Some of the most fearless chefs in America are leaving the kitchen and are exploring some of the most extreme locations in the upcoming second season of Food Network’s ‘Extreme Chef.’ The new season of the reality show, premieres Thursday, August 16 at 10pm ET/PT, will feature five episodes of chefs testing their physical prowess, mental toughness and culinary skills.

The contestants on ‘Extreme Chef,’ which will be hosted by TV veteran Marsh Mokhtari, will compete in grueling and seemingly impossible culinary challenges. Each episode will also feature the chefs being judged by a rotating panel of notable guest judges. The judges include ‘Next Iron Chef’ judge Simon Majumdar, ‘Hook Line & Dinner’ host Ben Sargent and food critic Troy Johnson.

The bottom two chefs in every episode will face off in a final showdown challenge to determine which one will be leaving the show. The overall winner of ‘Extreme Chef’ will win the $50,000 grand prize.

The episodes of ‘Extreme Chef’ include ‘Coast Guard Cook-Off,’ which will air August 23 at 10pm ET/PT, and will be judged by Sargent and head chef of the Coast Guard :Cutter Halibut,” Brandon Langdon. The contestants will be joined by the U.S. Coast Guard in Los Angeles to cook in the Pacific Ocean. The challenges include having 60 minutes to rescue ingredients from a capsized fishing boat in the ocean, and then cooking two cohesive dishes on a floating dock.

Written by: Karen Benardello

‘Extreme Chef’ host Marsh Mokhtari and guest judge Ben Sargent