The best of the best in the field of cooking are participating in a whole new set of challenges in Next Level Chef Season 3.
2024 opens with another season of Next Level Chef as groups of home chefs, social media cooks, and professionals compete to earn the right to become the next food superstar.
Next Level Chef executive producer Gordon Ramsay returns alongside fellow mentors Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais. They are expected to push the chefs to their limits as they vie for excellence and bragging rights for their respective teams.
Next Level Chef Season 3 premiered on Fox on January 28.
Hosts/Mentors
Gordon Ramsay
A cooking competition wouldn't be complete without the man himself, Gordon Ramsay.
Some would argue that the British celebrity chef has nothing left to prove, with him being awarded 17 Michelin stars overall and being considered one of, if not, the most influential chef of all time in the modern age.
Ramsay's influence in the world of cooking is undeniable as he headlines several reality competitions similar to Next Level Chef, such as Hell's Kitchen, Masterchef, Masterchef Jr., and 24 Hours to Hell and Back.
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight ahead of Season 3's debut, the 57-year-old world-famous chef teased what lies ahead in Season 3, noting that the contestants are "even more competitive:"
"This year is exciting because they're even more competitive, and those amateur chefs wanna be professionals. And the professional chefs don't understand how good the social media chefs are."
The winner of Next Level Chef Season 3 will receive $250,000 USD and a 12-month mentorship with their chosen mentor.
Richard Blais
Returning as a mentor in Next Level Chef Season 3 is Richard Blais.
In Season 2, Blais' mentee, Christopher Spinosa, finished as a runner-up to eventual winner Tucker Ricchio from Gordon Ramsay's team.
In an interview with Parade, Blais is hoping that one of his team members will win Season 3, saying he doesn't "want to get relegated" into another losing run:
“It has to be. I don’t know if you’re familiar with British soccer, but I don’t want to get relegated. I feel like I have to win this season just to stay on the show.”
The successful chef also hinted at what to expect in Season 3, specifically talking about the infamous platform grab:
"Each floor has its own challenges. I do think that there’s pressure to live up to that top level. I think if you miss the beef filet on the top now all of a sudden, you’re rattled. It’s really hard. The platform grab is really, really tough. It’s only a couple of seconds."
Blais is the winner of the inaugural Top Chef All-Stars and a James Beard nominated cookbook author.
Nyesha Arrington
Rounding out the mentors of Next Level Chef Seasons 3 is Nyesha Arrington.
Arrington served as a contestant of Top Chef: Texas Season 9 and was named one of Zagat's "30 under 30" in 2012.
In an interview with The Root in February 2023, Arrington admitted that working with her fellow mentors, Ramsay and Blais, is the true highlight of the show for her, pointing out that discussing challenges with them is a delight:
“We spend a lot of time together on camera, but also off. In our morning meetings, we’re discussing challenges for the day and we talk as chefs before we step out into those kitchens. We think about these challenges, and we ask each other ‘What would you make?’ and we all 100 percent have three different styles of dishes. We say ‘If you got the strip loin or if you got that lamb, what would you do with it?’ We really come from an authentic, organic place with this. The art of the craft of cooking is to be able to share ideas, so it’s truly amazing.”
In Season 1, Arrington's mentee, Stephanie "Pyet" Despain, won the competition. Will one of her team members earn the right to be called the next food superstar in Season 3? Only time will tell.
Contestants
Brittany Khamille
In December 2023, Brittany Khamille announced on Facebook that she would be a contestant appearing on Next Level Chef Season 3:
"I’ve been keeping a secret.
I’m excited to {finally} announce that was selected and given the chance to compete on S3 of Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef FOX!!!
I can’t say thank you enough to all of y'all- without each of you, this opportunity wouldn’t exist! love y'all more than slap and garlic!"
The Lousiana native is a famous TikTok chef with over 1.7 million followers on the platform.
Brittany Khamille, known to her fans as "Britt Kham," also released a cookbook titled Just A Little Bitta.
