Can this Asheville chef stand the heat on new cooking competition?

ASHEVILLE - In the 15th year anniversary of James Beard Award-winning restaurant Cúrate Bar de Tapas, its co-founder Katie Button isn't resting on her laurels.

On March 4, Button was one of 16 of the nation's highly skilled culinary artists featured in the series premiere of the CBS original series "America's Culinary Cup," hosted by Padma Lakshmi, with judges Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne.

Button is no stranger to television, as she hosted her own documentary-style culinary series, "From the Source" on the Magnolia Network for three seasons. Yet, "America's Culinary Cup" was her first foray into the televised cooking competition arena.

"I've never cooked under a time restraint like that in my life. I remember thinking, 'Wait, we're cooking already? I don't get a day to prepare or get ready or settle my nerves?' It was like, 'Nope, and go!'" Button said.

Button knew that "America's Culinary Cup" contenders wouldn't find out their tasks until the start of the challenge. Still, ahead of filming, Button brushed up on techniques and some of her favorite sauces and other recipes and applications that could be used or easily adapted. Though there was only so much she could do.

"The experience is exactly how it appears on TV. We are thrown into these scenarios with no preparations, and figuring it out on the fly," Button said. "I'm only as prepared as I am today. It was a giant leap of faith but exciting, very exhilarating."

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Chef Katie Button on "America's Culinary Cup"

In the action-packed grueling battle of the chefs, the possibility of winning the $1 million grand prize and the glory of being the inaugural winner was motivation to draw them into the kitchen.

Button said she confidently tackled some tasks, and questioned her decisions on others.

"There were definitely moments where I was like, 'Oh my god, this is my Achilles Heel; am I going to be able to make it through this?'" Button said.

In the premiere, Button scolded herself not perfectly executing a dish, yet commended herself for her ability to adapt, and with limited time.

"I'm both proud of myself for the fast pivot, and also it was incredibly embarrassing to have something and have it so clearly fail and to be doing that in front of Wylie Dufresne, who's like the king of molecular gastronomy."

Audiences will have to tune in weekly to find out how Button performed and which chefs will advance to the next round of the competition.

Button was able to share that "America's Culinary Cup" was the most challenging, humbling, fulfilling and validating work experiences of her life. And she said viewers will have fun watching how everything goes down.

Button said she is glad that she gained much from the experience, even simply by watching fellow contenders, noting their approach to cooking, strategy and plating. She expressed appreciation for the celebrity judges and host, calling them mentors and teachers.

"They've achieved so much, their opinion, criticism and praise were meaningful. I learned a lot," she said.

Cúrate's anniversary, Katie Button Restaurant Group's comeback year

This month, Button and her business partner, Félix Meana, are celebrating 15 years since Cúrate opened at 13 Biltmore Ave. downtown. Button said it was surreal to mark the milestone, as many restaurants struggle to survive past their first years.

'It feels like when we opened back in 2011, the community in Asheville really embraced us, and that has been the key to our success," Button said.

Button said that winning the $1 million could make a world of difference in her life, as she would use it to pay bills, invest in her children's college educations and her retirement planning. She also would invest in the security of the restaurant group.

"The pandemic followed by a natural disaster ― talk about eliminating security and what we were all building upon over years. It's hard to have the opportunity for a cash reward that affords that in life," Button said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Helene, Katie Button Restaurant Group has gone through many shifts that have impacted its restaurant concepts, programs and services over the years ― not all have survived and some had to be adapted or paused.

This year, KBRG's Cúrate Travel program will return, its Cúrate Wine Club is expanding, and the team is further investing in its La Bodega event space, which formerly operated as a restaurant until Helene. KBRG's "Adopt an Olive Tree" program designed to help restore Spain's olive oil industry has been reinstated, and its Olivar Cúrate olive oil harvest will soon be available for ordering.

And, on Oct. 27, Button will release her sophomore cookbook, "Spanish Accent."

"It's a personal cookbook. It's an interpretation of my home, the food I grew up on ― American comfort food mixed with my professional training in Spain and with Spanish cuisine, so it's bringing the subtle ingredients and techniques and cooking tips I have learned from Spain and my love of the Spanish culture and cuisine and infusing that into the foods that I grew up with."

The public is invited to celebrate Cúrate's 15-year anniversary at a special dinner on March 11, with reserved seating offered from 5-8:30 p.m. Reserve a seat via  Resy . For more, visit  curatetapasbar.com .

"I felt like the timing of us opening and the growth of Asheville happened at the same time together in a way that brought a lot of great attention for the Asheville community, business and artists," Button said. "I feel honored to be one of the thousands upon thousands of creative people in the Asheville community bringing their passion and love to fruition."

The results of 'America's Culinary Cup,' Episode 1

Spoiler alert: Here's how Button performed on the premiere of "America's Culinary Cup."

"America's Culinary Cup" debuted with 16 powerhouses sizing each other up as they entered the kitchen. Many of the chefs' reputations preceded themselves, which proved to be a significant factor as the contenders learned they would be cooking one-on-one to secure their spot in the next round. Those who lost the round would be in danger of being one of the four chefs to be eliminated.

Select chefs were given the privilege of choosing their competitor. The challenge was to make their favorite dish in 75 minutes.

Michelin-starred chef Chris Morgan chose Button.

In the episode, Lakshmi stated that it wasn't simply how well the chef could cook, but how they played the game.

In the battle of Morgan vs. Button, Morgan failed to finish plating his dish, Ras El Hanout Duck Breast, for some of the judges, leaving his duck untasted.

Button succeeded at preparing an Ajoblanco, a Spanish soup that's served cold, and received praise for "letting the ingredients do the work."

Judges scored on taste, creativity, presentation and technique with a possible score of 60 points.

Button earned one of the highest scores of the night, with 51 points, beating Morgan who earned 27 points.

In an off-stage interview, Morgan called Button "a force" and a "real competitor."

Watch Episode 2 of "America's Culinary Cup," titled "Meat the First Commandment," at 9:30 p.m. March 11 on CBS.

The contestants of CBS's "America's Culinary Cup":

• Kim Alter, San Francisco, California, James Beard nominee.

• Katie Button, Asheville, James Beard winner.

• Keith Corbin, Los Angeles, James Beard nominee.

• Rochelle Daniel, Flagstaff, Arizona, Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame.

• Diana Dávila, Chicago, James Beard nominee.

• Michael Diaz de Leon, Denver, Colorado, Michelin-starred chef.

• Sol Han, New York City, James Beard nominee.

• Russell Jackson, New York City, James Beard nominee.

• Beverly Kim, Chicago, Michelin-starred chef.

• Buddha Lo, New York City, Michelin-starred chef.

• Chris Morgan, McLean, Virginia, Michelin-starred chef.

• Matt Peters, Austin, Texas, Bocuse d'Or gold medalist.

• Malyna Si, Jackson, Wyoming, Michelin-starred chef.

• Cara Stadler, Madison, Connecticut, James Beard nominee.

• Philip Tessier, Napa, California, Bocuse d'Or silver medalist.

• Emily Yuen, New York City, James Beard nominee.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Katie Button enters first reality TV cooking competition: What to know