Tournament of Champions: Britt Rescigno Triumphs Again
The popular cooking competition, Tournament of Champions, made its return on March 30, 2025, at 8 PM on the Food Network. This thrilling fifth season pits 32 talented chefs against each other, all vying for a grand prize of $150,000. Each episode features contestants facing unique culinary challenges that require them to whip up extraordinary dishes using randomly assigned ingredients, cooking equipment, and techniques facilitated by a game-changing element known as the Randomizer.
Recent Highlights: Chef Britt Rescigno’s Remarkable Win
In the latest episode, Chef Britt Rescigno accomplished a significant milestone by securing her second victory of the season, propelling her into the coveted top eight. She faced off against Chef Michael Reed, a nominee for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards hailing from California. Their challenge revolved around creating a “Sunday supper” dish centered on whole lobster and English peas, utilizing a vacuum sealer as an essential cooking tool.
Rescigno, originally from New Jersey and now the head chef at Fiamma, an Italian restaurant in Idaho, presented a dish of country-style polenta topped with butter-poached lobster and English peas. In contrast, Reed prepared a lobster risotto accompanied by an English pea and mint puree. The judges—culinary luminaries Nancy Silverton, Marcus Samuelsson, and Scott Conant—awarded Rescigno an impressive score of 80 points, surpassing Reed’s mark of 76.
“The pressure is real. I’ve never not made it into ‘the great eight,’ and I just have bigger dreams this year than I ever have,” Rescigno stated during the airing of the episode.
Rescigno’s Culinary Insights and Family Connections
Returning for her third season in the Tournament of Champions, Chef Britt Rescigno has displayed remarkable skill and determination. Her connection to lobster runs deep, with significant family memories tied to the ingredient, particularly her grandfather’s birthday celebrations. For her dish, she aimed to encapsulate the essence of a family-style Sunday dinner, complementing the lobster with polenta and peas.
“I think that was a super smart move to pair the lobster with polenta because that took away that fanciness and brought it right down to what we would have for Sunday supper,” Judge Nancy Silverton remarked.
Judge Marcus Samuelsson further praised her technique:
“If you ever wanted to have a cooking class in how to cook lobster, Chef here showed us.”
Having amassed a score of 80 points, Rescigno is set to advance and will compete against Chef Kaleena Bliss, who recently triumphed over Chef Shota Nakajima.
A Look Back: Rescigno’s Tournament Journey
This episode marks Rescigno’s third venture on the Tournament of Champions stage. Last season saw her reach the final four after defeating several notable chefs, including James Beard Award winner Jonathon Sawyer and renowned judges like Marc Murphy and Amanda Freitag. Although she was eventually bested by Maneet Chauhan in the semifinals, her journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
A former executive chef at the Delaware Avenue Oyster House & Bar in Beach Haven, New Jersey, Rescigno has proven her prowess on culinary platforms like Chopped, where she was a champion, and Beat Bobby Flay, where she bested the show’s host. In this season, she previously claimed a victory against Chef Chris Oh and expressed her passion for the competition on March 30, stating:
“I have a lot to accomplish, and I’m here to do it.”
Interestingly, Chef David Viana, another talented chef from the Jersey Shore, is also participating in this exciting season.
Join the Culinary Action
Tournament of Champions airs every Sunday at 8 PM ET on the Food Network, continuing to bring high-stakes culinary competition and unforgettable moments to viewers. Don’t miss out on the thrilling battles that unfold as these chefs showcase their culinary ingenuity!