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.
In this special competition, the baskets are packed with healthy ingredients, from which the chefs will be creating delicious dishes that also happen to be nutritious and moderate in calories. In the first round, the judges are impressed by the fish dishes that the lean, mean competitors prepare. Then in the entree round, some heat in the basket helps the chefs add flavor without adding fat. And will the finalists be able to make yummy desserts that include green smoothies and rice crackers?
Taking a break from their studies to crush it in the Chopped Kitchen, four college students compete for culinary superiority. In the first round, the young amateur cooks must work with a dorm-life starchy staple and a bag of frozen veggies. The college kids then look for creative ways to make use of a savory microwaveable snack in the entree round. And with both sweet and salty surprises in the dessert basket, the final two cooks seek to make balanced desserts to complete their meals.
It's a Chopped tailgate party! In the first round, the chefs must prepare pretzel roll and chicken wing appetizers. Then will the chefs make the obvious from the burger patties in the second basket, or stretch their imaginations in an effort to impress the judges? With the end zone in sight, the final two chefs open the dessert round to find four fruity surprises.
Fun at the carnival is the theme for this special Chopped competition. In a sign of what's to come, the chefs open the first basket to find that two out of the four ingredients are deep-fried. An outrageous sundae is the centerpiece of the second basket, but it's the deep-fried ravioli that causes trouble for one competitor. Then, after a wild final round, the judges face an unprecedented dilemma.
The four chefs learn that the mystery ingredients must be transformed into delicious gastropub food. House-smoked bacon and homemade pickles are found in the appetizer baskets. A cocktail and a classic English pub dish must be transformed in the entree plates, and suds and tots have to be included in the desserts.
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.