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  "path": "/food-drink/2026/02/25/americas-culinary-cup-cbs-chicago-chefs-beverly-kim-diana-davila",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-25T11:30:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.wbez.org",
  "textContent": "<p>One. Million. Dollars.</p><p>That’s what 16 elite chefs from across the country — including two from Chicago — are vying for on “America’s Culinary Cup,” a new cooking competition series premiering March 4 on CBS.</p><div class=\"Enhancement FormEnhancement\" data-align-center> <div id=\"Form-newsletter-wrapper\" class=\"Form-newsletter-wrapper\" data-module data-has-background ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"custom-form-c10000\" name=\"custom-form-c10000\"></a><bsp-form class=\"Form-newsletter\" data-form-container data-has-background style=\"--color-form-background: #e8dbed;; --color-form-link: var(--link-color); --color-form-link-hover: var(--color-link-text-hover); \" data-ajax-submit=\"true\"> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-logo\"> <picture data-crop=\"\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"840\" height=\"555\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8d5b965/2147483647/strip/true/crop/985x651+33+0/resize/840x555!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F71%2Ff5%2F2243263a48c7a1d6e81fedce4f15%2Fgr-wordmark-rgb-dkgreen-newsletter.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a4ff6fd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/985x651+33+0/resize/1680x1110!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F71%2Ff5%2F2243263a48c7a1d6e81fedce4f15%2Fgr-wordmark-rgb-dkgreen-newsletter.png 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"840\" height=\"555\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d21ec76/2147483647/strip/true/crop/985x651+33+0/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F71%2Ff5%2F2243263a48c7a1d6e81fedce4f15%2Fgr-wordmark-rgb-dkgreen-newsletter.png\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"GR-wordmark-RGB-DKgreen-Newsletter.png\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d21ec76/2147483647/strip/true/crop/985x651+33+0/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F71%2Ff5%2F2243263a48c7a1d6e81fedce4f15%2Fgr-wordmark-rgb-dkgreen-newsletter.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/aaee62a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/985x651+33+0/resize/1680x1110!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F71%2Ff5%2F2243263a48c7a1d6e81fedce4f15%2Fgr-wordmark-rgb-dkgreen-newsletter.png 2x\" width=\"840\" height=\"555\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d21ec76/2147483647/strip/true/crop/985x651+33+0/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F71%2Ff5%2F2243263a48c7a1d6e81fedce4f15%2Fgr-wordmark-rgb-dkgreen-newsletter.png\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> </div> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-text-wrapper\"> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-title\"> Green Room Newsletter </div> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-submissionSuccess\"> <p><b>You’re subscribed!</b></p><p></p><p>Please check your inbox for your confirmation.</p> </div> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-description\">Stay ahead of what’s hitting Chicago stages, galleries, museums and more with Green Room, WBEZ’s weekly arts & culture newsletter!</div> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-errorMessage\"><p>Sorry, there was an error registering your email.</p></div> </div> <form data-ajax-endpoint=\"https://sfmc-subscribe.wbez.org/v1/subscription\" class=\"Form-newsletter-form\" method=\"POST\" > <div class=\"Form-newsletter-item\"> <div class=\"EmailInput\"><label class=\"EmailInput-label\"><span>Email</span> <input class=\"EmailInput-input\" type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"name@email.com\" required aria-required=\"true\"> </label> </div> <button class=\"Button\" type=\"submit\">Submit </button> </div> <div class=\"Form-items-item\"> <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"acquisition_campaign\" value=\"ARTS_Affordance\"> </div> <div class=\"Form-newsletter-disclaimer\"> <p>By subscribing, you agree with WBEZ’s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/terms-of-use\" target=\"_blank\" >Terms of Use</a> and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" >Privacy Policy</a></p> </div> </form> </bsp-form> </div> </div><p>It’s the highest prize money ever offered among food competition TV shows. And while some may draw comparisons to the plethora of Food Network or Cooking Channel offerings, America’s Culinary Cup (ACC) host — food expert, cookbook author and the former “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi — claims she’ll take everything to a whole new level.</p><p>“I thought the genre was ready for a shake-up, for a refresh, and for something new and different. And I wanted to be the one who did it,” <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/americas-culinary-cup-chefs-premiere-date-host/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Lakshmi told the media</u></a> at the Television Critics Association Winter Tour in January.