Cooks vs. Cons

Watch Cooks vs. Cons

  • 2016
  • 5 Seasons
  • 5.4  (183)

Cooks vs. Cons is a popular cooking competition show that aired on Food Network in 2016. The show is hosted by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and features judges Daphne Oz and Alex Guarnaschelli. The premise of the show revolves around a group of professional chefs competing against amateur cooks who are trying to pass themselves off as professionals. The judges are tasked with trying to distinguish between the two groups and awarding points based on taste, presentation, and overall execution. In each episode, four contestants are introduced, two of whom are professional chefs and two of whom are amateurs. The contestants are then given a mystery basket of ingredients and must create a dish within a set amount of time. The judges taste the dishes and award points based on their impressions. Throughout the competition, the contestants are given additional challenges and obstacles, such as using unusual ingredients or being forced to cook with limited resources. The judges continue to evaluate the dishes, and at the end of each challenge, the contestant with the least points is eliminated. The final challenge of the show pits the remaining contestants against each other in a head-to-head battle. The judges are given blind tastings of the dishes and must choose a winner based solely on the taste and presentation of the food. One of the most interesting aspects of Cooks vs. Cons is the opportunity for the amateurs to compete against experienced chefs. The show allows home cooks to showcase their skills and potentially win prizes and recognition for their culinary abilities. Another unique aspect of the show is the unpredictability of the challenges. With mystery baskets and surprise twists thrown in, the contestants must think on their feet and adapt to the situation in order to succeed. The judges on the show are also noteworthy, with all three bringing their own expertise and perspective to the competition. Geoffrey Zakarian is a celebrated chef and restaurateur, while Daphne Oz is a noted author and television personality. Alex Guarnaschelli is an acclaimed chef and judge on other Food Network shows, giving her a wealth of experience in evaluating dishes. Overall, Cooks vs. Cons is an engaging and exciting cooking competition that offers something for both home cooks and seasoned professionals. With unexpected twists and turns and a talented group of judges, the show is a must-watch for any food lover.

Cooks vs. Cons
Filter by Source

Seasons
Pizza Party
13. Pizza Party
September 20, 2017
The cooks and cons incorporate ranch dressing into their pizzas.
Endless Pastabilities
12. Endless Pastabilities
September 20, 2017
The cooks and cons have host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Jose Garces and Justin Warner raving about their chip-infused ravioli dishes in round one. In the second round, the contestants must make peace with the surprise ingredient and incorporate chickpeas into their dishes.
Nacho Average Cook
11. Nacho Average Cook
September 13, 2017
The pros and amateurs freshen things up when host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Katie Lee and Aarti Sequeira task them with incorporating peppermint into a breakfast hash. Then, in round two, the remaining contestants must melt the judges' hearts with their best dish using nachos.
Spice and Ice
10. Spice and Ice
September 6, 2017
In round one, the cooks and cons have to put the ice in spice when they are tasked with incorporating flavored ice pops into curry. Then, in round two, the remaining contestants hit the gas using beans in their dishes as host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Amanda Freitag and Alex Guarnaschelli suss out the pros and amateurs.
A Lotta Empanada
9. A Lotta Empanada
August 30, 2017
The pros and amateurs go nuts as they create empanadas with hazelnuts in round one. Then, in round two, host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Josh Capon and Aarti Sequeira are in despair trying to separate the remaining contestants into cooks and cons while they prepare masterpieces with pears.
Iron Chef Shakeup
8. Iron Chef Shakeup
August 23, 2017
The cooks and cons make stuffed mushrooms that incorporate vanilla.
Open Sesame
7. Open Sesame
August 16, 2017
The judges determine who best fused sesame into a New Orleans po' boy.
Not Your Mama's Meatloaf
6. Not Your Mama's Meatloaf
August 9, 2017
In round one, host Geoffrey Zakarian has the pros and amateurs create spins on the American classic, meatloaf, by adding a little citrus to the mix. Then, the heat is on in round two when the cooks and cons must infuse their dishes with jalapenos to impress judges Carla Hall and Daphne Oz and take home the win.
The Whole Enchilada
5. The Whole Enchilada
August 2, 2017
The competitors create their best enchilada dishes incorporating cereal.
Meatball Madness
4. Meatball Madness
July 26, 2017
In the first round, meatball subs sound easy enough, but it takes some pro moves to make them with unusual buns; in round two, the cooks and cons incorporate pomegranates; judges Aarti Sequeira and Justin Warner decide who wins.
High Steaks
3. High Steaks
July 19, 2017
In round one, the cooks and cons create chicken fried steak dishes with peas; in round two, host Geoffrey Zakarian and judges Beau MacMillan and Daphne Oz try to grind out the pros and cons after they are challenged with using pecans in their dishes.
Biscuits and Gravy
2. Biscuits and Gravy
July 12, 2017
In round one, the cooks and cons must incorporate berries into their biscuit and gravy dishes; in round two, the cooks and cons try to play nice in a battle of licorice.
Ballpark BBQ
1. Ballpark BBQ
July 5, 2017
In round one, the cooks and cons are tasked with fusing corn and hot dogs; after one contestant strikes out, the remaining contestants continue to round two in hopes of making their best dish, incorporating barbecue.
Description

Cooks vs. Cons is a popular cooking competition show that aired on Food Network in 2016. The show is hosted by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and features judges Daphne Oz and Alex Guarnaschelli. The premise of the show revolves around a group of professional chefs competing against amateur cooks who are trying to pass themselves off as professionals. The judges are tasked with trying to distinguish between the two groups and awarding points based on taste, presentation, and overall execution.

In each episode, four contestants are introduced, two of whom are professional chefs and two of whom are amateurs. The contestants are then given a mystery basket of ingredients and must create a dish within a set amount of time. The judges taste the dishes and award points based on their impressions.

Throughout the competition, the contestants are given additional challenges and obstacles, such as using unusual ingredients or being forced to cook with limited resources. The judges continue to evaluate the dishes, and at the end of each challenge, the contestant with the least points is eliminated.

The final challenge of the show pits the remaining contestants against each other in a head-to-head battle. The judges are given blind tastings of the dishes and must choose a winner based solely on the taste and presentation of the food.

One of the most interesting aspects of Cooks vs. Cons is the opportunity for the amateurs to compete against experienced chefs. The show allows home cooks to showcase their skills and potentially win prizes and recognition for their culinary abilities.

Another unique aspect of the show is the unpredictability of the challenges. With mystery baskets and surprise twists thrown in, the contestants must think on their feet and adapt to the situation in order to succeed.

The judges on the show are also noteworthy, with all three bringing their own expertise and perspective to the competition. Geoffrey Zakarian is a celebrated chef and restaurateur, while Daphne Oz is a noted author and television personality. Alex Guarnaschelli is an acclaimed chef and judge on other Food Network shows, giving her a wealth of experience in evaluating dishes.

Overall, Cooks vs. Cons is an engaging and exciting cooking competition that offers something for both home cooks and seasoned professionals. With unexpected twists and turns and a talented group of judges, the show is a must-watch for any food lover.

Cooks vs. Cons is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (57 episodes). The series first aired on March 15, 2016.

Where to Watch Cooks vs. Cons

Cooks vs. Cons is available for streaming on the Food Network website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Cooks vs. Cons on demand at Google Play and Apple TV.

  • Premiere Date
    March 15, 2016
  • IMDB Rating
    5.4  (183)