Eric Adjepong

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.

The Restaurant Wars challenge comes early but first the chefs duke it out in an amuse bouche-based Quickfire; with 12 chefs remaining, three restaurants battle for victory; Tom makes an announcement that leaves the chefs breathless.

The drama of the Restaurant Wars challenge continues as Tom announces a double elimination; chefs Karen Akunowicz and Nina Compton join the restaurant crawl along with Nilou Motamed and guest judge Caroline Styne.

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.

Chef Art Smith judges a fried chicken blind taste test; the chefs try to impress guest Laila Ali with dishes inspired by her father Muhammad Ali.

The chefs are challenged to reap what they sow and create a dish focused on their garden harvest; the last elimination challenge in Kentucky sees the chefs visit a thoroughbred horse auction house to bid on luxury ingredients.