Next Level Chef Season 2 premiere: What to expect from the culinary gauntlet?

While Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 just crowned its winner, another Gordon Ramsay culinary competition is ready to take center stage. After a hugely successful Season 1, Next Level Chef Season 2 premiere looks to elevate the creativity on the plate. Which chefs will rise to the occasion this season?

According to FOX, the Next Level Chef Season 2 premiere features the following:

"The epic one-of-a-kind culinary gauntlet returns to its iconic stage. 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 Gordon 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! Joined by two elite names in the food world, chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais, Ramsay and his co-mentors leave no stone unturned, as they’ve scoured the country and hand-picked the best home cooks, social media chefs and professional chefs who will be on each of their teams. With a one-year mentorship and $250,000 on the line, the steaks are high as the cooks look to make their first impressions in their respective teams. Who will make the most impressive next level dish and who will not make the cut in the all-new “Premiere” season premiere episode of Next Level Chef airing Sunday, Feb. 12 (10:30 PM-Midnight ET/9:30-11:00 PM CT/8:30-10:00 PM MT/7:30-9:00 PM PT LIVE to all time zones) after Super Bowl LVII on FOX."

To kick off Next Level Chef Season 2, the 18 chefs are split into three teams. While only one chef will rise to the top, there is a competition between Gordon, Richard, and Nyesha. There is pride on the line as the mentor of the winning chef. Given that Gordon won last year, Richard and Nyesha will be vying to take over top billing.

Looking at the list of competitors, they range from professional chefs, social media chefs, and home cooks. While professional chefs might appreciate the pressure of thinking on their feet, it is not a guarantee that they will do the best. Sometimes the home cook can have creative flavor profiles and a fearlessness that could make them a key competitor.

The first couple of challenges can be difficult to spot a top contender in the competition. Even though no one wants to be the first person eliminated, they may not want to become a target. It is a careful balancing act. After all, rising to the top first only to fall to the bottom can be disheartening.

Given that the Next Level Chef Season 2 premiere airs after Super Bowl LVII, some people might want to watch again, on Hulu, to make sure they catch all the nuances. Although this FOX show is a culinary competition, there were plenty of cooking techniques that home cooks could apply in their own kitchens.

Ready to get another serving of a Gordon Ramsay culinary competition? Don’t miss Next Level Chef Season 2 on FOX with regular episodes airing on Thursdays at 8 p.m.