Mada Abdelhamid
36-year-old Mada Abdelhamid is no stranger to being around the spotlight. The Egyptian-born health expert has been a personal trainer for megastar Jason Momoa for over five years and is now close friends with the Aquaman actor (via IAM).
Mada's skillset goes far beyond the kitchen. In 2015, he competed as a wrestler performer on Season 6 of the WWE reality show Tough Enough, making it through the initial rounds before being eliminated with seven other competitors left (Mada was one of 14 contestants at the start of the season).
Mada is exhilarated to now compete in Next Level Chef, sharing his excitement on his TikTok account:
"Words can’t begin to describe how excited I am for tonight… and the rest of this what’s going to be an amazing season!! These words are real and raw… straight from the heart!
It’s always so exciting when you begin a new journey and have this childlike passion for something. I LOVE IT!!!"
Gabrielle Chappel
Next Level Chef newcomer Gabrielle Chappel is a 29-year-old chef from Brooklyn, New York passionate about showing what she can cook with plant-based ingredients.
Chappel also has a newly renovated garden inside her apartment in New York.
In an interview with Susquehanna Sunrise (via her Instagram @gabchappel), Chappel believed that her biggest strength is her "creativity and style," mainly due to her "culinary experiences:"
"I believe my biggest strength is my creativity and style. I think due to the fact that my culinary experiences aren’t traditional French cuisine makes me stand out. I’m also pretty good under pressure."
Tim Clowers
While he is the oldest of the bunch, Tim Clowers is ready to prove that age doesn't matter when it comes to becoming the next food superstar.
The 55-year-old chef is famous on TikTok, amassing over 1.3 million followers on the platform. Tim also revealed that kids inspired him to share his cooking prowess with the world.
In a post on his Instagram (@cheftimclowers), Clowers admitted that joining the series "was unlike anything [he has] ever experienced before:"
"I was given the opportunity to compete in [Next Level Chef Season 3]
This experience was unlike anything I have ever experienced before and it couldn’t have happened without all of YOUR support! 'Next Level Chef' challenged me physically, mentally, and creatively and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity."
Izahya Thomas
24-year-old Izahya is one of the social media chefs taking part in Next Level Chef Season 3.
The Miami, Florida native is hoping that the competition will help him achieve his big break, especially after his dream of becoming a football player came to an end when he was injured.
Izahya explains in the confessional that he's been "preparing for this moment all my life."
Nicole Renard Warren
Nicole Renard Warren's competitive spirit is quickly showcased in Next Level Chef Season 3's debut on Fox (she wrestled for a lemon in the early round of the competition).
The 28-year-old chef from Kennewick, Washington used her wit and skills in the show's debut to impress the mentors with hopes of landing a spot on their respective teams.
Warren expressed her excitement about joining the competition on her Instagram (@nicole_thenomad), pointing out that it was "the most challenging + stretching thing" she's ever done:
"I said 2023 was gonna be the year that I just went for it + stopped waiting until I was “ready” to do stuff but I never dreamed it would land me on a Gordon Ramsay cooking show. Trust me, I can’t believe it either you might be thinking… wait, but can you cook? Well, I guess you’ll just have to tune in to see.
This was by far the most challenging + stretching thing I’ve ever done + after keeping the secret for so long, I can’t wait for you to finally watch the madness."
Matt Auckland
Height is mighty for 6'7 chef Matt who comes from Ingleside, Illinois.
Matt explains that he barely graduated high school, and for a while, he didn't have a sense of direction in life.
He gained success on Snapchat by sharing his cooking videos which carried over on TikTok (@chefzealand). He now has over 2.5 million followers as of writing.
Matt is grateful that he found his passion for food because he admits that it feels like therapy for him.
Brittnee
27-year-old Brittnee is one of the social media chefs from Atlanta, Georgia.
Brittnee has over 490k followers on TikTok (@brittneeciara), and this is where she shares her "little food diary" with her fans.
