Katie Button, right, partnered with Cara Stadler in round 8 of America's Culinary Cup
After completing challenging tasks in Episodes 7 and 8 of America’s Culinary Cup, only five chefs of the original 16 remain in the running to win the $1 million prize in the cooking competition series hosted by former “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi. And el Restaurante is happy to report that Katie Button of Cúrate in Ashville, North Carolina — the only chef from a Latin-inspired restaurant — is still standing!
On April 15, seven chefs competed in the Culinary Science and Technology challenge in which they were tasked to showcase at least one of 10 advanced gastronomy techniques while making as many dishes as they could in five hours. The more techniques, the better chance for a high score.
Button came in at #4 with dishes including the Crab Brandade, Shrimp Cocktail, Vegetarian Migas and Smoked Oyster with Grape Horseradish Ice. That propelled her to the April 22 episode, during which the six remaining competitors were paired into three teams and tasked with the Consistency challenge: to make 30 identical fish dishes using a cooking method (grilling, poaching, or searing) assigned by the previous week’s winner.
Button and her culinary partner, Cara Stadler of BaoBao Dumpling House and Zaoze Café & Market in Portland, Maine, placed 2nd in the first round and advanced to the evening’s elimination round where they had to make three French omelets — one for each judge. The team made it through…and Button will appear in the next round of competition on Wednesday, April 29, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streams next day on Paramount+.
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