Ep 7. Champions' Tournament: Part 1

In Chopped season 7 episode 7, titled Champions' Tournament: Part 1, the competition heats up as previous winners make their return to the kitchen. This episode kicks off the tournament which will include four episodes, all featuring returning champions.

The four chefs competing in this episode are Melt Bakery owner, Julian Plyter, Chef de Cuisine at Gabriel Kreuther, Jason Atherton, Executive Chef at Egg, Evan Hennessey, and Executive Chef at Spoonriver, Brenda Langton.

The chefs are given their mystery basket containing four ingredients that they must incorporate into their dishes. The basket contains a seafood delicacy, a strange root vegetable, a classic sandwich spread, and a sweet treat. The chefs must use their culinary skills and creativity to transform these ingredients into cohesive dishes that will impress the judges.

The chefs quickly get to work chopping, sautéing, and grilling their ingredients. They face challenges in pairing the flavors and textures of the ingredients in their baskets, as well as the time constraints. With only 30 minutes on the clock, they must work quickly and efficiently to plate their dishes before time runs out.

The judges, including host Ted Allen, and celebrity chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Marc Murphy, taste each dish and critique them based on taste, presentation, and creativity. The judges have high expectations for these returning champions and will not hold back their critiques.

At the end of each round, one chef is eliminated, while the remaining chefs move on to the next round with a new mystery basket of ingredients. The pressure builds as the chefs get closer to the final round, where only one will be crowned the champion of the Champions' Tournament.

Overall, Chopped season 7 episode 7, Champions' Tournament: Part 1, is a thrilling and competitive episode that showcases the talent and skill of previous Chopped winners. The returning champions are pushed to their limits as they face off against each other in a battle for culinary supremacy. The mystery baskets challenge the chefs to think outside of the box and create inventive dishes that impress the judges. Viewers will be left on the edge of their seats as they watch the competition unfold and wait to see who will be crowned the ultimate champion.