Food Network’s “Wildcard Kitchen” is back, and things are about to get saucy—literally. In Tuesday’s episode, “James Beard Brawl,” airing at 9 PM Eastern Time, three James Beard Award-winning chefs—Stephanie Izard, Jonathon Sawyer, and Karen Akunowicz—enter the culinary arena. Host Eric Adjepong presides over this high-stakes poker game where the ante is not chips, but cold, hard cash, and the pot is, well, bragging rights, mostly.
The format, as always, is a blend of cooking competition and high-stakes poker. Chefs bet their own money on their dishes, a twist that adds a palpable layer of tension to the proceedings. While it’s doubtful any of these culinary titans will be hitting the pawn shop after a bad hand, the competitive spirit and the prospect of losing to a rival should make for some compelling viewing. With mystery guest judges making the final call based on blind tastings, the outcome remains anyone’s guess.
“Wildcard Kitchen” airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Food Network.