Two Chicago Chefs are Vying for National Stardom in a New Cooking Competition Show Hosted by Padma Lakshmi

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Two major Chicago chefs are vying for $1 million in a new cooking competition show. Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojería in Logan Square and Beverly Kim of Parachute HiFi and Anelya in Avondale are among 16 contestants in America’s Culinary Cup, which premieres on Wednesday, March 4 on CBS. 

The new reality show is hosted and produced by Padma Lakshmi, who hosted Bravo’s blockbuster cooking competition show Top Chef from 2006 through 2023. Kim was a contestant on season nine of Top Chef in 2011, making it to the final four, which also included Chicago’s Sarah Grueneberg, who was the runner-up. Kim wrote in an Instagram post that she was excited to reunite with Lakshmi after 15 years.

America’s Culinary Cup will be judged by Southern California’s Michelin-starred Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne, who headed the legendary wd~50 in New York City. It will test chefs in “ten culinary commandments”: meat, vegetables, sauces, dessert, innovation, flavors, sustainability, world cuisine, consistency, and culinary science and technology.

“What makes this moment especially meaningful is knowing I’m stepping into this space with my community in mind,” Dávila wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m proud to represent Latino voices in the kitchen; our stories, our flavors, and the level of excellence that has always been there, even when it hasn’t always been visible.” 

Mi Tocaya spotlights her Mexican heritage with unusual flavor combinations and inventive creations. She is a perennial contender for James Beard Awards, including as a semifinalist this year for the top category of Outstanding Chef. She is also known for her community initiative Todos Ponen (“everyone contributes”), which served free meals during the height of the pandemic and recently organized a large fundraiser for immigrants in Chicago.

Kim and her husband and restaurant partner Johnny Clark won a James Beard Award in 2019 for Best Chef: Great Lakes, and had a Michelin star at their American-Korean restaurant Parachute for years. After the pandemic, they reimagined Parachute as Parachute HiFi, a listening bar with casual snacks, off-the-wall drinks, and frequent DJs. They also opened Anelya down the block, honoring Clark’s Ukrainian grandmother after a water main break forced the closure of their tasting menu spot Wherewithall in the same space. They are currently working on opening a restaurant in Evanston. 

Chicago has a strong track record on culinary competition shows. Stephanie Izard and Joe Flamm both built restaurant empires (starting with Girl & the Goat for the former and Rose Mary for the latter) after winning Top Chef, while three Chicago chefs competed on the show last year, with Monteverde’s Bailey Sullivan making it to the finals. Chicagoans have also thrived on one-offs recently: Kim’s husband Clark Beat Bobby Flay, while Frontera Grill’s Javauneeka Jacobs won a Julia Child-themed tournament on Chopped.

Chicago and New York City are the only cities to contribute more than one contestant to America’s Culinary Cup.