Twelve talented chefs nominated by co-workers and loved ones for their tempers, stubbornness and egos enter the kitchen to work on themselves and their food; first, they work in teams to create a four-course menu for the judges.

The chefs enter the kitchen to find Martha cooking her famous roasted chicken; each team must prepare five appetizers one at a time to go with the roast; timing is key in this challenge and the chefs need to trust each other to succeed.

Egos are tested in the kitchen when the chefs are presented with mystery boxes; Martha and José offer the captains a risky choice.

The chefs are used to being leaders in their own kitchens - critiquing their team's work, deciding what goes on the menu and determining what makes it out of the kitchen and onto a diner's table. In this challenge, the tables are turned.

The chefs sit down for a family-style dinner and taste and judge each other's food alongside José and Martha. The decision of who enters the cook-off will be fully in the chefs' hands. Will they play it safe or be bold enough to target their biggest threats?

The chefs are forced to come up with their best sweet dish to help temper the visitors who are coming back and looking for revenge. Martha and José are judging blind. The chefs in the cook-off are fired up to stay in the competition.

The chefs will be asked to create a cohesive three-course menu and prepare any dishes they want for a room full of diners. They'll need to win head-to-head culinary battles to acquire ingredients, but will they know their limits?

The chefs make a dish worthy of a high-end restaurant that shows off their creativity and technique, but they won't be cooking these dishes themselves. Will the chefs' high standards hinder their success or will their futures be left to fate?

The final four chefs are faced with the consequences of their past behaviors. Do they have good karma or will they get what's coming to them? Stakes are higher than ever as a spot in the finale is on the line.

The chefs will be tasked with preparing their very best three-course menu for José, Martha, a room full of diners and special guests. To see how much the chefs have grown, they'll be bringing in some familiar faces to lend a helping hand.