In a "mukbang" chat video, Brittnee mentioned that she was "very anxious" about sharing her experience on Next Level Chef Season 3 while also admitting that she's excited to see the final product:
"I’m literally so anxious about it, but I'm excited but I'm also very nervous. I'm trying not to be anxious about it, but I am. There were a lot of moments where I completely forgot that there were cameras there so I think that's why I'm anxious because there's really no telling what I was going through. I blacked out."
Jordan Farnum
Jordan Farnum is a famous YouTube Home Chef with over 600k followers on his channel. He is married to beauty vlogger Jaclyn Hill.
Farnum admitted on his Instagram (@farnumgrindtime) that his experience in Next Level Chef Season 3 was "the hardest thing" he has ever done:
"You will always find growth in discomfort. This was the hardest thing that I have ever done. Actual blood, sweat, & tears... Lots of all 3."
Aside from his expertise in cooking, Farnum is also a musician.
Mada Abdelhamid
Joining the competition in Next Level Chef Season 3 is former WWE "Tough Enough" contestant Mada Abdelhamid.
Mada was ecstatic about his involvement in the competition, exclaiming in his post on Instagram (@realdealmada) that he was "able to push [himself] in ways [he] never thought [he] could:"
"This was one of the best, most exciting, nerve-wracking things I've ever been a part [of]... and I absolutely LOVED IT!!! I was able to push myself in ways I never thought I could... and also meet and connect with some AMAZING people!!! I put my heart, soul, and spirit [into] this competition, and I was able to represent myself, my family, and my culture to the absolute fullest!!!"
After his brief stint in the world of sports entertainment, Mada served as Jason Momoa's trainer for the actor's lead role in 2018's Aquaman, leading to a lifelong friendship between the pair.
Daniel Peterman
Daniel Peterman is a proud home chef from Nashville, Tennessee. The 30-year-old is a wealth advisor who collaborates with his wife in the kitchen as a way to showcase his passion for cooking.
In a post from his Instagram (via @petes_barandgrill), Peterman was grateful for his time in the show, noting that he was able to "create amazing friendships" not just delicious dishes:
"I was able to spend time with some of the most incredible chefs in the world and create amazing friendships. I’m looking forward to cooking with each and every one of you when our paths cross in the future. I’m so grateful for our time in Ireland."
Wendy Bess Chui
26-year-old Wendy Chui is part of the "Home Cooks" in Next Level Chef Season 3. The Sunnydale, California native works as a private chef in Los Angeles.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wendy used her expertise in cooking to start a gourmet delivery service which later transformed into a private chef and catering service.
Monika Arora
51-year-old Monika Arora from Columbus, Ohio is a mainstay in doing cooking segments on Good Day Columbus and Living Dayton.
Speaking with The Columbus Dispatch, Monika talked about her experience in Next Level Chef, admitting that she was "very frightened" at first:
"The season was shot in Dublin, Ireland. They built this gorgeous site, but you were sequestered in your room, you couldn't talk to each other, and you could only go outside about 15 minutes each day. I was there for 12 days. I was very frightened, but Gordon Ramsay was wonderful — he's very tall and very nice. It was nice to cook for him and the other chefs, Richard Blais and Nyesha Arrington."
Monika is also a proud owner of a frozen food line called Maani.
Alexandra Donnadio
Aside from a strong passion for cooking, Alexandra Donnadio has a unique background since the Next Level Chef contestant is actually a detective working for the Essex County Sheriff's Office and Hillsborough local.
In an interview with Patch, Alexandra admitted that cooking is a "nice stress relief" for her:
"It is definitely a nice stress relief. Some people go to the gym to get their minds off of work and I will make homemade pasta."
The 29-year-old detective/home chef also talked about her experience in the show, pointing out that "it pushed [her] outside of [her] comfort zone:"
"Being on the show, honestly, I would do it over again. Everyone on the show was so kind even down to Gordon Ramsey. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I didn't go to culinary school. I didn't have time to learn techniques or basics, so being on the show gave me the push to learn the basics and techniques and to be successful."
