A late-night snack theme yields cheesy loaded potato bites, Philly cheesesteak wontons and creamy Tuscan salmon pasta. Guest judge: Kristen Kish.

A late-night snack theme yields cheesy loaded potato bites, Philly cheesesteak wontons and creamy Tuscan salmon pasta. Guest judge: Kristen Kish.

Date night comes to the kitchen with an array of aphrodisiac appetizers and wildly reimagined beef Wellingtons. Guest judge: Derrell Smith.

Date night comes to the kitchen with an array of aphrodisiac appetizers and wildly reimagined beef Wellingtons. Guest judge: Derrell Smith.

It's a battle of the moms with kid-friendly eats, from a cat-shaped broccoli cheddar waffle to chocolatey cupcakes. Guest judge: Jacques Torres.

It's a battle of the moms with kid-friendly eats, from a cat-shaped broccoli cheddar waffle to chocolatey cupcakes. Guest judge: Jacques Torres.

Contestants cook up festive cheer and big flavors with no-bake desserts and a Thanksgiving dinner made in under 75 minutes. Guest judge: Alyse Whitney.

Contestants cook up festive cheer and big flavors with no-bake desserts and a Thanksgiving dinner made in under 75 minutes. Guest judge: Alyse Whitney.

The most important meal of the day gets all the love with waffle rancheros, breakfast pizza and a savory Dutch baby. Guest judge: Kat Kinsman.

The most important meal of the day gets all the love with waffle rancheros, breakfast pizza and a savory Dutch baby. Guest judge: Kat Kinsman.

Contestants cook a flattened pork loin with a hotel iron and other on-the-go hacks in a series of vacation-themed battles. Guest judge: Alisa Reynolds.

Contestants cook a flattened pork loin with a hotel iron and other on-the-go hacks in a series of vacation-themed battles. Guest judge: Alisa Reynolds.

A tricky two-round poultry challenge spawns homey dishes like Cajun pasta, pollo guisado and "hillbilly" chicken piccata. Guest judge: Monti Carlo.

A tricky two-round poultry challenge spawns homey dishes like Cajun pasta, pollo guisado and "hillbilly" chicken piccata. Guest judge: Monti Carlo.

Creative cooks ring in the new year with decadent finger foods, then use luxurious ingredients to make an entree and a dessert. Guest judge: Ilan Hall.

Creative cooks ring in the new year with decadent finger foods, then use luxurious ingredients to make an entree and a dessert. Guest judge: Ilan Hall.