Chopped After Hours

The judges savor a chance to slip into the Chopped Kitchen to cook after hours! In round one, it's brine time for Marc Murphy, Geoffrey Zakarian and Alex Guarnaschelli, who take on ingredients from a pickle-themed competition. Then, Amanda Freitag, Marcus Samuelsson and Alex peel, smash and sear their way through a potato-themed round two, while Ted Allen has some fun with a tater imitator. In a chocolate-themed round three, Amanda sets out to make a gourmet ice cream sandwich, while Maneet Chauhan has ambitious plans to make baked Alaska -- but will it be possible to plate perfect desserts before the clock runs out?

When the competition is over, the judges stick around to do what they do best: cook incredible food! Round one features three outstanding pork belly and walnut appetizers, plus some light-hearted thievery and spontaneous dumpling delivery. Round two finds Scott Conant uncertain of what to do with hamachi collar -- will inspiration strike with enough time on the clock? Then, round three challenges the judges to turn ugly foods into gorgeous entrees while trying to ignore a frighteningly funny intruder.

On their feet and at the stoves, the judges take on the same confounding ingredients as Chopped competitors! Everybody gets revved up for a food truck-themed round one, and Marcus Samuelsson devises a dish that's just odd enough to be brilliant. In round two, it's game on with Cornish game hen with positively yummy results. Round three finds the chefs revisiting a dessert basket from a Chopped grilling special and Ted Allen finds time to grill up snacks for his busy buds.

The tables are turned as the Chopped judges take to the kitchen and triumph over baskets that had chef contestants flummoxed.