</p><p>There are several female chefs in the cast, including two Chicagoans: James Beard Award winner Chef Beverly Kim of Parachute Hi-Fi in Avondale (co-owned with her husband Chef Johnny Clark), and executive chef/owner and James Beard nominee Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojería in Logan Square.</p><p>The show’s mission? Challenge each chef in what the series calls “10 culinary commandments”: meat, vegetables, sauces, dessert, innovation, flavors, sustainability, world cuisine, consistency and culinary science/technology. Chefs will be judged on taste, creativity, presentation and technique as they pertain to each commandment. Sharing judging duties with Lakshmi are Michelin-starred chefs/restaurateurs, LA-based Michael Cimarusti (Providence, and Connie and Ted’s) and New York-based Wylie Dufresne (Stretch pizza).</p><p>Lakshmi told <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://people.com/padma-lakshmi-returns-to-tv-as-host-of-america-s-culinary-cup-get-a-first-look-exclusive-11905324\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>People </u></a>the elite 16 are “the most decorated group to ever compete against each other,” a group that includes James Beard Award winners/nominees, Michelin Star recipients, a “Top Chef” champion and Bocuse D’Or gold and silver medalists.</p><hr><p></p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-floatLeft> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-8e0000\" name=\"image-8e0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb8a595/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1973x1107+0+946/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fd8%2F0a572c434ae7bdbfb4d612cd2d17%2Fbeverly-kim-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/81e5083/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1973x1107+0+946/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fd8%2F0a572c434ae7bdbfb4d612cd2d17%2Fbeverly-kim-2.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/acc1e6a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1973x1107+0+946/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fd8%2F0a572c434ae7bdbfb4d612cd2d17%2Fbeverly-kim-2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"“Spoiled for Stroganoff” – Sixteen of the nation’s most talented chefs step into Padma Lakshmi’s fiercely competitive arena, each bringing their unique flair and signature dishes to the table – with $1 million dollars on the line, the battle for culinary supremacy begins. Chefs must rise to the challenge or crumble under the heat on the special 90-minute season premiere of AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP, Wednesday, March 4 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ Pictured: Beverly Kim Photo: Jackie Brown/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/acc1e6a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1973x1107+0+946/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fd8%2F0a572c434ae7bdbfb4d612cd2d17%2Fbeverly-kim-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bfeb7c9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1973x1107+0+946/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fd8%2F0a572c434ae7bdbfb4d612cd2d17%2Fbeverly-kim-2.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/acc1e6a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1973x1107+0+946/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fd8%2F0a572c434ae7bdbfb4d612cd2d17%2Fbeverly-kim-2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Chef Beverly Kim on “America’s Culinary Cup.”</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Jackie Brown/CBS</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-floatRight> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-b00000\" name=\"image-b00000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7b4abe9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+939/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2Fb7%2F655f307949d9b42f1ab07a69d6a7%2Fdiana.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/518f4a6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+939/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2Fb7%2F655f307949d9b42f1ab07a69d6a7%2Fdiana.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/928db79/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+939/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2Fb7%2F655f307949d9b42f1ab07a69d6a7%2Fdiana.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"DIANA DÁVILA -- Competitor in CBS Original Series AMERICA'S CULINARY CUP, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Jackie_Brown/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/928db79/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+939/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2Fb7%2F655f307949d9b42f1ab07a69d6a7%2Fdiana.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e6f26aa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+939/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2Fb7%2F655f307949d9b42f1ab07a69d6a7%2Fdiana.