Contestants in this cooking competition present their dishes to a judges’ panel composed of America’s Test Kitchen icons throughout a series of challenges that test their culinary abilities and on-camera personality. The last cook standing will get the job of a lifetime—becoming the newest face of America’s Test Kitchen, the opportunity to write their own cookbook, and a $100,000 prize to fund the culinary business of their dreams.
Seasons & Episode
America’s Test Kitchen is an institution for home cooks everywhere, testing recipes to perfection and sharing those tasty results with the world. For the first time ever, 11 passionate home cooks compete in the job interview of a lifetime. The winner has a chance to join the ATK cast, author a cookbook, and earn $100,000! Hosted by Jeannie Mai Jenkins, this competition is about to be lit!
Now that the cooks have made a crucial first impression, the pressure ramps up in the ATK kitchen. For the Task Challenge, contestants choose a Dutch oven that contains a mystery side dish, which they’ll recreate down to the very last detail. Then, for the Test Challenge, each cook receives a protein and a specific cooking technique, which they’ll have to incorporate in their final dish.
The competition really starts to heat up, as the ten remaining home cooks battle it out to stay in the competition. For their Task Challenge, the contestants must create a gourmet appetizer that includes at least three frozen ingredients. Then, for the Test Challenge, things get even trickier, when the competitors must transform a difficult “fussy dish” into a weeknight recipe.
Nine cooks remain and the stakes are rising as the home cooks prove they have what it takes to remain in the competition. For the Task challenge, the cooks must prepare a themed food board with at least two cooked elements. Then for the Test challenge, the home cooks are asked to create two appetizers that represent who they are and where they are from on a plate.
Eight cooks remain in the competition, and the pressure is on to think outside the box. In Task Challenge, the contestants must make a classic dish without a foundational ingredient. How do you make pizza without the dough? In the Test Challenge, our cooks must turn leftovers into culinary masterpieces. Halfway through, the cooks are dealt a shocking twist that could change everything!
This week, 7 remaining home cooks tackle their first on-camera demos, and then take on baking without recipes?! The Task Challenge is a baking hack demo, while the Test throws two textures at them they’ll need to combine into a baked dish. Guest Kwame Onwuachi and Dan Souza taste all of the bakes. They must choose one winner and one cook to pack up their apron.
This episode is all about kid-friendly food! For the Task Challenge, each cook will have to create a lunchbox meal inspired by a global cuisine. After the cooks have made lunch for the kids, it’s time for dinner! In the Test Challenge, our contestants will pair up for the first team challenge, and cook family-friendly dishes using one protein in two separate ways.
The final four will be joined by an all-star cast of judges who have seen their progress: Dan Souza, Jack Bishop, Karen Akunowicz, and Elle Simone Scott. This week, there is no Task Challenge but instead a mega Test Challenge where the home cooks must create a show stopping three-course meal for the judges during a grueling, marathon cook.
The grand finale is here! In the final challenge, three remaining home cooks must make two dishes from their future cookbook, photograph them with a pro, host a seven-minute on-camera demo, and pitch the judges on why they deserve to win this opportunity. A cookbook, role in the cast and $100,000 prize are on the line! Jack Bishop, Elle Scott Simone, and Dan Souza join forces to select a winner.
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