Ep 1. Cool, Palm and Perfected

In the 20th season premiere of Chopped, four talented chefs step up to the chopping block to battle it out for a chance to move on to the next round and ultimately compete for the grand prize. Hosted by Ted Allen, this episode is titled "Cool, Palm and Perfected" and sees the contestants facing a range of unusual ingredients and challenges.

First up, the chefs must incorporate hot dogs into their appetizers. While some contestants are intimidated by this quirky ingredient, others embrace the challenge and create unique and flavorful dishes. One chef decides to take a more traditional approach and creates a hot dog slider with all the fixings, while another incorporates the hot dogs into a spicy meatball appetizer.

In the second round, the chefs are tasked with creating an entree using palm sugar as the featured ingredient. This proves to be a challenging task for some of the chefs, as they struggle to balance the sweetness of the sugar with the other flavors in their dish. One chef decides to make a glazed pork chop with a side of sweet potato puree, while another opts for a Thai-style curry with shrimp and vegetables.

Finally, in the dessert round, the chefs must use a range of "perfected" ingredients such as pre-made pie crust, whipped cream, and fruit puree to create a stunning final dish. As the clock ticks down, tension mounts as the chefs hurry to put the finishing touches on their desserts. One chef creates a beautiful berry tart with a lemon cream filling, while another opts for a classic apple pie with a twist.

Throughout the episode, the judges provide insightful feedback and criticism to the contestants, praising them for their creativity and innovation while also holding them accountable for any missteps. The judges on this episode include Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, and Marcus Samuelsson, all of whom bring their own unique perspectives and expertise to the table.

Overall, "Cool, Palm and Perfected" is an exciting episode of Chopped that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of its contestants. From hot dogs to palm sugar to perfected ingredients, the challengers face a range of unique ingredients and obstacles, all while under the pressure of a ticking clock. As always, the ultimate prize is on the line, and the contestants must put their best foot forward in order to impress the judges and take home the win.