⁠How did Adam Pawlak fare on Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out? 

Milwaukee chef Adam Pawlak won Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out, taking home the top prize of $14,500 in the July 1 show. The Bay View restaurant owner, who operates Egg & Flour Pasta Bar on South Howell Avenue, competed against talented rivals in the show's characteristic sabotage style. Unlike conventional cooking contests, this series allows players to use their $25,000 starting budget to disadvantage rivals or gain an edge over them.

Pawlak navigated two challenging rounds, first crafting an Asian-inspired mushroom soup using only a microwave and blowtorch, then creating a dessert while working in an exile kitchen without proper equipment. His strategic thinking and familiarity with his chosen dishes proved decisive.

The victory marks another television achievement for Pawlak, who previously appeared on Hell's Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, and Superchef Grudge Match. The Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out episode, titled Doomsday Kitchen, aired as part of the show's current season and remains available for streaming on Max.

What happened with Adam Pawlak on Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out?

Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out operates differently from standard cooking shows. Contestants receive $25,000 at the start, but success depends more on strategic spending than culinary expertise alone.

"Your cooking skills don't matter at all on that kind of show," Pawlak explained.

Elaborating:

"Doing a show like 'Cutthroat Kitchen' is different because it's more of an entertainment show."

The format creates constant tension. Chefs must balance their budgets while deciding when to attack competitors or protect themselves from sabotage.

The opening challenge demanded creativity under severe constraints. Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out contestants had to prepare a "Last Meal on Earth" using only a microwave for cooking. The pantry contained canned goods and freeze-dried meats. Pawlak originally wanted the two-in-one camp stove during the equipment auction. However, he received the second pick and selected a blowtorch instead.

His mushroom and dried-shrimp soup featured bold Asian flavors. The dish showcased his ability to work with limited tools and unusual ingredients. Though another contestant won the round and its $1,000 bonus, Pawlak advanced to the final challenge. His soup impressed judges enough to secure his spot in the decisive round.

The second round focused on dessert preparation with multiple sabotage opportunities. Pawlak faced immediate pressure when competitors targeted his ingredients. He outbid opponent Tracey Shepos to keep his fresh fruit. Meanwhile, Demetrius Brown lost all his fresh fruit and received artificial substitutes instead.

Shepos struck back by spending $7,000 to banish Pawlak to the exile kitchen. This remote workspace lacked essential equipment like stoves and ovens. Pawlak's strategy during the auction proved crucial. He engaged Shepos in an extended bidding war, buying precious cooking time.

"I was stretching that auction out really long, so that I could get all the rest of my stuff cooked. Because once you get sent over there, you're allowed to bring whatever you already had left with you." he revealed.

Pawlak completed his crepes, prepared his berries, and gathered nuts before moving to exile. The show's rules allowed him to select three additional ingredients upon arrival.

He grabbed sugar, which he had forgotten during the initial shopping period. Earlier, he had substituted honey as his sweetener. His familiarity with both dishes proved essential. Pawlak deliberately chose recipes he knew well, reducing the risk of mistakes under pressure.

What’s next for Adam Pawlak?

Pawlak's dessert earned the judges' approval and secured his victory. The $14,500 prize money will fund a vacation with his mother.

The Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out win validated his extensive preparation efforts. Getting selected for the show required significant work behind the scenes. He explained that he was happy to represent the city he was born and raised in, and to prove as evidence that there are good chefs in Milwaukee.

His success adds to Milwaukee's growing culinary reputation on national television. The victory demonstrates that regional chefs can compete successfully against established competitors from major markets.

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You can watch Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network, with full episodes streaming the next day on Max.

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