Series synopsis
Tournament of Champions is an American reality television series that premiered on Food Network on March 4, 2020. It was created by Guy Fieri. It stars Guy Fieri, Simon Majumdar, Justin Warner and Hunter Fieri.
Host Guy Fieri gathers the world's greatest chefs for the most-intense culinary competition ever held. Emotions run high in the single-elimination, sudden-death bracket tournament as the competitors face off in head-to-head battles to stay alive. As the pressure mounts, shocking surprises unfold both inside and outside the arena. All the chefs have the talent and skill to walk away with the ultimate championship title in food, but only one will win the Tournament of Champions.
Premise
Host Guy Fieri gathers the world's greatest chefs for the most-intense culinary competition ever held. Emotions run high in the single-elimination, sudden-death bracket tournament as the competitors face off in head-to-head battles to stay alive. As the pressure mounts, shocking surprises unfold both inside and outside the arena. All the chefs have the talent and skill to walk away with the ultimate championship title in food, but only one will win the Tournament of Champions.
Premise: Brackets set. Knives Sharpened. Game On.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Guy Fieri as Self - Host
- Simon Majumdar as Self - Culinary Correspondent
- Justin Warner as Self - Culinary Correspondent
- Hunter Fieri as Self - Backstage Correspondent
- Kevin Lee as Self - Contestant
- Tim Love as Self - Contestant
- Nini Nguyen as Self - Contestant
- Stephanie Izard as Self - Contestant
Supporting cast
- Britt Rescigno as Self - Contestant
- Adam Sobel as Self - Contestant
- Shota Nakajima as Self - Contestant
- Chris Cosentino as Self - Contestant
- Karen Akunowicz as Self - Contestant
- Joe Sasto as Self - Contestant
- Tobias Dorzon as Self - Contestant
- Amanda Freitag as Self - Contestant
- Antonia Lofaso as Self - Contestant
- Rocco DiSpirito as Self
- Cliff Crooks as Self
- Tiffani Faison as Self
Guest cast
- Stephanie Izard as Self - Contestant
- Britt Rescigno as Self - Contestant
- Adam Sobel as Self - Contestant
- Shota Nakajima as Self - Contestant
- Chris Cosentino as Self - Contestant
- Karen Akunowicz as Self - Contestant
- Joe Sasto as Self - Contestant
- Tobias Dorzon as Self - Contestant
- Amanda Freitag as Self - Contestant
- Antonia Lofaso as Self - Contestant
- Rocco DiSpirito as Self
- Cliff Crooks as Self
Episodes
This series spans 8 seasons with 66 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 14 | February 7, 2024 | February 22, 2026 |
| Season 1 | 5 | March 4, 2020 | April 1, 2020 |
| Season 2 | 7 | March 7, 2021 | April 18, 2021 |
| Season 3 | 8 | February 27, 2022 | April 17, 2022 |
| Season 4 | 8 | February 19, 2023 | April 9, 2023 |
| Season 5 | 8 | February 18, 2024 | April 7, 2024 |
| Season 6 | 8 | March 2, 2025 | April 20, 2025 |
| Season 7 | 8 | March 1, 2026 | April 19, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Qualifiers: A Chance to Make the Tournament Tournament of Champions V is almost here, and there are more amazing chefs than there are spots in the bracket. For the first time ever, Guy Fieri is kicking things off with a 16-chef qualifier series where the competitors will have the chance to earn one of the four remaining eight-seed slots in the TOC main bracket. If a chef wins their match, they’ll have to face one of the four former TOC champs! |
February 7, 2024 |
| 2 |
The Qualifiers: Go Big or Go Home The Tournament of Champions qualifiers continue with four chefs battling to win the number eight seed in the East A division. Whoever can win over a panel of TOC Champions in a blind taste test will get the opportunity to compete against TOC Champ Maneet Chauhan in the main tournament. They’ll have to conquer two intense battles against the other chefs and the dreaded randomizer. |
February 7, 2024 |
| 3 |
The Qualifiers: Four More Hopefuls Find Out Their Fate Four more hopeful chefs fight it out for the final spot in the East B Division. Whoever can come out on top after two intense battles will earn the eight-seed spot and face TOC Champ Tiffani Faison in the main tournament. They'll have to satisfy the taste buds of a panel of TOC Champions as well as conquer the randomizer, twice. |