Zach Laidlaw
34-year-old Zach Laidlaw, who hails from Maui, Hawaii, is poised to do whatever it takes to compete and eventually win the grand prize in Next Level Chef Season 3.
Zach offered high praise toward Gordon Ramsey, telling Khon2 that learning from the best of the best is a "career-defining moment" for him.
Speaking in a separate interview with Hawaii Magazine, however, Zach revealed that his preferred team is to work under chef Richard Blais due to them having "very similar cooking styles:"
“Going into the show, I wanted to be on chef Richard Blais’ team because he and I have very similar cooking styles. He does the whole molecular gastronomy thing, which I love, and I’m all about. That’s what inspires me to be a better chef.”
Christina Miros
Christina Miros is a 35-year-old ICU nurse from Dumont, New Jersey who has a passion for cooking.
She is a proud mother and "self-taught" chef who has engaged herself by offering culinary services in private events.
Angela Pagan
Professional chef Angela Pagan is from Atlanta, Georgia and she is born ready for any kind of challenge that she may encounter in Next Level Chef.
Angela received high praise from Gordon Ramsey in Round 1 after she impressed him with her cod cheeks dish. Ramsey even admitted that she "cooked with conviction."
Arceli “Ari” Pulido
31-year-old Arceli "Ari" Pulido is a professional chef who is a big fan of Gordon Ramsey. She even admits in the confessional that Ramsey is her phone's screensaver.
In Episode 3, Ari initially struggles to transform hotdogs into a next-level dish, considering that she has limited ingredients.
Lauren Smith
36-year-old home chef Lauren Smith is ready to make waves in Next Level Chef Season 3.
In one of her Instagram posts (via @wanderlust_flight), Smith is "beyond excited" to join the new season and compete with other chefs from all walks of life, describing her culinary journey as "high-flying."
Joe Naimoli
Staten Island native Joe Naimoli is ready to prove the doubters wrong in Season 3.
The 37-year-old home chef made headlines after he unknowingly picked up alligator meat in Round 1 of Episode 2.
Outside of Next Level Chef, Joe is a sanitation worker who uses his expertise in cooking to make his pregnant wife fall in love with him every day.
Ryan “Von” Smith
Ryan “Von” Smith is a proud owner of his restaurant, Chef Von & Mom, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The 37-year-old professional chef spoke with Fox56 to talk about his competitive nature and how his experience in various cooking competitions could serve as an advantage for him:
“I’m just competitive in life. I competed in China through a Master Chef competition with Asian cuisine. I came in third in the world out of forty countries and in the USA, we placed number one overall.”
Chris Tzorin
Working as an executive chef, Orange County native Chris Tzorin knows how to keep the standard high for his dishes.
Chris made a name for himself after being an executive chef at The Beach House in Dana Point by 20 years old. He had experience working in Chateaux, 195 Downtown Grill, and Savannah Chop House.
Summer
While 31-year-old Summer was pregnant upon joining the competition, she didn't allow her pregnancy to get in the way of the chance of winning the Next Level Chef's grand prize.
The Austin, Texas native told the confessional that she is hoping that she will not experience any blunder during the whole audition process in front of the three iconic cooking mentors.
Charity
27-year-old Charlotte native Charity is a self-proclaimed Southern belle.
The professional chef started her business at age 22, but her passion for cooking began way before that. Her parents served as her inspiration to pursue her love for the kitchen even more, considering her dad was once a chef in the Navy.
Jennie Casselman
Jennie Casselman is a wellness chef, best-selling cookbook author, and nutrition coach from Waxhaw, North Carolina.
Jennie built a career in creating menus focused on allergy-friendly food and helping clients with recipe and product development.
In an interview with Fox8, Jennie described her experience on Next Level Chef as "intense and life-changing."
After premiering on January 28, Next Level Chef Season 3 will return to its regular Thursday slot on Fox at 8 p.m. ET.
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