The Tournament of Champions has crowned its season 5 victor, a remarkable achievement for a chef who is already a prominent figure in the culinary landscape. This prestigious Food Network competition brings together exceptional chefs, primarily those with backgrounds from other cooking shows, to determine who truly stands out as the crème de la crème. As an all-star competition, participants must demonstrate their utmost skills to have a shot at winning the coveted title.
In a thrilling showdown, eight competitors from the West and eight from the East faced off, narrowing the field down to just four contestants for the main tournament. Despite strong efforts, Lee did not secure the win, paving the way for a historic outcome: the tournament welcomed its first-ever two-time champion.
Maneet Chauhan Clinches Tournament of Champions Season 5
Maneet Chauhan Becomes the First Two-Time Champion
Maneet Chauhan, representing the East A bracket, triumphed in the season finale. In the second round, she narrowly defeated Eric Adjepong (Top Chef: Kentucky) with a score of 86-83, followed by a close victory over Tobias Dorzon (Chopped) with a score of 86-84 in the quarterfinals. The intensity continued as she secured a win against Britt Rescigno in the Final Four, and ultimately beat Antonia Lofaso (Top Chef) with a score of 90-89 in the finals.
This notable victory earned Chauhan $25,000 and a brand-new SUV. Additionally, throughout the tournament, she amassed $40,000 in contest rounds, which she generously donated to Nashville restaurants impacted by the pandemic. Chauhan also contributed $10,000 to a friend’s restaurant in North Carolina, which was part of the Brown in the South series. Reflecting on her win, Chauhan expressed her pride in using her platform to raise funds for those in need:
“Winning this competition is even more special for me because I think not only have I won it for myself, but I have won this for Nashville, and Nashville is home. It is such an incredible place… This is probably one of the toughest competitions out there. I’ve competed on a gamut of these. But this puts your entire life’s education work, experience to (the) test. And I think that is what makes it so exciting.”
This triumphant achievement marks Chauhan’s return to the top, as she also claimed victory in the second season of the Tournament of Champions, defeating Brooke Williamson. She stands out as the only contestant to reach the finals three times, securing victories in two of them. Furthermore, Chauhan holds the record for the most battles won (15) in the tournament’s history, and she made it to the Final Four in season 4, where she was defeated by Mei Lin. After participating in the first five seasons, she transitioned to a judging role in the sixth season.
Maneet Chauhan: An Icon in the Culinary World
A Culinary Trailblazer Before Tournament of Champions
Maneet Chauhan was already a culinary sensation long before her participation in Tournament of Champions season 5. She began her journey in India, excelling at the WelcomGroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, renowned as the top culinary institute in the country. Following her graduation, she honed her skills through internships at prestigious establishments like the Taj Group, Oberoi Hotels, and Le Meridien before making her way to the United States (via Food Network).
Chauhan showcased her talent early on by becoming the only female finalist among 40 male chefs vying for an executive chef position. She ultimately opened Vermilion, a fusion restaurant featuring contemporary Indian and Latin cuisine, where she garnered numerous accolades and established herself as one of Chicago’s top new chefs.
Her achievements include a prestigious invitation from President Barack Obama to the White House and appearances on popular cooking shows like Iron Chef America, where she competed against the legendary Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Chauhan has also appeared as a judge on Chopped and competed in The Next Iron Chef and Chopped All-Stars, further solidifying her reputation in the culinary world.
The Future for Maneet Chauhan
Maneet Chauhan Returns to Tournament of Champions
One of the most exciting developments in Chauhan’s career is her role as a judge on season 6 of the Tournament of Champions, which premiered in March 2025. Having faced many ups and downs in her competitive journey—including a semifinal loss in the first season and subsequent victories—Chauhan’s extensive experience uniquely qualifies her to assess the new generation of competitors. Joining her as judges are Mei Lin, who defeated her in season 4, and Brooke Williamson, whom she bested in season 2. Chauhan expressed her perspective on female chefs in the industry:
“For the longest time, as women chefs, we’ve been trying to say, ‘Judge us on our food, not on who we are.’ And that’s exactly what’s happening on this show. Do whatever you want, just be the best at it, because that’s the only way you’ll succeed. And that’s exactly what I did.”
Beyond her judging duties, Chauhan remains dedicated to her community initiatives. She collaborates with organizations like CRY (Child Rights and You) and P.A.V.E. (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment), highlighting her commitment to giving back. Additionally, she is poised to open a new restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, and is actively promoting her recently published book, Flavors of the World: A Culinary Journey: Exploring Global Cuisine Through Taste and Tradition.