The highly anticipated finale of the sixth season of the Food Network's "Tournament of Champions" aired on April 20, 2025, and crowned Antonia Lofaso as the champion, marking a significant moment in culinary competition history. This season not only showcased remarkable talent but continued the trend of female chefs dominating the competition, with Lofaso emerging victorious against Sara Bradley in a thrilling final showdown.
Going into the finale, it was evident that once again, a woman chef would take home the coveted title, with Lofaso and Bradley competing for the ultimate prize of $150,000. The competition kicked off with two semi-final battles that set the stage for the grand finale. In the first semi-final, Lofaso faced Britt Rescigno, while Bradley took on Lee Anne Wong.
The first semi-final match featured a challenging set of ingredients determined by the show's signature Randomizer, which assigned whole pompano fish, figs, escabeche for style, lava rocks for equipment, and the color purple as a wild card. Chef Antonia Lofaso prepared a whole fried pompano topped with vegetable escabeche and a purple cauliflower purée. The dish was praised for its gutsy presentation, though judges noted it needed more purple elements.
Rescigno, on the other hand, opted for a poached pompano, accompanied by a tostada and a vibrant purple veggie sauce. After an intense round of judging, both chefs ended up tied at 82 points. However, Lofaso clinched the win by edging out Rescigno in the taste category, scoring 41 to 40.
The second semi-final saw Sara Bradley battling Lee Anne Wong. The Randomizer dictated that they use blue silkie chicken, sorrel, turmeric leaves, and the cooking style en papillote, with black as the wild card color. Bradley's dish, a Nashville hot chicken with potatoes en papillote, impressed the judges and earned her a score of 85, narrowly defeating Wong, who scored 83.
With the semi-finals concluded, the stage was set for a highly anticipated final match between Lofaso and Bradley. The final Randomizer presented a formidable challenge: wagyu beef as the protein, huitlacoche for the produce, a sausage stuffer for equipment, and a requirement to create both hot and cold dishes, with one being spicy and the other sticky. The two chefs had to work quickly to develop creative dishes within a 60-minute time limit.
In the final battle, Lofaso crafted a Latin-inspired bangers and mash, featuring wagyu beef sausage with huitlacoche mashed potatoes for her hot dish, and a glazed sticky wagyu beef salad. The judges appreciated her use of sausage vinaigrette and noted that her hot dish was well-received, though they suggested it could benefit from a touch more moisture.
Bradley, on the other hand, presented a beef wagyu tartare and a sausage with corn. While the judges raved about the tartare, they pointed out that she did not utilize the sausage stuffer in her cold dish, which led to concerns about the texture of her sausage, which was described as mushy.
As the tension mounted, the final scores were revealed: Lofaso triumphed with a score of 88 to Bradley's 82. This victory was particularly meaningful for Lofaso, who had previously lost in the final round of Season 5 by just one point. "I’ve been here for six years!" she exclaimed, reflecting on the emotional journey that led to her ultimate triumph.
The judging panel for the finale included notable culinary figures such as Maneet Chauhan, Brooke Williamson, and Mei Lin, with the addition of Martha Stewart, who provided her insights during the final round. This season marked a significant milestone, as it was the sixth consecutive season to crown a female winner, a notable achievement in a competition where no male chefs have ever made it to the final round.
Throughout the season, the chefs faced numerous challenges posed by the Randomizer, which required them to think creatively and adapt quickly. The competition has established itself as a platform for showcasing culinary talent and innovation, with Lofaso's win underscoring her resilience and skill in the kitchen.
As the season wraps up, fans are left eagerly anticipating the return of "Tournament of Champions" for its seventh season in spring 2026. For those who missed the action, previous seasons are available for streaming on MAX, allowing viewers to catch up on the intense culinary battles that have captivated audiences.
In a world where culinary competitions are often dominated by male chefs, the continued success of women in "Tournament of Champions" serves as an inspiring reminder of the talent and determination present in the kitchen. Antonia Lofaso's victory not only highlights her culinary prowess but also reinforces the importance of representation in the culinary arts.
