Meet the Chefs Competing in the First-Ever 'Guy’s Grocery Games' Global Games Tournament

Have you caught World Cup fever? Same. We can’t get enough of the action on the field — and of following what culinary discoveries are delighting our international visitors the most. Just like at the closing ceremonies of the Olympics every two years, we’ll be sad to see the World Cup come to a close when the final two teams face off in the finals later this month. But luckily, Guy Fieri is swooping in to tee up a brand-new tournament that will keep the inspiring multicultural match-ups going.

Premiering Wednesday, July 8 at 9|8c, Guy and his son Hunter Fieri are welcoming eight celebrated chefs to take part in the first-ever Guy's Grocery Games Global Games.

Guy is a firm believer that “in today’s world in particular, this is the time to unite the world with food.” So, he invited eight celebrated chefs to join him inside Flavortown Market to compete in head-to-head face-offs to find out whose cuisine reigns supreme.

The bracket-style competition kicks off with pairings chosen at random from country names that Guy selects from the center of a globe. From there, the chefs tackle match-ups focused on everything from street food and fried fare to recipes made with ingredients that match the colors on their country’s flags. The champion takes home the coveted winner’s cup trophy, $50,000 and a boatload of bragging rights for themselves and all their fans with roots in their countries.

He’s beaten Alex Guarnaschelli and Brooke Williamson in culinary competitions. And now, Kevin Lee is on a mission to conquer his Global Games rivals one by one. With a background in Japanese and French cuisine, Kevin returned to his roots in 2024 to open Birdies, now a James Beard Award-nominated Korean steakhouse, in Oklahoma.

You might know Gabe Bertaccini as the co-host of Ciao House. So, you probably won’t be surprised to see the Tuscan-born, California-based chef and caterer proudly carrying the Italian flag into Flavortown Market. We don’t have a crystal ball, but our money’s on the fact that he’ll whip up at least one plate of pasta!

After coming in second to chef Shirley Chung on the inaugural season of House of Knives, we anticipate that chef, cookbook author and culinary anthropologist Claudette Zepeda is craving a “W.” She’s entering the competition with a whole lot of passion and a lifetime of experience in Mexican American foodways, since she grew up along the border near San Diego and Tijuana.

This four-time GGG winner has opened award-winning high-end restaurants from Texas to Maryland. Tobias Dorzon’s most recent is Yōkoso, which he bills as a “global journey,” taking cues from his Liberian roots, his Italian culinary training and his experience with Asian techniques. Considering all of this eclectic experience, Tobias is a fitting choice to represent the melting pot that is America.

The first female Indian American chef to win Chopped, we’ve been dreaming about trying the curries Aarthi Sampath is dishing up at her new restaurant, Dravida NYC. Until we can score a table, we’ll be looking forward to snagging tips from her as she presents her recipes that speak to her mission to create “delicious, balanced, and affordable South Asian food that nourishes the soul.”

Viet Pham is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist who has Beat Bobby Flay not just once, but twice. And now he’s setting out to take down the other members of the elite eight in the Global Games. As a first-generation Vietnamese American, the Pretty Bird restaurant founder is competing to tip a cap to his parents, who he says made sacrifices that shaped who he is today. (That’s a proud husband, culinary expert and cat dad!)

A pioneer in the Big Apple's Israeli food scene, Einat Admony has gone for the gold on Chopped twice and almost beat Bobby in a falafel Throwdown With Bobby Flay. After putting in those reps in the food battle circuit — and after falling in love with the recipes in her cookbooks and at her multiple New York City eateries, including Balaboosta and Moondog Hifi — we’re hungry to see how she taps into memories from her Persian, Yemenite and Israeli background to transform the ingredients in Flavortown Market.

David Viana is a master at making former weaknesses his strengths. Case in point: A pork and clams dish led to his elimination on Top Chef: Kentucky. Since then, that combo has been a staple on many of his restaurant menus. At his James Beard Award-nominated New Jersey restaurant Lita, which celebrates the culinary traditions of Portugal, where his family emigrated from, you can order Carne de Porco a’ Alentejana (Iberico pork, clams, potatoes and pickled peppers). We can’t wait to see how he approaches and overcomes Guy’s curveballs.

While Guy and Hunter will be the masters of ceremonies, other familiar Food Network faces will act as the “referees.” Each round, you can look forward to ratings from Maneet Chauhan, who’s certainly no rookie when it comes to competition. As the two-time winner of Tournament of Champions, the James Beard Award-winning, Nashville-based restaurateur is also well-versed in the world of brackets. We’re already looking forward to her hot takes on the chef’s creations … as well as her always epic fashion choices.

Joining Maneet at the judges’ table, you’ll find a rotating cast of all-star chefs. With more GGG victories than any other competitor, Aaron May will surely have stellar feedback for the chefs. Antonia Lofaso is on board and ready to share her knowledge as the reigning champ of Tournament of Champions. Jonathon Sawyer is fresh off his 2025 win in 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, while Top Chef veteran and Boston-based chef Tiffani Faison is ready to dish up wisdom she’s learned through decades of culinary competitions. With a nickname like “Mr. Delicious,” we’ll also be looking forward to the honest reviews of Adam Sobel.