The cooks take a culinary trip down memory lane as they prepare dishes in honour of special occasions and holiday traditions.

The cooks prepare grab-and-go meals, from breakfast burritos to musubi; in the second round, the cooks make home-baked treats and part of the first "Great American Recipe" Bake Sale.

The cooks prepare their favourite comfort food and a dish inspired by a loved one; recipes range from bacon-wrapped meatloaf to chicken curry.

Challenges for the home cooks include a best-in-a-pinch recipe and a noodle dish representing their heritage.

A new group of home cooks compete to win "The Great American Recipe"; the cooks prepare dishes that define them as well as a recipe that showcases their geographical region.