Chopped Grill Masters Is Back with Barbecuers, Grillers and Chefs Facing Off for $50,000

Sixteen of the most talented grilling professionals are heading outdoors to get ready for a showdown in the return of Chopped Grill Masters, premiering Tuesday, August 1 at 10|9c.
Chopped Grill Masters

Photo by: Jason DeCrow

Jason DeCrow

Sixteen of the most talented grilling professionals are heading outdoors to get ready for a showdown in the return of Chopped Grill Masters, premiering Tuesday, August 1 at 10|9c. Hosted by Ted Allen, and featuring a rotating panel of Chopped judges and special guests, each episode sees four Grill Masters competing over three rounds — appetizer, entree and dessert — as they showcase their exceptional skills, with only charcoal and propane grills, and a smoker at their disposal. The goal, to create unique dishes utilizing the mystery basket of ingredients to impress the judges, while also battling the outdoor elements. The winner from each heat of the five-part tournament earns a spot in the grand finale, where they will compete for the grand prize of $50,000 and a Napa Valley dream vacation.

Grill Masters: Battle 1 —Tuesday, August 1 at 10|9c

Live-fire cooking, life-changing stakes! In this $50,000 five-part tournament, grilling's greatest go big in a spectacular outdoor kitchen. First basket out of the gate challenges four determined competitors with a weird pie and a beautiful cut of pork. A vegan product counters the giant beef ribs in the entree basket, and the judges are impressed when they see a chef making a creative choice for their dessert basket, but will the innovative idea result in a tasty plate?

Competitors: Megan Day (Kansas City, Mo.), Laura Frazee (Dunnellon, Fla.), Andy Husbands (Boston, Mass.), Craig Verhage (Cleveland, Miss.)

Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Myron Mixon, Marc Murphy

Grill Masters: Battle 2 — Tuesday, August 8 at 10|9c

A second group of Grill Masters is in hot pursuit of the $50,000 grand prize. The chefs discover something stuffed and something smoked in the appetizer basket. Double proteins make the entree a carnivore's dream, and the two competitors who make it to the dessert basket find ways to make beans the center of their sweet dishes.

Competitors: Jeff Bannister (Greenville, S.C.), Ro Daniel (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Richard Fergola (Gardner, Kan.), Joe Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Judges: Scott Conant, Tiffani Faison, Marc Murphy

Grill Masters: Battle 3 — Tuesday, August 15 at 10|9c

Four new Grill Masters are confident they can be the best and advance to the Grand Finale! In the appetizer basket, the party gets started with a frozen daiquiri and plating timing doesn't work out well for one of the chefs. A fatty protein and an odd-colored ice cream are part of the challenge in the second round. In the dessert basket birthday cake is a festive find for the remaining competitors.

Competitors: Moe Cason (Des Moines, Iowa), Stephen Coe (Plymouth, Mass.), Lee Ann Whippen (Chicago, Ill.), Flip Wise (Aspen, Colo.)

Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson

Grill Masters: Battle 4 — Tuesday, August 22 at 10|9c

Just one spot left for the Grand Finale! A feisty group of chefs is trash talking from the start, but will the vibe change after somebody's lamb appetizer lands on the chopping block? A "steak" made out of a vegetable is one of the surprises the chefs face in the entrée basket. The last two competitors are supremely confident, but their knowledge of dragon fruit and mesquite powder could play a role in who grills the best dessert.

Competitors: Joanna Dunn (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Nikki Martin (West Hollywood, Calif.), Marco Niccoli (Salt Lake City, Utah), Jim Stancil (Oxford, Ga.)

Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Aaron Franklin, Chris Santos

Grill Masters: Finale Battle — Tuesday, August 29 at 10|9c

Which of the four incredible Grill Masters champions will top all and score $50,000 and a Napa Valley vacation? Tiny, celebratory beers help kick off the first round of live-fire cooking, as well as a beautiful rack of boar. As the intensity heats up, s'mores and a delicate vegetable accompany a lean meat on the competitors' entree plates. A giant sweet surprise in the dessert basket ensures that the final plates will be colorful and unusual. But whose will taste like 50,000 bucks?

Judges: Amanda Freitag, Marc Murphy, Chris Santos

Find out more about the Chopped Grill Masters tournament at FoodNetwork.com/Chopped. Join in on all the fun at #Chopped.

Next Up

Enter to Win a Chopped Grill Masters T-Shirt

Enter for your chance to win a Chopped Grill Masters T-Shirt by answering this question: what is your favorite protein to grill?

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters Grand Champion

Get the exclusive interview with the winner of Chopped Grill Masters, and find out what it meant to win the title of champion and $50,000.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters Grand Champion

Get the exclusive interview with the winner of Chopped Grill Masters.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters, Round 3 Winner

Get the exclusive interview with the winner of Round 3 of Chopped Grill Masters.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters, Part 1 Winner

Get the exclusive interview with the first chef to earn a spot in the Chopped Grill Masters finale.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters, Part 3 Winner

Hear from the winner of the third installment of the Chopped Grill Masters Napa tournament.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters, Part 4 Winner

Hear from the Part 4 winner of the Chopped Grill Masters tournament.

Chopped Grill Masters Heads to the Napa Valley for Season 3

Chopped Grill Masters is taking the competition to the Napa Valley for Season 3.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters, Round 4 Winner

Get the exclusive interview with the winner of Round 4 of Chopped Grill Masters.

One-on-One with the Chopped Grill Masters, Part 2 Winner

Get the exclusive interview with the winner from Part 2 of the Chopped Grill Masters tournament.