Jim Smith

Eight new chefs and eight returning chefs battle it out in Charleston, SC. The new chefs enter the kitchen first and must cook as many dishes as possible in one hour using a whole chicken. Then the veterans square off to reimagine shrimp and grits. In the end, the chef with the worst dish in each group will go head-to-head in a sudden-death cook off.

Padma and guest judge, Chris Cosentino divide the chefs into teams to compete in the Top Chef mise en place race. The same teams must go head-to-head and create a seven-course progressive meal with each dish featuring the same ingredient, the radish. They will battle it out in front of a group of "Top Chef" superfans. Richard Blais joins at the judges table. The team who wins the most courses will be safe.

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, challenges the remaining chefs to make healthy vegetarian versions of traditional comfort foods. To make sure they get some physical activity in, they are only allowed to grab ingredients and tools from the pantry one at a time. Chef Alexander Smalls and author Toni Tipton-Martin ask the chefs to create dishes that pay homage to the matriarch of Southern cuisine. They will cook at Middleton Place, and serve a table of distinguished guests.

The cheftestants are baffled to enter the kitchen to find it completely dark and empty. Their anxiety grows as the clock begins and the pantry doors open to reveal baking ingredients. With all signs pointing to a biscuit challenge, the chefs make a mad dash to create dishes. Chef John Currence arrives to choose the best biscuit. For the elimination challenge, barbecue master Rodney Scott tasks the chefs to work through the night to prepare a whole hog and three side dishes for 150 local BBQ lovers.

For their Quickfire Challenge, Padma and Chef Michael Cimarusti challenge the chefs to cook dishes using ingredients corresponding to the element of their zodiac sign. Since it’s a surprise Sudden Death Quickfire, one chef will be eliminated immediately. Returning guest judge Graham Elliot splits the chefs into teams to throw a pirate-themed party. They’ll have to race through the streets of Charleston to collect their ingredients. The chef with the worst dish on the losing team will be forced to walk the plank.