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/928db79/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+939/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2Fb7%2F655f307949d9b42f1ab07a69d6a7%2Fdiana.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Chef Diana Dávila on “America’s Culinary Cup.”</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Jackie Brown/CBS</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><hr><p>The competition pressure, the Chicago chefs both acknowledged, was immense, especially deciding what to cook in a split second.</p><p>“You’re filtering a lot of ideas. At the same time you’re filtering what’s given in the moment, what’s in the [on-set] pantry [for example]. … At the end of the day it’s making a decision and sticking with it,” said Kim.</p><p>The chefs said they had no idea who comprised the rest of the lineup until they were revealed during the taping of the first episode.</p><p>“I was so scared,” Dávila said. “It was really great to see Beverly; it makes you feel not alone.”</p><p>While Kim has previously competed on “Top Chef,” (finishing 4th in 2011), Dávila is a newbie to the concept, but she said she welcomed the opportunity at this point in her life.</p><p>“It’s wanting to have a challenge, do something out of the norm. ... Just wanting an adventure,” Dávila said. “We say a lot of dumb things when we're young, like, I’m not gonna do a TV competition. That’s not what real chefs do. And all that kind of stuff. So many years later I have friends who have done it and I started watching shows here and there, and … I’m like, why not try it?”</p><p>There’s another benefit, she admitted. ”It’s good for business,” Dávila added. “The business woman in me is, like, if you have an opportunity to challenge yourself and maybe shed some light and maybe get a broader audience for Mi Tocaya, why not do it? … It’s almost like checking your privilege, too. This is an opportunity that not a lot of people get.”</p><p>Both chefs say they did receive some competition advice from those they hold near and dear.</p><p>For Kim, it came from her “biggest cheerleader,” her husband, partly in the form of a gift — a St. Sebastian medal she wears on a necklace that accompanied her throughout the show. Sebastian is considered the patron saint of archers and soldiers, invoking strength and perseverance.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-c40000\" name=\"image-c40000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dd01238/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1403+0+132/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F73%2F15%2F732ebfd14f7399e16becb2e60ee1%2Fculinarycup-2603040128.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/773a134/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1403+0+132/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F73%2F15%2F732ebfd14f7399e16becb2e60ee1%2Fculinarycup-2603040128.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e03e1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1403+0+132/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F73%2F15%2F732ebfd14f7399e16becb2e60ee1%2Fculinarycup-2603040128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Beverly Kim holds a necklace her husband gave her at Parachute Hi-Fi.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e03e1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1403+0+132/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F73%2F15%2F732ebfd14f7399e16becb2e60ee1%2Fculinarycup-2603040128.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0b2c673/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1403+0+132/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F73%2F15%2F732ebfd14f7399e16becb2e60ee1%2Fculinarycup-2603040128.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e03e1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1403+0+132/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F73%2F15%2F732ebfd14f7399e16becb2e60ee1%2Fculinarycup-2603040128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Kim wears a St. Sebastian medal — a gift from her husband — throughout the show. Sebastian is considered the patron saint of archers and soldiers, invoking strength and perseverance.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Manuel Martinez/WBEZ</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Dávila turned to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/8/18316445/top-chef-winner-is-chicago-native-joe-flamm\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Season 15 “Top Chef” winner</u></a>, Chicago chef/restaurateur Joe Flamm (Rose Mary, Il Carfiofo and Bar Tutto), who told her to “just be herself.”</p><p>“I called him up and he’s like, just do it!,” Dávila said. “You’re gonna kill. You’re perfect for it. You’re gonna have so much fun. Is it super hard? Yes. Do you feel like you’re gonna die? Sometimes. He told me to just be really focused and centered.“</p><p><i>\"America's Culinary Cup\" airs at 8:30 p.m. March 4 on CBS, and streams on Paramount +. </i></p>",
  "title": "Chicago chefs compete on new Padma Lakshmi show “America’s Culinary Cup”",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-25T11:30:38.112Z"
}