Next Level Chef

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Next Level Chef
Next Level Chef logo.png
Genre
  • Reality competition
  • Cookery
Directed byPaul Starkman
Presented byGordon Ramsay
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producers
  • Gordon Ramsay
  • Matt Cahoon
  • Lisa Edwards
ProducerEvangeline Bristow
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time43 minutes
Production companies
  • Fox Alternative Entertainment
  • Studio Ramsay Global
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseJanuary 2, 2022 (2022-01-02) –
present
External links
Website

Next Level Chef is an American reality television series that premiered on Fox on January 2, 2022. The series is hosted by Gordon Ramsay, who also serves as a mentor along with Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais. In March 2022, the series was renewed for a second season.

Format[]

Fifteen chefs compete in a series of cooking challenges, divided into three teams under the guidance and judgment of Ramsay, Arrington, and Blais. In each episode, chefs are assigned to cook in one of three kitchens stacked on top of each other. The top level is equipped with a wide range of modern tools and devices, the middle level is a standard commercial kitchen, and the bottom level contains a limited collection of lower-quality equipment.

In the first episode, the chefs are divided into three groups of five and each group is randomly assigned a mentor and kitchen. Based on their evaluation of the chefs' dishes, the mentors take turns choosing one chef at a time for their respective teams. The teams are randomly assigned to the kitchens in subsequent episodes.

Before each challenge, a platform stocked with ingredients is lowered through the structure from top to bottom. As it reaches each level, the chefs cooking there have 30 seconds to collect whatever items they think they will need, including no more than one protein each. They are then given 45 minutes to prepare, cook, and plate their dishes, incorporating any surprise ingredient(s) that may be delivered to them on the platform without warning during that time.

During the team competition episodes, the chef whose dish is judged the best overall wins immunity from elimination for his/her entire team. The mentors of the other two teams each choose one of their own members for a 30-minute head-to-head challenge on the top level. The ingredient platform remains available throughout this time, and the mentor of the winning team supervises the two chefs' cooking while their teammates observe and offer advice. Based on their opinions of the dishes, the other two mentors select one chef to be eliminated from the competition; if they disagree, the winning team's mentor casts the tiebreaking vote.

Changes introduced in later episodes include:

  • Denial of immunity to any team at the end of a challenge.
  • Elimination challenges involving three or more chefs, in which only the one with the best dish is safe.
  • Disbandment of the teams, forcing the chefs to compete directly against one another.
  • Reduction in cooking time from 45 minutes to 40 in the main challenge.
  • Kitchen assignments for each episode based on the chefs' performance in the previous one(s); all chefs assigned to the bottom level after a main challenge must compete to avoid elimination.
  • A total of 90 minutes to cook three dishes in the finale, one per level.

The winner will receive $250,000 and a one-year mentorship under all three mentors.

Production[]

On May 17, 2021, it was announced that Fox had ordered the series, with Gordon Ramsay as a mentor, who also serves as an executive producer.[1][2] Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais also serve as mentors for the series, the latter replacing Gino D'Acampo.[3] On October 19, 2021, it was announced that the series would premiere on January 2, 2022,[4][5] before moving to its regular timeslot on January 5, 2022.[6]

On March 2, 2022, it was announced that Fox renewed the series for a second season, prior to the airing of the first season's finale on the same day.[7]

The show is filmed on a set constructed in Las Vegas. The set, built within an industrial tent, consists of three kitchens that are stacked on top of each other. Many aspects of the set, including the burners, ranges, and generators, are all run on gas.[8]

Chefs[]

Season 1[]

