Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 3 exclusive clip: Level up the humble sandwich

While the old saying about the best thing since slice bread might be overused, this Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 3 exclusive clip is ready to sandwich big flavor in between that bread. Although these culinary contestants are getting more comfortable in the kitchen, the pressure to put food on the plate will never fade. After all, the podium waits for no one.

According to FOX, Next Level Chef, “No Pain, No Grain” features the following:

"Chefs are to take a humble sandwich and making it an upscale, Next Level Sandwich! All the ingredients packed between pieces of bread should be packed with flavor and a thing of beauty. One chef will be eliminated in the all-new “No Pain, No Grain” episode of Next Level Chef airing Thursday, Feb. 23 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX."

The sandwich could be one of the more controversial challenges. Although no one is expected to serve the judges a PB&J on white bread, the perfect bite is more complicated than what some cooks might realize. A well-constructed sandwich or hoagie needs to have balanced flavor, texture, and most definitely not fall apart with that first bite.

In this exclusive clip provided to FoodSided by FOX, sometimes the worst dish comes down to a last-minute misstep.

As seen in the clip, leaving a key component off the plate could seal one cook’s fate. It is interesting that this scenario has now happened twice in three episodes. Granted, the time pressure is intense, but there is a learning curve. These cooks need to better manage their time. Leaving off a dish’s component cannot be overlooked.

Given that the challenge is to elevate the dish, leaving off that pickle element is critical. While a pickled cauliflower might not be a typical sandwich ingredient, that briny, acid forward flavor offers balance. Without it, that dish could be up elimination.

At the same time, it is still early in the Next Level Chef competition. Given that the top dish can save the whole team, Pilar can hope that someone on Team Nyesha saves her mistake. Although this scenario can be helpful at this point in the competition, no one should rely on others. These chefs need to prove their own worth to eventually win the title.

Will the missing ingredient be a big downfall on Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 3? Could these elevated sandwiches change what you serve for lunch tomorrow?

Be sure to watch Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 3 on FOX, Thursday, February 23 at 8 p.m. or stream it the next day on Hulu.