Britt Rescigno falls just short in Tournament of Champions finale after intense tie-breaker

For the third year in a row, Britt Rescigno cooked her way into the final four on Tournament of Champions. But during Sunday night's season 6 finale, the Jersey-born chef missed the title by just one point. After battling through a tough season, Rescigno faced off against Chef Antonia Lofaso in a match that came down to a tie-breaker based on taste.

"All other competitors that are in the top four have worked for Michelin star restaurants, have a James Beard (Foundation Award) or have been nominated for one and I haven't,"

Rescigno said.

"But it doesn't matter because I can cook just like anyone else."

The finale of Tournament of Champions was intense, emotional, and filled with incredible dishes. Despite the loss, Rescigno’s performance proved she belonged among the best.

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Road to the final four on Tournament of Champions

Season 6 of Tournament of Champions saw Britt Rescigno outcook some serious competition. She beat chefs Chris Oh, Michael Reed, and Kaleena Bliss to earn her spot in the final four. Along the way, she impressed the judges with her creativity and technique.

Some of her winning dishes included a coffee-crusted top sirloin with braised and fried mustard greens, a coffee-infused poutine gravy with whipped potatoes, country-style polenta with butter-poached lobster and peas, and farrotto with seared beef oyster steak topped with herb salad and a savory pizzelle.

It was clear that Rescigno wasn’t just cooking to survive; she was cooking to win. Each round on Tournament of Champions pushed her to showcase a wide range of skills that wowed the panel.

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The final Tournament of Champions challenge: a random twist

In classic Tournament of Champions fashion, the finale's challenge was dictated by The Randomizer. This spinning wheel assigned a combination of ingredients, cooking styles, and techniques that the chefs had to incorporate.

For the last cook-off, Rescigno and Lofaso had to use pompano fish and figs, cook in an escabeche style (which involves a vinegary sauce), work with lava rocks, and make sure the final dish was predominantly purple. It was a tall order even for seasoned pros.

Rescigno answered the challenge with a poached pompano escabeche-style dish served on a tostada with purple cauliflower, carrots, and cabbage. Her approach captured both the required flavors and the purple theme.

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A tie-breaker sealed the finale

After the judges scored both dishes, Rescigno and Lofaso each earned 82 points out of 100. That meant the winner had to be decided by a tie-breaker based on their taste scores.

In the taste category, Rescigno scored 40 points. Lofaso edged her out with 41 points—just a one-point difference that determined the champion of Tournament of Champions Season 6.

"This is the hardest thing,"

Rescigno said after learning she had lost.

"You put everything into it, and sometimes it doesn't work out. It just felt like it this year, it really felt like it."

Her words captured the heartbreak and emotional toll of the competition.

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A remarkable run on TOC

Even without the win, Britt Rescigno's journey through Tournament of Champions Season 6 was something special. Making it to the final four for a third straight year is an incredible achievement in itself.

Throughout the season, she consistently delivered standout dishes under pressure. She embraced the wild challenges thrown at her by The Randomizer and never lost her cool. Her ability to think on her feet and bring bold flavors to her plates made her a fan favorite.

Rescigno’s run on Tournament of Champions proved that titles and accolades aren't the only measure of a chef's ability. Talent, passion, and heart matter just as much—and she showed all of that and more.