Bryan Voltaggio

A challenge at the Griffith Observatory kicks off the fierce battle, where the chefs compare each other to see how everyone has progressed since last competing; the first elimination challenge brings them to the beach to cook a seafood meal.

Padma gets a real rise out of the chefs when she tasks them with making a Quickfire dish using non-wheat flours; for the Elimination Challenge, the chefs serve Gustavo Dudamel and members of the LA Philharmonic at Otium restaurant.

With only six chefs remaining, the challenges get even more difficult; pastry super-chef Sherry Yard awaits the all stars for a dreaded dessert Quickfire; chefs endure a blindfolded taste test to pick their ingredients.

The final four chefs compete in Napa Valley to determine who will be the final three.

Padma takes all the limitations off the table, as the chefs can make as much food as they want and shop wherever they choose; two chefs are given 48 hours to pick their teams and crate the restaurants.

The chefs are challenged to a taco throwdown for Danny Trejo; for the Quickfire, the only sharp tool they can use is a machete; the only way to make it to Restaurant Wars is to survive the qualifying challenge.