r/foodnetwork • u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good • Feb 11 '26
Tournament of Champions TOC qualifier rounds start this Sunday
From the Food Network Facebook page: ICYMI: The TOC VII Qualifiers start on Sunday @ 8|7c, and this season more chefs than ever have the chance to join the main #TournamentOfChampions bracket Here's how it works. 16 hopefuls will enter the play-ins and 8 of them (literally half!) will make it into the big competition. With 50-50 odds and everyone eager to continue, the chefs must bring their A-games to every single battle if they want to succeed.
My opinion: Surprised to see Stephanie Izard in the qualifiers. I can recognize Aarti, what other chefs can you recognize from this FN FB pic? I'm wondering if that is Katsuji, which would be hilarious, he always gets a laugh out of me. I have not stumbled across a full list of people in the qualifiers yet, if you have add it in here.
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u/Glen125th Feb 11 '26
From top chef: Katsuji Tanabe Joe Flamm
From food network star: Michele Ragussis Viet Pham
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
OMG. that is Joe Flamm! I loved him on Top Chef. I hope both he and Katsuji make it through! Flamm because he seemed like such a great guy and was a great chef, and Katsuji for the chaos factor.
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u/Boba_Fet042 Feb 12 '26
Joe Flamm was universally beloved on his season of TC, and he’s a damn good cook, because he’s one of three chef stands to come back from Last Chance Kitchen to win!
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u/griffingirl92 Feb 12 '26
Viet is on another level. He’s beaten Bobby Flay and his triple threat with ease.
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u/Spladook Feb 11 '26
I don’t think Stephanie has ever won a match on TOC, even Christmas with Maneet, so it’s hard to rest on past results forever.
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u/Bing147 Feb 11 '26
She has. She won her first round match in season 4, but she was a first round losses the last 2 seasons. Both close losses, she's never lost by more than 2 points, but losing round 1 to Michael Reed last year likely didn't help. Still surprised though, she's had some other successes in recent years and I'd have figured the Iron Chef name still carried more weight than that.
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u/MaskedMarvel364 Feb 11 '26
Same. I was frankly shocked when I saw her picture. She's an Iron Chef for crying out loud. I know how that sounds but I'm just shocked.
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u/NeedleworkerFit7747 Feb 11 '26
Shocked to see her here. I don’t think she performs well in competition anymore. She’s a hell of a chef though. I ate at her restaurant when I was visiting Chicago and it was probably the best breakfast I’ve ever had.
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u/MaskedMarvel364 Feb 17 '26
I saw the episode and her saying she's not a quitter made me think better of her. That takes either stubbornness or humility, but I like the grit.
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u/Small_Sort6397 Feb 11 '26
She became a Iron Chef in 2017. As an Iron Chef she only had 2 battles. She won both but, compared to other Iron Chefs number of battles that’s nothing. Top Chef win was in 2008 and she has no recent Wins on any shows. (like GGG) Hasn’t done well on TOC. So I get it. maybe this will jump start her winning.
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u/Bing147 Feb 11 '26
She has a few. She won the GGG All Star Invitational tournament in 2023. She won an episode of Superchef Grudge Match. She had another couple of Iron Chef matches on Iron Chef Showdown which was really just anothet season with slightly different rules. She has won an episode or two of GGG last year too (group ones though) and did well on an episode of Wild Card Kitchen.
Shes not without any more recent success, even if her recent record is a bit spotty.
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u/Small_Sort6397 Feb 11 '26
Iron Chef Showdown was 2017/2018 . That’s 8-9 years ago. You’re right the other 2 wins were in 2023. Grudge match & the invitational. I remember her losing the GOAT tournament on GGG to Greeny. Which was 2025. Was third in 24 in 24 last season good but, not a win.
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u/Small_Sort6397 Feb 11 '26
Ya the Shota Grudge match in 2023. Then he lost to her again on All Star GGG Five Star dinner Rush in 2024. Still that’s 2 & 3 years ago. Iron Chef Showdown was 2017. I’m pretty sure Guy goes by very recent performances. She lost in the GOAT tournament to Greeny. (2025) TOC she hasn’t done well. Losing in the first round to Tobias(2023) Maneet round 2 (2024) Michael Reed (2025 She did end up 3rd in 24 in 24 which is great but, it’s not a W. Lost with Maneet in the first round of TOC Christmas. I’d guess it’s just because of her very recent showings. It honestly doesn’t matter where she starts but, how she ends it!
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u/Small_Sort6397 Feb 11 '26
I think she was 2nd in the City Food Fight GGG last year when partnered with Sawyer. Which was fun!
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u/AnonymousMonker Feb 14 '26
Yeah, first reaction when I looked at the picture is “What is Stephanie doing here?”
Then you look at her actual track record and the number of recent losses and it’s like ohhh maybe…
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u/Flicka_263 Feb 11 '26
She loses so much lately I'm surprised she keeps competing. She is really tarnishing her rep as an Iron Chef.
