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**Disclaimer: This article on Tournament of Champions is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.**
Tournament of Champions season 6 concluded after Antonia Lofaso emerged victorious and walked away with the $150,000 briefcase. She defeated many formidable opponents on her way to the finish line, proving why she was worthy of the title. Among those opponents Antonia defeated was American chef and reality TV personality Rocco DiSpirito.
Out of everyone Antonia was pitted against, Rocco, according to me, was one of her most challenging competitors. I say that not just because of his vast career in the culinary industry, or that he was a James Beard award winner, but because he served as a judge in four seasons of Tournament of Champions.
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His experience as a panelist gave him the expert's edge, as he knew what traits and tastes the judges appreciated and the level of artistry they expected from the contestants. Additionally, Rocco competed in season 1 of Tournament of Champions as a contestant. Although every round was judged through blind tasting, Rocco had the experience of being on both sides of the table.
Even then, he failed to outperform Antonia, losing the second round by a five-point margin. It was a surprising upset because out of all the contestants, Rocco, arguably, had one of the most celebrated careers. With his level of expertise and experience, many assumed he would have an advantage over Antonia, but he did not.
Antonia won the battle based on her performance in that specific round, illustrating that in Tournament of Champions, performance overpowered everything else. Neither reputation in the industry nor past accolades could play a role in determining the winner.
Tournament of Champions star Rocco was good, but Antonia was better
In episode 6 of Tournament of Champions season 6, Rocco said that he wanted to continue winning and keep up his momentum, having defeated Chef Tim Love in the first round of the competition.
The contestant also explained that while many might think being a former judge was an advantage, it actually was not, because no amount of preparation or studying could train anyone to tackle the unpredictability of the Randomizer. It illustrates how the battles come down to performance and nothing else.
Meanwhile, Antonia told the cameras that she was not afraid of facing a former judge, despite his expertise and culinary background. She wanted him to go back on the "judges' couch," worried he might not be able to tackle the contestants in the "crazy room." Antonia exuded confidence and determination because she knew she would be judged based on her performance and her plate of food.
Tournament of Champions' format provides all contestants an equal footing, ensuring only the best food gets rewarded. This is one of the primary reasons why contestants faced former judges and former winners without hesitation, knowing past achievements and reputation were barred from influencing judgment.
Rocco, who enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America at 16 and was training with European masters by 20, put his best foot forward to defeat Antonia. However, despite his culinary prowess, Antonia was just better. When host Guy Fieri asked Rocco why he stepped down from the judging table, he said it was a "momentary lapse of reason," adding that he was nervous about facing Antonia.
For the battle, Antonia and Rocco had to cook using sturgeon, Tuscan kale, a mortar and pestle, and include gastropub plating. While Antonia prepared fish and chips with tartar sauce and mushy peas, Rocco cooked bacon-wrapped sturgeon with braised Tuscan kale.
While tasting Rocco's dish, judges called it a "high-level" cook. However, they did not like the "muddiness" in the sturgeon and even criticized the use of the kale. In contrast, while tasting Antonia's preparation, one of the judges snapped his napkin on the table, giving it the ultimate nod of appreciation.
The panelists called it "perfect" and "next-level" preparation. One of them even deemed it the "best fish and chips." Consequently, the victory was given to Antonia, resulting in Rocco's elimination. It demonstrates how taste and performance in the battle mattered more than anything else in Tournament of Champions.
Despite having a more diverse and vast career than Antonia, Rocco could not outperform the "Princess Warrior."
Tournament of Champions season 6 can be streamed on Max.
