Ep 1. Opposites Attract

In this season 20 premiere episode of The Kitchen, titled "Opposites Attract," the hosts are joined by Chef Richard Blais for a fun-filled hour of cooking and delicious recipes. The episode begins with a segment featuring Jeff Mauro, who shares his recipe for a savory pork chop with an apple and onion chutney. His recipe is balanced out by Katie Lee's dessert dish, a sweet and citrusy beignet, which she pairs with a unique spiced dipping sauce.

Next up, Sunny Anderson takes center stage with an easy and healthy recipe for a roasted chicken dinner. She explains how her simple herb rub and cooking technique result in a perfectly moist and flavorful chicken, which she serves with a variety of roasted vegetables. To round out the meal, Geoffrey Zakarian shares a recipe for a hearty and flavorful mushroom risotto, which he cooks up in the studio. Using a variety of mushrooms, along with garlic and Parmesan cheese, he creates a satisfying dish that is perfect for serving on a chilly evening.

The hosts then switch gears for a game of "opposites attract," in which they pair seemingly dissimilar ingredients together and challenge themselves to come up with unique recipes. Jeff combines bacon and chocolate to create a decadent appetizer, while Geoffrey combines sweet and sour flavors in a refreshing cocktail. Katie takes on a sweet and spicy pairing with her recipe for pineapple salsa, which she pairs with pork tenderloin, and Sunny creates a dish that combines salty and sweet flavors with her recipe for maple bacon popcorn.

Finally, the episode ends with a round of "ask the kitchen" in which the hosts tackle viewers' cooking questions. Jeff offers tips for making the perfect omelet, while Sunny shares her secrets for cooking with cast iron. Katie provides guidance on how to properly store and reheat leftovers, and Geoffrey shares his favorite kitchen gadget for making restaurant-quality fries at home.

Throughout the episode, the hosts focus on approachable and easy-to-follow recipes that can be made at home. They celebrate the joy of cooking with friends and family and offer helpful tips and tricks for simplifying meal preparation. Whether viewers are looking for inspiration for a special occasion dish or just need new ideas for weeknight dinners, this episode has something for everyone.