The final auditions on “Next Level Chef” 2026 are tonight on FOX. The final eight 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 3 brings us the home chefs, so find out who gets eliminated on “Next Level Chef” tonight with us during our “Next Level Chef” 2026 live recap below.
Auditions – Home Chefs on ‘Next Level Chef’
For Week 3, it’s time for the last batch of contestants to take on “Next Level Chef” season 5. It’ll be the home chef auditions, with all of them fighting for a spot on one of the mentors’ teams. The night will start with eight home chefs, but only five will move on to the draft.
Last week on “Next Level Chef” season 5, the social media chefs got their chance in the kitchen. It was all about going viral and making appealing dishes for the challenges they faced. In the end, five of the social media 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 12 Live Recap – Week 3
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Home Chefs Take Over
Time for the home chefs to have their moment! Nyesha meets the home chefs in the basement. For this first challenge, they have 20 minutes to make a delicious dish from leftovers. The platform comes down, and these home chefs are fighting for these ingredients.
Danielle got canned salmon, but she said she can make this work. Jared, who happens to be from my hometown, used to play football in the NFL. He then went on to be a lunch lady at his kids’ school. He is a ripped fella, that’s for sure.
Earl got lasagna, so he is trying to make a lasagna spring roll, which we don’t think has ever been said. He learned to cook after getting divorced and having to cook with his son. Michael went viral dancing with cheerleaders, but now the mentors think he is too cool for this. Earl is running out of time to wrap his spring rolls. Time runs out as the plating is done.
Tasting & Results
The mentors all head to the basement, as it’s time to taste these dishes:
- Amber – Delicious. In 20 minutes, incredible. It’s repurposed and feels like it came from home.
- Diana – Tastes like an authentic stir-fry. Gordon said so much spice, his hair’s going to turn pink.
- Danielle – Maybe more soy or ginger.
- Jared – It looks like you can serve it in a restaurant.
- Elise – Gordon liked the caramelization of the meatballs.
- Emerson – The pork is seasoned beautifully.
- Earl – That is a tough grab. The nerves got hold of him.
- Michael – The flavor is all over the place. Texturally, the dish is very soft.
Results – The judges discuss all the dishes. For this challenge, the chefs moving on to the Middle Kitchen are: Jared, Emerson, Amber, Danielle, Diana, Elise, and Earl. That means Michael, the dancing blue shirt guy, has been eliminated tonight on “Next Level Chef” 2026.
FOXSecond Challenge on ‘Next Level Chef’
For this second challenge, they have 20 minutes to make a dish they would make for a loved one. Whether it would be for a birthday or an anniversary, just a dish made with love. The platform comes down, and the ingredients are in place.
Elise has never made naan from scratch, but she is trying it here. Earl is making a dish and lists the things he is using in the dish, but Gordon asks what it is, and he doesn’t have a name. He’s just going with the flow, apparently.
The mentors seem to be loving Danielle, as Richard said she should be on Team Blais. The naan is not working for Elise, so she is worried. She gets it together as the time runs out on this challenge.
Tasting & Results
The mentors are all in the middle kitchen, so time to taste these dishes:
- Elise – If you’re making bread in 20 minutes, that’s good. This bread is good.
- Diana – Wanted more of the mole sauce. It’s heavy on the cloves.
- Emerson – It’s a classic for a reason. Type of dish I’d love to order again.
- Amber – Delicious, really good.
- Danielle – It has this rich, bold flavor that’s smoky and sweet.
- Earl – The dish doesn’t read at all like a complete dish. It’s not a cohesive dish.
- Jared – You don’t see many steak and pasta dishes. The steak is cooked perfectly.
Results – The judges discuss the dishes and come up with a decision. The six chefs moving on to the Top Kitchen are Amber, Elise, Danielle, Emerson, Jared, and Diana. That means Earl has been eliminated tonight.
FOXFinal Challenge Tonight
For this final challenge, the home chefs head to the Top Level Kitchen. They meet Richard, as they will have 25 minutes to create a dish that is a tribute to a hero of theirs. The platform comes down, and the ingredients are in place.
Nyesha and Gordon are watching for the gallery and do not want to share which chefs they want on their teams. They said Diana needs to move more quickly. Emerson was born in the Philippines, so he likes to work those Filipino flavors into his dishes. Amber said her hero is Martha Stewart, so she is cooking for her.
Diana is cooking chicken, and it’s not cooking. She might not have cooked chicken. Amber is struggling with her sauce. The time runs out, as the plating is now done.
Tasting & Results
The judges are all on the top level, so time to taste these dishes:
- Elise – This is exactly how I want to enjoy swordfish. The spice is well-balanced.
- Danielle – Definitely crispy. The salmon is cooked beautifully.
- Jared – The ribeye is cooked beautifully. Really great effort.
- Amber – There is a part missing. Needed the sauce.
- Emerson – The pork is cooked beautifully. The sauce is excellent.
- Diana – The chicken is undercooked.
Results – The mentors discuss the home chefs, and the five chefs entering the draft are Emerson, Danielle, Elise, Jared, and Amber. That means Diana has been eliminated tonight!
FOXWhat do you think of the results on “Next Level Chef” season 5 gonith?
