round One: The Ultimate Face-Off
Aired 8 September 2009 • 42 min
The first tournament featuring past Chopped champions, where the winner advances to face three new champions next week. First up, chefs must create an appetizer using crayfish and fiddlehead ferns and an entrée that includes dinosaur kale.
11. Chopped Champions - Round Two: Best of the Best
Aired 15 September 2009 • 42 min
Round Two features the Round One victor against three more returning champions. Featured ingredients include cockles, kohlrabi, and goji berries.
12. Chopped Champions - Round Three: All-Stars Showdown
Aired 22 September 2009 • 42 min
The reigning Round Two All-Star Champion competes against three more previous winners. Featured ingredients: lavash, beef jerky, and gin.
13. Chopped Champions - Round Four: Bring It!
Aired 29 September 2009 • 42 min
Conclusion. Four "Chopped" all-stars face off for $10,000. Featured ingredients include bananas, endives, melons and molasses.