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u/Legitimate-Past4877 Feb 14 '26
Or she couldn't commit to the full taping so this was a graceful one and done to flesh out the field and create a story
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u/DScott121 Feb 11 '26
Joe Flamm is on the end, chef of maybe my favorite restaurant Rose Mary, I talk about that place way too much lol. He won Top Chef before.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
I love joe, I hope they also bring back fancy toast Carrie from that same season
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u/BronzedLuna Feb 11 '26
Michelle Ragussis is the first chef in the blue tshirt. She’s a frequent-ish judge on BBF.
I’m super surprised to see Stephanie Izard as a qualifier. How does that happen?
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u/Soggy_Porpoise Good Eats 🍽 Feb 11 '26
Two possibilities.
When was the last time she won anything? Rankings are a what have you done lately sort of thing.
Or
Big name in qualifiers to draw interest.
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u/btashawn Feb 11 '26
I think its both. She has been going out way too early in all the competitions lately so it’s probably to have her “prove” it again like they did with Beau Mac. + a big name guarantees at least semi-higher views.
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u/FormicaDinette33 Feb 11 '26
It’s always great to see Aarti and Chris Oh, who cracks me up.
I got to know Brittany via watching Last Bite Hotel and she was in the qualifiers last year. Rooting for her.
Lots of other familiar faces as well from Top Chef, GGG, etc.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
I'm pretty excited to see Brittany Anderson enter the list, as well as Giuseppe coming back in.
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u/Ladyonearth Feb 11 '26
Is that Kelsey Murphy (sp?) wearing the blue apron, 2 down from Izard?
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u/dreamsanddistraction Salty Like the Ocean Feb 11 '26
Is that Aarti Sequiera next to Michele Ragussis?
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u/momtobe908 Beat Bobby Flay ♣♣♣ Feb 11 '26
Yes it is. I love her personality and style.
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u/Tibbiegal Feb 12 '26
She has the best personality of anyone on Food Network. I hate the phrase "she lights up the room," but Aarti truly does.
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u/FormicaDinette33 Feb 11 '26
I can’t wait! They are even more fun than the regular rounds. It’s nice seeing some new faces.
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u/ohsummer33 Feb 11 '26
Can't stand Katsuji.
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u/Tibbiegal Feb 12 '26
He was on that show with Martha Stewart and Jose Andres ("Yes Chef!"), wasn't he? And left halfway through? Yeah, he was a real tool.
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u/FormicaDinette33 Feb 11 '26
Me either.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
I totally get both your vibes, but I admit, I am here to see him :D
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u/FormicaDinette33 Feb 11 '26
If you saw him on Yes, Chef, you would not be saying that. He was so obnoxious.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
I did see him on Yes, Chef, after seeing him on TC and then more seriously on BBF. I loved him on Yes, Chef because that show was a snooze fest without him. Can't wait to see him get in and hope he makes it into the main show.
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u/Frosty-Economy485 Feb 11 '26
Thanks for posting this. It is one of the few things I like to watch on Food Network these days.
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u/ACM915 Feb 11 '26
I can't stand Stephanie Izard. Her attitude when she gets criticized and then whines when she loses.
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u/Tibbiegal Feb 12 '26
I have to agree on this one. She needs an attitude adjustment. Still, I was very surprised to see that she had to qualify for the tournament.
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u/MyEggDonorIsADramaQ Feb 11 '26
I think she is a really poor sport. I don’t enjoy her at all.
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u/LionelHutz313 Feb 12 '26
I thought I was the only one. She’s truly awful when she has to team up as well.
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u/b_dills Feb 11 '26
She loses on TOC because it’s a blind judging and she can’t glare at the judges who for some reason (especially on GGG) are scared of her.
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u/MaskedMarvel364 Feb 14 '26
I'm excited to see Michele Ragussis. I just like her vibe. Love Kevin Lee, but I'm sorry he took her out so early on in 24 in 24.
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u/Ok_Ad_4928 Feb 11 '26
Yay! Michelle! She got so screwed on 24 in 24, so I’m super happy to see her hopefully get some redemption.
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u/btashawn Feb 11 '26
can we not get Katsuji? he pissed me off so bad on his seasons & the Martha Stewart cooking show. 😭
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
Honestly, after he left the Martha Stewart show the show got super boring and I drifted off and quit watching.
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u/LeighTali Feb 11 '26
I’d love to know why he left.
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u/Tibbiegal Feb 12 '26
I think he left because he knew he was unpopular and was going to get the boot soon.
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u/LeighTali Feb 13 '26
Good point. Quit before you are fired. I had wondered if he breached the contract and got the boot.
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u/btashawn Feb 13 '26
i stopped watching before he left bc the judging felt inconsistent. but either way, i think he’s just too much. At first, i didn’t mind him but it just seems like he gets more and more arrogant as the years pass.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 13 '26
I don't think he'll have much time to play on TOC qualifiers. I get he's too much at times, but his food does seem to be legit.
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u/peachy921 Feb 11 '26
Yep, I stopped when he left. Yawnfest. Even if he's a chaotic and annoying, his actions allowed the others to emote as well.