February 14, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Tournament Begins Guy Fieri welcomes 16 of the greatest chefs in the world to the most-intense culinary competition ever held. The chefs are ranked, and the first round battle lines are drawn, setting up epic clashes between two best friends, a would-be David and Goliath and a motivated underdog determined to take out the one of the competition's heaviest hitters. |
March 4, 2020 |
| 2 |
Round One Continues Guy Fieri presides over tense battles as six new chefs fight desperately to advance out of the first round of the Tournament of Champions. Friendships are tested, reputations are on the line, and rivals go head-to-head in a nail-biting clash for the ages. |
March 11, 2020 |
| 3 |
Final Eight Revealed Host Guy Fieri takes the Tournament of Champions to the next level as an intense second round begins. Pressure mounts for the final eight chefs as the competition and judging get tougher, and a shocking result makes it clear that no chef is safe. |
March 18, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
West Wild Card Play-In Tournament of Champions is back. There were so many chefs clamoring to get into the bracket that Guy Fieri expanded the tournament to include two wild card play-in rounds. Four incredible chefs from the West compete in exciting sudden death culinary matches, and the last chef standing will win the coveted 8th seed in the West bracket. |
March 7, 2021 |
| 2 |
East Wild Card Play-In Guy Fieri welcomes four of the best chefs from the East to vie for the 8th seed in the East bracket of the main tournament. The four chefs have to battle each other, face the dreaded Randomizer and survive the blind judging. The last chef standing makes it into the main bracket kick-off. |
March 14, 2021 |
| 3 |
The Bracket Begins Guy Fieri welcomes the final 16 chefs into the Tournament of Champions arena and reveals the new and returning chefs' seeds and matchups. The first round battles begin, and in three one-on-one sudden death battles, three chefs move on to the quarterfinals and three chefs are sent home. |
March 21, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Tournament Kicks Off Guy Fieri reveals the seeds and matchups to all 32 chefs before kicking off round one with four one-on-one sudden death battles; four chefs will move on to round two, and four will be going home to train for next year. |
February 27, 2022 |
| 2 |
The Randomizer's Revenge Guy Fieri continues the first-round battles with four more one-on-one sudden death battles. Four chefs will conquer their opponent and the randomizer to move on to the Super 16, while four chefs will be eliminated and head home. |
March 6, 2022 |
| 3 |
More Round 1 Rivalries Guy Fieri continues the first round with four more jaw-dropping head-to-head sudden death battles. Ultimately, four chefs will conquer the randomizer, wow the judges and move on to the Super 16, while four chefs will be eliminated and head home. |
March 13, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Battle Begins There are new names and a randomizer twist; 32 chefs battle it out for the belt and $100,000; Guy Fieri reveals the seeds and matchups before the first eight chefs start round one with four one-on-one sudden death battles. |
February 19, 2023 |
| 2 |
Randomizer Gone Wild Guy Fieri continues the first round of culinary conflicts with four more sudden death battles; not only will the chefs need to conquer their opponent, they'll also be facing off against the upgraded randomizer with an all-new wild card category. |
February 26, 2023 |
| 3 |
Win or Go Home Guy Fieri introduces eight new chefs to their intense, one-on-one sudden death battles. Ultimately, four chefs will conquer the randomizer, wow the judges and move onto the Super 16, while the remaining chefs are eliminated and head home |
March 5, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Time for Battle Guy Fieri kicks off year five of the biggest and toughest competition in the culinary world with four must-see first-round culinary battles! Thirty-two of the biggest names in the food world enter the kitchen arena, from seasoned competitors to TOC rookies who could go all the way. Plus, all four TOC Champions return to attempt what no one has done before -- repeat as champs. They'll have to navigate the five-wheeled beast known as The Randomizer and this field of elite chefs to win the belt, the coveted title and the biggest prize in TOC history, $150,000! |
February 18, 2024 |
