Season 1

01 The Entrance Exam
53mUpon 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.
2025-09-17
02 Global Food Test
46mTo demonstrate their mastery of global cuisine, the chefs must craft family-style dishes specific to Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean.
2025-09-17
03 Core Creativity
42mThey can dole out flavors, but can they take feedback? The chefs devise savory dishes using apples, and the judges introduce a game-changing twist.
2025-09-17
04 Grading The Brigade
42mThe chefs navigate curveball after curveball during the dinner service of nightmares as they run an elevated gastropub as a brigade for the first time.
2025-09-17
05 Fast Casual Exam
49mIn 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.
2025-09-17
06 Baking the Grade
40mThe 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.
2025-09-17
07 Souffle Showdown
50mIn 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.
2025-09-17
08 Graduation Day
53mFor 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.
2025-09-24




