Caitlin Steininger

Padma's favourite challenge of Restaurant Wars arrives early, but before the chefs gear up for battle, they must first duke it out in an amuse bouche-based Quickfire.

The Restaurant Wars causes drama and mayhem, while Tom announces a double elimination piling on even more pressure. Chefs Karen Akunowicz and Nina Compton join the restaurant crawl along with Nilou Motamed and guest judge Caroline Styne.

The chefs walk in on an epic battle of Last Chance Kitchen and are drafted into the fight. Once Tom declares a winner, the chefs begin making dishes based on Prohibition-era cocktails.

Richard Blais and Brooke Williamson present a Quickfire challenge. Chef Eric Ripert arrives to enjoy a traditional French Christmas dinner with the chefs. Padma tells the chefs they're missing the final part of the tradition of Le Revillon de Noel.

Lena Waithe surprises the chefs by challenging them to make their best version of the trademark Kentucky dish. Later, Nancy Silverton pays the chef a visit and brings a special challenge with her.

With more shoreline than Florida, Kentucky is a hotbed for houseboats. For the elimination challenge, the chefs are split into two teams and tasked with throwing raging party in Lake Cumberland.