"America's Culinary Cup" Announces Acclaimed Guest Judges

The 14 Renowned Guest Judges Will Offer Specialized Insight into the Championship-Style Culinary Showdown This Season, Beginning with the March 11 Episode

AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP announced today the 14 renowned Guest Judges bringing the heat and key expertise to CBS’ new high-stakes cooking competition this season, beginning with the March 11 episode. Joining host and executive producer Padma Lakshmi, as well as chef judges Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne, each culinary expert will offer specialized insight in evaluating a challenge centered around one of the series’ ten culinary commandments: meat, vegetables, sauces, dessert, innovation, taste, sustainability, world cuisine, consistency, culinary science and technology – the very principles that define greatness in the kitchen. The ultimate culinary showdown, which features 16 of the nation’s most elite chefs competing for the biggest cash prize in culinary television history - $1 million - airs Wednesdays (8:30-9:30 PM, CT)  on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*.

 

Introducing AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP Guest Judges:

Guest Judge: Pat LaFrieda, 4th-generation butcher; best known as the go-to butcher for many of the country’s top chefs and restaurants

Commandment Specialty: Meat

Episode Air Date: March 11

 

Guest Judge: Suzette Gresham, James Beard-nominated co-owner and executive chef of San Francisco’s two Michelin Star restaurant Acquerello

Commandment Specialty: Vegetables

Episode Air Date: April 1

 

Guest Judge: Stefano Secchi, Michelin-starred chef and owner of two Italian restaurants in New York City: Rezdôra and Massara

Commandment Specialty: Vegetables

Episode Air Date: April 1

 

Guest Judges: Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, husband-and-wife culinary team, co-owners of the Chicago-based, world's first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant, Kasama

Commandment Specialty: Vegetables

Episode Air Date: April 1

 

Guest Judge: Priya Krishna, New York-based food reporter, video host, former restaurant critic at The New York Times and best-selling author

Commandment Specialty: Vegetables

Episode Air Date: April 1

 

Guest Judge: JJ Johnson, James Beard Award–winning chef, author and cultural tastemaker named a 2026 TIME Closer and founder of the community-rooted rice bowl shop FIELDTRIP  

Commandment Specialty: Vegetables

Episode Air Date: April 1

 

Guest Judge: Nina Métayer, known for innovation and artistry in haute patisserie; twice named the World’s Best Pastry Chef

Commandment Specialty: Desserts

Episode Air Date: April 8

 

Guest Judge: Kwame Onwuachi, James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and author; Time Magazine’s List of 2025's “100 Most Influential People”

Commandment Specialty: World Cuisine

Episode Air Date: April 29

Guest Judge: Roy Choi, James Beard-winning chef known as an architect of the modern food truck movement; co-owner, co-founder and chef of Kogi BBQ

Commandment Specialty: World Cuisine

Episode Air Date: April 29

 

Guest Judge: Asma Khan, Indian-born restaurateur and trailblazer in London’s culinary scene whose Michelin Guide restaurant, Darjeeling Express, is known for its revolutionary all-female kitchen

Commandment Specialty: World Cuisine

Episode Air Date: April 29

 

Name: Eric Ripert, James Beard-winning globally renowned French chef and co-owner of three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Bernardin in New York City

Commandment Specialty: Innovation

Episode Air Date: May 13

 

Name: Suzanne Goin, James Beard-winning Los Angeles-based chef celebrated for seasonal, farmers market-focused cuisine, and acclaimed restaurants Lucques and A.O.C.

Commandment Specialty: Innovation

Episode Air Date: May 13

 

Name: Daniela Soto-Innes, youngest chef to be named “World's Best Female Chef” by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Commandment Specialty: Innovation

Episode Air Date: May 13

 

AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP is produced by Padma Lakshmi for Delicious Entertainment and Susan Rovner for Aha Studios. Josh Silberman serves as showrunner.