Co-hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi challenge the chefs to take risks and earn as many points possible when they prepare food for judge Marcel Vigneron. Then, the chefs have a very limited time to execute two exacting dishes, and judge Andrew Zimmern decides which chefs advance to the final shift.

Co-hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi challenge the chefs to take risks and earn as many points possible when they prepare food for judge Marcel Vigneron.

After more than 20 nonstop hours, Michael Symon and Esther Choi ask the final chefs to create an elevated lunch and dinner; judges Antonia Lofaso, Graham Elliot and Jet Tila decide who will win $75,000 and the title of "Last Chef Standing."

By the end of shift four, the remaining chefs will have been cooking for 12 consecutive hours. To make it to hour 13, Michael Symon and Esther Choi present their toughest task yet -- teamwork. Working with chefs they just met mere hours ago, the competitors have to strategize, collaborate and execute under the critical eyes of guest judges Michael and Bryan Voltaggio.

As hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choir introduce hour 18 of non-stop cooking, the chefs are bruised, battered and at their breaking point. Simplicity is one of the most difficult techniques to master for any chef, and when they're this exhausted, it borders on impossible. Guest judge Brooke Williamson decides which four chefs will receive a spot in the finale, a mere four challenges and three hours away.

The first three-hour shift is designed to test one of the most important qualities a true master must possess: speed. Speed judge Jet Tila will taste and score every dish, separating the leaders of the pack from the chefs on the brink of elimination. Right out of the gate, the chefs are served up a shocking twist that sets the tone for the rest of the competition, letting them know that no one will be safe from elimination until the end.

The chefs prepare artwork-inspired food for judge Fariyal Abdullahi.

In a shift that tests resourcefulness, Michael Symon and Esther Choi ask the 11 remaining chefs to create a three-course meal worthy of a black-tie event in 60 minutes; judge Jet Tila decides which chef will be clocking out.

The chefs turn breakfast into a different meal for judge Brooke Williamson.

Exhaustion becomes palpable as the chefs enter hour 13 of their 24-hour competition. Hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi challenge them with the unenviable task of turning microwave meals into works of art, and that's the easy part! Guest judge Eric Adjepong will decide which of these chefs must clock out.

In the final shift, Michael Symon and Esther Choi give the five remaining chefs a familiar challenge before asking them to create an elevated breakfast, lunch and dinner for judges Antonia Lofaso, Graham Elliot and Jet Tila.

The chefs make a black-tie entrée in 90 minutes with only five ingredients.

The chefs must temporarily put individual ambition aside to battle in two teams of four to impress judges Brooke Williamson and Ayesha Nurdjaja, who send two chefs home.

The four remaining chefs have survived 20 challenges and beat out 20 other chefs to arrive at this moment. In the final hours, hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi revisit an old challenge where the chefs must cook the best dishes of their lives. Whoever can stave off the final daggers of exhaustion and impress a superstar panel of judges will walk away with a $50,000 prize and an unforgettable trip to Hawaii.