The sixth season of “Tournament of Champions,” a Food Network show that pits chefs against each other in a bracket-style cooking competition, is getting a taste of New Jersey.
Chef David Viana of Lita and La Otra in Aberdeen, Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, and the forthcoming Judy’s in Asbury Park and Abramzon & David’s Delicatesse in Old Bridge earned his spot on the show after cooking on “Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers” on Sunday, Feb. 23.
The two-part qualifier began Feb. 16 with 16 chefs competing for eight spots on “Tournament of Champions,” which premieres Sunday, March 2. On the “TOC” shows, contestants are tasked with preparing a dish from randomly assigned ingredients, equipment and cooking style.
Viana, who was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award this year and whose Old Bridge restaurant was named one of USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year in 2024, was randomly paired with Chef Dara Yu.
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The chefs were tasked with using white cauliflower and ground pork in a dish that took 32 minutes to cook and utilized a panini press and a sautéed component.
“I work in a restaurant where I change the menu every single week, so for almost five years straight, I committed myself to coming up with new dishes and never repeating a dish,” Viana said, speaking of Heirloom Kitchen. “I think that makes me pretty uniquely qualified.”
He prepared tacos featuring tortillas made on the panini press, cauliflower crema, sautéed ground pork, pickled cauliflower and salsa macha.
“This dish is what stands between me and being on the main bracket here on ‘TOC,” and I’m going to make sure that it’s flawless,” Viana said.
Yu prepared lettuce wraps with a larb pork filling and curry cauliflower purée.
Their dishes were judged by past “Tournament of Champions” winners Maneet Chauhan, Mei Lin and Tiffani Faison.
“All the flavors are really well-distributed,” Lin said of Viana’s dish. She loved the salsa macha and his use of cauliflower.
“This chef came ready to compete on ‘TOC,’ ” Chauhan said.
“I’m proud of what I created. I think it’s a delicious bite that’s worthy of going on to ‘TOC,’ ” Viana said. “It’s thoughtful, it’s developed, it’s got nuance, and I think that this is a winning dish.”
He was right. His dish received 76 out of 100 points; Yu received 72.
Viana and the seven other winning chefs will join 24 pre-determined chefs, including former Shore chef and “Tournament of Champions” competitor Britt Rescigno. on “Tournament of Champions.” The winner of the eight-week competition will receive $150,000.
“Tournament of Champions” premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 2. The finale will air at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 20.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to her weekly newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: David Viana wins spot on Food Network Tournament of Champions
