Padma Lakshmi Reacts to the Winner of “America’s Culinary Cup”, Who She Expected in the Finale and the Elimination She Felt ‘Badly’ About (Exclusive)

**Cara Stadler Triumphs on CBS’s ‘America’s Culinary Cup’ Season Finale**

In a stunning finale that aired on May 13, Cara Stadler emerged victorious in CBS’s highly anticipated culinary competition, “America’s Culinary Cup.” The James Beard-nominated chef, who hails from Maine, clinched the impressive $1 million prize amid strong competition from seasoned opponents, including Michelin-starred chef Chris Morgan and Bocuse d’Or gold medalist Matt Peters.

The season one finale, aptly titled “Million-Dollar Menu,” was a test of culinary innovation and creativity as the final three contestants were tasked with reinterpreting signature dishes from esteemed guest judges Eric Ripert, Suzanne Goin, and Daniela Soto-Innes. The pressure intensified as two chefs progressed to showcase their culinary skills through three elaborate courses, celebrating their past, present, and future as chefs.

Host Padma Lakshmi described Stadler’s unexpected victory as “moving”. She admitted to not being familiar with Stadler prior to the competition, noting that the Maine-based chef had been out of the spotlight for some time, focusing on her family. “She hasn’t had a restaurant for a couple of years,” Lakshmi explained, referring to Stadler’s time away from her establishments, including the Brunswick restaurants Tao Yuan and Zaoze Cafe, as well as Portland’s Bao Bao Dumpling House.

What made Stadler’s journey particularly compelling was her performance during the competition while managing the challenges of pregnancy. As she prepared to welcome her second daughter, Lina, in February, she was also caring for her young child at home. Lakshmi said, “Not only was she pregnant, but she had a very small child at home that her wife was taking care of, and it was very compelling. That’s what I love about the show — you can never predict what’s going to happen.”

In her final presentation, Stadler wowed both the judges and the audience with a dish that even Lakshmi had never encountered before: a beautifully crafted tea infused with dumplings, which she described as a fusion of English and Asian culinary traditions. Lakshmi remarked, “I don’t think any of us had ever had a dish like that. It was so personal to her that, of course, I couldn’t have tried it from anyone else. That was something new.”

The competition was filled with unexpected twists right from its inception on March 4. The first episode, titled “Spoiled for Stroganoff,” saw top contenders such as Bocuse d’Or silver medalist Philip Tessier and Peters face off in an early elimination challenge. This decision resulted in Peters being sent home far earlier than anticipated, prompting Lakshmi to reflect on the surprising outcome, stating, “I felt really badly that Philip Tessier, who is one of the best chefs in the world, went home in the very first episode.”

Lakshmi’s reflections on the season continued as she noted various surprising eliminations throughout the competition. She expressed her shock at the early exit of James Beard nominee Emily Yuen during episode five, noting, “I think that I would have thought she could have lasted longer.” Despite this, she acknowledged the quality of the competition, stating that the decisions made were often a result of minute details that could make or break a contestant’s chances.

As the season concluded, Lakshmi celebrated the significance of Stadler’s win for women and chefs of colour in the culinary industry. “I think it’s great for women, I think it’s great for chefs of colour, and it just shows you I couldn’t have predicted or controlled the outcome — but I’m very happy about it,” she said.

The finale of “America’s Culinary Cup” marked not only the culmination of an intense competition but also highlighted the personal stories and resilience of the contestants, particularly Stadler’s journey as a pregnant chef. The series, which has captivated audiences with its dynamic challenges and emotional arcs, is available for streaming on Paramount+.