Kim Alter

Sixteen of the nation's most talented chefs step into Padma Lakshmi's fiercely competitive arena to battle it out for the $1 million prize.

The remaining chefs face off in teams of three to deliver a vegetarian three-course menu to a dinner party of elite guests. Each chef must stay within their vegetable family parameters, with one creating an all-vegetable dessert.

At the halfway point of the competition, the final eight competitors must each create two desserts, one heavenly and one devilish, using a shocking forbidden ingredient chosen by their rivals.

The commandment of culinary science and technology not only pushes the chefs to merge food and science, but battle in the most strategic cook off yet. The chefs will showcase different molecular gastronomy techniques.

The remaining chefs leave the pantry behind to harvest the ingredients that will decide their fate and then return to the Penthouse to face the Sustainability Commandment.

The commandments have always kept the chefs on their toes, but this week it's time to stay consistent. Whipping up 30 identical fish dishes may be a team effort, but when push comes to shove, it's every chef for themselves.