A spot in the “Next Level Chef” 2026 finale is up for grabs for the four remaining chefs on “Next Level Chef” Season 5. To get there, these chefs will be working on a signature dish that defines who they are, but, of course, with a hidden catch. The mentors — Chef Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais — will be in place, as they will help the chefs make it into the finale. 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.
Building a Legacy on ‘Next Level Chef’
Last time on “Next Level Chef” 2026, soccer took over the kitchen. The Great Room was set up as a soccer field. Everyone was getting ready to celebrate the FIFA World Cup coming to FOX this summer. USA Soccer legend Alexi Lalas even joined in the fun. The chefs were tasked with fusing two countries’ cuisines together into one elevated dish. The pairings were off for some of the chefs, but they all made it work. It was Connor with the win, and Andy and Cole facing off in the Elimination Cook-Off. Cole won the cook-off, which meant Andy was eliminated.
For tonight, the finale is just one week away, and it’s all about building their legacy tonight. A dish that defines who they are as a chef. No pressure, right? 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.
May 14 Live Recap – Week 15
KEEP REFRESHING THE PAGE FOR THE LATEST “NEXT LEVEL CHEF” LIVE RECAP UPDATES.
Semifinals Begin
The final four chefs are in the Great Room. It’s semifinals time, so we chat with the final four about their motivation and getting here.
For tonight’s challenge, it’s all about them and their legacy. They have 30 minutes to create a dish that defines them as a chef. They have to create a signature dish. For the first time, they will choose a protein without knowing what it is! There will be five domes on the platform. They will uncover it later to see what they’ll be cooking!
Darian will be cooking on the Top Level by himself tonight with Gordon. He also has the Time Token, which he decides to use the 10 seconds for himself. Gabrielle and Connor will be cooking in the Middle Kitchen with Richard, with Cole cooking in the Basement by herself with Nyesha.
Cooking Time
The platform comes down, and they uncover the domes to find their proteins. Gabrielle dropped one of her lobster claws down to the Basement. She is struggling, as she had a rough pull on that platform. She gets it together and comes up with a plan, as she is doing this for her dad, who passed away in 2020.
Connor got pork chops, so he likes his dish. Cole grabbed turbot for her protein, which she has never cooked before. She is nervous.
To get the chefs all emotional, the platform comes down again, and they get special messages from their loved ones. It might be what they need to get their head back into the game and get these plates in order.
Back to cooking, and the pan wasn’t as hot as it needed to be for his pork. He has now overcooked it. He gets it together, as the chefs just power through. The time is running down, so trying to get things finished and wrapped up.
The time runs out, the plates are complete, and the dishes are on the platform.
Tasting & Results on ‘Next Level Chef’
The dishes have made it to the mentors, so time to taste these dishes:
- Basement – For Cole, Gordon said the fish is cooked beautifully. Richard said he loved the acidity from the topping. He wanted a little more golden brown on the cook.
- Middle Level – For Gabrielle, Gordon said the lobster is cooked beautifully. He wanted more citrus (which she missed grabbing). Nyesha said beautiful dish. Richard said an elegant dish. For Connor, Gordon said lovely colors. The protein is very tough. Nyesha said the dish eats on the sweeter side. The pork is leaning towards the overcooked side.
- Top Level – For Darian, Gordon said the filet is cooked perfectly. Nyesha said the filet is incredible. Appreciates the restraint in the peppercorn, really nice dish. Gordon said it’s something you would talk about for months after eating it. It’s beautifully done.
Results: The judges discuss the dishes. They said it’s been a tough decision, but the two chefs earning a spot in next week’s finale are Darian and Cole. That means Gabrielle and Connor will be battling it out in the Elimination Cook-Off.
Elimination Cook-Off
For this challenge, the chefs have 25 minutes to create a dish that is worthy of getting them into the finale. That’s it. They can cook whatever they want to show off their skills and what they learned this season.
The platform comes down, and it’s veal chops for both of them. They grab as much as they can, so time to cook. Gabrielle is pivoting with her side dish. Connor cooked some mushrooms and bacon and put them in a strainer, but then the pan tipped over, and they flew everywhere. That’s going to hurt him! He was able to salvage some of it, so he is going to make it work. The time runs out, and the plates are done, so tasting soon:
- Gabrielle – Richard said beautiful colors. Classic preparation, absolutely textbook. Nyesha said she loved the pea and mint pairing. The tahin is powerful, but great presentation.
- Connor – Richard said perfect execution when it comes to the protein. Nyesha said she wanted more mushrooms. Richard said maybe something sweet, but he was trying to find something not great with this dish.
Results – Richard and Nyesha both voted, and they both picked Connor’s dish as the winning dish. That means Gabrielle has been eliminated tonight on “Next Level Chef” Season 5.
FOXWhat do you think of the results tonight?
