Chopped Season 2, Episode 9: Buckwheat Blunders and Twists of Fate

A Prickly Situation

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.

Salted Veggies and Heated Battles

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

High Hopes

Featured ingredients include whole calamari (appetizers), bison meat (entrées) and ancho chilis (desserts).

Floundering Around

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.

Pride on the Plate

The chefs try to represent their cultural heritage through duck appetizers. Then they work with Serrano ham in the entrée round.

Pretty Please with a Pepper on Top

Piquillo peppers and snap peas are among the featured ingredients.

Pods, Grills, and Sticky Fingers

The mystery ingredients include star fruit, liquor and spicy merguez sausage.

A Wish Upon a Starfruit

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.

Chopped Champions - Round One: The Ultimate Face-Off

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.

42 min

Chopped Champions - Round Two: Best of the Best

Round Two features the Round One victor against three more returning champions. Featured ingredients include cockles, kohlrabi, and goji berries.

42 min

Chopped Champions - Round Three: All-Stars Showdown

The reigning Round Two All-Star Champion competes against three more previous winners. Featured ingredients: lavash, beef jerky, and gin.

42 min

Chopped Champions - Round Four: Bring It!

Conclusion. Four "Chopped" all-stars face off for $10,000. Featured ingredients include bananas, endives, melons and molasses.

42 min