1The Entrance Exam
Upon arriving at the CIA, the chefs are split into teams and must create a menu inspired by culinary icons Anthony Bourdain, Julia Child and Paul Bocuse.
2Global Food Test
To demonstrate their mastery of global cuisine, the chefs must craft family-style dishes specific to Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean.
3Core Creativity
They can dole out flavors, but can they take feedback? The chefs devise savory dishes using apples, and the judges introduce a game-changing twist.
4Grading The Brigade
The chefs navigate curveball after curveball during the dinner service of nightmares as they run an elevated gastropub as a brigade for the first time.
5Fast Casual Exam
In a two-part challenge, the chefs create fast casual dining menus — but only two winning concepts will launch and go head-to-head in the CIA cafeteria.
6Baking the Grade
The heat is on as the chefs race to bake 36 portions of a treat using a culinary byproduct in just five hours. Christina Tosi joins as a guest judge.
7Souffle Showdown
In the semifinals, the chefs must make a fine dining entrée and flex or fake their soufflé skills for guest judges Daniel Boulud and Kwame Onwuachi.
8Graduation Day
For their last exam, the chefs must make a themed four-course meal for 70 VIP diners, including legendary chef Thomas Keller and CIA president Tim Ryan.