January 2026

AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP from acclaimed Emmy® Award-nominated food expert Padma Lakshmi (“Top Chef,” “Taste the Nation”) features an invitation-only lineup of America’s most elite chefs to compete in the ultimate culinary arena, with chefs Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne serving as judges. Sixteen chefs will be tested against the competition’s 10 culinary commandments – meat, vegetables, sauces, dessert, innovation, flavors, sustainability, world cuisine, consistency, culinary science and technology – the very principles that define greatness in the kitchen. Cimarusti and Dufresne bring their unique perspectives to evaluate taste, creativity, presentation and technique, determining who advances, who is eliminated and who ultimately masters the commandments to win AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP and claim the biggest cash prize in culinary history – $1 million dollars.

Premieres with a special 90-minute episode Wednesday, March 4 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand) for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs).

ON-AIR: Airs Wednesdays (9:30-10:30 PM, ET/PT) beginning March 11

CREATOR, HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Padma Lakshmi

JUDGES: Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne

SHOWRUNNER: Josh Silberman

PRODUCED BY: Padma Lakshmi for Delicious Entertainment, Susan Rovner for Aha Studios.

*Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service as well as on demand. Essential-tier subscribers will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.

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Press Contacts:

Julie Holland Shawna Malcom Jennifer Mendez-Ruiz

julie.holland@cbs.com shawna.malcom@cbs.com jennifer.mendezruiz@cbs.com

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