In a highstakes, highdrama finale that had viewers on the edge of their seats, Mei Lin emerged as the winner of Tournament of Champions Season 6, adding yet another impressive title to her already celebrated culinary career. The Food Network showdown, known for its intense bracketstyle format and blind judging, concluded its sixth season on April 21, 2025, with a finale that showcased both technical mastery and creative brilliance.
Mei Lin, who previously won Top Chef Season 12, faced fierce competition throughout the tournament, defeating a lineup of some of the most talented and decorated chefs in the industry. Her journey to the championship wasnt easy. Each round of TOC involves a randomly assigned set of ingredients and equipment, plus strict time limits, pushing chefs to adapt and innovate on the fly.
In the final matchup, Lin went headtohead with perennial fan favorite and culinary powerhouse Maneet Chauhan. The challenge? Create two distinct dishes in 60 minutes using the same mystery ingredients, chosen by the shows signature randomizer. For the finale, the randomizer dealt a tough hand: monkfish, bitter melon, Japanese eggplant, waffle iron, and a time limit of just one hour.
Lins dishes a bold Southeast Asianinspired monkfish curry and a creative bitter melonstuffed waffle won over the panel of anonymous judges. Her ability to balance bitter, spicy, and umami flavors with precision sealed the victory. The judging panel praised her for her technical precision, originality, and fearlessness under pressure.
This win is incredibly validating, Lin said in her postshow interview. Every single chef in this competition is insanely talented. To come out on top it means the world.
Host Guy Fieri, who has shepherded TOC from its debut season to its current status as a flagship culinary competition, called Lins performance one of the most impressive runs weve seen in the history of the show.
Season 6 was notable not only for the fierce battles but also for the increased diversity in cooking styles and backgrounds. The roster featured Michelinstarred chefs, TV personalities, and rising culinary innovators. From smoked meats to refined French sauces, each round delivered a fresh blend of styles and global influences.
The win solidifies Mei Lins position among the elite in competitive cooking. With her calm demeanor, surgical precision, and inventive palate, shes set a new standard for what it takes to succeed in Tournament of Champions a mix of grit, grace, and guts.
As the confetti fell and Lin raised the belt in victory, fans were already buzzing about what Season 7 might bring. For now, Mei Lin stands tall as the Season 6 champion a chef who not only cooked to win, but cooked with vision.