Episode 1
Twenty aspiring restaurateurs hoping to impress Ramsay present their signature dishes; after the opening night dinner service, contestants face elimination.
Episode 2
Teamwork plays an important role during a relay race in which duos must accomplish basic culinary tasks; while challenge winners go to San Francisco, the losing team picks carrots at a farm; both teams disappoint during dinner service.
Episode 3
The contestants learn about teamwork during a challenge involving pigs and potatoes; while the winning team enjoys a day on a yacht, the losers bathe their new livestock friends; a disorganized dinner service leaves chef Ramsay disappointed.
Episode 4
The contestants take part in a team competition involving lobster ravioli.
Episode 5
The teams must pair side dishes with four different types of protein; while the losing team makes honey taffy from scratch, the winners spend a day at Laguna Beach; the teams prepare a breakfast reception for a wedding.
Episode 6
The teams must pick a team leader for the next dinner service; a chef serves an undercooked dish; a contestant is eliminated.
Episode 7
Contestants from each team must work in pairs and present a unique pizza dish to Ramsay; the losers clean up and prepare both kitchens for dinner service, while the winners go to a luxurious hotel; one team runs out of a crucial ingredient.
Episode 8
The team that prepares the most-impressive Southern-inspired menu for a sorority's anniversary party wins a trip to Las Vegas; both teams struggle with communication during dinner service.
Episode 9
The contestants are given 30 minutes to create an entree from surprise ingredients; Ramsay conducts one-on-one evaluations.
Episode 10
The contestants visit one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants; the teams prepare meals inspired by Ramsay's cuisine; the contestants face elimination.
Episode 11
A team competition tests the contestants' knowledge of pork, with the winners receiving an indoor sky-diving experience; during dinner service, both teams face struggles.
Episode 12
After both teams are reorganized, the chefs blindly choose ingredients from which they must create a unique dish; the chefs must serve a five-course meal to UNICEF Ambassador Angie Harmon and other VIP attendees.
Episode 13
The red team and the blue team each create their own menus, from which guests can order during dinner service; the team that impresses diners with its food and service wins the challenge; contestants face elimination.
Episode 14
The remaining contestants face the blind taste test, with the winning team getting an ice skating lesson with figure skater Rachael Flatt; the contestants struggle to stay organized during the dinner service.
Episode 15
Ramsay challenges the teams with creating entrees with the highest dollar values with ingredients purchased on a small budget; three previous winners judge individual contestant's entrees.
Episode 16
The Top 7 chefs serve guests from Oxfam America, including Minnie Driver. During the dinner service, two chefs struggle with their stations.
Episode 17
The six remaining chefs receive their black jackets and prepare tailgate food for football fans; tempers flare during dinner service.
Episode 18
The remaining contestants use leftovers to create a dish; Better Homes & Gardens Editor Laurie Buckle chooses which dish will be featured in the magazine; the contestants face elimination.
Episode 19
The remaining four chefs sample one of Ramsay's complex entrees and then must re-create it correctly; two of the chefs face elimination.
Episode 20
The final two contestants must prepare five unique dishes, to be judged by renowned Los Angeles chefs; former contestants help with the final dinner service; a winner is chosen.