FOX Ups “Next Level Chef” with Two New Seasons of Hit Cooking Competition Series

Culinary titan Gordon Ramsay’s hit cooking competition Next Level Chef has been renewed for Seasons Five and Six, and the popular series’ first franchise extension, Next Level Baker receives green light for Season One, it was announced today by Michael Thorn, President, FOX Television Network.

“Next Level Chef consistently raises the bar of culinary excellence as a high stakes food competition fans love, an invaluable franchise for FOX and an increasingly popular global format,” said Thorn. “Extending the reach of this series with the new holiday competition Next Level Baker once again exemplifies the strength of our incredible, long-standing collaborative partnership with Gordon, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.”

“I’m delighted that Next Level Baker is coming to FOX later this year. A holiday special, where passionate home cooks, more used to crafting treats for their family, will compete against social media creators; individuals who fill our feeds with photo-ready creations, side by side with talented professional pastry chefs, impressing with Michelin starred perfection,” said Ramsay. “My very first job was baking in Paris, and to me there is nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread. I’m hoping on these holiday specials we get to discover Incredible family recipes handed down through generations of bakers, inventive bakers cleverly working with dietary sensitivities, and those with a talent for stunning creativity and elevated design work. This holiday season I cannot wait to discover the baking heart of America.”

Next Level Baker will test the skills of bakers as they are challenged to create eye-popping, festive holiday delights across the franchise’s three iconic levels. During the new series’ four special hours, only one baker will rise to the top and claim the holiday baking crown.

Seasons Five and Six of Next Level Chef will be produced by BiggerStage and Studio Ramsay on behalf of Studio Ramsay Global. Next Level Chef is the next evolution in cooking competitions, as Ramsay has designed a one-of-a-kind culinary gauntlet, set on an iconic stage like you’ve never seen. Over three stories high, each floor contains a stunningly different kitchen. From the glistening top floor to the challenging bottom of the basement, the ingredients match the environment, because Ramsay believes the true test of great chefs is not only what they can do in the best of circumstances, but what kind of magic they can create in the worst!

Although he now sits unrivaled at the top of the culinary world, Ramsay started at the bottom, washing dishes in a local takeout restaurant. He firmly believes that as long as a chef has the drive, talent and perseverance, he or she can make that climb to the top. Creativity, consistency, and cunning are the recipe for success to make it to the NEXT LEVEL, as the competitors will adapt to the challenges waiting for them. Only one can walk away with a life-changing $250,000 grand prize and become a Next Level Chef!

Tonight on Next Level Chef, it’s the final round of auditions, where eight professional chefs must rely on their expertise in a race against time. With just 20 minutes on the clock on each level, the professional chefs must impress the judges in order to advance to the next stage on the all-new “Pro Chef Auditions” episode of Next Level Chef, airing tonight (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX and tomorrow on Hulu.

Gordon Ramsay and Matt Cahoon serve as executive producers on Next Level Chef.