Sixteen young home cooks arrive and find themselves preparing dishes using Alexander Weiss's favorite ingredients, including pork chops, pork tenderloin and green apples. The winner chooses which protein is used in the elimination round before 12 contestants are chosen to advance in the competition.

A pancake-flipping contest precedes a challenge to create the best citrus cream pie.

A three-legged challenge is held to make a dozen cupcakes. Later, Gordon's mom visits the kitchen as a guest judge when the remaining contestants prepare one of the host's favorite dishes from his childhood.