The BEST episodes of The Taste

#1 - Finale: Triple Threat

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/12/2013

The final four contestants each present three dishes to the judges; after an elimination, the remaining contestants must prepare their most decadent dish in hope of wowing the judges and claiming the grand prize.

#2 - Seduction

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/5/2013

The seven semi-finalists must seduce the judges with a single, sumptuous spoonful of their latest dish; three cooks are eliminated.

#3 - The Art of the Sandwich

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/19/2013

As the contestants are tasked with creating the perfect sandwich, tensions rise among the judges; chefs Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone serve as guest judges.

#4 - Go Green

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/30/2014

Everyone is shocked when a cook mysteriously decides to leave the competition; when faced with a vegetarian challenge, the teams prepare dishes that include curry and pasta.

#5 - Daring Pairings

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/12/2013

Each team must use five unique ingredients as it tries to create the best dish; each contestant has to prepare a dish that pairs best with a selected wine.

#6 - Street Food

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/23/2014

The teams create dishes inspired by street food.

#7 - My Life on a Plate

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/9/2014

Each mentor shares memories of food that reminds him or her of home, then assigns the team a dish to give a personal spin; two contestants are eliminated.

#8 - Nose to Tail

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/26/2013

The contestants are pushed out of their culinary comfort zones when asked to not waste any parts of an animal; Greg Morin and David McMillan serve as guest judges.

#9 - Comfort Food

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/5/2013

The mentors work with teams of four cooks to create comfort food dishes; two contestants are eliminated.

#10 - Auditions (2)

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/29/2013

#11 - Guilty Pleasures

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/16/2014

The contestants put their own spin on dishes favored by the mentors; two cooks are sent home; guest judge Aaron Sanchez.

#12 - The Sweetest Thing

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/6/2014

The cooks create desserts with combinations of fruity, sweet and savory ingredients; guest judge Christina Tosi; six contestants advance.

#13 - Good With Beer

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/13/2014

The cooks go to restaurants in Los Angeles for beer and food pairings; a challenge determines which cooks move on to the finale.

#14 - The Auditions

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/2/2014

Cooks compete in the first round of blind taste tests.

#15 - Auditions (1)

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/22/2013

Professional and amateur chefs compete in the first round of blind taste tests.

#16 - Under the Sea

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/11/2014

Contestants prepare dishes from the sea, including steamed fish, seafood stew and shellfish in miso broth. Eric Ripert is the guest judge.

#17 - Bring the Heat

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/15/2015

The contestants are challenged to turn up the heat with spicy dishes such as Szechuan pepper and pork. Two cooks are eliminated, identifying which contestants will compete in the season finale. Andy Ricker is the guest chef.

#18 - Happy New Year

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/1/2015

It’s a new year and there’s a new battle brewing in the kitchen when the remaining cooks are tasked with making delicious dishes bursting with decadent and elevated flavors with ingredients like champagne, shellfish and caviar. Chef Michael Symon is guest judge.

#19 - The Finale

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/20/2014

The four remaining cooks must create dishes inspired by ingredients that include liver, tripe and scallops; chef Jacques Pepin serves as a guest judge.

#20 - Happy Holidays

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/18/2014

The 13 remaining cooks compete in a holiday-theme challenge that features dishes based on fowl and spiced chocolate desserts. Naomi Pomeroy is the guest judge.

#21 - Auditions & Childhood

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/4/2014

The home cooks and professional chefs compete in a childhood-inspired challenge; a competitor is sent home; guest judge Stephanie Izard.

#22 - The Finale

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/22/2015

The mentors give the final five cooks their final challenge: to create dishes with two opposite ideas and culinary concepts. Then, the winner is chosen.

#23 - Latin

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/8/2015

A Latin-flavored show has contestants creating ceviche, tacos and more. Javier Plascencia is the guest mentor.