The auditions on “Next Level Chef” 2026 continue tonight on FOX. Eight more of these 24 new contestants competing on “Next Level Chef” season 5 will step in front of Chef Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais, both “Top Chef” alums, to try and earn a spot in the draft. Week 2 brings us the social media chefs, so find out who gets eliminated on “Next Level Chef” tonight with us during our “Next Level Chef” 2026 live recap below.
Auditions – Social Media Chefs on ‘Next Level Chef’
For Week 2, we will get to see the social media chefs audition for a spot on one of the mentors’ teams. The night will start with eight chefs, but only five will move on in the competition.
Last week on “Next Level Chef” season 5, the professional chefs kicked off the new season. They faced challenges and battled their way through each level. In the end, five of the pro chefs moved on to the draft. The fight to be named the winner of “Next Level Chef” 2026 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.
February 5 Live Recap – Week 2
KEEP REFRESHING THE PAGE FOR THE LATEST “NEXT LEVEL CHEF” LIVE RECAP UPDATES.
Week 2 Begins
The social media chefs are in place and head to the basement for their first challenge, where Chef Ramsay meets them. For this first challenge, the chefs will take corner store staples and transform them into an amazing dish. They have 20 minutes to make their dish.
We meet Landon, who drinks and then makes food. He said he makes food that isn’t good for you. He plans on buying a jet ski if he wins. Andy is struggling to open a can of Spam, which Gordon helps her do. She is an actor and musician, as she was in “Pitch Perfect 3.” She also performed with Prince in 2009.
Christian got wings, so pressure might be on to not screw it up. Henna grabbed hot dogs, so adding in some pineapple. Now Henna is struggling with a can, as Gordon helps her again. Miriam has pork and Hot Cheetos, so she is using that as the crust on it. Matt cooks gourmet meals outside over the fire, which brought on Matt Dad. Time is running down, and plating needs to happen.
Tasting & Results
Gordon is joined by Nyesha and Richard, as the tasting begins:
- Christian – Not a dish that tastes like it was made in a basement. Smart grab, no notes.
- Miriam – Richard said the cheetos was good as a marinade. Smart using the aioli, but both spicy. It’s getting hotter as they eat.
- Henna – Richard said it’s sweet. Gordon said he loves the carmelization on it, but it needs spice.
- Andy – Frozen fish sticks into a dish that looks like it could be served in a restaurant. Smart use of the Spam in it. Nice cook on the fish.
- Landon – Loved the use of pretzels in the meatballs. Could have used more sauce, but the meatballs are tasty.
- Mareya – Love the use of corn and shrimp together.
- Matt – The seasoning is great on beef tips. Two starches together aren’t what you normally see.
- Tim – Took the idea of ramen and elevated it. It’s comforting and soul-hugging. That dish is delicious.
Results – The judges discuss the dishes, and the chefs moving on to the next level are Tim, Christian, Andy, Mareya, Landon, Miriam, and Matt. That means Henna has been eliminated tonight on “Next Level Chef” 2026.
FOXSecond Challenge
The remaining chefs head to the Middle Kitchen. Richard joins them. For this challenge, they will need to create a dish that will visually inspire the judges, which would go viral. They have 20 minutes to create this dish.
Miriam talks, and she said she makes comfort food. She said she’s not here for the cholesterol. Tim is making meatballs, but Gordon said they are too big. He is struggling to open a jar. He is a stay-at-home dad who makes videos cooking for his daughters. Landon is making a mackerel dish, which he said he never makes seafood.
Andy is cooking chicken, but time is running down and she is worried about getting it fully cooked. She can’t serve raw chicken! Now she is worried it’s overcooked. The time runs out, and dishes are plated.
Tasting & Results on ‘Next Level Chef’
The judges are all on the middle level, and time to taste these dishes:
- Christian – The steak is cooked beautifully. Optics alone, Nyesha would stop and study that dish.
- Mareya – Not sure if this is as worthy for the ‘gram, but Gordon said it’s good. He loves the crispy, saltiness. It’s exceptional.
- Tim – Meatballs are a little dry.
- Matt – It’s eye-catching. The shrimp is cooked beautifully.
- Miriam – The beet sauce is delicious, but it overpowers the fish. The crust needs more seasoning.
- Landon – The mackerel is cooked beautifully, and he elevated it.
- Andy – The puree is nailed beautifully. The chicken needed more time to rest.
Results – The judges discuss the dishes. The six chefs moving to the Top Kitchen tonight on “Next Level Chef” season 5 are Matt, Landon, Mareya, Christian, Andy, and Tim. That means Miriam has been eliminated tonight.
FOXFinal Challenge
The six remaining chefs head to the Top Kitchen. For this final challenge, Nyesha tells them they will be forgetting about the likes and shares on this dish. They want to see a dish worthy of getting them into the draft tonight. They have 25 minutes to make this dish.
Tim got the filet from the platform, so he is feeling pressure. This was the best grab, so he needs to not mess it up. Gordon said Mareya needs to get her hen in the oven. Landon has kale, which he has no clue what it is! He is now drinking white wine out of a plastic bowl.
Mareya finally gets the hen in the oven. However, she might not get it done in time and have nothing to plate. The time is running down, and the chefs are working on their plates.
Final Tasting & Results
The time ran out, the judges are in place, and time to taste these final dishes:
- Mareya – The hen is cooked all the way through. It just tastes good, but the plating is not good. Break down the hen.
- Andy – Pork is cooked beautifully, the sauce and puree are great. It’s a perfect combination.
- Landon – It’s a bit confusing. It feels and looks unfinished. It needs more acid.
- Tim – He loves the visual. That’s cooked like a professional.
- Christian – Visuals are great, but a little confusing with all the sauces and purees. It’s a really good dish.
- Matt – Broth is delicious, but none of the steak is seared.
Results – The judges discuss the dishes, and the five chefs moving on to the draft are Tim, Andy, Christian, Matt, and Mareya. That means the third chef eliminated tonight is Landon Bridges.
What do you think of tonight’s results on “Next Level Chef” 2026?
