Tournament of Champions 3 premiere recap: One point really matters

While Hunter Fieri said that this season is greater than must watch food television, the Tournament of Champions 3 premiere recap had more dramatic moments than the cliffhanger in a Hallmark movie. Although the randomizer is bringing its havoc again, the reality is that some of the drama comes down to some smack talking between chefs. Did one chef’s ego write a check that the dish couldn’t cash?

With 32 chefs ready to battle, some names are more familiar than others. Even the most ardent Food Network fan might have to reach into the deep cervices of the brain to remember some chefs resounding victories. Still, this culinary competition is anyone’s game.

After the chefs were placed in the brackets, everyone is waiting, wondering and maybe even hoping for a big upset. Call it schadenfreude or just craving something other than the predictable, the reality is that everyone wants a little excitement to make that quick paced challenge seem more exciting.

Tournament of Champions 3 premiere round 1: Michael Voltaggio vs Phillip Franklin Lee

In this West Coast battle, the always thoughtful Michael Voltaggio took on the perfectionist Phillip Frankling Lee. The randomizer gave the chefs bratwurst, cherry tomatoes, madeline, toasted and 30 minutes. While some people might think of a grilled bratwurst on a toasted bun, this Food Network challenge needs to be more elevated.

Looking at the dishes, Phillip Franklin Lee offered a lovely plated dish. It was a small portion and carefully crafted, but it was lacking. Even though it checked the toasted box, the judges wanted a toasted bread element.

For Michael Voltaggio, he almost didn’t complete the challenge. The last minute radish using the madeline was clearly an afterthought but a necessary one. Overall, the dish had lots of technique, but it wasn’t as good as some of his best dishes.

The judges, Alex Guarnaschelli, Giada De Laurentiis and Dominique Crenn seemed to be in agreement. The final score was 85 to 82 with Voltaggio winning the round.

Tournament of Champions 3 premiere round 1: Tiffany Derry vs Tim Hollingsworth

In this battle, it was two very different chefs battling for the spot in round two. Tiffany Derry is a versatile chef. While her Dallas restaurant has a touch of Southern flare, she can cook almost anything.

Although not a Food Network regular, Tim Hollingsworth has earned his culinary title in Netflix’s Final Table. As one of the culinary greats, it was nice to see him in this competition.

For their battle, the requirements were turkey breast, sweet potatoes, food processor, layered and 35 minutes. If this concoction sounded like Thanksgiving, it seems right. Overall, both chefs had a slightly similar approach but no one would have guessed that that dollop of marshmallow.

Whether or not the outcome was an upset or not, Tiffany Derry beat Tim Hollingsworth. Maybe there was just a better comfort food quality to her dish.

Tournament of Champions 3 premiere round 1: Kelsey Barnard Clark vs. Eric Adjepong

In a Top Chef finale redux, this round might have been predictable. The talented Eric Adjepong is a Food Network favorite and he has experience to predict what can win.

The randomizer offered ground chicken, cucumbers, meat mallet, seared and 25 minutes. The hardest part of this challenge was the 25 minutes. As the first time that the 25 minutes happened, the chefs did a remarkable job.

Eric seared the ground chicken and served it with creamy grits and cucumber salad. Those creamy grits helped to add a luscious texture and flavor to the generally bland and boring ground chicken.

Kelsey made a chicken country fried steak (or meatball) and gravy with a summer salad. The judges might have found the dish inviting, but the salad was a big miss.

With the finale score of 79 to 75, Eric took the victory. This battle might be considered an upset but then again, maybe not.

Tournament of Champions 3 premiere round 1: Maneet Chauhan vs Richard Hales

As the reigning champion takes on her first battle, everyone was holding their breath whether history will repeats itself. Could this be the battle where the number one seed falls?

For this battle, the chefs received tilapia, poblano peppers, garlic press, roasted and 30 minutes. The hardest part of this battle was the tilapia. Cooking it well is not an easy task.

Maneet picked a tempura tilapia with lots of spices and a vibrant sauce. While the judges like the dish, they felt that the poblano gets buried. Even though Dominque Creen used the word submissive, that description might be a new one for the food world.

Richard took an Asian approach to his dish. It was comfort food, but the pepper was an after-thought, too. His biggest downfall was lackluster plating.

As the scores were revealed, it was just one point that made the difference. And, Maneet squeaked out a victory thanks to Richard’s plating.

Although there might not have been a big upset, it is still early. Could a big name fall in the next episode? Remember to watch Tournament of Champions 3 on Sunday nights on Food Network and stream anytime on Discovery+.