The Winner of ‘America's Culinary Cup' Season 1 Is Revealed
After a season of America's Culinary Cup cooking commandments, the final three chefs – Cara Stadler, Chris Morgan and Matt Peters -- faced their most daunting commandment yet: innovation in a 90-minute finale. The challenge was for the chefs to reimagine signature dishes from legendary guest judges Eric Ripert, Suzanne Goin and Daniela Soto-Innes.
Then, the chef with the lowest score was eliminated and the final two served their own three-course menu that put their past, present and future on the plate in hopes of winning $1 million. Then, the champion was crowned.
As usual, Padma Lakshmi, Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne awarded points based on Taste, Creativity, Presentation and Mastery of the Commandment with each quality worth 5 points, so each judge's total would be 20 points for a cumulative possibility of 60 points. But with three guest judges, the total was 120 points.
Here's our spoiler-filled recap of the America's Culinary Cup finale, including who won.
Who won America's Culinary Cup Season 1?
Cara Stadler
James Beard Nominee
Who Went Home on the Season 1 finale of America's Culinary Cup?
Chris Morgan
Michelin Starred Chef
Matt Peters
Bocuse D'Or Gold Medalist
What was the first challenge on America's Culinary Cup tonight, and who won it?
For the final commandment, the chefs had 2 hours to reimagine an iconic dish that influenced and changed the culinary landscape.
Cara was assigned to Eric's dish: Salmon caviar
Chris was assigned to Suzanne's dish:Bbraised beef cheek
Matt was assigned to Daniela's dish: Lamb belly barbacoa
The final scores were:
- Cara: 113
- Chris: 108
- Matt: 103
"To be so damn close and to not hit it, I'm so disappointed in myself," Matt said. "Sometimes God puts you in a position to fail sometimes because there is success to come. There's more to do and it's time to move on."
What was the elimination challenge on America's Culinary Cup tonight, and who won it?
Cara and Chris went into the final challenge, which was to cook a three-course meal in six hours. The first course was to tell about their past, where they came from and what shaped them. The second course had to reflect their present. Where they are now and what matters to them in this moment. And the third course should tell the story of their future. Where they're going and who they want to be.
They each got to select a sous chef. For Cara, she brought back Beverly Kim, and for Chris it was Gerald.
When the votes were counted, it was Cara who emerged victorious with 278 points to Chris' 274. Her three courses were: Dumplings, Lobster Moilee and Teatime.
"I just won America's Culinary Cup, I can't believe it," Cara said. Then she added, "It felt so good to come in second for so long and then crush it at the end."
And Chris said, "It was devastating. I lost by four points. I know everyone in my family is proud of me. I know my mom is looking down and she's proud of me. That's what I want more than anything."
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 10:00 PM.