The remaining finalists think they're cooking solo at an exclusive private event for foodies and tastemakers, but en route to their destination, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay reveal a twist -- they'll be cooking and presenting in teams. When they arrive, each team discovers their event theme, ingredients and decor in the trunk of their vehicle. They must pull together an international-themed party and team demo for the crowd, which includes Bobby, Giada and guest judge Tyler Florence, with one finalist eliminated at the end of the day.

It's the halfway point in the competition, so for the first challenge the finalists are judged on their progress so far. But the tables are turned when they find out they must judge themselves! Then they're thrown in the deep end when People Magazine editor-in-chief Jess Cagle splits them into two teams to judge and evaluate mentors Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis on their own dishes. What the finalists don't know is that the bottom two on each panel will compete in a sudden death cook-off, and two finalists will be sent packing.

The remaining finalists enter the popular world of podcasting as they team up to create food podcasts about colorful snacks. Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis and guest judge Richard Blais listen and critique. After deciding whose voices paint the prettiest picture, the finalists are split up into two teams for field reports from Los Angeles' hottest food hall, The Proud Bird. These destination videos are screened and critiqued by Bobby, Giada and Food Network Star alum and co-host of Southern and Hungry, Damaris Phillips, to determine which competitor is eliminated.

Ten Food Network Star hopefuls are greeted by Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay at Universal Orlando Resort's Volcano Bay to kick off the competition with a surprise -- the results of Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen and who will be joining the competition. Then each finalist must create a portable version of their signature dish and go head-to-head with another competitor to convince park guests to try their dish. The heat is on, and it's not just the volcano, as Giada and Bobby decide who gets sent home in the first elimination.