Ep 13. Champs Throwdown: Battle 3

Chopped is a popular cooking competition show featuring four talented chefs battling it out to create a three-course meal using mystery ingredients in a limited amount of time. In season 39 episode 13, titled Champs Throwdown: Battle 3, the show brings back previous winners to compete against each other for a chance to win the ultimate bragging rights and $50,000.

The episode starts with a brief introduction of the competing chefs: Eric, winner of season 32, who currently owns two restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been named one of the country's best new chefs by multiple publications; Emily, winner of season 35, who owns three restaurants in Fresno, California, and is known for her innovative take on classic dishes; Angie, winner of season 37, who is the executive chef of a high-end restaurant in San Francisco and has a passion for sustainable cooking; and Dan, winner of season 38, who owns a catering company in Brooklyn, New York, and specializes in modern American cuisine.

As usual, the competition is divided into three rounds: appetizer, entree, and dessert. In each round, the chefs are given a basket of mystery ingredients that must be incorporated into their dishes. The judges for this episode are regulars Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, and Amanda Freitag, who are all seasoned chefs in their own right and known for their tough critiques.

The first round begins, and the chefs have only 20 minutes to create an appetizer that showcases the mystery ingredients, which include a seafood delicacy, a trendy drink, a Japanese condiment, and a small, yet resilient vegetable. The chefs' creativity is put to the test as they work feverishly to prepare their dishes. Their dishes are then judged by the panel, and one chef is eliminated, leaving three remaining competitors to move on to the entree round.

The entree round is even more challenging, as the chefs are given only 30 minutes to prepare a main course featuring a meat cut that is popular in Latin America, a tropical fruit that is difficult to peel, a type of nut that is rarely used in everyday cooking, and a root vegetable that is usually discarded. The chefs' kitchen skills are tested as they try to extract the maximum flavor from the mystery basket ingredients. The judges evaluate each dish and select the two best chefs to proceed to the dessert round.

In the final round, the remaining two chefs must make a dessert in just 30 minutes that incorporates a coveted ingredient that is typically used in savory dishes, a classic breakfast cereal, a globally popular snack food, and a type of fruit that is not typically found in desserts. The chefs are tasked with creating a dessert that is both creative and tasty, and they pull out all the stops to try to impress the judges.

Throughout the episode, the chefs showcase their culinary prowess and creativity, and the judges are impressed by the caliber of the dishes that are presented. The competition is tight, and the winner is not revealed until the very end. The judges provide feedback on each of the dishes, highlighting what worked and what didn't, and praising the chefs for their ingenuity and skill in working with the mystery basket ingredients.

Overall, Champs Throwdown: Battle 3 is an exciting and entertaining episode of Chopped that showcases some of the best and most talented winners of the show. The chefs demonstrate their ability to think on their feet, adapt quickly to new obstacles, and create delicious and inventive dishes in a short amount of time. Whether you're a foodie or just love competitions, this episode is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.