In the premiere episode, hosts Alex Guarnaschelli and Gabe Bertaccini - who also serve as judges - welcome twelve talented chefs to an ancient grand villa in Puglia where they will live, cook and compete against each other, fusing their own culinary styles with Italian cuisine. In the first challenge, each competitor must make a dish that showcases who they are as a chef and exemplify their unique take on Italian cuisine. The winner and runner-up are named team captains for the next challenge, which focuses on the fresh fish and seafood that are a staple in Puglia - the region with the longest seacoast in Italy. Then in the first elimination round, one chef is voted out of the villa by their own team and eleven chefs remain.