Next Level Chef Season 5 Cast & Contestants List: Fox’s Next Level Chef is back for Season 5, returning to its famous three‑story kitchen. The new season premiered Jan. 29 and once again challenges chefs to cook standout dishes no matter the conditions. Built inside Ashford Studios in County Wicklow, Ireland, the setup features three stacked kitchens:
- The top floor is sleek and fully stocked.
- The middle floor offers limited resources.
- The basement is harsh and unforgiving.
This design reflects Gordon Ramsay’s belief that great chefs are defined not by perfect conditions, but by how they adapt under pressure. With $250,000 and a year‑long mentorship on the line, Season 5 promises intense competition and unforgettable dishes.
In this post, you will find out the complete cast & contestants details, trailer, release information in simple word.
Next Level Chef Season 5 Cast & Contestants List
Here is the confirmed list of this season contestants Who play the role of Chef.
- 27 women announced March 12, 2026 (up from 24).
- Heather Martin — previously on The Bachelor Season 23.
- 3 new women introduced May 5, 2026, chosen by farmers’ families.
Eliminated Contestants
| Contestant | Age / State | Role / Credit | Elimination Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mareya Ibrahim‑Jones | 56 — California | Social media chef | Feb 19 |
| Elise Jesse | 36 — Ohio | Home cook | Feb 26 |
| Emerson Batolome | 46 — California | Home cook | Mar 5 |
| Matt Starcher | 54 — Virginia | Social media chef | Mar 12 |
| Tim Laielli | 35 — Texas | Social media chef | Mar 19 |
| Amber Kellehan | 30 — California | Home cook | Apr 2 |
| Machete Gonzalez | 34 — Texas | Professional chef | Apr 9 |
| Jared Veldheer | 38 — Michigan | Home cook | Apr 16 |
| Danielle Kartes | 43 — Washington | Home cook | Apr 23 |
| Christian Alquiza | 35 — Texas | Social media chef | Apr 30 |
| Andy Allo | 37 — California | Social media chef | May 7 |
| Gabrielle Coniglio | 34 — Florida | Professional chef | May 14 |
Remaining Contestants
- Cole Lawson (31, California) — Professional chef.
- Connor Caine (30, California) — Professional chef.
- Darian Bryan (34, New York) — Professional chef.
Next Level Chef Season 5 Story Overview
In the Middle Kitchen, emotions run high as contestants receive heartfelt video messages:
- Gabrielle hears from her mother Gail, husband Scott, and sons Rye and Elijah.
- Connor lights up seeing his parents Laurie and Andy.
- Cole is overwhelmed by a message from her aunt Elycia, who raised her. Cole explains her dish was inspired by her grandmother’s last letter.
After tasting, the mentors step away to deliberate. Richard Blais announces that the two chefs advancing directly to the Finale are Darian and Cole. This sends Connor and Gabrielle into the Elimination Round. In the Top Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay declares they have 25 minutes to create a next‑level dish worthy of the Finale. During the ingredient grab:
- Connor is disappointed to end up with a veal chop, the last protein he would have chosen.
- Gabrielle realizes she hasn’t picked a protein at all, adding extra tension to the challenge.
Next Level Chef Season 5 First challenge Result
The new season kicked off with a 30‑minute challenge to make the best dish using the premium ingredients from the platform drop.
- The first winning dish was a toro dish by Gabrielle.
- The second winning dish was a duck dish by Andy.
- Both winners were originally part of Gordon Ramsay’s team.
The remaining chefs then moved down to the middle kitchen, where they had 25 minutes to turn average grocery store ingredients into something amazing.
- The first winning dish was by Christian.
- The second dish that earned safety was by Darian.
- The third and final dish that secured a spot in the middle kitchen was by Connor.
Next Level Chef Season 5 Trailer
Watch the official trailer of Next Level Chef Season 5 is below here.
Next Level Chef Season 5 Release Date
Next Level Chef Season 5 was premiere on Fox on 29 January, 2026. This season is came out the total of 16 episodes and every episode release on evry week. This season last and final episodes No. is 16, and it premiere 21 May, 2026 upcomeing on FOX.
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FAQs: Next Level Chef Season 5 (2026)
Q1: Is Next Level Chef Season 5 confirmed?
Ans. Yes. Season 5 premiered on Fox on 29 January, 2026, filmed at Ashford Studios in Ireland.
Q2: Who are the contestants in Season 5?
Ans. Contestants include: Mareya Ibrahim‑Jones, Elise Jesse, Emerson Batolome, Matt Starcher, Tim Laielli, Amber Kellehan, Machete Gonzalez, Jared Veldheer, Danielle Kartes, Christian Alquiza, Andy Allo, Gabrielle Coniglio, Cole Lawson, Connor Caine, and Darian Bryan. Heather Martin (from The Bachelor) also joined.
Q3: What is the prize for the winner?
Ans. The winner receives $250,000 and a year‑long mentorship with Gordon Ramsay and the other mentors.
Q4: What happened in the Season 5 finale?
Ans. Darian and Cole advanced directly to the finale, while Connor and Gabrielle battled in the elimination round. The finale featured high‑stakes cooking in the Top Kitchen.
Q5: When did Season 5 end?
Ans. The final episode (No. 16) premiered on 21 May, 2026.
Q6: Where can I watch Next Level Chef Season 5?
Ans. The series is available on Fox and streaming platforms linked to Fox content.
