Austin Chef to Compete on Padma Lakshmi's New Cooking Show

Matt Peters, the only American to win gold at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or competition, will be the sole Texas chef on "America's Culinary Cup".

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:39am

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Austin chef Matt Peters, who spent years working at acclaimed restaurants like The French Laundry and Per Se before moving back to his hometown, will be the lone Texas representative competing on Padma Lakshmi's new CBS cooking competition show "America's Culinary Cup." Peters, the only American to ever win gold at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or global cooking competition, will face off against 15 other chefs on the 90-minute premiere episode airing on March 4.

Why it matters

Peters' appearance on the high-profile show will introduce one of Austin's most talented but elusive chefs to a national audience. Despite his impressive culinary pedigree, Peters has kept a relatively low profile in Austin, spending his first several years consulting for local restaurants before opening the high-end cocktail bar Prelude in 2024.

The details

Peters spent eight years working as an executive sous chef at Thomas Keller's renowned restaurants The French Laundry and Per Se before winning gold at the 2017 Bocuse d'Or competition, becoming the only American to ever achieve that feat. He then moved to Austin with his wife and fellow chef Lorin Peters in 2017. While the couple has opened a few small ventures like Prelude and Cookie Rich, their cooking has largely remained out of the public eye until now.

  • Peters won gold at the Bocuse d'Or competition in 2017.
  • Peters moved to Austin with his wife in 2017.
  • Prelude, Peters' cocktail bar, opened in 2024.
  • Cookie Rich, Lorin Peters' bakery, opened in 2020 but closed in 2025.
  • "America's Culinary Cup" will premiere on CBS on March 4, 2026.

The players

Matt Peters

An Austin chef who is the only American to ever win gold at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or global cooking competition. He spent eight years working as an executive sous chef at Thomas Keller's renowned restaurants The French Laundry and Per Se before moving to Austin in 2017.

Lorin Peters

Matt Peters' wife and fellow chef, whom he met while working at The French Laundry. She opened the boutique bakery Cookie Rich in Austin in 2020, which closed in 2025.

Padma Lakshmi

The producer, host and co-judge of the new CBS cooking competition show "America's Culinary Cup" that will feature Matt Peters.

Michael Cimarusti

A chef who will serve as a judge on "America's Culinary Cup" alongside Padma Lakshmi.

Wylie Dufresne

A chef who will serve as a judge on "America's Culinary Cup" alongside Padma Lakshmi.

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What they’re saying

“I really wanted to understand where Austin was going from a food scene perspective and what realistically is something I can open that is still going to be successful. The consulting work allowed me the freedom to be with my family and take a breath and sit back and really understand what I wanted to do as a chef and as a business owner.”

— Matt Peters, Chef (American-Statesman)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Matt Peters' appearance on "America's Culinary Cup" will introduce one of Austin's most talented but elusive chefs to a national audience, showcasing his impressive culinary pedigree and skills that have largely remained out of the public eye during his time in Austin so far.