Ep 1. Challenging the Ten

In the season 3 premiere of Food Wars, titled "Challenging the Ten," we are introduced to a new campus at Totsuki Culinary Academy, which houses some of the academy's top ten elite students. These students are known as the "Elite Ten" and their power and influence over Totsuki are unparalleled.

The episode follows the protagonist, Yukihira Soma, as he begins his third year at the academy. He is immediately met with the challenge of facing off against one of the Elite Ten members, Kuga Terunori, in a cooking competition. Kuga is famous for his Chinese cuisine and Soma has never actually tasted his food before. However, this doesn't faze Soma, as he's confident in his own abilities.

The cooking competition between Soma and Kuga takes place in the Shokugeki arena—a place where Totsuki students can hold culinary battles. The judges include several members of the Elite Ten. Soma, however, doesn't seem to be affected by the presence of such influential individuals, as he's used to dealing with pressure and stress in previous competitions.

The competition between Soma and Kuga is fierce and intense. Both showcase their skills and talent in creating Chinese cuisine. Soma, being the creative mind that he is, adds his own twist to his dish, which surprises Kuga. Throughout the competition, we see Soma's determination and passion for cooking, as well as his ability to think on the fly.

The judges are impressed with both dishes, but in the end, there can only be one winner. The episode ends with the judges announcing the winner of the competition. The result is shocking, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering what's next for Soma and the rest of the Elite Ten.

Overall, "Challenging the Ten" is a thrilling and exciting premiere to the third season of Food Wars. It has everything fans of the show love—intense cooking battles, mouth-watering food, and unexpected twists. It also sets up the rest of the season, leaving viewers eager to see what other culinary challenges await Soma and the rest of the Totsuki students.