Season 8 begins with Tyler Florence returning for a rematch against reigning champ Anne Burrell. First, they choose 14 terrible cooks during an open casting call.
It comes down to the wire, as the teams stuff and prepare a delicate cut of meat. But first, the recruits have their food knowledge tested in a game show-style battle, where they go head-to-head to win steps for an incomplete recipe.
The recruits learn about flavor combinations by taste-testing some unlikely pairings. Later, they get creative constructing unique ice cream sandwiches; and they come up with interesting fillings for empanadas.
A lesson in multitasking is followed by the recruits, scrambling to cook four eggs in four different ways. Later, Asian street food determines who stays and who goes.
The final four home cooks must recreate a dish using only their taste buds and new skills. Then, they make a revamped version of their signature dishes for their loved ones, who must judge each dish without knowing who cooked it.
Anne and Tyler's final two recruits plan a refined three-course menu for a judges' panel of culinary experts. In the end, only the dishes can prove which recruit has gone from worst to best and will win the $25,000 prize.