Knife Fight

In the hour-long season premiere, chefs Tim Love of Texas and Mike Isabella of D.C. break down an entire pig—and place their own questionable side bet involving tequila… and a shoe.

Italian culinary master Freddy Vargas of Scarpetta struggles to contain his nerves when he faces off over oxtail against modernist chef and James Beard Award nominee Justin Wills of Oregon’s Restaurant Beck.

Chef Brooke Williamson of L.A.’s Tripel has to deal with more than just her opponent, chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly in Houston. She also has to impress her old boss, the notoriously exacting guest judge, Josiah Citrin.

Two L.A. rivals—the innovative chef of La Poubelle, Johnny Zone, and former minor league pitcher Michael Teich of The Wallace—take on a tough (and thistly) secret ingredient: cardoon.

In a battle of two of the restaurant world’s most influential chefs, Mark Peel of Campanile and Sal Marino of Il Grano put their friendship aside as they prepare sea snails—and teach a master class on cooking in the process.

It’s a showdown of the young up-and-comers as City Tavern’s comfort-food queen, Jessica Christensen, takes on the exotic flavors of Acabar’s Kevin Luzande. But can either handle the challenge of sweetbreads?

The fight for supremacy in the Pacific Northwest pits Portland chefs Benjamin Bettinger of Imperial against Patrick McKee of Paley’s Place. The two duke it out over pig’s ear and rabbit as their mentor, Vitaly Paley, looks on.

Tin Vuong of Abigaile and his straightforward flavors take on the modern Vietnamese cuisine of chef Perry Cheung of Phorage. But will either be able to handle the secret ingredient: blood?

Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow in Atlanta and his biggest fan, Eric Park of L.A.’s Black Hogg cook live scallops and pig’s feet for special guest judge Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion.

New Orleans chefs Sue Zemanick and Tory McPhail prepare bison for guest judges Krista Simmons and Brendan Collins.

Portland chefs John Gorham and Kasey Mills take on Southern California chefs David Lentz and Kris Longley. They prepare a dish using quail, dragon fruit and sea cucumbers.

Adam Sappington of Portland’s Country Cat and Michael Smith of Kansas’s City’s Michael Smith restaurant face off over a forequarter of beef.

Past ‘Knife Fight’ champ Ricardo Zarate of L.A. puts his title (and prize knife) on the line against Santa Monica’s Ray Garcia as the two battle over an enormous octopus.

Jason Wilson of Seattle’s Crush throws down with Greg Denton of Portland’s Ox Restaurant over chicken gizzards, juniper berries, and eel.

A side bet has one chef losing his facial hair when Kelly English and Tandy Wilson go head-to-head over goose in a battle of Tennessee titans.

Mary Sue Milliken of L.A.'s Border Grill and Traci Des Jardins of San Francisco's Jardinère put their friendship aside and battle over skate in front of guest judge Naomi Pomeroy.

Chef Jason Paluska of Santa Barbara and chef Kyle Itani of Oakland compete over live halibut.

San Francisco chefs Charles Phan and Anthony Strong battle over flying fish.

St. Louis chef Kevin Nashan battles New York City chef Harold Moore over a whole spring lamb.

Chefs Ricardo Diaz and Gilberto Cetina Jr. battle for Mexican cooking supremacy when they prepare calf liver.

Ricardo Zarate and Michael Voltaggio's young protégés---Brian Huskey and Mei Lin---try to make their mentors proud as they cook with silkie chicken.

A kitchen mishap nearly derails Kelly Liken as she takes on Steve Redzikowski in a showdown between two of Colorado's best chefs.

Justin Devillier of NOLA’s La Petite Grocery and Michael Bryant of LA’s Churchill take on more than just each other, they also battle 1,000-year-old eggs.

It's a concrete jungle showdown between NYC based chefs and partners, Edi Frauneder and Wolfgang Ban of Seasonal and Edi & the Wolf's. The ultimate secret ingredient? Crickets.