Plot Synopsis

Hosted by chef Adam Gertler, MAN VS. CHILD: CHEF SHOWDOWN features a team of five child cooking prodigies challenging a prolific executive-level chef in the kitchen, where they defend their culinary abilities. In each one-hour episode, a new executive chef faces off against the team of culinary kids. The competitors' overall aptitude and areas of expertise are tested in three cooking rounds, as they're challenged to create a different dish, under unusual circumstances. In the first two rounds, a panel of judges taste the dishes and determine which chef has created the most delicious and inspired plate. The third and final round is blind tasted and judged by a critically acclaimed master-level chef. The overall winner takes home the ultimate prize: bragging rights. The young chefs in Season 1 included Cloyce (age 13), Holden (14), Emmalee (12), Dylan (11) and Estie (7). Plus, Season 1 featured recurring judges and commentators include: Mike Isabella, a chef and Washington D.C. restaurateur; and Alia Zaine, a Los Angeles-based private chef. Plus, guest judges include a roster of executive chefs and restaurateurs including Hubert Keller, Ludo Lefebvre, Mary Sue Milliken, Josiah Citrin, Antonia Lofaso and more. After a six-week break, MAN VS. CHILD: CHEF SHOWDOWN returned with new episodes on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on FYI. In the mid-season premiere, "Game-ON!," executive chef Chris Tzorin wants a piece of the action and competes against the team of child cooking prodigies. A culinary mash-up appetizer tests everyone's culinary creativity. Then it's going to be a knife fight, testing both sides in butchery skills -- from making fresh sausage, to handling oversized cuts of game meat. Master Chef Karen Hatsfield joins to blind taste and judge who takes it all in the final round. Season 2 of MAN VS. CHILD: CHEF SHOWDOWN premiered on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on FYI, with Adam Gertler hosting again and with returning judges Mike Isabella and Alia Zaine who are joined by these new guest judges: on Shook & Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun) Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two), Susan Feniger (Border Grill), Eric Greenspan (The Foundry on Melrose, Greenspan Grilled Cheese), Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto), Bruce Kalman (Union), Antonia Lofaso (Scopa) and more. Plus, the Season 1 regulars -- Cloyce (14), Emmalee (13), Estie (8) and Holden (15) -- are joined by newcomers Isiah (9), Olivia (11) and Zion (10). In the season opener, "Fish out of Water," the prodigies will have to sink or swim when they face off against Executive Chef Drew Tsang, who takes them to task in three rounds that all revolve around seafood. Who's ready for some mouth-watering alligator picatta? Master Chef Jen Carroll presents and judges our third and final winner-takes-all round. Then at 9pm, FYI premiered "Best of Estie," a one-hour special that takes a look back at young chef Estie Kung's best moments from Season 1. After a seven-week break, MAN VS. CHILD: CHEF SHOWDOWN returned with new episodes on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on FYI. In the summer premiere, "America the Beautiful," Chef Melvin 'Boots' Johnson takes on the child prodigies with American pride. In the first two rounds, they tackle classics such as hot dogs and pie. In the third and final round, Master Chef Bruce Kalman judges another American favorite -- a trio of pizzas.
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On Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT, FYI premiered the season finale of MAN VS. CHILD: CHEF SHOWDOWN, immediately following a five-hour marathon (4-9pm) of encore episodes. In the season ender, "Home Cooking," America's most talented child chef prodigies take on Executive Chef Eli Kirshstein in a three round battle based on home cooking. Today's chefs will be featuring canned foods, then completely reinventing the TV dinner and finally, cooking a deep South trio for Master Chef and judge Art Smith.