Ep 1. Culinary Clickbait

In this season of Worst Cooks in America, twelve of the most clueless and culinary-challenged contestants have been handpicked to compete for $25,000 and the chance to be named the best of the worst in the kitchen. As the first episode opens, the cooks are arriving at the boot camp where they will face weeks of intense training and challenges.

The episode kicks off with a light-hearted introduction to the contestants, showcasing their lack of skills and humorously portraying their cooking disasters. As they enter the kitchen, they find themselves confronted with the first challenge: creating a dish that will wow the judges with its looks as well as its taste. The challenge is aptly named "Culinary Clickbait" as the contestants must create a dish that is visually stunning, and would be sure to get attention on social media.

After brainstorming and cooking, the contestants present their dishes to judges Anne Burrell and Carla Hall, who will determine which dishes they will taste and which ones will go home. The judges are impressed with some of the dishes, such as a colorful vegetable stir-fry and an expertly plated chicken dish. However, there are a few notable flops, including a "sushi cake" that looks more like a disaster and a dessert that has an unappetizing brown color.

As the judges taste the dishes, the contestants begin to reveal their personalities and struggles in the kitchen. Some are confident and talkative, while others are more reserved and unsure of themselves. It becomes clear that some of the contestants have had very little experience in the kitchen, while others have a bit more knowledge, but could use some refinement.

The second challenge of the episode is a team challenge, where the contestants are divided into two teams, the "Red Team" and the "Blue Team". Their task is to recreate a dish made by Anne Burrell, who will be coaching the Red Team, while Carla Hall will be coaching the Blue Team. The dish is a chicken pot pie, but with a twist- it must be presented in individual-sized portions, and each component of the dish must be made from scratch.

The teams get to work, and it becomes clear that some of the contestants struggle with basic kitchen skills like chopping onions, seasoning meat, and even boiling water. The judges provide guidance and feedback as the contestants work, but there is palpable tension as the clock ticks down towards the end of the challenge.

As the teams present their dishes to the judges, Anne and Carla critique each component, from the flakiness of the crust to the tenderness of the chicken. The Red Team's pie is flavorful, but under-seasoned, while the Blue Team's pie is beautifully presented, but the crust is a bit tough. Despite the flaws, the judges appreciate the effort put in by both teams, but ultimately, one team is crowned the winner.

The episode ends on a suspenseful note, as the losing team must face the elimination challenge. One contestant from the losing team will be sent home, and tension runs high as the contestants wait to hear who will be going home.

Overall, "Culinary Clickbait" is a fun and engaging episode that sets the tone for the season. It showcases the contestants' distinct personalities and demonstrates just how much work they will need to put in to improve their cooking skills. With challenges that push them to their limits and judges who expect nothing but the best, it's sure to be a wild ride in the kitchen.