The knives were out and tensions were high on Bravo's "Top Chef" as two teams of culinary pros clashed in the show's most brutal and revered episode, Restaurant Wars. Set against the scenic Milwaukee lakeside, the chefs were tasked with the insane challenge of crafting an entire restaurant, from decor to menu, within just 24 hours—according to CapTimes.

Team Channel, spearheaded by Danny Garcia along with Amanda Turner, Savannah Miller, Dan Jacobs, and Michelle Wallace opted for a seafood concept in honor of Lake Michigan, while their rivals, Team Dos by Duel, went for a fusion of Mexican and Asian flavors led by Kaleena Bliss, Manny Barella, Laura Ozyilmaz, and Soo Ahn, as reported by Eater Austin. The competition was fierce with Channel's desire to overachieve by offering three entrée options and challenges such as a lackluster host performance by Wallace, which judges quickly pinpointed as a failure to attend to their VIP tables with due diligence.

The Restaurant Wars battle saw Channel's menu winning over the judges with their array of dishes including Dan Jacob's walleye hit that earned high praise, despite an initial nervous start as front-of-house manager Wallace stumbled under the spotlight, struggling to balance being attentive and overbearing, resulting in a prolonged wait for judges, Turner's approach was branded "brilliant" by Judge Tom Colicchio, as she ingeniously used kombu in a vegan gumbo, leaving a favorable impression despite some criticism on the coherence of the restaurant theme.

The fusion attempt by Dos by Duel, however, failed to impress despite a promising start, they dropped the ball on execution, serving a series of dishes that didn't live up to the intended Mexican-Asian blend; the pork tenderloin "team dish" fell flat and lacked memorability, ultimately costing Bliss her place in the competition, as she was held accountable for the kitchen's shortcomings which led to her elimination, as per CapTimes.