The chefs on “Next Level Chef” 2026 will be helping to celebrate America’s 250th tonight on FOX. We are down to the final six chefs on “Next Level Chef” season 5, so we are 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 get ready for a star-spangled cocktail party. 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.
Toasting America on ‘Next Level Chef’
Last time on “Next Level Chef” 2026, it was all about noodles. The chefs had to create an elevated dish that was focused on noodles but had a protein on top. They had 30 minutes to create their dish. Christian said he is Filipino, so he was feeling very confident and cocky during this challenge. It didn’t work out for him, though, as he ended up having one of the worst dishes of the night. However, it was Danielle sent home during the Elimination Cook-Off.
For tonight, the chefs will be tasked with cooking for a star-spangled cocktail party. Each chef will be responsible for crafting a showstopping cocktail and appetizer to celebrate America’s 250th. 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 30 Live Recap – Week 13
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Week 13 Begins
The chefs arrive in the Great Room, which is decorated in red, white, and blue. They are celebrating America’s 250th birthday. To celebrate, they are throwing a star-spangled cocktail party. They will each have 30 minutes to create a plate of next-level appetizers. The judges are looking for elevated American classics.
Cole and Darian will be cooking on the Top Level with Gordon. Gabrielle and Connor will be cooking on the Middle Level with Richard. Andy and Christian will be cooking in the Basement with Nyesha. Cole has her Time Token bonus, which she opts to use the 10 extra seconds at the platform for ingredients for herself.
When going to the Basement, Christian lets Andy go first, but then he runs past her to grab a certain workstation. She said it’s not a nice move, but then he seems to have pulled a muscle while being cocky. Seems fitting, right?
Cooking Begins
The chefs are on their floors. The mentors have joined them. It’s time for the platform to come down, which Cole gets the extra time with. Gabrielle is making some shrimp cakes. Connor got lobster, so he plans on making some lobster donuts.
Down in the Basement, Christian is making pigs in a blanket. He is hobbling from his injury. Darian grabbed a filet on the Top Level, but he’s unsure what he’s going to make.
Darian has figured out what he wants to do. We have a platform drop midway through, which contains alcohol. The chefs will be making a cocktail to pair with their apps on “Next Level Chef” season 5.
Gabrielle is making a daiquiri, and Connor is making a margarita to represent their roots in Florida and California. Meanwhile, Gabrielle’s shrimp cakes aren’t cooking properly, so she has to fix them.
Time Is Winding Down
The time is running down, as Richard is chanting, “USA! USA! USA!” which is annoying Gordon. Then Darian and Gordon share a moment talking about soccer. Darian wants to win and get that year-long mentorship, so he is loving this moment.
Christian seems to be done, but Nyesha tells him to make a sauce. He is making an aioli. They are all working on cocktails, as the mentors are telling them not to wait until the last minute.
Christian is trying to make his sauce thicker, but he looked away, and the immersion blender fell over. About 90% of his sauce is now on the floor or his leg, with time running down. He gets it figured out, as the time runs out. The chefs all get their dishes on the platform, even though Connor missed a lime for his cocktail.
Tasting & Results on ‘Next Level Chef’
The dishes are in place, and time for the mentors to taste the apps and cocktails:
- Top Level – For Cole, their onion in the cocktail, but it works with the chicken being sweet. Nothing is more American than a chicken wing. The chicken is cooked perfectly. For Darian, it’s difficult to eat, but the flavor is beautiful. The beef is cooked nicely. Richard isn’t sure what the American classic is.
- Middle Level – For Connor, the lobster is sweet and rich. Great job. They are beautiful, pillowy, savory donuts. For Gabrielle, Gordon said it’s hard to pick up the shrimp cakes. It’s sunshine. Less breading for the shrimp cake. The caviar worked beautifully.
- Basement – For Andy, Richard loved it. Gordon said it’s delicious. For Christian, Richard loves the mocktail and loves the concept of this. The dough is cooked well, but the sauce is broken. Gordon wanted the sauce on the side, so the bread wouldn’t get soggy.
Results – The judges are discussing the dishes, and it looks like Gordon and Richard are torn, with Nyesha needing to be the deciding vote on “Next Level Chef” 2026. The two standout dishes tonight come from Connor and Cole, with Connor being the winner of the Time Token this week. The two dishes cooking in the Elimination Cook-Off come from Gabrielle and Christian.
Elimination Cook-Off
For this challenge, the chefs will be tasked with making an American classic: a burger and fries. The burger needs to hold its own in a high-end restaurant. It needs to really celebrate America. They will have 25 minutes to cook their burger and fries.
The platform comes down, and they get their ingredients. Gabrielle is looking for mayo, but can’t find it. Christian took it already. They are making their burgers and getting things in order. Without the mayo, Gabrielle’s sauce is not working out. She needs to come up with a new plan with five minutes left. Darian helped from the sidelines for her to get it fixed. The time runs out, and time to taste the dishes:
- Christian – Nyesha said the seer is inconsistent. The sauce is great, and the fries are good. Richard said the burger is imbalanced and not many flavors.
- Gabrielle – Nyesha said beautiful presentation. Ricgard said the creativity is great. The meat is seasoned well, and great char on it. Nyesha said an interesting approach to it, but wanted a balance. It finished tangy.
Results – Nyesha and Ricard vote, and they vote to send home Christian. He has been eliminated from the competition.
FOXWhat do you think of the results tonight on “Next Level Chef” season 5?
