About this season
Twenty-one rising chefs vie to be crowned a generational talent and win $500,000 in this cutthroat competition set at the Culinary Institute of America.
Episodes (8)
1. The Entrance Exam
Aired 17 September 2025 • 53 min
Upon arriving at the CIA, the chefs are split into teams and must create a menu inspired by culinary icons Anthony Bourdain, Julia Child and Paul Bocuse.
2. Global Food Test
Aired 17 September 2025 • 46 min
To demonstrate their mastery of global cuisine, the chefs must craft family-style dishes specific to Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean.
3. Core Creativity
Aired 17 September 2025 • 42 min
They can dole out flavors, but can they take feedback? The chefs devise savory dishes using apples, and the judges introduce a game-changing twist.
4. Grading The Brigade
Aired 17 September 2025 • 42 min
The chefs navigate curveball after curveball during the dinner service of nightmares as they run an elevated gastropub as a brigade for the first time.
5. Fast Casual Exam
Aired 17 September 2025 • 49 min
In a two-part challenge, the chefs create fast casual dining menus — but only two winning concepts will launch and go head-to-head in the CIA cafeteria.
6. Baking the Grade
Aired 17 September 2025 • 40 min
The heat is on as the chefs race to bake 36 portions of a treat using a culinary byproduct in just five hours. Christina Tosi joins as a guest judge.
7. Souffle Showdown
Aired 17 September 2025 • 50 min
In the semifinals, the chefs must make a fine dining entrée and flex or fake their soufflé skills for guest judges Daniel Boulud and Kwame Onwuachi.
8. Graduation Day
Aired 24 September 2025 • 53 min
For their last exam, the chefs must make a themed four-course meal for 70 VIP diners, including legendary chef Thomas Keller and CIA president Tim Ryan.