Who makes the best burger? What is the ultimate chili recipe? Find out on Cooking Channel’s new show The Perfect 3. We reached into our archives to find the best variations on recipes in 13 categories: cookies, brownies, pies, burgers, tacos, sandwiches, pancakes, salads, hot and spicy chili, cakes, potatoes, chicken and exotic dishes.
From Kelsey’s perfect roast chicken to Emeril’s kicked-up tuna melt, tune in for the top recipes from favorite Cooking Channel chefs. And, as an added bonus, we reached out to our fans for their take on each category. Find out who won!
From a brisket sandwich with a secret ingredient to cookies that inspire marriage proposals, you’re sure to find a new favorite.
Brownies Winner: Teresa Ralston
We couldn’t resist Teresa Ralston’s recipe for dark chocolate brownies. A little espresso added to the batter gives them a kick, but it’s the rich frosting on top that makes them irresistible.
Get Her Recipe For Dark Chocolate Espresso Kissed Brownies
Runner-Up Recipes
Burgers Winner: Nate Bedford
From the homemade BBQ sauce to the addition of coriander in the beef (not to mention the bacon and Thousand Island dressing), Nate Bedford’s burger recipe is loaded with flavor. We had to declare it the best!
Get Nate’s Bacon Burger Recipe
Runner-Up Recipes
- The Perfect Bacon-Mushroom Burger
- Double Onion Ancho Chile Rubbed Cheddar Cheese Burger With Mustard Sauce
Cakes Winner: Sara A. Hodgson
Sara based her winning cake recipe off of a childhood favorite, chocolate-covered bananas. Banana cake is studded with chocolate chips, layered with a chocolate hazelnut spread, and then topped off with whipped cream cheese frosting. Heavenly!
Get Her Recipe for Monkey Tail Banana Cake
Runner-Up Recipes
Chicken Winner: Tracy Shipman
Tracy Shipman’s winning enchilada recipe has the perfect amount of heat, and the sauce that goes with is irresistible.
Get Her Recipe for Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas
Runner-Up Recipes
Hot and Spicy Chili Winner: Vanessa Chavez
The secret ingredient in Vanessa Chavez’s winning chili recipe? A bottle of beer. While the chili is ready in just over an hour, it tastes like it’s been simmering away all day.
Get Her Recipe For Panhandle Chili
Runner-Up Recipes
Cookies Winner: Melissa Stadler
It’s no joke: Melissa Stadler’s cookies have been known to cause a marriage proposal or two. And it’s no wonder. These cookies feature two types of chocolate chips, plus oatmeal and just a hint of cinnamon in the dough.
Get the Recipe For “I Want to Marry You” Cookies
Runner-Up Recipes
Exotic Dishes: Christa Haggai
We were won over by Christa Haggai’s authentic recipe for Lebanese stuffed grape leaves. Give them a try yourself; they’re perfect for a small plates party.
Get Her Recipe For Lebanese Grape Leaves
Runner-Up Recipes
Pancakes Winner: Lauren Beth Walker
Jalapenos add heat to Lauren Beth Walker’s winning corn cake recipe. Serve in pancake form for breakfast, or cook the batter in a skillet for a dinnertime side.
Get Her Recipe For Ranchero Corn Cakes
Runner-Up Recipes
- Georgia’s Stuffed Banana Praline Pancakes
- Maple Syrup Roasted Sweet Potato Pancakes With Citrus Brown Sugar Sauce
Pies Winner: Lorie Roach
Coconut lovers will go crazy for Lorie Roach’s winning pie recipe: It features coconut flavor four ways.
Lorie’s Ultimate Coconut Cream Pie Recipe
Runner-Up Recipes
Potatoes Winner: Joanne Maurer Ozug
Caramelized leeks and bacon give Joanne Maurer Ozug’s winning recipe for stuffed puff pastry layers of flavor.
Potato, Caramelized Leek, and Bacon-Stuffed Puff Pastry
Runner-Up Recipes
Salads Winner: Laura A. Lufkin
Laura Lufkin’s vinaigrette recipe does double duty in her winning salad: It marinates the pork and serves as the salad dressing.
Herb Marinated Pork Tenderloin Salad
Runner-Up Recipes
- Baby Spinach With Balsamic Roasted Potatoes and Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette
- Green Salad With Zesty Lemon Garlic Dressing
Sandwich Winner: Candy Kosow Gold
The secret to Candy Gold’s sandwich is the addition of gingersnaps while cooking the brisket. The cookies help thicken the sauce and add a touch of sweetness to the final dish.
Get Her Recipe For Beef Brisket Bonanza Sandwich
Runner-Up Recipes
Tacos Winner: Dawn Richards
Dawn Richards pairs her recipe for grilled steak tacos with a chipotle cream and chimichurri. All that’s missing is an ice cold margarita.
Get Her Recipe for Grilled Steak Tacos
Runner-Up Recipes
Tune into the The Perfect 3 Saturdays at 4 p.m. ET. First up, find out who makes the perfect cake.
So glad I could be a part of this. All the recipes look wonderful. The Cooking Channel staff treated me like royalty and I had a blast filming with Kelsey. She is so friendly and down to earth, and I love watching her cook. I look forward to seeing all the videos. Thanks Cooking Channel!
I too feel like Lorie! Kelsey & the staff were so wonderful, warm & welcoming. What an experience! New York is such a beautiful state, this So Cal gal felt right at home!
All of these dishes look amazing!! I can't wait to give them a spin!
Thank you Kelsey and Cooking Channel! It was an amazing experience and I am so proud to have been part of it!
It was such a wonderful experience! The entire CookingChannel team was great and took great care to ensure that my experience was memorable from start to finish. I loved meeting the team and filming with Kelsey. She was truly kind–and fun-loving! I'm looking forward to the series and to watching everyone's webisodes! This was a true honor!
Yea! Such a memorable time in the Big Apple! So exciting to spend time with adorable and sweet Kelsey Nixon, the production crew and to be a part of this new series! I can't wait to watch the shows and webisodes, in addition to trying some fabulous new recipes! Thank you so much to everyone involved for making this an experience of a lifetime!
YAY!!! I'm so happy this has finally been announced! It was such a wonderful experience, thank you!!!
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto…..!!!!!
This was such a fabulous experience. The level of professionalism among the staff and Kelsey's authentic personality and kindness to her guests made this very memorable. (Loved that Kelsey suggested going to the Big Apple BBQ—which I did—and it was terrific, and that I talked Broadway with the crew in between takes) I think there should be a Perfect 3 reunion. That way…everyone would get to taste everyone else's wonderful recipes!!! I want to try them all. Cheers!!!!
Wao! yummy dish. my all friends like it. even when we think to throw a party, we simply go to jim's home . His mother make it for us from chili and spicy dishes .
very nice postfifnd knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Wow! how spicy it is! After reading your blog now i just want to try it as soon as possible. love to have your chili .