Chopped Season 44 Episode 1 Thanksgiving Champions

It's the season premiere of Chopped: Thanksgiving Champions! In this special episode, four past winners of Chopped who have triumphed during Thanksgiving-themed competitions return for a chance to compete against each other once again.

The first round kicks off with a mystery basket containing seasonal staples like pumpkin pie filling, canned yams, and leftover turkey. The competitors have just 20 minutes to use these ingredients to create a unique and delicious dish. One chef wows the judges with a dish that's both innovative and nostalgic, while another overcomplicates their dish and falls short.

The second round throws another curveball at the chefs, as they must incorporate a classic Thanksgiving condiment, cranberry sauce, into their dish. One chef impresses the judges with their creativity and bold flavors, while another struggles to balance their flavors.

In the final round, the remaining two chefs face off to create a festive and impressive dessert. They must use a basket of mystery ingredients that includes a pumpkin pie spice blend, candied pecans, and fresh ginger. Both chefs take risks and pull out all the stops, making it a difficult decision for the judges to determine the winner.

Throughout the competition, the chefs showcase their culinary skills, creativity, and ability to handle the pressure as they navigate the high-stakes, fast-paced environment of Chopped. Host Ted Allen provides insightful commentary on the chefs' dishes and offers critiques to the judges.

With only one competitor crowned the Thanksgiving Champion, who will emerge victorious in this intense culinary showdown? Tune in to find out!