Ep 8. Teen Tournament: Part One

In the twentieth season of the popular cooking competition show, Chopped brings back the Teen Tournament. The first episode of the tournament brings in four aspiring teenage chefs who go head to head in a culinary battle to prove their mettle in the kitchen. The judges for this episode are Martha Stewart, Marcus Samuelsson, and the resident Chopped judge, Scott Conant.

In the first round, the young chefs are challenged to create appetizers from a basket of mystery ingredients. The basket contains typical teenage favorites such as chicken nuggets and tater tots, along with more exotic ingredients like quail eggs and pomegranate molasses. The contestants pull out all the stops to create unique and flavorful dishes that will impress the judges. Martha Stewart is particularly impressed with one contestant's use of the tater tots as a crust for mini quiches.

In the second round, the contestants are tasked with creating entrees using ingredients that are more commonly found in the pantry. This round features a variety of proteins including chicken thighs, pork chops, and salmon, paired with typical pantry staples such as spaghetti squash and canned tomatoes. As the contestants begin to cook, tension rises in the kitchen as one chef makes a critical mistake that could cost them the competition.

Finally, in the dessert round, the teenagers must create sweet dishes using ingredients such as green apples, black licorice, and gingersnaps. The judges are impressed with the creativity shown by the young chefs, with one contestant creating a stunning layered parfait while another creates a unique take on a classic apple tart.

Throughout the competition, the judges provide feedback and critique on the dishes, offering advice on how to improve and elevate the flavors in the dishes. As the clock ticks down, the contestants rush to perfect their dishes and present them to the judges.

The tension in the kitchen is palpable as the judges deliberate on which young chef will be chopped and sent home. At the end of the episode, only three contestants move on to the next round, with one chef being eliminated. The stage is set for the remainder of the Teen Tournament, with more culinary challenges sure to push the contestants to their limits and test their skills as young chefs.

Overall, the first episode of Chopped's Teen Tournament is a thrilling and engaging hour of television that showcases the impressive talents of these young chefs. With an experienced panel of judges and a variety of exciting challenges, the Teen Tournament promises to be an exciting addition to the Chopped franchise.