America’s Culinary Cup: Michael Diaz De Leon Eliminated After Sustainability Challenge
America’s Culinary Cup: Michael Diaz De Leon Eliminated After Sustainability Challenge
Paulette CohnThu, March 19, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC
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The Culinary Commandment challenges continued tonight on America’s Culinary Cup, hosted by Padma Lakshmi, when the 11 remaining chefs were tasked with a Sustainability Commandment.
Their challenge in the “Call Aunt Quail” episode was to transform farm‑fresh produce, which they had to harvest, alongside hyper‑sustainable ingredients like ants and mussels into bold, elevated dishes.When the scores were tallied, the bottom two chefs were pushed into a ruthless head‑to‑head, cooking one final time using only discarded scraps and leftovers.
The America’s Culinary Cup winner will be awarded the biggest cash prize in culinary history: $1 million dollars. Here's our spoiler-filled recap of who went home tonight.
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Who went home on America's Culinary Cup tonight?
Michael Diaz De LeonMichelin Starred Chef
Advancing contestants tonight on America’s Culinary Cup Season 1 Night 3
Beverly KimMichelin Starred Chef
Buddha LoMichelin Starred Chef & Two-Time Top Chef winner
Cara StadlerJames Beard Nominee
Chris MorganMichelin Starred Chef
Diana DávilaJames Bead Nominee
Emily YuenJames Beard Nominee
Katie ButtonJames Beard Winner
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Keith CorbinJames Beard Nominee
Malyna SiMichelin Starred Chef
Matt PetersBocuse D’Or Gold Medalist
Related: America’s Culinary Cup Reveals Powerhouse Lineup of 14 Guest Judges for $1 Million Cooking Competition (Exclusive)
What was the first challenge on America's Culinary Cup tonight, and who won it?
Padma told the chefs, “Sustainability is about preventing food waste. By making ingredients last, sourcing locally and eating foods that need fewer natural resources.”
The chefs were given one hour to create a dish using hyper-sustainable ingredients. They were driven around the farm to pick their ingredients, which would be combined with sustainable ingredients back in the kitchen.
The chefs were judged by Padma, Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne on taste, creativity, presentation and mastery of the commandment. Each category had a possible 5 points for 20 total from each judge, totaling a possible perfect score of 60.
The scores were as follows:
Beverly 59Katie 58Cara 56Matt 54Buddha 54Diana 49Emily 47Malyna 46Chris 43Keith 35Michael 32
What was the elimination challenge on America’s Culinary Cup, and who lost it?
Michael Diaz De LeonPhoto: Jackie Brown/CBS (Photo: Jackie Brown/CBS)
The elimination challenge for Keith and Michael was to create a dish in one hour using some of the most commonly wasted food in America, like onion skins, carrot peelings, celery tops and stale bread.
The chef who served his final dish was Michael.
“I am very disappointed I am going home on sustainability,” he said. “I am really proud of that dish. I executed it well and the flavors were good. I hope this experience can be an inspiration to all the young Latino chefs.”
America’s Culinary Cup airs Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Streams next day on Paramount+.
Next, Top Chef Star Joins Padma Lakshmi’s New Culinary Competition Show
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
