Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Ted Allen, CHOPPED: SWEETS SHOWDOWN is a five-episode tournament during which 16 chefs vie for the $50,000 grand prize, Each one-hour episode follows the standard CHOPPED format -- appetizer, entree and dessert rounds -- but with each round having a sweet-themed ingredient in the mystery baskets that contestants must use. Four different chefs compete in each of the first four episodes with each installment featuring its own decadent mystery ingredient: cake, chocolate, doughnuts and ice cream. Winners of the preliminary rounds return for the grand finale in the fifth episode. A rotating panel of guest judges includes Florian Bellanger, Valerie Bertinelli, Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Chris Santos, Martha Stewart, Sylvia Weinstock and Zac Young.

"Chocolate!" (Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 9pm): Kicking off a first-of-its-kind, high-stakes desserts tournament, four chefs compete in a series of chocolate challenges. Spicy booze and a book filled with bonbons are in the mix in round one, and an oversize beverage meets a stinky cheese in the entree basket. The dessert basket features a can of something that could be cause for concern as the chefs make chocolatey showpieces to earn a spot in the grand finale and a shot at the $50,000 prize. Competitors: Tarran Hatton (Milk Bar in New York), Jewel Johnson (Green Jeans Cake Shop in New York City), Caroline Schiff (ParadigmSchiff in New York City), and Stephanie Thornton (Blue Star Donuts in Portland, Oregon).

"Doughnuts!" (Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 9pm): It's much ado about doughnuts in this exciting heat of the $50,000 Sweets Showdown. The chefs must demonstrate doughnut dexterity as they create sweet, savory and filled varieties that incorporate challenging ingredients such as onions and grasshoppers. Only one tenacious chef will conquer all and win the chance to return for the finale. Competitors: James Distefano (Culinary Education in New York City), Emily Drucker (Jean George's Public Kitchen at the Public Hotel in New York City), Daniela Martinez (Ironside Fish & Oyster in San Diego), and Emma Taylor (Milk Sugar Love Organic Ice Cream in Jersey City).

"Cake!" (Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 9pm): With their eyes on the Sweets Showdown $50,000 prize, four top-tier dessert chefs strive to bake their way into the judges' hearts in this all-cakes preliminary battle. A beautifully bare edible art piece is at the center of the first basket, and a soup and a leafy green threaten to hinder the competitors' progress in the entree round. In round three, only one chef can win ultimate baking bragging rights and a trip to the finale. Competitors: Ryan Butler (Butler Bake Shop in New York City), Asha-Le Davis (Flour Bakery in Boston), Rachel Klemek (Blackmarket Bakery in Southern California), and Brigitte Oger (Craft Cakes CLT in Charlotte, North Carolina).

"Ice Cream!" (Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 9pm): The $50,000 Sweets Showdown continues with a preliminary battle that shines the spotlight on ice cream. Each round challenges the competitors to churn out a different frozen treat: milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches and sundaes. But after the judges sample all the cool creations, only one chef can advance to the finale. In a CHOPPED first, all four competitors have their own ice cream machine to work with during each round, as milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches and sundaes are on the menu. Competitors: Robert Gonzalez (Concord Market in Concord, Massachusetts), Sandra Hakim (Baseema Chocolate in New York City), Ivan Marquez (Broken Spanish in Los Angeles), and Aurora Wold (Aurora Grace Chocolates in Philadelphia).

"Grand Finale!" (Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 9pm): In the culmination of a five-part tournament, four dessert dynamos return to the Chopped Kitchen in pursuit of the $50,000 prize, but the ultimate sugar high and the prestigious title of Chopped Grand Champion can only go to one extraordinary chef. A wild-looking citrus fruit and some syrupy flowers are part of the challenge in the first round. A colossal cocktail is all the buzz in the entree round, and an edible candelabra is a bright surprise for the two chefs left in the dessert round. Judges: Martha Stewart, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Marc Murphy.