Contestant[9][10][11][12] Age[10][11][12] Status[10][11][12] Hometown/Home Country[10][11][12] Result
Stephanie "Pyet" Despain 30 Social media chef Kansas City, Kansas Winner
Mariah Scott 37 Professional chef Santa Clara, California Runners-Up
Reuel Vincent 34 Professional chef Trinidad and Tobago
Angie Ragan 47 Home cook Lubbock, Texas Eliminated February 23
Courtney Brown 48 Home cook Cincinnati, Ohio
Kenny Everett 34 Professional chef St Louis, Missouri
Tricia Wang 28 Social media chef China Eliminated February 16
Ae Southammavong 31 Social media chef Laos Eliminated February 9
Jonathan Harrison 29 Home cook Columbiana, Alabama Eliminated February 2
Zachary Adams 27 Professional chef Manila, Philippines
Amber Rebold 33 Home cook San Antonio, Texas Eliminated January 30
Devonnie Black 31 Home cook Bronx, New York Eliminated January 26
Sergio Steele 26 Professional chef Trinidad and Tobago Eliminated January 19
Roice Bethel 29 Social media chef Corona, California Eliminated January 12
Gary Marandola 33 Social media chef Johnston, Rhode Island Eliminated January 5

Elimination table[]

Season 1[]

Place Contestant[9] Episodes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 Pyet ARR SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN† SAFE SAFE RISK SAFE WIN WINNER
2 Mariah BLAIS SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE RISK SAFE WIN WIN WIN RUNNER-UP
Reuel RAM WIN† SAFE WIN SAFE WIN† SAFE WIN RISK RISK RUNNER-UP
4 Courtney BLAIS SAFE WIN RISK SAFE SAFE WIN† SAFE SAFE ELIM
Angie ARR SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN ELIM
Kenny RAM WIN SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE RISK RISK ELIM
7 Tricia RAM WIN SAFE WIN† SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE ELIM
8 Ae BLAIS SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE RISK ELIM
9 Jonathan BLAIS SAFE WIN† SAFE RISK SAFE ELIM
Zach ARR SAFE RISK SAFE WIN SAFE ELIM
11 Amber ARR RISK SAFE SAFE WIN ELIM
12 Devonnie RAM WIN SAFE WIN ELIM
13 Sergio ARR SAFE SAFE ELIM
14 Roice RAM WIN ELIM
15 Gary BLAIS ELIM

†The contestant cooked the best dish overall and won safety for their team or themselves.

  The contestant was on the winning team or had the winning dish. For episodes 8 and 9, this contestant was assigned to the top kitchen the following episode.
  The contestant was not on the winning team nor had the winning dish, but was not chosen for the head-to-head cook-off. For episodes 8 and 9, this contestant was assigned to the middle kitchen the following episode.
  The contestant was at risk of elimination and won the head-to-head cook-off. For episodes 8 and 9, this contestant was assigned to the bottom kitchen the following episode.
  The contestant was drafted to Gordon Ramsay's team.
  The contestant was drafted to Nyesha Arrington's team.
  The contestant was drafted to Richard Blais' team.
  The contestant was eliminated from the competition.

Episodes[]

No.Title [13][14]Original air date [13][14]Prod.
code [13]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Welcome to the Next Level"January 2, 2022 (2022-01-02)NLC-1015.08[15]

The fifteen chefs arrive at the studio in Las Vegas and meet the three mentors for the first time. Upon arrival, they were divided into three teams of five and must choose one of the three keycards located near the elevator. Each team was assigned one of the three kitchens stacked on top of each other and cooked their first dishes.

Challenge: Create a dish that identifies the chef's strengths and weaknesses.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes for the first time and decide who is in their teams. The results for the mentors' teams were announced and each chef was drafted to one of the three mentors' teams for the rest of the season.

  • Team Ramsay: Devonnie, Kenny, Reuel, Roice, and Tricia
  • Team Arrington: Amber, Angie, Pyet, Sergio, and Zach
  • Team Blais: Ae, Courtney, Gary, Jonathan, and Mariah
2"High Steaks"January 5, 2022 (2022-01-05)NLC-1021.84[16]

The fifteen chefs return to the studio as members of the mentors' teams. The mentors' teams compete in a challenge that determines the best dish and sends two chefs to the head-to-head cook-off for the first time. Each mentor's team was assigned one of the three kitchens for the first time and cooked dishes for their mentors.

