Top Chef Masters

All ye food lovers, it's time to celebrate! "Top Chef Masters," returns for season two and once again the judges' table will be turned, when the world-renowned chefs compete against each other in pursuit of $100,000 to be awarded to the charity of their choice. The first episode brings together six exceptional chefs including Ana Sortun (Oleana), Govind Armstrong (8 oz Burger Bar), Jerry Traunfeld (Poppy), Jimmy Bradley (The Red Cat), Susan Feniger (Street) and Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia). Love is in the air as the Masters are challenged to evoke their sensual side using known aphrodisiac ingredients in the creation of a sumptuous meal to suit couples on a first date.

Catering to the desires of celebrity diners is essential to a Top Chef's career, and this week five Masters are put to the test. Carmen Gonzalez (Chef Consultant), David Burke (David Burke Townhouse), Marcus Samuelsson (The Red Rooster), Monica Pope (T'afia) and Thierry Rautureau (Rovers) face off at the posh Thompson hotel in Beverly Hills. The renowned chefs are charged with crafting an unforgettable meal for a birthday party thrown by award-winning actor Mekhi Phifer and his closest friends.

Week three brings the chefs to the cramped kitchen of Tom Bergin's Tavern on Fairfax, the oldest Irish establishment in LA, where they must re-invent traditional pub dishes ranging from bangers and mash to fish 'n' chips. Graham Elliot Bowles (Graham Elliot Restaurant), Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto), Ludo Lefebvre (Ludo Bites), Mark Peel (Campanile), Rick Moonen (Rick Moonen's RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay) and Wylie Dufresne (wd~50) go head- to- head in a rousing attempt to satisfy the venue's clientele with old-school tastes and skeptical attitudes towards 'modern' pub food.

Continually striving to be cutting edge, this week's batch of master chefs must cook for the most modern group in the entertainment landscape - the cast and crew of the hit TV series, "Modern Family." Competing to make classic dishes current are five top chefs from far ends of North America, including Debbie Gold (The American Restaurant), Jody Adams (Rialto Restaurant), Maria Hines (Tilth), Rick Tramonto (TRU) and Susur Lee (Madeline's).

The kitchen heats up as the top eight chefs advance to the Champions round and face-off for the ultimate title of Top Chef Master. In a quickfire repeat from season 6 of "Top Chef," the Masters are split into two teams for a blindfolded relay race to be judged by restaurant critic Jay Rayner. The atmosphere turns festive during the elimination round as the same teams are challenged to cater a wedding in San Juan Capistrano -- out of mobile kitchens.

Springfield comes alive on "Top Chef Masters" as Hank Azaria, Matt Groening, and Matt Selman - the voices and writers behind the critically acclaimed series, "The Simpsons" - drop by to judge the quickfire challenge based on their character's appetites. In the elimination round, the seven remaining chef's must combine exotic, and often unappetizing proteins in an appealing surf-and-turf inspired duo.

The game is on as the Masters are charged with the task of cooking one of the most difficult parts on any animal -- the leg. This quickfire round will be judged by Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Jason Lezak and food critic Jay Rayner. In the spirit of competition, the elimination challenge brings the chefs to a University of Southern California home football game where they must perfect the art of tailgating for the hungry fans.

A classic quickfire returns when the remaining five chefs must play a round of "Name That Ingredient." Then it's a battle of heavenly proportions as the Masters are challenged to create a divine dish inspired by a Greek God.

In an entertaining penultimate episode, the remaining four chefs' sense of humor is put to the test. A trip to the storied improv comedy club, the Groundlings, gives the chef's 3 words of inspiration from which to create their dishes.

In the climactic finale of "Top Chef Masters," three accomplished chefs stand to face their final challenge and only one chef is crowned Top Chef Master.