Nicole “Cole” Lawson cooked her way into the “Next Level Chef” Season 5 finale. Cole proved all season long that she could handle the pressure, the platform, and the chaos of Gordon Ramsay’s high-stakes cooking competition. The 31-year-old professional chef based out of Los Angeles became one of the standout competitors on “Next Level Chef” 2026 thanks to her bold flavors, consistency, and calm demeanor under pressure. She was hoping to be named the winner of “Next Level Chef” Season 5, but did Cole Lawson win “Next Level Chef” 2026 tonight? Find out the results below in our “Next Level Chef” spoilers.
Do NOT continue reading if you don’t want to know who the Season 5 winner of “Next Level Chef” is …
Cole Lawson’s Fate on ‘Next Level Chef’
Did Cole Lawson win? The answer is…COMING SOON! The Season 5 finale is still going on, so we will provide updates as the episode airs. Keep refreshing this page for the latest results!
8:54 p.m. – The judges have tasted all of the dishes now. They discussed and have made their final decision. Winner being announced after the commercial break!
Cole’s Impressive Culinary Background
Coming into “Next Level Chef” Season 5, Cole had a pretty impressive culinary background. Her cooking style was rooted in bold flavors and personal storytelling.
Lawson works as a private chef and culinary producer. Much of her cooking is inspired by Creole traditions and global influences.
During the season, she became known for balancing creativity with consistency. Her dishes would often combine elevated presentation with deeply personal flavors. It helped her stand out in a competition that was filled with experienced chefs.
Outside of reality TV, Cole has been working to build her culinary brand. She’s done this through private dining events, pop-up experiences, and online food content. Her time on “Next Level Chef” has helped introduce her to a bigger audience and expand her following within the food world.
Key Moments on ‘Next Level Chef’
Cole was part of Team Ramsay during Season 5. He had a very strong team, as they made it a while without any of them being eliminated. Cole was definitely part of that reason why.
One of her standout moments came during a noodle-focused challenge. She delivered one of the top dishes of the night, which helped establish her as a serious contender.
As the season progressed, the judges were often impressed with her ability to adapt across every level of the kitchen. Whether working with premium ingredients in the Top Level or limited resources in the Basement, she repeatedly found ways to deliver amazing dishes.
One of her biggest moments of the season came during last week’s semifinal challenge. The legacy challenge had contestants preparing a dish that would define them as a chef. Cole shone in the challenge, turning in an emotional and technically strong performance that earned her an automatic spot in the finale alongside Darian Bryan.
Now, she finds herself in that finale with Darian and Connor Caine. They are competing for the $250,000 prize and a one-year mentorship with the judges. Could her journey end with a win tonight on “Next Level Chef” 2026?
What do you think of the results on “Next Level Chef” tonight?