Challenge: Create a dish that consists of steak and other available ingredients.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and decide whose dish is the best of the challenge. The team with the best dish of the challenge is immune from elimination. Team Ramsay's Reuel cooked the best dish of the challenge, winning safety for the team. Shortly after, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais were forced to send Amber and Gary to the head-to-head cook-off, where one of them would be eliminated.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a dish inspired by wine.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Amber and Gary's dishes and decide who would remain in the competition. Amber won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Gary was eliminated from the competition and finished in last place.
3"Infinite Pastabilities"January 12, 2022 (2022-01-12)NLC-1031.91[17]

The fourteen remaining chefs return to the studio to prepare for a challenge that would be based on a national cuisine for the first time. Unlike the previous challenge, the mentors' teams switched kitchens for the first time and cooked dishes for their mentors.

Challenge: Create an Italian dish that consists of available ingredients.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and decide whose dish is the best of the challenge. Team Blais' Jonathan cooked the best dish of the challenge, winning safety for the team. Shortly after, Gordon Ramsay and Nyesha Arrington were forced to send Roice and Zach to the head-to-head cook-off, where one of them would be eliminated.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create noodles from outside of Italy with other available ingredients.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Roice and Zach's dishes and decide who would remain in the competition. Zach won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Roice was eliminated from the competition and finished in fourteenth place.
4"Fowl Play"January 19, 2022 (2022-01-19)NLC-1041.85[18]

The thirteen remaining chefs return to the studio to cook poultry dishes. The chefs, once again, switched kitchens and cooked for their mentors.

Challenge: Create a poultry dish that consists of available ingredients.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and decide whose dish is the best of the challenge. Team Ramsay's Tricia cooked the best dish of the challenge, winning safety for the team. Shortly after, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais were forced to send Sergio and Courtney to the head-to-head cook-off, where one of them would be eliminated.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a chicken and truffles dish with other available ingredients.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Sergio and Courtney's dishes and decide who would remain in the competition. Courtney won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Sergio was eliminated from the competition and finished in thirteenth place.
5"The Next Level Burger"January 26, 2022 (2022-01-26)NLC-1052.07[19]

The twelve remaining chefs go on a field trip to Gordon Ramsay Burger, a restaurant located inside Planet Hollywood Las Vegas. Once they enter the restaurant, the three mentors introduce a challenge that would be based on a specific restaurant's dish for the first time. The chefs taste the restaurant's burgers and return to the studio to start cooking their own burgers.

Challenge: Create a burger that consists of available ingredients.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' burgers and decide whose burger is the best. Team Arrington's Pyet cooked the best burger, winning safety for the team. Shortly after, Gordon Ramsay and Richard Blais were forced to send Devonnie and Jonathan to the head-to-head cook-off, where one of them would be eliminated.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Cook an ahi tuna burger with slaw and onion rings.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Devonnie and Jonathan's dishes and decide who would remain in the competition. Jonathan won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Devonnie was eliminated from the competition and finished in twelfth place.
6"Drop In for Brunch"January 30, 2022 (2022-01-30)NLC-1068.11[20]

The eleven remaining chefs return to the studio to prepare for a challenge that combines two main meals for the first time. Like the previous challenge, the mentors' teams switched kitchens and cooked dishes for their mentors.

Challenge: Create a brunch dish that consists of available ingredients and incorporates sweet and savory elements.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and decide whose dish is the best of the challenge. Team Ramsay's Reuel cooked the best dish of the challenge for the second time, winning safety for the team. Shortly after, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais were forced to send Amber and Mariah to the head-to-head cook-off, where one of them would be eliminated.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a coffee-infused dish.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Amber and Mariah's dishes and decide who would remain in the competition. Mariah won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Amber was eliminated from the competition and finished in eleventh place.
7"A Seafood Tower"February 2, 2022 (2022-02-02)NLC-1072.11[21]

The ten remaining chefs return to the studio to prepare for a challenge that has different rules for the first time. Unlike the previous challenges, only the chef with the best dish of the challenge is immune from elimination and the three chefs with the worst dishes of the challenge would be sent to the head-to-head cook-off. The chefs understood the rules and cooked dishes for their mentors.

