Ep 4. Battle of the Grandpas

In season 27 episode 4 of Chopped, titled "Battle of the Grandpas," four grandfathers compete for the chance to win $10,000 and be titled the "Grand Champion." This episode brings together four seasoned chefs who have been out of the professional cooking game for some time but are looking to prove they still have what it takes.

The first round, the appetizer round, challenges the grandpas to incorporate a basket of mystery ingredients into their dishes. The basket includes pickled pigs feet, quinoa, black garlic, and canned corned beef. The grandpas must think quickly to come up with a unique and delicious dish in just 20 minutes. The judges taste each dish and choose the weakest link, who is eliminated from the competition.

The remaining chefs move onto the entree round, where they are presented with a new mystery basket of ingredients. This time, the basket includes bison ribeye, purple cauliflower, sunchokes, and a jar of tahini. The grandpas must once again think creatively and use their culinary skills to create a dish that stands out. The judges taste the dishes and eliminate another chef from the competition.

In the dessert round, the last two grandpas battle it out to create a sweet dish using a basket of mystery ingredients that includes marshmallow spread, black rice, candied crickets, and fresh figs. The grandpas must use their remaining time wisely to skillfully combine the ingredients and create a dessert that is both delicious and visually appealing. The judges taste both dishes and ultimately announce the winner of the competition and the "Grand Champion."

Throughout the episode, the grandpas demonstrate their cooking skills and share personal stories about their experiences in the kitchen. They also discuss how their lives have changed since entering retirement and why they decided to compete on Chopped.

Overall, "Battle of the Grandpas" is a heartwarming and exciting episode of Chopped that celebrates the culinary expertise and life experience of older generations. The grandpas' creativity, passion, and determination to win make for a thrilling showdown that keeps viewers entertained until the very end.