The tenth season of Kitchen Impossible, featuring eight new episodes, premiered on April 27, 2025, on VOX, airing every Sunday at 20:15 (with episodes available a week early on RTL+). This season marks a significant anniversary for the popular cooking show, hosted by the charismatic chef Tim Mälzer, who has invited a star-studded lineup of competitors to challenge him in culinary duels.
In the season opener, Mälzer faced off against Philipp Vogel, a renowned expert in Chinese cuisine. The episode took place in Cologne, Vogel's birthplace, and included a series of intense cooking challenges designed to test both chefs' skills. Mälzer, known for his bold personality and competitive spirit, aimed to reclaim his position atop the culinary world.
As the episode unfolded, Mälzer and Vogel were tasked with recreating two distinct dishes without recipes, relying solely on their taste buds. For Vogel, this meant tackling a Chinese soup that quickly became a guessing game. He was confronted with mysterious ingredients, including what he initially thought was "Leberwurst-Tofu." However, the surprise ingredient turned out to be congealed duck blood, a revelation that left Vogel both puzzled and amused.
"I had no idea what was in that soup!" Vogel remarked during the episode. "It was a real challenge trying to figure out the flavors, and I had to be creative to get close to the original dish." Despite the difficulties, Vogel managed to score six out of ten points from the judges, an impressive feat given the circumstances.
Vogel's challenges didn't end there. He faced further tests in a local Chinese restaurant, Great Wall, where he had to prepare Szechuan duck, a dish that included duck blood as an essential component. Mälzer, ever the trickster, attempted to distract Vogel with antics involving duck-themed props and dances. In another segment, Vogel had to recreate a classic Bauernente with dumplings at the Michelin-starred restaurant Zur Post in Odenthal, adding even more pressure to the competition.
In the second episode airing on May 4, 2025, Mälzer teamed up with fellow chef Cornelia Poletto, alongside their mentors Gennaro Contaldo and Anna Sgroi, for a culinary journey through Italy. The duo was set to explore the rich flavors of Italian cuisine, showcasing their skills and creativity.
As the season progresses, viewers can look forward to more exciting challenges. Episode three, scheduled for May 11, features Mälzer competing against Martin Klein, an executive chef known for his expertise in seafood. This episode promises to take the competitors to stunning locations, including Bad Goisern and Tallinn, where they will showcase their culinary prowess.
On May 18, the fourth episode will introduce a unique twist with a four-way duel involving Mälzer, rapper Marteria, The Duc Ngo, and Sido. This special edition will see the chefs cooking in Greece and Albania, while their competitors face off in South Africa.
Episode five, airing on May 25, will see Mälzer's colleague Sebastian Brugger take his place, competing in Gothenburg and Porto, while Clara Hunger steps in for Max Strohe, facing challenges in Austria and France.
June 1 will feature the "Best Friends Edition," where Mälzer reunites with his Austrian friends Mario Lohninger and Edi Frauneder in New York City, showcasing their culinary talents in a city they all have a special connection to.
One of the season's highlights will air on June 15, when British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver joins Mälzer for a highly anticipated duel in London. The two culinary icons will face off in a pasta challenge, with Gennaro Contaldo serving as the taskmaster. Mälzer expressed his admiration for Oliver, stating, "I don't want to hurt Jamie; I see him as a brother. This competition is more about camaraderie than rivalry." Oliver echoed these sentiments, noting the pressure of stepping outside his comfort zone.
The season will culminate in a grand finale on June 22, featuring Tim Raue, a prominent Berlin restaurateur. This episode promises to take viewers on an epic culinary adventure through Brazil and Copenhagen, where Mälzer will face the ultimate test of his skills.
As Kitchen Impossible continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling challenges and high-stakes cooking, fans eagerly await each episode, wondering how Mälzer and his competitors will rise to the occasion.
With the season now underway, viewers can tune in weekly to witness the culinary battles unfold, showcasing not only the skills of the chefs but also the rich tapestry of international cuisine they explore together.