Challenge: Create a seafood dish that consists of available ingredients.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and decide whose dish is the best of the challenge. Team Blais' Courtney cooked the best dish of the challenge and won safety. Shortly after, Richard Blais sent Ae and Jonathan to the head-to-head cook-off while Nyesha Arrington sent Zach to the head-to-head cook-off.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a shrimp with other available ingredients.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Ae, Jonathan, and Zach's dishes and decide who would remain in the competition. Ae won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Jonathan and Zach were eliminated from the competition and finished in ninth and tenth place, respectively.
8"When Pigs Fly"February 9, 2022 (2022-02-09)NLC-1081.75[22]

The eight remaining chefs return to the studio to prepare for changes. For the rest of the season, the mentors' teams disbanded, making each remaining chef compete against each other. Kitchens would be assigned based on the chefs' overall performances in the previous challenge(s), making the worst chefs cook in the bottom kitchen. The chefs understood the changes and cooked dishes for themselves.

Challenge: Create a dish that consists of pork and other available ingredients.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and assign kitchens for the next challenge based on the chefs' performances. The chefs assigned above the bottom kitchen are safe while the chefs assigned in the bottom kitchen would be sent to the head-to-head cook-off. Ae, Kenny, and Pyet were sent to the head-to-head cook-off after being assigned in the bottom kitchen.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a dish that consists of bacon and other available ingredients.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Ae, Kenny, and Pyet's dishes and decide who would be eliminated. Kenny and Pyet won the head-to-head cook-off and remained in the competition. Ae was eliminated from the competition and finished in eighth place.
9"Fusion Confusion"February 16, 2022 (2022-02-16)NLC-1091.88[23]

The seven remaining chefs return to the studio for the last challenge before the semi-finals. Unlike the previous challenge, the top kitchen became available for use by Mariah and Reuel, who were assigned in that kitchen for their best performances in the previous challenge. The chefs went to their assigned kitchens based on their overall performances and cooked dishes for themselves.

Challenge: Create a dish that consists of ingredients from two different countries.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the chefs' dishes and assign kitchens for the semi-finals based on the chefs' performances. Angie, Courtney, Mariah, and Pyet automatically moved on to the semi-finals after being safe from elimination. Kenny, Reuel, and Tricia were sent to the head-to-head cook-off after being assigned in the bottom kitchen.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a dish that consists of Korean and American-Southern ingredients.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste Kenny, Reuel, and Tricia's dishes and decide who would be eliminated. Kenny and Reuel won the head-to-head cook-off and moved on to the semi-finals. Tricia was eliminated from the competition and finished in seventh place.
10"Show Stopping Semi-Finals"February 23, 2022 (2022-02-23)NLC-1101.89[24]

The six semi-finalists return to the studio for the semi-finals. Unlike the previous challenges, the semi-finalists use every skill they learned since the first challenge to create a dish. The three mentors reveal their own dishes to prove they have outstanding cooking skills. The semi-finalists went to their assigned kitchens and cooked dishes for themselves.

Challenge: Create a dish that showcases the semi-finalist's skills.

After the challenge, the three mentors taste the semi-finalists' dishes and decide which two dishes are the best. The two semi-finalists with the best dishes of the challenge would automatically move on to the finale. Mariah and Pyet became the first two finalists after cooking the best dishes. The other four semi-finalists were sent to the last head-to-head cook-off of the season after failing to impress the mentors.

Head-to-Head Cook-Off: Create a dish that is worth for the finale.

At the end of the cook-off, the three mentors taste the four semi-finalists' dishes and decide the last finalist of the season. Reuel became the last finalist of the season after winning the head-to-head cook-off. Courtney, Angie, and Kenny were eliminated from the competition and finished in fourth, fifth, and sixth place, respectively.
11"The Final Level"March 2, 2022 (2022-03-02)NLC-1111.85[25]

The three finalists return to the studio for the finale. In the final challenge, the three finalists create a three-course meal that showcases their cooking skills. Unlike other challenges, there is no time limit for each course, making each finalist press the button every time they finish cooking. Each finalist must finish the meal in less than 90 minutes and cook each course in a different kitchen. Before the final challenge, each finalist's family visited the studio to support the three finalists.

