'Tournament of Champions' raises stakes to new heights when 4 icons of food join new season of Food Network's ultimate culinary competition

‘Tournament of Champions VII’ premieres Sunday, March 1, on Food Network 

√ But first, ‘Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers’ kicks off Sunday, Feb. 15; followed by ‘Tournament of Champions VII: The Bracket Reveal’ on Sunday, Feb. 22

Food Network Press Release

Guy Fieri’s “Tournament of Champions” will return with its seventh season premiere on Sunday, March 1 (8 p.m. ET/PT), and stream the following day on HBO Max and discovery+. Thirty-two of the nation’s best chefs, including proven warriors and fierce new challengers, are ready to battle, but nothing will prepare the chefs for the competition’s biggest surprise ever. 

This season, top-seeded chefs in every division will be food world icons – four of the most powerful opponents to ever compete on the series – but their identities will remain a secret until the moment they enter the arena. Every battle will be head-to-head; every spin of the randomizer will keep competitors on their toes and viewers on the edge of their seats; and every dish is make-or-break. 

After eight weeks and 31 grueling head-to-head battles, one talented chef will win it all and be crowned champion, taking home the coveted ”Tournament of Champions” belt and a $150,000 cash prize.

Because there are more incredible chefs than spots left in the bracket, “Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers” will return on Sunday, Feb. 15 (8 p.m.). There, 16 chefs will fight for the final eight positions in the main “Tournament of Champions” bracket across a series of head-to-head battles. Before they enter the main arena and the culinary clashes begin, Fieri, Justin Warner and season III winner Tiffani Faison will preview all the twists and spins of “The Randomizer,” and reveal the details of this year’s bracket in “Tournament of Champions VII: The Bracket Reveal” on Sunday, Feb. 22 (10 p.m.). 

“Year after year, chefs up their gameplay and strategy, so we need to constantly raise the stakes to keep the competition next-level,” Fieri said. “This year, we put four industry icons in the top seed, immediately putting targets on their backs for the win-hungry competitors. And that alone is the secret ingredient for the most epic season yet.” 

Antonia Lofaso celebrates her “Tournament of Champions VI” win. (Food Network photo)

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This season’s competing chefs include Adam Greenberg, Adam Sobel, Britt Rescigno, Bryan Voltaggio, Carlos Anthony, Claudette Zepeda, Dale Talde, David Viana, Jet Tila, Joe Sasto, Jonathon Sawyer, Kaleena Bliss, Karen Akunowicz, Kevin Lee, Lee Anne Wong, Marcel Vigneron, Nini Nguyen, Sara Bradley, Shirley Chung and Tobias Dorzon. Plus, four surprise culinary icons and eight additional winners from the qualifier tournament.

“ ‘Tournament of Champions’ has been Food Network’s top-rated series for five years running, and each season we up the ante making the competition more intense than the last,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “With the surprises we have in store this season and the extraordinary level of talent competing, we can’t wait to share this next-level, high-adrenaline competition with viewers."

Faison joins Warner as “TOC” sideline reporter to deliver real-time play-by-play as the action unfolds in front of a live audience. Hunter Fieri follows the action backstage, interviewing the winning chefs for their reactions to the competition, while Simon Majumdar continues his role as judges’ correspondent, getting the judges’ takes on why a dish won or lost. 

Season VI winner Antonia Lofaso, double winner of season II and V Maneet Chauhan, season IV champion Mei Lin, and inaugural “TOC” champion Brooke Williamson will join celebrated judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Cat Cora, Curtis Stone, David Chang, Dominique Crenn, Geoffrey Zakarian, Hubert Keller, Judy Joo, Ken Oringer, Marcus Samuelsson, Michelle Bernstein, Nancy Silverton, Rocco DiSpirito, Scott Conant and Susan Feniger. 

The final battle on Sunday, April 19, will determine the brand-new winner who will join the elite group of ”TOC” champions. 

Fans can join the conversation on social platforms using #TournamentOfChampions to chat with the chefs and get sneak peeks before every episode. And across Food Network’s Facebook and Instagram, find an insider’s look at the competition, as well as all-new videos with Guy, the competitors and the judges every week. Get to know the competitors, keep up with the latest ”TOC” news, read winner interviews and more on FoodNetwork.com. 

“Tournament of Champions VII” is produced by Knuckle Sandwich and Lando Entertainment for Food Network.