Ep 5. Stake Out Your Surf and Turf

In Supermarket Stakeout season 1 episode 5, titled "Stake Out Your Surf and Turf," host Alex Guarnaschelli challenges four chefs to create unique and tasty dishes using items purchased from unsuspecting shoppers in a supermarket parking lot. The chefs are given only a limited amount of time to gather ingredients and cook up their creations before facing a panel of judges who will determine the winner.

As the episode begins, Alex introduces the chefs to a group of shoppers and explains the rules of the competition. Each chef is assigned a different section of the parking lot and given $500 to purchase ingredients from the shoppers' carts. They must then use those items, along with a few basic pantry staples, to create a surf and turf dish.

The chefs quickly get to work, scurrying around the parking lot in search of the perfect ingredients. Some shoppers are more cooperative than others, with some offering up top-quality meat and seafood while others are more hesitant to give away their groceries. One chef even manages to convince a shopper to purchase a live lobster, which he then cooks up on the spot.

Once the chefs have gathered their ingredients, it's time for the cooking to begin. The parking lot is transformed into a makeshift kitchen as the chefs set up grills, burners, and prep stations. They work feverishly to create their dishes, using everything from steak and lobster to chicken and shrimp.

As the clock ticks down, tensions run high as chefs finish up their dishes and present them to the judges. The judges include celebrity chef and restaurateur Aarón Sánchez, food writer and critic Alison Roman, and Alex herself. They taste each dish and provide feedback on its flavor, presentation, and creativity.

The dishes range from classic surf and turf combinations to more modern interpretations. One chef creates a steak and shrimp dish with a bold chimichurri sauce, while another uses seafood to create a unique twist on chicken and waffles. There are some missteps along the way, with burnt meat and undercooked seafood causing some chefs to falter.

In the end, only one chef can be named the winner. The judges deliberate and ultimately choose the chef who presented the most creative and flavorful dish. The winner receives a $10,000 prize and bragging rights as the champion of this week's Supermarket Stakeout.

Overall, "Stake Out Your Surf and Turf" is an exciting and fast-paced episode of Supermarket Stakeout that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of the competing chefs. It's a fun and entertaining addition to the series that will have viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.