Ramsay splits the 18 aspiring chefs into two teams and asks them to present their signature dishes; the winning team spends time with Ramsay and chef Wolfgang Puck, while the losers set up the living arrangements.

The team that wins the Geoduck sashimi challenge spends time on a luxury yacht with Ramsay, while the losers clean and prepare for dinner service.

Ramsay uses a unique recipe challenge to strengthen team communication; the teams work together to prepare a dinner service with special guests, including TV host Wendy Williams.

The teams have just 20 minutes to prepare breakfast for culinary school graduates and their guests; while the winning team goes to San Francisco to meet chef Dominique Chen, the losers grind meat by hand for dinner service.

The top 14 battle it out for a place in the next phase of the competition. The remaining chefs have a challenge, identifying the correct protein and matching them to dishes. The winning team has a treat, going to the beach with water polo players Genai Kerr, Shea Buckner and Tumua Anae.

The teams must herd farm animals into their proper pens and decide which proteins and starches they will use next; the winning team goes on a wine tour, while the losers prepare stock bones; tempers flare during the dinner service.

The teams compete to create the best Italian opera-inspired dishes, with the winning team getting a shopping trip and a VIP dinner; the teams provide dinner service for guests, including members of the Italian Consulate.

The teams meet new members before heading into a team challenge in which each member must prepare a tasting menu for a Best in Show Competition with the American Kennel Club.

The teams have to roll the dice in order to decide who takes part in the next team challenge. The cooks have to serve music legends including Steven Tyler and Stewart Copeland. One chef has to leave due to a injury.

Contestants must create four Indian-inspired meals; the teams attempt to impress VIP dinner guests during Indian Cuisine night.

The remaining eight chefs compete in a blind taste test, during which wrong answers lead to a dip in a dunk tank, and the winning team gets to spend the day at the Santa Monica Pier. Later, there's a special dinner service honoring firefighters that doesn't go as well as Chef Ramsay wanted.

The remaining seven chefs are challenged to make an artistic amuse-bouche inspired by speed painter Tim Decker; and later, the teams struggle with communication and getting their food out on time during a dinner service that sees one contestant sent home before the elimination ceremony begins.

Having receiving their black jackets, the remaining chefs have to make a dish using Omaha steaks.

The finals five battle it out to try and secure a place in the next phase of the competition.

The remaining chefs prepare a dinner service, after which two contestants advance to the final.

The two finalists face their final challenge before this year's winner is revealed.