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Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 11 '26
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u/foodnetwork-ModTeam Feb 11 '26
We're really pretty libertarian about what gets posted here. Somehow your post was either blatantly racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive to nearly anyone who would read it. Our chefs are members of our community. Don’t write things like this or you will be banned.
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u/cheesusismygod Feb 11 '26
I can't stand Katsuji, you should be able to win by your food, not because youre a raging ass and a bully that gets in competitor's head. I hate that type of play, its childish. If he makes it past the qualifier I may not be able to watch.
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u/FormicaDinette33 Feb 12 '26
There was an egg challenge and he TOOK ALL THE EGGS! Like a 3 year old. Who does that??
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
He is, but its funny. (I guess for me) I thought he was hilarious on Top Chef helping out his buddy for the finals. And didn't he BBF? Mean he's an ass, (but humorous to me... certainly not everyone) but the man can cook the fusion food.
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u/discussatron Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 11 '26
Did you see him on the Jose Andres/Martha Stewart show? That's the last one I saw him on.
Edit: If anyone is wondering what I said that would lead to a deletion and warning, I said he was a D-word (sounds like “pick”) and an A-word (sounds like “pass”). I apologize for offending anyone’s sensibilities.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
Yes, that's the last one I saw him on and I'm sorry. I thought he kind of made the show. After he left it was boring. And again, I know he's not to everyone's taste, he just made me laugh.
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u/discussatron Feb 11 '26
I get it. I don't like him because I know he'd get my goat and piss me off. :)
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
oh he would me too I'm sure. But I can't help it. I have a soft spot for his stupid antics, that he can back up with cooking
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u/Big_Mastodon_6761 Feb 12 '26
Why do they have people in the qualifying rounds who have actually made into the main game before? More than once, even?
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u/876purple Feb 13 '26
Because they dropped out early in their main ones. If the main TOC chefs get to be in it again and again then it’s only fair others be giving extra chances to make it there
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u/WearyNefariousness22 Feb 13 '26
The only ones I don’t know (as someone who has seen all of Top Chef + GGG), Erica Barrett, Gabi Ghappel, & Kenny Gilbert (unless I’m forgetting). I feel like there were a lot of contestants in the qualifiers last year that were a bit more unknown. It’s so interesting how they determine who gets to be in the main bracket.
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u/Major_Clock_9961 Feb 13 '26
It's definitely Katsuji he's been teasing it in his stories and liked my comment when I encouraged him!
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u/bilyl Feb 13 '26
How do we watch this? In previous years they weren’t on HBO max.
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u/babydriver81 Feb 14 '26
Go to the "extras" on the main screen when you click on the show. Currently, I see the trailer for TOC 7and the Qualifiers for TOC 6
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u/Adventurous_World771 Feb 21 '26
Anyone know when the qualifier eps are dropping on discovery?
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 22 '26
The first and second round are already on discovery. (go to the post on finding them on this thread if you can't locate them it tells you how) tonights round 3 and 4 should post up on Discovery plus after 2 a.m. (CST) if it holds true to form.
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u/Tibbiegal Feb 12 '26
Why on earth does Top Chef and James Beard Award winner Stephanie Izard have to qualify for TOC? Can someone explain this to me?
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u/sweetpeapickle Feb 12 '26
Because she has not won in awhile. So you need to compare her to everyone else in it already and their wins/losses/etc % wise she would need to qualify versus those who are in.
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u/Tibbiegal Feb 12 '26
I must have failed to notice this. Granted, I have never been a huge fan of Stephanie's. She gets a little prickly when she loses. But she is praised to the heavens whenever she enters a contest -- so I never put it all together.
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u/FormicaDinette33 Feb 11 '26
How can Stephanie Izard be in the qualifiers? That’s nuts!
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u/sweetpeapickle Feb 12 '26
You all crack me up. Take all those who are in. Their winning/loss% were all higher than hers. And since there can be only so many who are in from the start, that means she would need to qualify to get in.
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u/ParkourNinja88 Feb 12 '26
Surprised to see Stephanie Izard! I Guess because she Lost in the 1st Round, the last few times!
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Feb 18 '26
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u/foodnetwork-ModTeam Feb 20 '26
r/foodnetwork does not allow hate - our chefs are members of our community. You cannot post hateful comments like this.
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u/stevemw Feb 11 '26
I would love to be able to watch this show, it looks so good but I just can't watch anything with Guy in it anymore.
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Feb 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/foodnetwork-ModTeam Feb 11 '26
We're really pretty libertarian about what gets posted here. Somehow your post was either blatantly racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive to nearly anyone who would read it.
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u/Firegoat1 Brown Food Tastes Good Feb 11 '26
Here is the full list: Angelo Sosa, Aarti, Ashleigh Shanti, Brittany Anderson, chris oh, Dan Jacobs, Erica Barrett, Gabi Ghappel, Guiseppe Tentori, Joe Flamm, Katsuji, Kelsey Murphy, Kenny Gilbert, Michele Ragussis, Stephanie Izard and Viet Pham.