Season 1

1. The Entrance Exam

2025-09-17 · 53m

Upon arriving at the CIA, the chefs are split into teams and must create a menu inspired by culinary icons Anthony Bourdain, Julia Child and Paul Bocuse.

2. Global Food Test

2025-09-17 · 46m

To demonstrate their mastery of global cuisine, the chefs must craft family-style dishes specific to Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean.

3. Core Creativity

2025-09-17 · 42m

They can dole out flavors, but can they take feedback? The chefs devise savory dishes using apples, and the judges introduce a game-changing twist.

4. Grading The Brigade

2025-09-17 · 42m

The chefs navigate curveball after curveball during the dinner service of nightmares as they run an elevated gastropub as a brigade for the first time.

5. Fast Casual Exam

2025-09-17 · 49m

In a two-part challenge, the chefs create fast casual dining menus — but only two winning concepts will launch and go head-to-head in the CIA cafeteria.

6. Baking the Grade

2025-09-17 · 40m

The heat is on as the chefs race to bake 36 portions of a treat using a culinary byproduct in just five hours. Christina Tosi joins as a guest judge.

7. Souffle Showdown

2025-09-17 · 50m

In the semifinals, the chefs must make a fine dining entrée and flex or fake their soufflé skills for guest judges Daniel Boulud and Kwame Onwuachi.

8. Graduation Day

2025-09-24 · 53m

For their last exam, the chefs must make a themed four-course meal for 70 VIP diners, including legendary chef Thomas Keller and CIA president Tim Ryan.