Nini Nguyen

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.

In Kentucky, 15 chefs are off for the the ride of their lives at Churchill Downs; the chefs must make a dish that will appeal to a crowd of 200 at a Kentucky Derby party; Churchill Downs' own chef David Danielson serves as guest judge.

Lena Waithe surprises the chefs with a challenge to make their best version of a trademark Kentucky dish; Nancy Silverton brings a special challenge with her.

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 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.