Alton Brown presents an array of wild ingredients and the chefs must use their expert techniques to make a top-tier dish right out of the gate; Alton determines the best dishes; the bottom-rated chef competes in a Secret Ingredient Showdown.

Alton Brown judges the six remaining chefs; the competitors draw numbers to see who picks their ingredient first; the lowest-ranking chef must compete in a tropical Secret Ingredient Showdown against the winner's choice.

The Chairman's Challenge offers up a combination of bittersweet ingredients; the competitors race to the altar for first-come, first-serve items; a sea creature-themed Secret Ingredient Challenge.