Tonight on “Next Level Chef”
As the competition heats up on “Next Level Chef,” contestants are tasked with crafting a single exemplary appetizer paired with a handcrafted cocktail. A new twist has been introduced in this episode: the “time token.” This advantage allows the chef who produces the best dish to either extend their own time by ten seconds or deduct ten seconds from a competitor’s preparation time. The stakes are high, as one chef will face elimination in the upcoming “Happy Hour” episode, which airs Thursday, April 6, from 8:00 to 9:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. Chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais have meticulously selected top talent from home cooks, social media personalities, and professional chefs to form their teams. The ultimate victor will receive a generous prize of $250,000 along with a year of mentorship.
Contestants and Teams
Here’s a look at the remaining contestants (or check the gallery above for detailed info on each chef):
Team Arrington: Nuri Muhammad, Omi Hopper, Pilar Moega, Shay Spence
Team Blais: Christopher Spinosa, Mehreen Karim, Tineke Younger
Team Ramsay: Michelle Calcgni, Tucker Ricchio, Vinny Alia
Recap of Previous Episode
In the last episode of “Next Level Chef,” the dynamics shifted dramatically as teams were disbanded. Contestants were presented with boxes marked with country flags, each corresponding to a national dish they needed to prepare. The top three chefs highlighted by Gordon were Omi, Tucker, and Michelle. During the elimination round, Pilar and Vinny triumphed over Preston Nguyen, resulting in the departure of the seasoned chef from Dallas, Texas.
Challenge Announcement
As the top ten chefs gather in the studio, they receive congratulations and learn about their next challenge: creating appetizers alongside a craft cocktail. They are allotted 40 minutes to complete their dishes, with the winner earning the coveted time token. For this round, Michelle, Omi, and Tucker will work from the top level, while Chris, Mehreen, Nuri, Shay, and Tineke occupy the middle level, and Pilar and Vinny find themselves in the basement.
Ingredient Selections
As the platform lowers, a scramble ensues for scallops between Omi and Michelle, with Michelle ultimately securing them, although Omi settles for salmon. The ingredient grab proceeds without major issues, but Gordon appears discontent with Michelle, who now has scallops but lacks sufficient complementary ingredients.
Mid-Challenge Developments
With time running out, Mehreen takes a bold step by cooking lobster for the first time. Meanwhile, the mid-round platform arrives, loaded with cocktail ingredients. Omi is excited to acquire a piña colada, while the chefs on the middle level express frustration over Nuri’s height advantage, which allows him to easily reach for ingredients. Mehreen, who does not consume alcohol due to her faith, is particularly concerned. In the basement, Vinny is pleasantly surprised to find bourbon available.
Final Moments of Cooking
With just eight minutes on the clock, Vinny realizes he forgot to wrap his Scotch egg in ground pork, a significant setback. Nyesha expresses her irritation and urges him to salvage the dish. Adding to his troubles, Vinny neglects to taste his cocktail before submitting it as time runs out. Meanwhile, Mehreen forgets to place her cocktail on the platform, which could be a critical error.
Tasting Begins
The judges begin tasting dishes, starting with the basement chefs. Vinny’s deep-fried egg paired with a potato fondant is critiqued for not being a true appetizer, and the egg is deemed overcooked. Pilar’s skewers alongside a Tom Collins cocktail receive praise for their beautiful presentation and good pairing.
Judges’ Feedback
On the middle level, Chris garners attention for his oysters two ways served with a Negroni, which impresses the judges. Mehreen’s lobster spring roll is criticized for being overly sweet, particularly since her cocktail did not make it to the platform. Tineke’s tuna tostada is described as visually appealing, yet the dough is undercooked. Shay’s Lebanese sambousek garners positive feedback, along with a successful Cosmopolitan. Nuri’s chicken lollipops stand out for their flavor, while his rum punch cocktail steals the show.
Top Dishes Determined
From the top floor, Tucker’s Spanish prawns paired with a Moscow Mule catch the judges’ attention, with Nyesha declaring it exactly what she desires. Michelle’s two-way scallops with a Mojito are also deemed a perfect match. Omi’s pan-seared and fried salmon, served with a piña colada, impresses Gordon, who calls it a standout dish.
Judges Deliberate
After tasting, the judges deliberate and identify the top dishes from Nuri, Shay, Omi, and Tucker. These four will advance to cook in the top kitchen next week. Nuri earns the time token, while Vinny, Tineke, and Mehreen find themselves in the elimination cook-off. Consequently, Chris, Michelle, and Pilar will remain on the middle floor for the next round.
Elimination Cook-Off
In the elimination round, Mehreen, Tineke, and Vinny are tasked with preparing Japanese wagyu filet. Tineke encounters problems with her cheese sauce, which turns lumpy. Mehreen worries about overcooking the steak, and Vinny questions his decision to substitute cucumbers for mushrooms. Gordon and Nyesha will judge this pivotal cook-off.
Judging Results
Mehreen successfully cooks her steak, which impresses with its chutney flavor. Vinny’s steak and mashed potatoes are noted for their harmony, although the pickled cucumber raises eyebrows. Tineke’s steak with cheese and truffle sauce receives compliments, although Nyesha feels the cheese is slightly overpowering. Ultimately, Gordon and Nyesha decide that Vinny will be eliminated, while Mehreen and Tineke will return for next week’s challenges in the basement kitchen.
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