Food Network's CUTTHROAT KITCHEN: TIME WARP TOURNAMENT Debuts Today

Food Network takes a nostalgic trip through decades of food trends this summer in the five-episode primetime competition CUTTHROAT KITCHEN: TIME WARP TOURNAMENT, with host Alton Brown leading sixteen talented, sabotage-hungry chefs through the culinary mayhem and a chance to win up to $50,000. Starting with the 1950s and ending in the 1990s, each heat is all about the iconic dishes and cultural touchstones of one decade. From 1950s diners and protest signs of the 1960s to 1970s disco, the video game mania of the 1980s and the boy band explosion of the 1990s, each battle reflects the food, clothes and crazes of years gone by. Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament premieres today, June 1st at 9pm (all times ET/PT), leading up to a final showdown between the four heat winners on Wednesday, June 29th at 9pm.

"Taking CUTTHROAT KITCHEN and Alton back in time adds a whole new level of intensity and humor to the competition," said Didi O'Hearn, Senior Vice President, Programming, Food Network. "Viewers will love revisiting the trends of each decade - from quintessential dishes to Alton's amazing wardrobe, each episode is a time capsule of retro food, fashion and fun."

Episodes are:
Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament - 1950s Premieres Wednesday, June 1st at 9pm
The chefs kick off the tournament by stuffing themselves into a 1950s phone booth as they make an all-American breakfast. Then, one chef shows off his rock and roll moves to win ingredients for a TV dinner. Finally, a contestant must wear a dress blowing in their face, ala Marilyn, while making a milkshake and fries.
Competitors: Guilherme Barreto (New York, New York), Chris Gentile (San Diego, California), Dwayne Ingraham (Oxford, Mississippi), Jessica Roy (Boston, Massachusetts)
Judge: Simon Majumdar

Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament - 1960s Premieres Wednesday, June 8th at 9pm
The chefs head back to the 1960s by riding around THE KITCHEN in a mustard submarine. Then, contestants have to prep Chicken Kiev on protest signs. In the last challenge, one chef must make BANANA pudding while wearing a space suit.
Competitors: DeMarco Ellis (Lancaster, California), Nancy Manlove (Houston, Texas), Perry Pollaci (Los Angeles, California), Jose Rego (New Bedford, Massachusetts)
Judge: Jet Tila

Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament - 1970s Premieres Wednesday, June 15th at 9pm
The chefs must ride on a 1970s BANANA seat bicycle while making hamburger mac and cheese, followed by a disco-themed quiche challenge. Next, a chef must dress up as a human disco ball and make Crepes Suzette.
Competitors: Adia Benson (Lake Forest, Illinois), Clay Carnes (Wellington, Florida), Martha Esquivel (Los Angeles, California), Chris Mortenson (St. Helena, California)
Judge: Richard Blais

Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament - 1980s Premieres Wednesday, June 22nd at 9pm
For the 1980s themed battle, the chefs have to rent VHS tapes to get the ingredients for their Chinese chicken salad. Then, one must cook a blackened fish dish in a bouncing cigarette boat. Finally, a competitor has to play a giant, live-action video game as they make a toaster pastry.
Competitors: Guy Clark (Caramel Valley, California), Craig Jones (Detroit, Michigan), Won Kim (Chicago, Illinois), Elizabeth Solheim (Chicago, Illinois)
Judge: Antonia Lofaso

Cutthroat Kitchen: Time Warp Tournament Finale - 1990s Premieres Wednesday, June 29th at 9pm
The winners of each heat time warp back to the 1990s for the finale, where the chefs revisit the 90s boy band craze and make BBQ Chicken Pizza. Next, two chefs cook fried calamari while riding on a ship's bow. In the last challenge, a chef has to go through a giant, physically challenging obstacle course while making cookie dough ice cream.
Judge: Marc Summers

Fans can experience more from Alton's diabolical series at FoodNetwork.com/Cutthroat. Look for exclusive web series Alton's After-Show, behind-the-scenes footage, photos, interviews and much more. Join the conversation on Twitter using #CutthroatKitchen.

Cutthroat Kitchen is produced by Embassy Row.

Image courtesy of Food Network