Cooks vs. Cons

Contestants must be on "gourd" for the French toast battle, as surprise ingredient pumpkin gets carved up into the dishes. Then, in round two, judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Curtis Stone determine whose dish is tops, when ice cream toppings are used to accent savory staples.

The dumpling challenge is filled with surprises when the addition of peanuts creates nutty interpretations. In the next round, potato fries must be repurposed into the culinary creations. Judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Sunny Anderson savor the twice-fried masterpieces on the way to choosing a winner.

Judges Ted Allen and Daphne Oz ring in the holidays, as rack of lamb is infused with traditional holiday drinks. Forget naughty or nice -- who's a cook and who's a con? In round two, holiday treats are re-gifted as flavorful dishes.

Pro and amateur cooks let their passions boil over during the pasta challenge, as Asian condiments must be used to achieve umami bliss. In round two, judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Jet Tila eat sinfully delicious savory apple dishes before choosing a winner.

The frittata challenge isn't all it's cracked up to be, as contestants' creamy egg cakes must mingle with zesty surprise ingredient olives. Judges Daphne Oz and Justin Warner attempt to separate the pros from the home cooks in round two, when rice rears its starchy head.

Judges Daphne Oz and Scott Conant open Pandora's lunchbox, as the competitors must include kids' lunch snacks in a traditional steak and egg pairing. Then the pros and amateurs face a tangy twist in round two, as the surprise ingredient of mustard encourages some spicy outcomes.

Stuffed peppers come packed with flavor as cooks squeeze healthy juices into these pockets of yum. Then, a gooey duel rages, as cheese must be melted into a winning dish and judges Daphne Oz and Justin Warner must decide on a cheesy winner.

The contestants are toast unless they can create succulent quesadillas from a tart surprise ingredient, cranberries. Then, judges Scott Conant and Daphne Oz can't waffle on their decision in round two, as pros and amateurs must use waffles on the way to winning the big cash prize.

Cooks peruse their options as salad bar toppings must be deftly sauteed into shrimp scampi variations. Then, judges Jeff Mauro and Daphne Oz need a pick-me-up in round two, and the surprise ingredient of coffee does the trick.

A taste of New Orleans comes to the kitchen as pro and amateur cooks take on the hearty task of concocting gumbo with the surprise ingredient of ginger. The cooks and cons are pumped for round two, as judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Justin Warner pick a winner after getting filled up on gas station snack-infused masterpieces.

Game day comes to the kitchen, as cooks kick off the competition by having to tackle sliders while incorporating tailgate snacks. In round two, the end zone is in sight, as judges Eddie Jackson and Daphne Oz decide who comes out on top when the pros and amateurs cook with pizza toppings.

Love is in the air as the cooks and cons put their hearts on the plate entwining tarts with vegetable or candy hearts. Round two seduces judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Jeff Mauro, as chocolate is lovingly used to crush the competition.

Canny choices are made when the cooks chip away at their dishes, elevating nachos with the surprise ingredient of canned soups. In round two, judges Sunny Anderson and Daphne Oz decide which cook takes the cake as pros and amateurs work cake into their savory fare.