Scripps Networks Interactive-owned Food Network will travel back in time this summer with its five-part competition spin-off Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament.
Series host Alton Brown (pictured) will oversee 16 chefs as they barrel through four decades – beginning in the 1950s and ending in the 1990s – for the opportunity to win US$50,000.
Each episode will see four culinary contestants battle their way through decade-specific foods, clothing and obstacles. In the 1950s, competitors will journey to the all-American 1950s diner to serve up milkshakes and fries, while plating Chicken Kiev on the protest signs of the 1960s. In the 1970s, chefs will take on a disco-themed quiche challenge while the 1980s will see the challengers renting VHS tapes to acquire the ingredients for a Chinese chicken salad.
The final decade, meanwhile, will see the winning cooks of each time warp heat revisiting the rising boy band trend of the 1990s to deliver a BBQ chicken pizza.
The judging panel includes such celebrity chefs as Simon Majumdar, Jet Tila, Richard Blais, Antonia Lofaso and Marc Summers.
Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament premieres June 1 at 9 p.m. EST/PST on Food Network.
“Taking Cutthroat Kitchen and Alton back in time adds a whole new level of intensity and humor to the competition,” said Didi O’Hearn, senior VP of programming for Food Network. “Viewers will love revisiting the trends of each decade – from quintessential dishes to Alton’s amazing wardrobe, each episode is a time capsule of retro food, fashion and fun.”