Chow Winkler—former ranch cook and now personal chef at Swift Enterprises for Tom Swift and his father, Damon—receives a mysterious and threatening letter. An unknown person is challenging him to a cook-off. Either Chow accepts or this person will spread the word among his old acquaintances that he is "a chicken."

Chow must take a leave of absence from Enterprises in order to have enough time to perfect his recipe.

But will he be able to win against a competitor who cheats?