Plot Synopsis

Twenty-one restaurateurs compete in elimination challenges as they vie for funding from four accredited investors, who provide sufficient funds to open a chain of eateries in three locations -- Hollywood, Minneapolis and New York City. After the initial presentation, 11 competitors are immediately eliminated, leaving the top ten contestants to battle it out. Then, the investors, who also act as mentors, work side by side with the competitors to help them develop their restaurant concepts as well as putting their ideas through rigorous business and cooking elimination challenges. The four accredited investors who put their own money into the winning idea are: Bobby Flay, distinguished restaurateur; Curtis Stone, internationally renowned chef; Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle; and Lorena Garcia, executive chef and restaurateur.