Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Ted Allen, CHOPPED: ALL-AMERICAN SHOWDOWN is a five-episode CHOPPED TOURNAMENT that features 16 talented chefs from across the United States. In each of the four preliminary battles, four new chefs from a different region of America -- North, South, East and West -- compete in the usual CHOPPED format, with the winners advancing to the finals, where the four chefs vie for the $50,000 cash prize. The chefs are challenged to utilize the basket of mystery ingredients and create delicious dishes to impress a rotating panel of judges including Eric Adjepong, Scott Conant, Cassidee Dabney, Amanda Freitag, Gregory Gourdet, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Geoffrey Zakarian. Episodes include:

"West" (Tuesday, July 11, 2023): Renowned chefs from across America have been invited to compete in a five-part tournament extravaganza. In this preliminary battle, four culinary greats from the West face off, starting with an appetizer basket that includes a prized fish and a popular pepper. In the entree round, the chefs must get creative with a San Francisco specialty. Then, when a dough in the dessert basket inspires the chefs to take very similar approaches with their final dishes, will the judges be able to taste the differences between the two plates? The chefs are: Sara Hauman (Portland, OR), Rashida Holmes (Los Angeles, CA), Min Kim (Las Vegas, NV), and Hosea Rosenberg (Boulder, CO). Judges: Gregory Gourdet, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Geoffrey Zakarian.

"North" (Tuesday, July 18, 2023): In this preliminary battle of an elite five-part tournament, Northern chefs, from Michigan to Minnesota, face off to see who will rep their region in the $50,000 finale. In the appetizer round, the chefs must combine a sweet baked good with a strange paste. A certain style of pizza and a signature spud sound right up this group's alley, but the entree basket is not easy, even for these seasoned pros. Cherries and chips are cheery inclusions in the dessert basket, but the final two contenders are all business rushing to do their best with their final plates. The chefs are: Omar Anani (Detroit, MI), Andy Schumacher (Cedar Rapids, IA), Karyn Tomlinson (St. Paul, MN), and Jill Vedaa (Lakewood, OH). Judges: Eric Adjepong, Scott Conant, and Alex Guarnaschelli.

"South" (Tuesday, July 25, 2023): Elite chefs from four regions of America bring their best to a five-part tournament to try to put themselves on the map as Chopped champions and score $50,000. In this battle, four Southern chefs open the appetizer basket and find some hearty comfort foods to inspire them to lean into their culinary roots. A famous soul-food duo is a fun, if challenging, surprise in the entree basket, and when the last two chefs find plenty of sweet Southern goodness in the final basket, the judges hope for flavorful, creative desserts. The chefs are: Javier Becerra (Houston, TX), Sara Bradley (Paducah, KY), Scotley Innis (Atlanta, GA), and Austin Sumrall (Biloxi, MS). Judges: Gregory Gourdet, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Geoffrey Zakarian.

"East" (Tuesday, August 1, 2023): Elite chefs from the East compete in this preliminary battle to see who can rep their region of the US to win $50,000 while becoming the Grand Champion of the All-American Showdown. In the appetizer basket, a signature dish from the Keystone State must be combined with a Big Apple cocktail. New England pride is on display in the entree basket, and when it's time to make dessert, the two remaining Eastern chefs scramble to make use of scrapple. The winner will face champions from the West, North and South in the finale. The chefs are: Lee Chizmar (Bethlehem, PA), Shenarri Freeman (New York City, NY), Elijah Milligan (Philadelphia, PA), and Pepe Moncayo (Washington, DC). Judges: Scott Conant, Cassidee Dabney, and Alex Guarnaschelli.

"Finale" (Tuesday, August 8, 2023): Returning winners from all corners of the US -- North, South, East and West -- are back to see who can conquer all and win $50,000! The judges are clear about their expectations for excellence, and, in the appetizer round, not everyone is thrilled to see the cut of lamb that they must incorporate into their dishes. A Midwestern classic and a sweet New England surprise are two of the ingredients that the chefs have to work with in the entree round. Finally, in the dessert round, a dramatic turn of events leaves the judges wondering if one of the competitors can recover from some serious setbacks. Of course, all three courses count, as the judges decide on the All-American Grand Champ! The chefs are the winners of the West, North, South and East preliminary battles. Judges: Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, and Alex Guarnaschelli.