Fans Speculate Gordon Ramsay May Join ‘Tournament of Champions’ Season 7 as a Secret Icon
Before I watch a single minute of Tournament of Champions season 7, I’m placing my guesses on the report of who I believe the key icons are.
Yes, I do obtain screeners for Tournament of Champions — and no, I’ve not watched the season 7 premiere but. Food Network has been teasing that 4 “culinary legends” will enter the TOC VII bracket as prime seeds, with their identities stored secret till they stroll into the sector. The premiere episode will reveal the primary one.
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But earlier than that occurs, I wished my predictions locked in.
Earlier this week, Food Network posted silhouette pictures of the 4 thriller cooks with the caption: “Four culinary legends are joining the TOC competition this year, but we’re keeping them a surprise until their battle. Can you guess who they are??”
Fans instantly went into detective mode.
One commenter wrote, “1. Ming Tsai 2. Morimoto 3. Jonathan Waxman 4. Eric Ripert.”
Another chimed in with, “1. Ming Tsai 2. Morimoto 3. Jonathan Waxman 4. wait for it Wolfgang Puck.”
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And then there’s the identify that stirred up essentially the most cross-network chaos: Gordon Ramsay.
“I noticed @gordongram show Kitchen Nightmares has suddenly appeared on @foodnetwork Coincidence?” one fan requested, referencing the truth that Ramsay’s present Kitchen Nightmareswhich airs on FOXjust lately had its first season added to Food Network Go.
Another replied, “AGREEEEE!!!! 😮,” whereas a third added, “Great guess, looks like 4 could be Gordon.”
Would Ramsay truly cross networks to compete on a Food Network flagship collection? It could be surprising. His present lineup of exhibits airs on FOX, and a competitors look could be a higher second. But if Food Network in some way pulled it off, the fourth silhouette—essentially the most disguised of the bunch and in addition presumably the ultimate one to be revealed—could be the one.
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Meanwhile, a number of followers pointed towards Masaharu Morimoto and Ming Tsai. And frankly, these two silhouettes do look actually shut.
Jonathan Waxman is one other sturdy chance for the third determine, though some followers assume it may very well be Michael Symon or Andrew Zimmern.
There’s additionally debate about whether or not one of the icons may very well be feminine. Some viewers prompt Lorena Garcianoting the second silhouette seems to have longer sleeves and will have their hair again in a ponytail. During earlier teaser clips within the qualifying episodes, one backlit determine did seem feminine.
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Of course, Bobby Flay stays one of the most persistent fan theories. Multiple commenters wrote variations of “Will Bobby Flay finally compete?” and “If you tell me icon, I want Bobby!” The longtime Food Network star has by no means entered the TOC area as a competitor, which makes him a logical decide for the “icon” twist.
That mentioned, none of the silhouettes seem to match Flay’s profile significantly properly—though if he have been in some way disguising his stance, the fourth determine could be the one believable possibility.
Now, for my official guesses — locked in earlier than I watch the premiere:
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Notably, the icons can’t be any of the already-announced judges this season, which embody Alex GuarnaschelliCat Cora, Curtis Stone, David ChangDominique Crenn, Geoffrey ZakarianHubert Keller, Judy Joo, Ken Oringer, Marcus SamuelssonMichelle Bernstein, Nancy Silverton, Rocco DiSpirito, Scott Conantand Susan Feniger.
Whoever they’re, the reveal begins SundayMarch 1 at 8 pm ET/PT on Food Network—and now my guesses are formally on the report.
We’ll see how improper I’m quickly sufficient.
This story was initially printed by Parade on Mar 1, 2026, the place it first appeared within the News part. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
