Plot Synopsis

Critically acclaimed chef Bobby Flay mentors culinary entrepreneurs in the days leading up to the grand opening of their new eateries. Arriving just days before the first customers, Flay, using his experience as the chef/owner of 15 restaurants, steps in to save restaurants from opening without all the crucial elements in place, hoping to prevent an opening-night nightmare. With only three days to open, will he be able to open these restaurant before they close? Each 60-minute episode features a different eatery, including: a New York City chicken finger joint Sticky's, which has no leadership, dwindling funds, no recipes and a slew of negative press; Melt Mobile's gourmet grilled cheese truck in Stamford, CT, for which best friends have mortgaged their homes and are at each other's throats but only have soggy sandwiches and absolutely no organization to show for their efforts; Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen in Grand Rapids, MI, which has secret recipes "Mama" won't share, a signature pizza that doesn't measure up, a negative bank account, and husband and wife owners who don't have defined roles; an upscale comfort food lounge in Harlem, which has no head chef, forgettable cocktails, an entire staff of no shows and six-figure debt; a suburban Chicago sausage stand started by four best friends, which has clashing personalities, unimaginative toppings, a six-figure bank loan and a stand in need of a serious facelift; and a rock 'n' roll cupcake shop in Asbury Park, NJ, which has broken ovens, no full-time staff, and owners with few baking skills and their entire life savings on the line. Food Network aired a sneak peek episode of the series on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 10pm ET, followed by the official series premiere five days later on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 10pm.