  • Bottom Kitchen: Create an appetizer that consists of available ingredients.
  • Middle Kitchen: Create a seafood dish that consists of available ingredients.
  • Top Kitchen: Create an entrée that consists of meat and other available ingredients.

After cooking each course, the three mentors taste the three finalists' dishes as they progress throughout the final challenge. After tasting the final course, the three mentors decide the winner of the season. The finalist with the best meal of the final challenge would win the season. Pyet was announced as the winner of the season for her outstanding cooking skills.

Ratings[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Next Level Chef
No. Title Air date Timeslot (ET) Rating/share
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)		 Ref(s)
1 "Welcome to the Next Level" January 2, 2022 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.6/9 5.08 0.2 0.68 1.7 5.76 [15][26][a]
2 "High Steaks" January 5, 2022 Wednesday 9:00 p.m. 0.5/3 1.84 0.2 0.89 0.7 2.73 [16][27][a]
3 "Infinite Pastabilities" January 12, 2022 0.5/4 1.91 N/A N/A N/A N/A [17]
4 "Fowl Play" January 19, 2022 0.5/4 1.85 0.1 0.75 0.6 2.61 [18][28][a]
5 "The Next Level Burger" January 26, 2022 0.5/3 2.07 0.3 0.91 0.7 2.98 [19][29][a]
6 "Drop In for Brunch" January 30, 2022 Sunday 10:00 p.m. 2.6/19 8.11 N/A N/A N/A N/A [20]
7 "A Seafood Tower" February 2, 2022 Wednesday 9:00 p.m. 0.5/4 2.11 N/A N/A N/A N/A [21]
8 "When Pigs Fly" February 9, 2022 0.4/3 1.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A [22]
9 "Fusion Confusion" February 16, 2022 0.4/3 1.88 N/A N/A N/A N/A [23]
10 "Show Stopping Semi-Finals" February 23, 2022 0.4/3 1.89 0.2 0.85 0.7 2.73 [24][30][a]
11 "The Final Level" March 2, 2022 0.4/4 1.85 0.2 0.85 0.6 2.70 [25][31][a]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Live+7 ratings were unavailable, so Live+3 ratings have been used instead.

References[]

  1. ^ "Gordon Ramsay's All-New Epic Cooking Competition Series Next Level Chef, to Premiere in the 2021-2022 Season on FOX" (Press release). Fox. May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  2. ^ "FOX Announces New Primetime Schedule for 2021-2022 Season" (Press release). Fox. May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  3. ^ Peter White (August 31, 2021). "Next Level Chef: Richard Blais Replaces Gino D'Acampo In Gordon Ramsay's Fox Cooking Competition Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "FOX Kicks Off Midseason with Special Premieres of Next Level Chef, Call Me Kat and Pivoting, Following NFL on FOX Doubleheaders" (Press release). Fox. October 19, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ "Video: Look at Gordon Ramsay's All-New Cooking Competition, Next Level Chef, Premiering Sunday, January 2, on FOX" (Press release). Fox. October 31, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  6. ^ "FOX Announces Premiere Dates for New and Returning Series, Using the Power of Sports to Launch Winter 2022" (Press release). Fox. November 8, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  7. ^ Rick Porter (March 2, 2022). "Fox Serves Up Next Level Chef Renewal for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  8. ^ Jennifer Maas (December 14, 2021). "How Fox's Next Level Chef Contestants Withstood the (Literal) Heat in 3 Stacked Kitchens". TheWrap. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Meaghan Darwish (November 23, 2021). "Next Level Chef: Meet the Chefs Behind Gordon Ramsay's New Show (PHOTOS)". TV Insider. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d nextlevelcheffox (January 4, 2022). "Meet Team Ramsay — who do you think has the cooking game on lock?