Meet the 16 Chefs Competing on Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions

Meet the 16 champion chefs going head-to-head in a bracket battle to be crowned the winner of the ultimate cooking tournament.

Photo By: Anders Krusberg

A Talented Crew

Guy's on hand to oversee the competition as these 16 all-stars vie for the champion title.

Alex Guarnaschelli: No. 1 Seed, East Coast

Alex is a winner of The Next Iron Chef, the host of Supermarket Stakeout, and the one and only ICAG who’s revered by all. She’s Chopped countless chefs over the years, but now it’s her time to face the fire.

Marc Murphy: No. 2 Seed, East Coast

Though Marc calls the Big Apple home, he’s a jet-setting culinarian who draws his dish inspiration from global kitchens he experiences in his travels. Plus, he’s a no-nonsense Chopped judge who excels under pressure, which will surely serve him well against the clock.

Rocco DiSpirito: No. 3 Seed, East Coast

Fresh off the line at one of New York City’s most-demanding restaurants, Rocco is set to deliver a no-holds-barred performance in the TOC arena, just as he did when he won Guy’s Grocery Games Superstar battle in 2017.

Amanda Freitag: No. 4 Seed, East Coast

Amanda has come THIS CLOSE to competition victory in the past, but that loss is only fueling her ambition for the battle ahead. She has decades of experience on the line, and as a Chopped judge, she knows exactly what the judges want to see.

Elizabeth Falkner: No. 5 Seed, East Coast

Most chefs specialize in sweet or savory preparations, but Elizabeth does both — and she does them extremely well. She’s as physically fit as she is well-trained in the kitchen, and she’s primed to endure the most challenging moments in the arena.

Maneet Chauhan: No. 6 Seed, East Coast

Sure, she’s sweet and soft-spoken at the Chopped judges’ table, but Maneet is a true warrior in the kitchen. She brings an arsenal of heavy-hitting spices to everything she flavors.

Christian Petroni: No. 7 Seed, East Coast

Food Network Star’s newest winner is a popular paesano among fellow chefs and fans alike. He’s a master at Italian cuisine with a huge restaurant empire to his name, though his skills go far beyond simple red sauce.

Darnell Ferguson: No. 8 Seed, East Coast

Darnell may be the new kid on the block, but don’t you dare underestimate him. With big wins on Guy’s Grocery Games and Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge behind him, he has his eyes on the TOC arena and is hellbent on making sure you remember him.

Antonia Lofaso: No. 1 Seed, West Coast

Make no mistake — Antonia may have dished out the humor as a Cutthroat Kitchen judge, but she’s a serious LA chef with a long list of competition experience on her resume. Wait until you see her determination in action as she steps into the arena with a sharp wit and sharper knives.

Michael Voltaggio: No. 2 Seed, West Coast

Don’t be surprised if this Top Chef winner doesn’t crack a smile; he’s all business in the kitchen, and that focus is exactly what could lead to his success in this fierce face-off.

Eric Greenspan: No. 3 Seed, West Coast

A longtime Food Network competitor, Eric has vied for the title of The Next Iron Chef not once but twice, and he’s battled the clock on Guy’s Grocery Games and Cutthroat Kitchen. He’s a grilled cheese connoisseur with an expert palate that will serve him far beyond sandwiches.

Beau MacMillan: No. 4 Seed, West Coast

If there’s one thing you can be sure of when Beau presents a plate, it’s that the food will be really freaking delicious. As a legendary chef in the Southwest, he’s known for his heavy-handed use of all the best things in life — read: butter and beef — and his ability to cook exactly what people (judges included) want to eat.

Richard Blais: No. 5 Seed, West Coast

If Richard’s reputation precedes him, you may think of him as a genius with of molecular gastronomy. And he is. But he’s so much more, these days focusing on crunchy, juicy fried chicken and other craveworthy comfort foods we know and love. He’s a frequent competitor who’s ready for his moment to shine.

Jet Tila: No. 6 Seed, West Coast

Jet’s experience lies heavily in the realm of Asian cuisine, but that doesn’t mean he’s a one-trick chef. As a longtime judge on Cutthroat Kitchen and the current host of Ready, Jet, Cook, he brings a wealth of knowledge on international cuisine to the table — plus a determined spirit.

Brooke Williamson: No. 7 Seed, West Coast

Though Brooke is a relative newcomer to the Food Network fam, she’s no stranger to culinary contests, having won Top Chef, Season 14. This big-city restaurateur owns and operates several businesses across California, and she’s got the work ethic to sustain a challenge.

Marcel Vigneron: No. 8 Seed, West Coast

No stranger to the competition circuit, Marcel is adept at working under pressure and adapting to the challenges at hand. He has years of industry experience behind him, which means that he’s quick on his feet and fast with his knife.