Chopped Season 52, Episode 2: Pickled Tricks

Pie in the Sky

Four chefs set out to make perfect pies, and one chef scrambles in the appetizer round when a competitor declines to share a coveted pantry ingredient; an abundance of protein in the entree basket means meat-lovers pies are in order.

Deli Duel

Step up to the counter and be amazed! Four delicatessen pros take over the Chopped Kitchen to prove that sandwiches are just the start of their culinary expertise. A platter with a classic combo and a fruit with a cult following are two of the ingredients in the appetizer basket. The chefs get a sweet soda and a stuffed spud to work with in round two, and a clever cold treat must be combined with a salty-sour condiment in the dessert round.

Taco Throwdown

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.

Sexy Feast

Ooh la la! When the Chopped baskets contain aphrodisiacs, the judges expect the competitors to come through with some sexy dishes. A favorite seductive seafood meets a pun-tastic item in the appetizer basket. In the entree basket, a heart-shaped comfort food and a sweet fruit make for a rare pair. The two competitors who rendezvous in the final round hustle to make sexy desserts with a quirky pie and a spicy root.

Pride and Pea Tendrils

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

Chuck Wagon Cook-Off

Round up the cowboys and cowgirls! Four competitors who love rustic chuck-wagon food are ready to show they have the chops to win. Booze and bell peppers in the appetizer basket get things started as the chefs learn that the pace in the Chopped Kitchen is much speedier than life on the range. The three remaining chefs must hustle to make yummy pork entrees in round two, and in the final round, the judges are on pins and needles waiting to try some prickly pear desserts.

Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef: Battle 1

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.

Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef: Battle 2

With their sights set on joining a Chopped judge's restaurant empire, four new motivated chefs arrive to give everything they've got to land their dream job. Judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Chris Santos will be watching the competitors' every move and tasting every plate to see which candidate deserves a chance to become one of their sous chefs. In the first round, emotions run high as the clock ticks down. Then, in the entree round, the chefs are challenged to break down whole chickens, and with one of Scott's favorite dessert ingredients in the final basket, it would behoove the chefs to do it justice. The winner will advance to the Desperately Seeking Sous Chef finale, where one champion will score the opportunity of a lifetime.

Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef: Battle 3

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.

Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef: Battle 4

Four chefs are aiming high as they attempt to impress Chopped judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant and Chris Santos, who are desperately looking for sous-chefs, but they won't settle for anything less than the perfect candidate. In this fourth preliminary battle of the tournament, the chefs open the appetizer basket and find a special seafood item that Scott knows very well. In the entree round, the chefs gain some confidence as they work with an Asian street food and a sugary soft drink. In the dessert round, Maneet is eager to see how the chefs use one of her favorite ingredients. If they can balance flavors, they might win her favor. The victorious chef from this battle will move on to the tournament's finale.

Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef: Finale