Fans Discuss Potential Tournament of Champions Season 7 Competitors Andrea ReiherFebruary 15, 2026 at 9:18 PM 0 Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF The mystery around Tournament of Champions season 7 just got even hotter—and fans think they already know at least one of the secret "culinary icons.
- - Fans Discuss Potential Tournament of Champions Season 7 Competitors
Andrea ReiherFebruary 15, 2026 at 9:18 PM
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Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF
The mystery around Tournament of Champions season 7 just got even hotter—and fans think they already know at least one of the secret "culinary icons."
When Guy Fieri revealed that four food world legends would enter TOC VII as top-seeded competitors—with their identities kept secret until they walk into the arena—viewers immediately began speculating, especially because Fieri said they were people who have never competed on Tournament of Champions before.
One fan wrote, "Icons: does that mean Bobby & Gordon will compete?"
Another added, "Could the icons be Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Morimoto and Tom (head judge of Top Chef)?"
RELATED: Meet the 16 Chefs Competing in the 'Tournament of Champions' Qualifying Round
The Morimoto reference points to Masaharu Morimoto, the legendary Iron Chef, while "Tom" refers to Tom Colicchio, longtime head judge of Top Chef and a five-time James Beard Award winner.
And then there's the name that keeps popping up in comment after comment: Bobby Flay.
"Will Bobby Flay finally compete? 🤔," one viewer asked, to which another replied, "This! If you tell me Icon, I want Bobby!"
One fan even warned that if the icons are simply past TOC competitors, "This surprise isn't gonna land lol… they have to be legit surprises, like Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, etc. type of surprises…"
RELATED: Guy Fieri Brings Flavortown to TV for the First Time Ever With New Competition Series
Could a Judge Cross the Line?
Some viewers are even looking closer to home.
"I nominate Chef Scott Conant for next season!!! Always a judge, never a competitor, let's see what you got, hot stuff!" one fan wrote, prompting another to respond, "I agree, he should compete. He did compete on Triple Threat and won. He is fun to watch."
Conant is already confirmed to appear this season as a judge, but the speculation underscores just how invested viewers are in the "icon" twist.
Jet Tila's Redemption Run?
While fans debate the secret top seeds, many are laser-focused on one returning competitor: Jet Tila.
Tila has made it to the semifinals four seasons in a row — seasons 2, 3, 4 and 5 — only to fall just short of the championship. He lost in the quarterfinals in season 1 and in the second round in season 6.
Several fans are openly campaigning for a breakthrough win this year.
But for Fieri, the emotional stakes of season 7 go far beyond bracket predictions.
RELATED: Jet Tila Pens Heartbreaking Post About 'Brother' Transitioning to Hospice
In a recent Instagram video previewing the season, he called this installment "probably, out of all the TOCs, the most emotional for me."
He pointed to Shirley Chung returning after battling stage four tongue cancer, and Tobias Dorzon competing after surviving a shooting in which he was shot 11 times.
"To go to rehab, to come back, and come compete in TOC 7. What a warrior," Fieri said of Dorzon.
"There's Jet Tila going for his fifth time in the Final Four. There's newcomers coming through qualifiers getting to the Final Four. It's the high highs and the low lows of TOC."
Whether the four secret icons turn out to be Bobby Flay, Morimoto, Colicchio, or someone else entirely, one thing is clear: expectations for season 7 are sky-high.
Tournament of Champions season 7 premieres March 1 on Food Network, following the qualifier episodes currently airing.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: February 16, 2026 at 01:36AM on Source: MANUEL MAG
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