Ep 1. Viva La Stakeout

In Supermarket Stakeout season 3 episode 1, titled "Viva La Stakeout," host Alex Guarnaschelli is back to challenge four chefs to create delicious dishes from unsuspecting shoppers' grocery bags. In this high-stakes cooking competition, each chef must stakeout shoppers leaving the supermarket to convince them to give up their groceries for a chance to win $5,000.

The four chefs, Melissa d'Arabian, Roger Mooking, Christian Petroni, and Shawn Smith, are split into pairs and assigned a stakeout station. At each station, the chefs must put their persuasive skills to the test to convince shoppers to participate in the competition. Once a shopper agrees to give up their groceries, they can watch from the sidelines as the chef transforms their ingredients into a delicious meal.

With only 30 minutes to prepare, the chefs must think on their feet and use their culinary expertise to create a dish that will impress Alex and the judges. To add an extra twist to the competition, each chef must incorporate a mystery ingredient, which is revealed midway through the cooking process.

As the chefs scramble to complete their dishes, tension mounts in the supermarket parking lot. Shoppers and other onlookers gather around the stations, eagerly waiting to see what delicious creations the chefs will come up with.

After the 30-minute time limit is up, the chefs present their dishes to Alex and the judges for critique. Each dish is judged on taste, presentation, and creative use of ingredients. The chef with the winning dish is awarded the $5,000 prize.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes interviews with the chefs, as well as commentary and insights from Alex, who offers her expert opinion on each dish. There are also plenty of humorous moments, with the chefs engaging in friendly banter and quipping with each other as they race against the clock.

Overall, "Viva La Stakeout" is a thrilling and entertaining start to Supermarket Stakeout's third season. With high stakes, unexpected twists, and plenty of mouth-watering dishes, this episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.