Beat Bobby Flay Season 8 Episode 18 The Grid Iron Chef

In the season 8 episode 18 of Beat Bobby Flay, titled "The Grid Iron Chef," two up-and-coming chefs compete for the chance to take on Bobby Flay himself in a culinary showdown.

The episode begins with host Alton Brown introducing the first competitor, chef Raoul, who hails from Atlanta and has a background in Southern cuisine. His opponent is chef Sarah, who is based in New York City and specializes in farm-to-table cooking.

The competition takes place in two rounds, with each chef getting a chance to showcase their skills in a dish of their choice. Chef Raoul creates a shrimp and grits dish inspired by his Southern roots, while chef Sarah prepares a roasted tomato tart with a homemade crust.

After tasting both dishes, the judges -- Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Food Network personality Simon Majumdar -- declare a winner for the first round. Chef Sarah comes out on top, impressing the judges with the delicate balance of flavors in her tart.

In the second round, the two chefs are given a basket of surprise ingredients and tasked with creating a dish that incorporates them all. The ingredients include pork belly, cherries, and gorgonzola cheese, among others.

Both chefs rise to the challenge, creating inventive dishes that showcase their unique cooking styles. Chef Raoul presents a succulent pork belly dish with pimento cheese grits, while chef Sarah prepares a cherry-glazed pork belly with a gorgonzola and walnut-stuffed date.

Again, the judges taste both dishes and make their decision. After much deliberation, they declare chef Sarah the winner, awarding her the opportunity to take on Bobby Flay in the final round.

With the clock ticking, chef Sarah and Bobby Flay have only an hour to prepare their best dishes. The theme for the final round is "gridiron grudge match," and both chefs must create a dish that incorporates classic tailgating flavors.

Chef Sarah decides to go with buffalo chicken wings, while Bobby Flay opts for a pulled pork sandwich with a creamy coleslaw. The tension is palpable as both chefs frantically chop, grill, and season their dishes.

Once the hour is up, the judges -- including Alex Guarnaschelli, Simon Majumdar, and sports commentator Rich Eisen -- taste both dishes. The judges are impressed with both dishes and declare it a close call, but ultimately, only one chef can be crowned the winner.

To find out who triumphs in this high-stakes culinary battle, viewers will have to tune in to "The Grid Iron Chef" episode of Beat Bobby Flay season 8.