| 2 |
First Round Battles Heat Up Guy Fieri continues the Tournament of Champions V first-round battles with heated rematches, as well as battles featuring newcomers determined to shake things up. In a must-see showdown of the night, it's TOC I champion Chef Brooke Williamson vs. the West A qualifier in a fight to dominate The Randomizer for a chance to win the belt, the coveted title and $150,000! |
February 25, 2024 |
| 3 |
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher Guy Fieri continues the Tournament of Champions V first-round battles with four more intense one-on-one sudden death matches. Iron Chef Stephanie Izard faces off against Chef Eric Adjepong, while superstar competitor Chef Antonia Lofaso takes on TOC newcomer Chef Casey Thompson. Then, Michelin-star Chef Adam Sobel goes toe-to-toe with Top Chef all-star Lee-Anne Wong. In the final battle of the night, TOC champion Chef Maneet Chauhan takes on the East A qualifier winner. |
March 3, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The World's Greatest Culinary Competition Returns Host Guy Fieri kicks off the sixth year of the biggest and most intense competition in the culinary world. Top-scoring chefs from last year are back, and a handful of newcomers with the potential to win it all are stepping into the arena for the first time. Plus, now that all four TOC champs have hung up their aprons, there will be a guaranteed new champion this season! Who will win the belt, the coveted title and the $150,000? |
March 2, 2025 |
| 2 |
Win and Move On, Lose and You're Gone Guy Fieri continues the first-round battles with four more intense one-on-one sudden death matchups as Iron Chef Stephanie Izard faces off against rising star Michael Reed. Then, three-time James Beard semifinalist Shota Nakajima battles qualifier winner Brittanny Anderson, and newcomer Kaleena Bliss takes on Top Chef Master Chris Cosentino. In the final battle of the night, two-time finalist Britt Rescigno goes up against Michelin Bib Gourmand winner Chris Oh. |
March 9, 2025 |
| 3 |
If You Can't Take the Heat... Guy Fieri continues the Tournament of Champions VI first-round battles with four more intense one-on-one sudden death matches. Superstar chef Joe Sasto faces off against seasoned veteran Fabio Viviani, and Top Chef all-star Lee Anne Wong takes on returning chef Chris Scott. Then, Karen Akunowicz goes toe-to-toe with fellow James Beard winner Jonathon Sawyer. In the final battle of the night, four-time finalist Jet Tila takes on qualifier winner Pyet DeSpain. |
March 16, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Biggest Culinary Tournament Is Back The seventh year of the world's ultimate culinary competition kicks off! Host Guy Fieri welcomes 32 world-class chefs going head-to-head in kitchen combat, including returning warriors, fresh new fighters, and four top-seeded, intimidating culinary icons who remain a mystery until they enter the arena. Every spin of the randomizer, every dish, and every blind judging is make or break. Who will win the belt, the coveted Tournament of Champions VII title, and the $150,000? |
March 1, 2026 |
| 2 |
Another Icon Is Revealed Guy Fieri continues the first-round battles with four more intense sudden death matchups as Last Bite Hotel winner Nini Nguyen takes on pasta maestro Joe Sasto. Then, James Beard semifinalist Kevin Lee battles Chopped champion Adam Greenberg, and three-time Tournament of Champions semifinalist Britt Rescigno goes up against Michelin-starred Giuseppe Tentori. In the final battle of the night, the second mystery culinary icon is revealed to take on qualifier winner Katsuji Tanabe. |
March 8, 2026 |
| 3 |
Just Win Guy Fieri continues the first-round battles as James Beard nominee Dale Talde faces off against House of Knives winner Shirley Chung. Then, Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas winner Bryan Voltaggio takes on returning chef Carlos Anthony, and Tournament of Champions VI runner-up Sara Bradley goes toe-to-toe with qualifier winner Dan Jacobs. In the final battle of the night, the third mystery culinary icon is revealed to take on qualifier winner Viet Pham. |
March 15, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Food Network |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 4, 2020 |
| Last aired | April 19, 2026 |
| Runtime | 48 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Sunday at 20:00:00 |