Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Eddie Jackson, ULTIMATE SUMMER COOK-OFF is a four-episode elimination competition series that follows six talented chefs who try to cook their way through a series of culinary challenges for a chance at a $25,000 grand prize. In each one-hour episode, competitors take on two rounds of summer-themed cook-offs that tests their skill and creativity and puts their reputation on the line. Each week, judges Damaris Phillips and Jamika Pessoa are joined by special guest judges, including COMFORT FOOD TOUR's Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey, BBQ blogger Susie Bulloch, COMFORT NATION's Lazarus Lynch, GENIUS KITCHEN's Courtney Rada and pitmaster Cameron Treu, to determine which chef exemplifies what summer is all about. In the premiere episode, Eddie welcomes six spectacular chefs to the summer house for the ultimate all-American showdown. First up, the chefs have 30 minutes to whip up their best backyard burger and each chef must randomly choose a cooler with an ingredient to use in their dish. Judges Damaris Phillips and Jamika Pessoa are joined by the Grill Dads, Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey, to choose the best backyard burger, and the winner receives a key advantage in the next round. In round two, the chefs make another quintessential American summer food -- hot dogs! They have 60 minutes to create one fully loaded hot dog and one fully unexpected hot dog. In the end, the judges send one chef home for the summer, while the rest continue on in pursuit of the $25,000 grand prize.
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On Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered "Ultimate Summer Party," the season finale of THE ULTIMATE SUMMER COOK-OFF. Eddie greets the last three chefs for the big finale and tells them that they'll be preparing the ultimate summer party. In their first challenge, the chefs have 30 minutes to create three kabobs with summer party themes and one chef will get skewered early by judges Damaris Phillips and Jamika Pessoa, who are joined by barbecue experts Susie Bulloch and Cameron Treu. In the second and final heat, the two remaining chefs have 60 minutes to create an elevated dinner and dessert for the ultimate summer dinner party, but the only heat source they can use is the grill. In the end, one chef wins the Ultimate Summer Cook-Off and $25,000!