Ep 1. Food Network Stars!

In the first episode of season 21 of Chopped, the competition is set between four Food Network stars. The contestants are Marcela Valladolid, Brad Sorenson, Justin Warner, and Sunny Anderson, all of whom are previous winners of Food Network Star.

The first round commences with a basket containing escargot, chicken livers, dried cherries, and a unique type of bread. The chefs are given 20 minutes to create an appetizer that can impress the judges and utilize all ingredients. Valladolid creates an escargot tostada, while Sorenson opts for a chicken liver pate toast. Warner goes all out with a fried chicken liver with cherry gastrique, and Anderson cooks up a cherry glazed chicken liver.

The judges, including host Ted Allen, observe every detail of the plates and have a tough time deciding which contestant will leave the competition. The decision ultimately falls on Anderson, who leaves despite presenting a dish that stands out.

The second round brings forth new ingredients that the chefs must use to create a seafood entree. The basket contains urchin, poi, fiddlehead ferns, and ahi tuna. The contestants are given 30 minutes to prepare a dish that showcases the seafood while incorporating all of the basket ingredients.

Valladolid goes with a tuna poke bowl with crispy poi, while Sorenson prepares a pan-seared ahi tuna with urchin-ponzu sauce. Warner decides on an ahi tuna crudo dish, and Anderson creates a tuna tartare with fiddlehead fern salad.

The judges once again have a tough decision to make, as every dish impresses them in different ways. In the end, Sorenson claims victory in this round as his dish stood out in terms of texture and the flavors worked cohesively.

The final round brings forth a dessert challenge, where the chefs will have to use the infamous Chopped dessert cart. The basket includes cactus pears, yuzu juice, pistachios, and pawpaw. The contestants have 30 minutes to create a dessert that leaves the judges with a lasting impression.

Valladolid goes for a cactus pear and pawpaw sorbet, Sorenson makes a yuzu and pistachio ice cream with cactus pear sauce, Warner decides on a pistachio and cactus pear tart, and Anderson creates coconut and cactus pear panna cotta with yuzu sauce.

The judges deliberate for a long time, as every dish presents a unique combination of flavors. Valladolid and Anderson are once again in the bottom two, and this time it's Valladolid who has to bid adieu. Sorenson is declared the winner of this season's premiere episode and advances to the next round.

Chopped season 21's first episode, named Food Network Stars!, presents the ultimate challenge to some of the toughest Food Network chefs. The competition brings out the best in every contestant, and the judges have to make tough decisions throughout. With unexpected ingredients and timeline pressure, Chopped season 21 kicks off with a bang and promises to be an exciting season ahead.