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"That clock is real."

Chef Austyn McGroarty, formerly of Woodside Bistro + Curean, assures fans of Food Network’s "Chopped" that the high-pressure kitchen is no act.

"It was very intense," McGroarty told us. "The hardest thing I've ever done."

Season 61 of the cooking show classic premieres tomorrow, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. with a new spin, and McGroarty is one of 16 chefs kicking off the new season in the challenging kitchen over the next five weeks. In addition to tackling the basket ingredients, the chefs will bid in an auction before each round to determine their fourth ingredient.

"If I'm being honest, 70% of the ingredients I — as a chef — have never used," McGroarty admitted.

Whose dish is on the chopping block? Will McGroarty’s inexperience with the mystery ingredients hold him back, or will he rise to the challenge and win the $10,000 prize? We'll be tuning in to find out.