The final chefs take an early-morning hot-air balloon ride in the Season 12 finale. They then face off by creating a four-course menu, after which the winner is revealed.

The chefs take a surprise trip to an organic farm, after which they create dishes featuring sweet and savory chocolate. Later, they must serve up a six-course progressive menu accented by different Mexican ingredients. Appearing: Richard Blais and Eduardo Palazuelos.

The three finalists journey to Mexico, and one eliminated contestant rejoins the competition. Then, the chefs must prepare a dish that showcases a unique type of prickly pear. Also: Local artwork inspires dishes. Appearing: chef Enrique Olvera.

Innovative bean dishes are created. Later, the culinary contestants serve up inventive fare that exemplifies the future of cooking, with the winner earning a guaranteed slot in the finals in Mexico. Appearing: Wylie Dufresne.

The chefs' family members pay surprise visits. In a twist, the family members must serve as sous chefs in a challenge that features the creation of one appetizer and one entrée.

The chefs make ramen dishes using ingredients found in college dorm rooms. Later, food luminary Jacques Pepin tasks the contestants to prepare French dishes inspired by the techniques of Julia Child. Appearing: Andy Cohen; Dana Cowin; Alex Prud'homme; Barbara Lynch; Mary Dumont; and Joanne Chang.

The chefs prepare sausage. Later, they create dishes inspired by the literary work of notable New England authors, including Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. Appearing: NFL player Rob Gronkowski; chef Tony Maws; and editor Francis Lam.

The chefs must cook chowder. Later, an ultimate tasting party with fans of the series tests the contestants. Also: The face of the competition potentially changes when eliminated chefs return. Chef Jasper White makes an appearance.

The fan-favorite "Restaurant Wars" challenge unfolds. Here, the culinarians must open their own pop-up eateries. In the all-encompassing test, they must create menus and restaurant decor and train the staff. Appearing: Barbara Lynch; Kristen Kish; and Stephanie Cmar.

The chefs create dishes using the cranberry in a task that takes them to a countryside cranberry bog. Later, they must prepare a traditional Thanksgiving feast using tools, methods and ingredients found in the 1600s. Appearing: Tiffani Faison and Ken Oringer.

The chefs create dishes on a lean budget in a challenge that features a Revolutionary War theme. Guest judge: Jamie Bissonnette.

The chefs create a bar snack for actor George Wendt at the bar from TV's "Cheers." Later, they must produce a three-course Italian menu, but a twist comes via gluten-free demands. Appearing: Emmy Rossum and culinarian Michael Schlow.

The chefs must use tea to accent dishes. Then, Boston's Fenway Park is the setting when the contestants transform ballpark fare into a fine dining dish. Appearing: Ming Tsai; former MLB player Dennis Eckersley; and sport reporter Dan Shaughnessy.

The chefs serve up surf-and-turf dishes. Later, they use surprise ingredients to create meals for Boston's police and fire personnel. Appearing: foodies Todd English and Dante de Magistris.

Season 12 opens with 16 chefs beginning their battles in Boston. Here, the chefs must cook revamped versions of the first dish they created. Richard Blais serves as a judge. Appearing: Ming Tsai; Lydia Shire; Todd English; and Tiffani Faison.