Next Level Chef

The epic one-of-a-kind culinary gauntlet returns to its iconic stage. Over three stories high, each floor contains a stunningly different kitchen. From the glistening top floor to the challenging bottom of the basement, the ingredients match the environment, because Gordon Ramsay believes the true test of great chefs is not only what they can do in the best of circumstances, but what kind of magic they can create in the worst! Joined by two elite names in the food world, chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais, Ramsay and his co-mentors leave no stone unturned, as they've scoured the country and hand-picked the best home cooks, social media chefs and professional chefs who will be on each of their teams. With a one-year mentorship and $250,000 on the line, the steaks are high as the cooks look to make their first impressions in their respective teams. Who will make the most impressive next level dish and who will not make the cut.

Heart and soul is at the center of the challenge, as the chefs will be preparing a dish from a country who pride themselves on cooking with love, passion and of course, heat. Mexico! Who will forget to bring the heat and be eliminated.

Chefs are to take a humble sandwich and making it an upscale, Next Level Sandwich! All the ingredients packed between pieces of bread should be packed with flavor and a thing of beauty. One chef will be eliminated.

The chefs are challenged to make a dish from the most popular cuisine across the United States. They will have 45-minutes to create a next level Chinese-inspired dish. Which team will take the top kitchen and who will be eliminated.

This challenge will be the most difficult test of the season as the chefs will be cooking with game. Game such as wild boar and elk has to be cooked with care and attention, so who will step up to the plate and who will be eliminated.

Competitors will need to use skill to cook an alcohol-based dish in the episode! When the platform drops, each will grab an alcohol and a protein and incorporate it among their dishes. One chef's spirits will not be lifted and will be eliminated.

This will be the challenge that takes the competition to the next level. Chefs are alarmed when they learn the ins and outs of what it takes to make a next level fish dish. And, for the first time ever, when the platform comes down, it will not be stopping. Who will sink and who will swim?

The game has changed completely as the teams have been terminated and, moving forward, each will compete as their individual self. When the platform drops, each person will grab a box with a country's flag on it but will not know what's inside their box. Each will be tasked to make the country's signature dish, but they won't know what it is until the competition begins. One chef's dreams will come to an end.

As the chefs continue to compete as their individual selves, they are challenged to create one perfect appetizer dish and pair it with a beautiful craft cocktail. The chefs learn that a new element has been added to the competition, "the time token," giving the chef with the winning dish the chance to add an extra 10 seconds to the start of their platform grab or they can use it to take 10 seconds away from a competitor of their choosing. One chef's dreams will come to an end.

As the competition narrows down and the challenge heats up, the chefs must put their best foot forward. Yet, cheese, nuts and charcuterie meats prove difficult for the chefs to navigate. The recently introduced "time token" causes one chef to make a hard decision between sabotage or security. One chef will shine while one chef's journey comes to an end.

The remaining chefs must elevate their dish by frying their entree; a process that proves difficult to many. No fast food allowed here, but rather the chef's must use the method of frying to take their dish to the next level. One chef faces the burden of the time token.

The chefs are faced with their toughest challenge yet. For the first time ever, the contestants are tasked with baking a next-level dessert that looks as delicious as it tastes. Some chefs will rise above the rest, while others crumble.

In this week's challenge, the chefs are asked to reimagine an old classic: surf and turf. The remaining contestants will be judged on their interpretation of a land and sea animal that puts a new, exciting twist on a familiar favorite. One chef uses the final time token of the season.

In Part I of the two-hour Season Two finale, each chef must select two different boxes, each representing a state and its local ingredients, then will have to conceive a dish that seamlessly infuses both into one unforgettable and inventive fusion dish.

In the second half of the finale, the final three chefs must create one dish on each level of the kitchen in just 90 minutes! It is up to the chefs to determine how much time they use on the bottom and middle levels, which will determine how much time they have to make their final dish on the top level. Eighteen chefs began the journey, three will cook in the finale, and only one will win the one-year mentorship, $250,000 and the title of Next Level Chef.

Chef Gordon Ramsay scours the country for the very best line cooks, home chefs, social media stars, food truck owners and everything in between, all competing against one another with the goal of finding the food world's newest superstar. Joined by two elite names in the food world, chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais, Ramsay and his co-mentors leave no stone unturned, as they each recruit a group of talented chefs and take them under their wings. Ramsay and his friends attempt to bring out the very best in their cooks, as they all try to find "the one". Ramsay firmly believes that as long as a chef has the drive, talent and perseverance, he or she can make that climb to the top. Creativity, consistency and cunning are the recipe for success to make it to the next level, as the competitors adapt to the challenges waiting for them. Chefs compete for a life-changing $250,000 grand prize and the title of "Next Level Chef."