It’s time to raise a glass on Next Level Chef.
With the competition heating up, the remaining chefs are tasked with pulling off a star-spangled cocktail party in “A Toast to America’s 250th,” crafting both a showstopping drink and an appetizer worthy of the occasion. It’s a challenge that’s as much about concept as it is execution — and at this stage, there’s no room for anything half-baked.
As always, Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais are looking for chefs who can think big while still delivering on the plate. Because when you’re this close to the finale, one misstep — whether in the glass or on the dish — can send you home.
The Teams
Below are the 15 contestants drafted to compete this season, with previously eliminated chefs crossed out.
| Name | Age | Hometown | Chef Category | Team |
| Connor | 30 | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | Pro Chef | Arrington |
| Christian | 35 | Austin, Texas | Social Media Chef | Blais |
| Darian | 34 | Buffalo, N.Y. | Pro Chef | Blais |
| Andy | 37 | Malibu, Calif. | Social Media Chef | Ramsay |
| Cole | 31 | Los Angeles | Pro Chef | Ramsay |
| Gabrielle | 34 | Palm Beach, Fla. | Pro Chef | Ramsay |
The Challenge
Gordon is more than ready to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a Fourth of July party… in April. Sure, the timing’s a little off — but who’s checking? It’s an all-American cuisine kind of day, and the chefs have just 30 minutes to whip up Next Level-worthy appetizers.
Based on last week’s results, Cole and Darian are sitting pretty in the Top Level. Gabrielle and Connor land in the Middle, while Christian and Andy are stuck in the Basement, fighting to cook their way out. After snagging last week’s top dish, Cole opts to use her Time Token on herself rather than sabotage a competitor — giving herself an extra 10 seconds at the platform. “If I out-cook everyone, I want it to be on my own merit, not because they had a leg down,” she says.
Halfway through the round, the platform drops again — and this time, it’s loaded with booze. The twist? Each chef now has to pair an all-American cocktail with their Next Level appetizer, turning this into a two-part challenge on the fly.
Top Dish
When the final dishes hit the platform, the judges are impressed across the board — but a couple clearly separate themselves from the pack.
Connor delivers a lobster pupusa with corn salsa paired with a strawberry margarita that immediately stands out. The judges call it “beautiful,” praising the lobster as sweet, rich, and downright regal.
Cole also earns high marks with her chicken lollipops served alongside an old fashioned. The cocktail’s onion element raises some eyebrows — “super weird,” as the judges put it — but it works. The glaze is packed with flavor, and the chicken is cooked perfectly.
Those two dishes earn Connor and Cole spots in the Top Level kitchen next week. Connor wins the coveted Time Token advantage.
Cook-off
At the other end, Christian and Gabrielle struggle to fully bring their ideas together. Christian’s pigs in a blanket with a sparkling cucumber mojito has a strong concept, but the execution falters — the sauce is broken, and the pastry turns soggy. Gabrielle’s Maryland-inspired shrimp cakes with tomato aioli and caviar, paired with a pineapple daiquiri, fall apart structurally, making them difficult to eat despite solid flavor in the cocktail.
That lands them in the Elimination Cook-off, where they’ll have just 25 minutes to create an elevated burger and fries that can hold its own in a high-end restaurant — or risk going home.
Elimination
Gordon sticks around to mentor Gabrielle and Christian through the all-American burger challenge, while Nyesha and Richard take over judging duties.
Christian goes bold with a short-rib burger topped with American cheese, crispy onion, and spicy aioli, served alongside fries. The flavors mostly land — the sauce, in particular, is a hit — but the burger itself is “a little inconsistent in the sear.” Still, the fries are solid and help round out the dish.
Gabrielle takes a more creative route with a brisket patty, pepper jack cheese, corn relish, and charred corn aioli. It’s a beautiful plate, and Richard especially appreciates the originality. The meat is well-seasoned, and Nyesha praises the overall approach, though she notes the dish could use more balance, adding, “It does kind of finish tangy.”
The judges make the call to eliminate Christian from the competition.
Next time
The chefs go global as they’re challenged to create a World Cup-inspired fusion dish — with soccer icon Alexi Lalas stopping by to cheer them on.
