Worst Cooks in America — Reality Check

Jan 20261h 24m

The newest batch of celebrity recruits are trading scripts for spatulas as they enter culinary boot camp. Chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry are ready to mold these stars into kitchen MVPs -- but first, they need to see what they're working with. In the baseline challenge, the celebs whip up red-carpet-worthy dishes to show off (or expose) their culinary chops. Then, in the main dish challenge, the chefs turn up the heat and teach their teams bold and spicy piri piri chicken. Some recruits rise to the occasion, while others fizzle out. The least successful celebs must face off in a blind elimination cook-off, and only one will survive to cook another day.

Jan 20261h 3m

The teams go head-to-head in movie genre-inspired challenges that test their palates, culinary knowledge and dramatic instincts. For the skill drill challenge, the celebs must nail a classic combo: soup and a sandwich. Later, the spotlight shifts to the main dish challenge, where chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry roll out a show-stopping pairing: eggplant parmesan and handmade pasta. The stars with the best performances move on, but the bottom two must battle it out in a blind elimination cook-off featuring a sweet and savory appetizer.

Jan 20261h 3m

The celebrity teams hustle during "The Worst Lotus," a head-to-head relay race through a faux-luxury resort to create poolside platters. After sweating it out, the recruits tackle a seafood classic: crab cakes. In the main dish challenge, chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry have their teams dive into the deep end with seafood curry. The recruits who shine move on, while the bottom two face a blind elimination cook-off, preparing seared fish with a tropical sauce.

Jan 2026

The recruits find themselves in a dusty Wild West town where sheriffs and chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry wrangle them into action. In the skill drill challenge, the celebs must reclaim stolen recipe ingredients and rustle up some Tex-Mex tacos. Then, it's time for a high-stakes main dish challenge: cowboy rib-eye steaks with potato and vegetable sides. The best recruits advance to the next week, but for the bottom two, it's a blind elimination cook-off showdown making loaded quesadillas with a dipping sauce.

Jan 2026

The recruits swap their designer threads for aprons as they host their very own award-worthy afterparty. From menu planning to décor, the teams must take charge of creating an event that's high on flavor and flair. Once the party's over, it's time for the main dish challenge, where chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry task their teams with crafting brunch burgers with fries and a Bloody Mary -- the ultimate morning-after meal. For the bottom two, the pressure builds in the blind elimination cook-off where they must make avocado toast with a fried egg.

Feb 2026

The recruits embark on a mission as culinary spies and race through a scavenger hunt to uncover ingredients and piece together a mystery dish. Then, in the main dish challenge, chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry teach their teams how to make elevated proteins and luxury desserts. But the pressure doesn't stop there -- the bottom two face off in a blind elimination cook-off to create a high-end hors d'oeuvre worthy of a secret agent's approval.

Feb 2026

The finale kicks off with an all-out brawl in "Bite Club," where the recruits team up for a high-stakes, no-holds-barred culinary battle royale. In their final skill drill challenge, the last four recruits must craft a composed dish that shows off everything they've learned. Then, it's down to the final two as chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry mentor them in preparing a three-course restaurant-quality meal. Judges Judy Joo, Viet Pham and Justin Sutherland decide who takes home the $25,000 charity prize and ultimate bragging rights!