The promising chefs are invited to Geoffrey's home base in seaside Florida as they take on their first test: create a simple, one-bite dish that best showcases who they are and what their restaurant concept is.
The six chefs must show Geoffrey Zakarian that they know how to make a profit by making their moneymaking dish, give a full presentation of their restaurant concept, and introduce Geoffrey to their menus, wow dishes and overall vibe.
Geoffrey Zakarian asks the remaining five chefs to cook three dishes from their own menus; they must use the leftovers in a special dish that would be served in their dream restaurant.
Geoffrey evaluates the four chefs' recipes by attempting to cook their dishes, then throws a party for picky eaters with dietary restrictions to see if the hopeful restaurateurs can adjust their menus.
The final three chefs tackle the front of the house, each taking a turn running their own restaurant but they don't know that Geoffrey Zakarian has filled the restaurant with actors causing havoc to see how the chefs react on their worst day.
Geoffrey Zakarian lets each of the remaining two chefs do a full restaurant takeover, setting up their restaurant with a full staff and real diners; the next great restaurateur earns Geoffrey's investment.
Geoffrey Zakarian
Host
