Ep 3. Halloween Hijinks

In Chopped season 40 episode 3, titled "Halloween Hijinks," four chefs compete in a spooky and festive Halloween-themed competition. The chefs must use eerie and unusual ingredients, such as candy eyeballs and pumpkin-shaped pasta, to create hauntingly delicious dishes in each round.

For the appetizer round, the chefs must incorporate a classic Halloween treat, candy corn, into their dishes. The judges are looking for creativity and balance, with the candy corn adding a touch of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.

In the entree round, the chefs face a challenge using a whole pumpkin in their dishes. With its slightly sweet, nutty flavor, the chefs must find a way to highlight the pumpkin while also using it as a vessel for their proteins and other ingredients.

Finally, in the dessert round, the chefs must use a Halloween staple ingredient, caramel apples, to create a wickedly good treat. The judges are looking for innovation and a balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Throughout the competition, the chefs face obstacles such as undercooked proteins and overly sweet dishes, but they also impress with their creativity and unique flavor combinations. The judges have a tough time deciding who will be chopped each round, but ultimately only one chef will be crowned the Halloween champion and take home the $10,000 prize.

In addition to the main competition, viewers also get to see behind-the-scenes interviews with the chefs as they share their thoughts and strategies for each round. There are also fun Halloween-themed segments, such as spooky cocktails and pumpkin carving challenges, that add to the festive atmosphere of the episode.

Overall, "Halloween Hijinks" is a fun and exciting episode that combines the spirit of Halloween with the intense competition of Chopped. With its unique ingredients and challenging rounds, viewers are sure to be entertained and impressed by the culinary skills of the competing chefs.