Global Food Test

2025-09-17

To demonstrate their mastery of global cuisine, the chefs must craft family-style dishes specific to Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean.

Core Creativity

2025-09-17

They can dole out flavors, but can they take feedback? The chefs devise savory dishes using apples, and the judges introduce a game-changing twist.

Grading The Brigade

2025-09-17

The chefs navigate curveball after curveball during the dinner service of nightmares as they run an elevated gastropub as a brigade for the first time.

Fast Casual Exam

2025-09-17

In a two-part challenge, the chefs create fast casual dining menus — but only two winning concepts will launch and go head-to-head in the CIA cafeteria.

Baking the Grade

2025-09-17

The heat is on as the chefs race to bake 36 portions of a treat using a culinary byproduct in just five hours. Christina Tosi joins as a guest judge.

Souffle Showdown

2025-09-17

In the semifinals, the chefs must make a fine dining entrée and flex or fake their soufflé skills for guest judges Daniel Boulud and Kwame Onwuachi.

Graduation Day

2025-09-24

For their last exam, the chefs must make a themed four-course meal for 70 VIP diners, including legendary chef Thomas Keller and CIA president Tim Ryan.