The chefs on “Next Level Chef” 2026 will be taking on an ingredient that is loved all around the world: noodles! We are down to the final seven chefs on “Next Level Chef” season 5, so getting closer and closer to the winner being announced. The mentors — Chef Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais — will be in place, as they will help the chefs take on these next-level noodle dishes. The pressure is on, as one chef will be sent home. Who gets eliminated on “Next Level Chef” tonight? Find out with us during our “Next Level Chef” 2026 live recap below.
Use Your Noodle on ‘Next Level Chef’
Last time on “Next Level Chef” 2026, the teams were no more. For the first time this season, the chefs were competing as individuals. They took on the in-season tournament, which would determine what level they would be cooking on this week. The pressure was on, especially since with each level they moved down, the less time they had to prepare their dishes (I mean, 20 minutes to fully cook a chicken). The chefs all made it work, except Jared, who was eliminated during the Basement Level cook.
For tonight, the chefs will be tasked with creating next-level noodle dishes. Not only will the chefs be competing to stay in the competition, but also to earn the Time Token advantage. This will allow them to add time to their ingredient grab or deduct time from a rival’s ingredient grab. The fight to be named the winner of “Next Level Chef” season 5 continues tonight, so follow along with our Live Recap below!
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: THIS LIVE RECAP WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE, SO DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
April 23 Live Recap – Week 12
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Week 12 Begins
It’s crazy to think, but we are down to the final seven chefs. They enter the Great Room. For tonight’s challenge, they will be working with noodles. Christian says he is Filipino, so his body is by noodles. They will need to serve an elevated dish focusing on noodles, with a protein on top. They have 30 minutes to create this dish.
The winner of this challenge will not only move to the Top Level next week, but they will also win the Next Level Time Token. This token allows them to either add 10 seconds to their ingredient grab or take 10 seconds away from one of their rivals’ ingredient grab!
Cooking Begins
The chefs head to their levels. Nyesha is working with Top Level, Gordon with Middle Kitchen, and Richard down in the Basement. Gordon asks Darian, Connor, and Christian about their plans. They tell him, which Christian said he will keep in mind. During the grab, he does take the duck before Darian gets to it. The guys definitely got fiesty on that grab.
The ingredients are in place, and it’s time for the chefs to start cooking. Darian is upset with Christian, as he thinks he is just stealing his idea and using all the ingredients he wanted. Danielle is making an ox tongue stir fry, which she joked was never on her bingo card.
Gordon tells them to have a clear narrative with their dishes. Christian seems very confident with this cook, so I am thinking he will be on the bottom. Way too confident! Nyesha is excited to have the ladies up on the Top Level with her, as she said you can feel the feminine energy.
Andy took tiger prawns, and she is fighting with the shell now. She is unsure how to deshell it. Nyesha helps her figure it out, so she is feeling better. Richard said what’s most important is the cook on their noodles, as this is a noodles challenge.
Time is running down. Andy is stressed, as she has too many elements in her dish. The chefs are plating, and time for the platform to come down on “Next Level Chef” season 5. All of the chefs are struggling to finish, and it comes down to Gabrielle on the Top Level. They go to a commercial break, as it looks like she may or may not get to the platform in time. She got it on the platform.
Tasting & Results
The dishes are in place, and the judges are ready to taste them:
- Basement Level – For Danielle, the noodles are cooked beautifully. The ox tongue is dry. They wanted to see some herbs to play against the richness of the ox tongue. For Cole, Gordon said it’s delicious, especially since it’s centered around a hot dog. It’s sour and tart. Richard is blown away by the flavor of this.
- Middle Level – For Christian, they said incredible depth of flavor. There is no contrast. It’s super rich. For Connor, it’s delicious. Elevated to a $20 doish. For Darian, this chef really elevated this dish. The color green is so appealing. Nyesha said the amount of flavor coming off this simplistic-looking dish. It’s vibrant.
- Top Level – For Andy, they love the presentation of it. It’s too prawn-flavored. The noodle is cooked beautifully. For Gabrielle, not enough broth on it. Gordon loved the dish. She elevated a crappy noodle and made it exceptional.
Results: The judges discuss all of the dishes. They are definitely stuck on the best dish, as Nyesha wants Darian’s and Richard wants Cole’s. No word from Gordon, as we take a commercial break. In the end, the best two dishes of the night go to Darian and Cole. The winner of this challenge goes to Cole with her hot dog dish, so she gets the Time Token! They both will be cooking on the Top Level next week. The bottom three dishes come from Danielle, Andy, and Christian, and they will face off in the Elimination Cook-Off.
Elimination Cook-Off
For this challenge, the chefs will have 25 minutes. They need to make a dish that is starch-free! This dish will be all about the flavor and technique. They have to let their protein shine.
The platform comes down, and Christian is so aggressive with it. He is always pushing and shoving his way in, which makes sense, but then also settle down, sir! The ingredients are in place, so time to get these dishes made. Christian spilled some champagne, so then he started shaking and drinking it. Richard calls him out and says someone is going home, so don’t get cocky.
The chefs are cooking. Danielle over-salted her sauce, so now she is trying to make a rue out of it. She said he’s not going home on this one. The time moves quickly, as the chefs are working on their plating. Time for the chefs to taste these dishes:
- Christian – They said the plate works. Great sear on the protein and seasoned beautifully. The sauce is odd.
- Andy – It looks beautiful and looks inviting. They love the heat on the cod, and it’s cooked beautifully. It’s a vibrant sauce.
- Danielle – The scallops are cooked beautifully. The gravy is not good for her.
Results – The vote takes place, and both Nyesha and Gordon vote to eliminate the scallop dish, which is Danielle’s dish. She was the final home chef left in the competition.
FOXWhat do you think of the results on “Next Level Chef” season 5 tonight?
