Crime Scene Kitchen is an American reality television series that premiered on Fox on May 26, 2021. The series is hosted by Joel McHale with Yolanda Gampp and Curtis Stone serving as judges.
In May 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered in June 2023. In March 2024, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on September 26, 2024. In November 2024, Fox announced the series would be renewed for a fourth season. A casting call was issued in December 2025, but no launch date has been announced yet.
Format In each episode, teams of two bakers are tasked with deducing the type of dessert that was prepared in a kitchen by inspecting the state of its tools, food remnants, and other evidence such as written clues. Each team re-creates the dessert they identified, from scratch. The judges evaluate each team's dish based primarily on accuracy in identification, while taste and execution are considered as secondary factors.
Each episode consists of two rounds. The first round is the "Safety Bake" in which the winners are exempt from the second round and safe from elimination. In the first season, the first round was called the "Dessert Round", and the winners instead received an extra hint during the second round. The second round is called the "Elimination Bake" or the "Showpiece Round" in the first season. The worst-performing team in the second round is eliminated from the competition.
Each season features twelve teams, initially divided into two groups of six. In the second season, the groupings were based on the bakers' backgrounds, pitting self-taught bakers against those who are classically trained. Each of the first six episodes of each season features only one group, alternating until three teams have been eliminated from each group. Thereafter, the six teams remaining compete simultaneously. Thus, no more than six teams compete at once.
Production On April 7, 2021, it was announced that Fox had ordered Crime Scene Kitchen, with Joel McHale as host, who also serves as an executive producer. Yolanda Gampp and Curtis Stone serve as judges for the series. The series premiered on May 26, 2021.
On May 16, 2022, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 5, 2023, after originally being planned to premiere on May 22, 2023. In March 2024, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on September 26.
On November 23, 2024, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a fourth season, with Joel McHale set to return as host. On May 27, 2025, TVLine confirmed that the season was in development, although Fox had not yet scheduled a premiere date. In December 2025, a casting call for the fourth season began.
Elimination tables Season 1 Team Relation Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Group A Group B A B A B Luis & Natalie Friends SAFE WIN† SAFE SAFE SAFE† WINNERS Cathy & Thomas Mother & son WIN† SAFE SAFE RISK† WIN RUNNERS-UP Lorie & Jason Husband & wife SAFE† SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE RUNNERS-UP Leslie & Emma Mother & daughter WIN SAFE SAFE† SAFE RISK ELIM Erinn & Amanda Military veterans SAFE SAFE RISK† SAFE ELIM Cory & Donte Best friends SAFE SAFE RISK ELIM Shania & Hope Best friends SAFE WIN ELIM Jay & Thuy-Linh Culinary school friends RISK SAFE ELIM Rebecca & Jean Mother & daughter RISK ELIM Carolyn & Caroline Mother & daughter SAFE ELIM Natasha & Anthony Friends ELIM Nathan & Anthony Best friends ELIM
†The team won the first round and received an extra hint for the Showpiece Round.
Season 2 Team Relation Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ST CT ST CT ST CT Amber & Yassmeen Friends SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE WINNERS Laissa & Camille Friends WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN RUNNERS-UP T & Fadi Friends SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE RUNNERS-UP Kristy & Tarsha Mother & daughter SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE ELIM Steph & Cherry Friends WIN WIN WIN SAFE ELIM Sherry & Sally Twin sisters SAFE SAFE WIN ELIM Ricky & DJ Friends SAFE SAFE ELIM Kathleen & Hannah Friends SAFE SAFE ELIM Bob & Vikki Husband & wife SAFE ELIM Torre & Michelle Husband & wife SAFE ELIM Christina & Jen Friends ELIM Donovan & Dayveon Stepbrothers ELIM
Season 3 Team Relation Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 FA FR FA FR FA FR Jessica & Lenore Friends SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN WINNERS Becky & Daniel Siblings SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE RUNNERS-UP Janusz & Keiron Friends SAFE WIN WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE RUNNERS-UP Katelyn & Ronan Spouses WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN ELIM Jesse & Justin Brothers-in-law WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE ELIM Starlett & Kai Mother & daughter SAFE SAFE WIN ELIM April & Samantha Co-workers SAFE SAFE ELIM Courtney & Danielle Niece & uncle SAFE SAFE ELIM Brando & Nikki Friends SAFE ELIM Anyatta & Sonjii Sisters SAFE ELIM Cliff & Adam Friends ELIM Nigel & Karen Mother & son ELIM
Episodes Series overview
Season 1 (2021)
Season 2 (2023)
Season 3 (2024)
Reception Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Notes
References
External links