Martha Stewart‘s cooking competition show “Yes, Chef!” won’t be returning to NBC after failing to be picked up for a second season, reports Deadline. The show premiered in April 2025.
The show, hosted by Stewart and acclaimed chef José Andrés, featured 12 chefs taking part in weekly cooking challenges. The chefs were put to the test with their culinary skills but also encouraged to overcome personal issues through their cooking, mentored by Stewart and Andrés.
In a publicity spot for the show, Stewart stated, “For far too long, the pressure of the kitchen has been an excuse for out-of-control behaviour.”
“We’ve gathered 12 professional chefs, each with one thing standing in their way: themselves.”
Yes, Chef! Winner Throws Back with Instagram Post
NBC described the show as blending “the high-stakes thrill of a cooking competition with the raw emotion of personal transformation, as it delves into the powerful personalities attracted to the chaotic culinary lifestyle.”
Chefs were nominated by colleagues, bosses, friends and family to appear on the show.
The chef deemed to have improved the most, and who best impressed the judges with their culinary chops, walked away with a $250,000 prize, furnished by granola brand Purely Elizabeth.
The series one finale saw chef Emily Brubaker take home the top prize, rising to the top over contestants Lee Frank and Zain Ismail. In a recent Instagram post, Brubaker celebrated her “Yes, Chef!” success, posting, “I am still a little in shock that whole thing ever happened. It seems like a fever dream of a situation I’d never put myself into… I pushed past a lot of mental hurdles I’d always held against myself while going through the experience.”
“I’m going to keep taking those crazy chances and see what happens next. What a crazy life!”
No, Chef! Says NBC
GettyDespite maintaining a consistent viewership during its ten-episode run, averaging 1.5m viewers during the first episode, the show was noticeably absent from NBC’s 2026 summer lineup.
“Yes, Chef!” was produced by Magical Elves, the production company behind cooking powerhouse series “Nailed It!” and “Top Chef”. Stewart and André served as executive producers on the show, alongside Casey Kriley, Jo Sharon, Jimmy Fox, Kevin Lee, Doneen Arquines, Paul Storck, and Richard Wolffe.
NBC’s recently unveiled summer lineup features the return of “America’s Got Talent”and “American Ninja Warrior”. Jimmy Fallon‘s “Password” has been renewed for its third season, and NBC will also launch their new natural history series “Surviving Earth.”
