Football season isn’t the only place where rivalries heat up—things got competitive right in Studio 1A on Friday
as Today co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin went head-to-head in the ultimate cook-off.
With the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders set to face off on Sunday,
Savannah and Craig brought their team spirit to the kitchen, each whipping up a dish representing their respective cities.
Savannah prepared her take on a Philadelphia classic, serving up cheesesteaks wrapped in a pretzel blanket, while Craig opted for a D.C. favorite, white chicken chili.
Judging their creations were Today staples Al Roker and Carson Daly, who had the difficult task of determining a winner.
Ultimately, Craig’s hearty chili took the crown, sparking playful banter between the co-hosts.
Savannah’s Cheesesteak vs. Craig’s White Chicken Chili
The competition kicked off with Savannah proudly presenting her Philadelphia-inspired dish. She walked Carson through the cooking process, making sure to ask the all-important Philly question: “Are you with or without onions?”
Carson, clearly knowing his audience, responded, “With onions.” Savannah then revealed that her husband, Michael Feldman—who hails from Philadelphia—is also a fan of the classic topping. “He’s with, we’re with in our family,” she said.
Meanwhile, Craig was confident in his white chicken chili, a D.C. staple that brings a flavorful twist to traditional chili. As the dishes came together, anticipation built for the final verdict.
Judgment Time: Who Took Home the Win?
Once the cooking wrapped up, Al and Carson took their places as the official judges. While both dishes were praised, Craig’s chili ultimately won over the panel.
“Savannah, this was a delicious play on the Philadelphia specialty, especially the pretzel vibe to it,” Craig said. “The cheesesteak gets a little lost in the dough, but the salt on top adds a lot of flavor. We enjoyed it.”
Al, initially skeptical about Craig’s chili, admitted he was won over. “The chili, I was a little skeptical at first, but it built. It builds flavors on flavors, layer on layer.”
Carson then made the final call: “Both were solid, but the judges have come together and we agreed the winner is chili.”
Savannah, clearly not one to take a loss lightly, had a hilarious reaction—grabbing a bottle of cheese sauce and squirting it directly into her mouth in mock disappointment. Her co-hosts erupted into laughter, with Al joking, “Last time you did that, you were in law school.”
Fans React to the Hilarious Kitchen Showdown
Following the competition, both Savannah and Craig took to Instagram to share snapshots of their battle. Fans flooded the comments with enthusiasm, enjoying the lighthearted rivalry between the two co-hosts.
“Sooo much fun!! You guys are great,” one viewer wrote.
Another chimed in, cheering for Craig’s team: “Go Craig & Commanders!”
Savannah made sure to show her Eagles pride throughout the segment, donning a green Eagles knit hat paired with a tailored black blazer over a grey sweater. Craig, meanwhile, went all-in on his Commanders support, wearing a red Commanders jersey over his crisp white shirt and tie.
Craig Melvin Steps In as Savannah’s New Rival and Co-Host
The cook-off also showcased the growing camaraderie between Savannah and Craig, who has stepped into a more prominent role on Today following Hoda Kotb’s departure. Craig took over co-hosting duties after Hoda bid an emotional farewell to the program last week, ending nearly two decades with NBC.
While fans are still adjusting to the change, the playful rivalry between Savannah and Craig has been a hit with viewers. Whether they’re battling it out in the kitchen or bringing their signature banter to morning television, the duo has proven they can keep audiences entertained—both on and off the set.
With football season still in full swing, perhaps we haven’t seen the last of their friendly competition. Could there be a rematch in the works? Only time will tell.
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