The Next Iron Chef: Redemption

The chefs arrive in Las Vegas for the challenge of fusion. As in many a past classic NIC challenges, the chefs are asked to bring together and fuse unusual ingredients into something new and Iron Chef worthy. In this challenge, odd ingredients are randomly paired and the chefs must prove that opposites do attract ... even in the kitchen.

The last time the Chairman brought NIC competitors to a diner, he asked them to elevate American comfort food classics to Kitchen Stadium fare. This time, the transformation of classics will take on a global accent. The chefs leave the diner in groups of three to visit three international classic eateries for inspiration. Using what they've learned, the chefs re-imagine and create an innovative take on these humble international classics.

For the final cooking challenge in Las Vegas, the three remaining Chefs must demonstrate their passion for cooking ... and their passion to become the Next Iron Chef. Each Judge selects an ingredient that stirs his/her own culinary passion which will shape the chefs' "last supper" in Las Vegas. One chef's Next Iron Chef dream will end after this meal and the final two will move on to Kitchen Stadium -- who will be "The Next Iron Chef?"

Ten great chefs arrive on "redemption beach" to find that they must cook with the ingredient that sent them packing from previous Next Iron Chef competitions. The chefs must re-write their unpleasant histories with these ingredients and get a jumpstart on the road to redemption. Who will fail to redeem themselves and go down in flames?

The six remaining chefs arrive at an airplane hangar to discover an ingredient auction. In this auction, the currency to win is the chef's cooking time. These aren't just any ingredients, the Chairman has given the chefs ingredients so large; they're transported in freight trucks. Can each chef risk their cooking-time to make their bids, and still have enough time left to cook these giant ingredients?

The chefs arrive at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, where renowned photographer, Todd Selby, captures each chef's unique personality in a single snapshot. The Chefs return to the kitchen and must use these photos as inspiration for putting one of their opponents' personalities on a plate, in just one simple, tasty and delightful bite.

The four remaining chefs have dazzled the judges with their culinary magic and now, they meet with legendary Las Vegas magician David Copperfield. Through a little sleight of hand, Copperfield "magically" produces an ingredient that must be used by the chefs as they tackle one of the Chairman's classic challenges from the past -- the re-invention of the Las Vegas buffet. The chefs cook in teams and must create a buffet that is Iron Chef worthy and transcendent in both flavor and presentation.

The seven remaining chefs have reached the half-way point in this competition and now they must not only battle for their own redemption, but they must prove they can redeem and transform ingredients that some would think are unworthy for Kitchen Stadium, into Iron Chef-worthy fare.