Now firmly established as one of TV’s most inventive food competition shows, Next Level Chef continues its tradition of blending intense pressure, emotional stories, and jaw-dropping dishes as contestants vie for culinary glory and a grand prize that reflects both recognition and opportunity in the competitive cooking world.

Format That Keeps Viewers Hooked

What sets Next Level Chef apart is its imaginative three-story kitchen arena — where chefs are challenged to create gourmet dishes with wildly varied ingredients and tools. On any given episode, a chef might be crafting an elegant plate in state-of-the-art facilities one minute and scrambling with limited resources in the lower-level kitchen the next. It’s this unpredictability, combined with strategic mentorship from Ramsay and his co-mentors, that has kept audiences coming back season after season.

Mentors Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais will once again guide their teams through a gauntlet of culinary tests — from precision technical challenges to intense service rounds that separate the culinary aspirants from true Next Level talent. Their diverse coaching styles and sharp critiques add both tension and inspiration to the competition.

Fresh Faces and Inspiring Journeys

Season 5’s cast features a mix of passionate home cooks, seasoned professionals, and creative social media chefs — each bringing personal stories and distinctive flavors to the table. Among the notable competitors entering this season is Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Elise Jesse, who revealed on social media that she’s stepping out of the press box and into the Next Level Chef kitchen. Jesse, known for her food-related content and deep passion for cooking, joins a competitive roster of culinary hopefuls ready to test their skills under pressure.

These chefs will not only compete to impress the mentors and judges but also share their own narratives — from kitchen dreams to the drive that pushed them to audition for one of television’s most rigorous culinary contests.

What to Expect This Season

• 📅 Premiere: Thursday, January 29, 2026

• 🕗 Time: 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX (with episodes usually available next day on FOX platforms and Hulu)

• 🍽️ Format: Three-tier kitchen competition with escalating challenges

• 👩‍🍳 Hosts & Mentors: Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, Richard Blais

• 💰 Prize: A significant cash reward and the title of Next Level Chef champion (often valued at six figures)

Fans can expect every episode to be packed with inventive cooking, raw emotion, strategic rivalries, and the kind of mentorship moments that have come to define the Next Level Chef experience.

Whether you’re a die-hard foodie or a casual viewer looking for edge-of-your-seat entertainment, Season 5 promises unforgettable flavors and fierce competition. Mark your calendars — the culinary adventure returns on January 29th!