Maneet Chauhan becomes first 2-time champion of Food Network's 'Tournament of Champions'

Food Network Press Release

Maneet Chauhan was crowned the first two-time champion on Sunday night’s finale of “Tournament of Champions V,” taking home the biggest prize in the history of the competition of $150,000.

After weeks of dominating the randomizer and going head-to-head with some of the most talented heavy hitters in the culinary world, Maneet won the final round of the difficult and edge-of-your-seat competition.

Throughout the action-packed tournament, host and executive producer Guy Fieri put the culinary skills of 32 of the nation’s most celebrated chefs to the test in an East Coast vs. West Coast, bracket-style, single-elimination tournament. Heading into the finale, “Tournament of Champions V” had reached 15.6 million P2+ viewers (across Food Network/Max/Discovery+), and is on track to be Food Network’s highest-rated series among P25-54 for the fourth year in a row, with ratings up 82% vs. prior six-week timeslot benchmarks. Food Network also ranked as the No. 1 cable network among P18+ during the “Tournament of Champions” timeslot. The series is also Food Network’s most-social series ever, earning more than 71 million social impressions and more than 38 million video views across platforms.

“It’s one of those moments when you have to pinch yourself and realize the triumph!” Maneet said. “I had a lot of fun; I was challenged and now stand humbled and thankful to all those who believed in me. It’s always an energy-fueled journey; one I embrace and always grateful for the opportunity!”

The pressure and emotions were high in the final cooking battle as East Coast chef Maneet, who entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed in her region, faced-off against West Coast chef Antonia Lofaso, who was ranked third in her region. “The Randomizer” dished out some never seen before items in the history of the competition for the final battle that dictated the chefs make a high-end and a low-end dish using a side of goat, cacao pods, and a heating mixer with layered and spicy components in only 60 minutes.

After racing around the kitchen to prepare their dishes for the judges, Maneet and Antonia watched the deliberation backstage. With a close, 1-point difference, Maneet’s dishes – a high-end gushtaba Kashmiri goat meatballs in korma sauce and a low-end keema pav Indian “sloppy Joe” served with pickled onions and fried chilis – won “Tournament of Champions V,” making her the first two-time champion, earning bragging rights, the sought-after championship belt, and the cash prize of $150,000!

“The culinary skill displayed in every round was truly unbeatable, and the streak of female ‘Tournament of Champions’ winners remains unbroken, as viewers were at the edge-of-their-seats following the action and were captivated by the unpredictable battles all season long,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery.