Celebrity Chef Antonia Lofaso Wins Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions VI”
Celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso, a big promoter of Alaska pollock, has been crowned the champion of Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions VI.” Lofaso beat out 31 other chefs in a bracket-style elimination to take home the $150,000 grand prize.
Lofaso is no stranger to the reality TV circuit, appearing on “Top Chef,” “Chopped,” and “Guy’s Grocery Games,” among many others. She’s also appeared on all six seasons of “Tournament of Champions” (TOC). But this last season was the first where she walked away with the grand prize (and epic belt).
“I did not initially want to come back and compete this year. I had been there five times before and done well, so thought maybe that could be enough, but a change in perspective and a change of heart had me back in the hunt for the title,” Lofaso said. “Winning ‘TOC’ has truly been an incredible journey and one of the greatest moments of my life.”
Lofaso’s glazed sticky beef salad and spicy wagyu sausage and huitlacoche mash may have won over ‘TOC’ champions Maneet Chauhan, Mei Lin, Brooke Williamson, and surprise judge Martha Stewart, but the chef has become popular on social media for highlighting seafood, especially Alaska pollock.
Chef Antonia Lofaso with Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers CEO Craig Morris. Photo Credit: GAPP
In 2022 and 2023, Lofaso headlined the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers’ (GAPP) fourth and fifth annual meetings, where she shared her perspective on connecting consumers to Alaska pollock and participated in a cooking demonstration. Lofaso was also featured in an influencer campaign with GAPP, in which she shared recipes on social media using Alaska pollock and surimi.
