Naman Shrestha
Created by Emmy Award-nominated food expert and model Padma Lakshmi, CBS’ ‘America’s Culinary Cup’ is a cooking competition show that pits together a group of 16 of the nation’s most decorated and skillful chefs, who go head-to-head in a unique competition that tests all of their skillsets, including leadership, presentation, creativity, and endurance. In order to win the titular cup and earn a grand cash prize of $1 million, they must prove themselves by working with 10 culinary commandments — vegetables, meat, dessert, flavors, sauces, world cuisine, culinary science and technology, consistency, innovation, and sustainability. Hosted by Padma Lakshmi, the competition also features chefs Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne, who serve as judges and evaluate the participants’ culinary creations through their vast experience and knowledge. The culinary arena is an enclosed, large space where the elite chefs create all kinds of dishes to showcase that they have what it takes to win the competition.
America’s Culinary Cup Filming Locations
‘America’s Culinary Cup’ is seemingly filmed in Toronto, Ontario. From what we can tell, principal photography for the inaugural iteration of the reality series was conducted sometime in mid-2025, supposedly around May and June. One of the participants, Katie Button, took to social media and shared her experience of taking part in the competition. She stated, “Going head-to-head with some of America’s best chefs was, hands-down, one of the most challenging, humbling, stressful, and deeply rewarding experiences of my life. Make no mistake: these chefs SHOWED UP and brought their best. It’s an experience I’ll absolutely carry with me for a very very long time.”
Toronto, Ontario
The production team of ‘America’s Culinary Cup’ reportedly scouted several warehouses to bring the show to life. Every aspect of the space, from columns to the proximity of large doors, storage areas, and crew/equipment areas, was considered when selecting the shooting site. From what we can tell, they ultimately settled on a production space in Toronto, Ontario. For the shoot, the team, led by award-winning production designer/set decorator James Pearse Connelly, likely used the space and services of a fully equipped studio to create what he deemed “the biggest kitchen I’ve (Connelly) ever designed.”
Talking about the vision behind the set of the culinary competition show, creator and host Padma Lakshmi stated, “I wanted to design a kitchen that every high-end chef would kill to cook in.” Keeping every little detail in mind, the production team transformed the space into a destination that not only looks visually striking but also complements the reality show’s theme. With a semi-dome-like window overlooking the cityscape, the kitchen features a giant scoreboard, combi-ovens, pizza ovens, deep fryers, Dawn Powerwash, flat-top grills, dehydrators, ceiling-mounted pots and pans, and elegant individual workstations lit by a cozy blend of ambient and bright lights that hit just the right spots.
Fire-safety officers are employed on set to ensure optimal safety. The set also has a private dining room for meals with permanent or guest judges. The pantry is packed with fresh produce, jams, syrups, utensils, edible flowers, spices, and nearly everything the chefs need to make their finest creations. Filming in a controlled interior environment enabled the crew members of ‘America’s Culinary Cup’ to efficiently manage lighting, sound, set design, and seamlessly coordinate the cooking, judging, elimination, sequences, as well as contestant interactions with utmost effectiveness without compromising on the visual aesthetic.
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