The chefs cook with hot dogs. Other mystery basket items include an uncommon condiment in the appetizer round; and a problematic and tiny ingredient in the entrée round.

A chili cook-off begins with chocolate and sausage as the mandatory ingredients in the appetizer round. Then, degrees of spice and levels of creativity are big factors, when judging entrees. Finally, the chefs find sweet inspiration.

Anne Burrell helps judge, when former winners and runners-up of Worst Cooks in America (2010) compete. Challenges include frog leg appetizers; cooking steak entrees correctly; and making desserts with ready-made dough, cocoa powder and pears.