Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 9 exclusive clip: Raise a glass to happy hour

NEXT LEVEL CHEF: L-R: Mentor/Executive Producer Gordon Ramsay and mentor Richard Blais in the “Happy Hour” episode of NEXT LEVEL CHEF airing Thursday, April 6 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2023 FOX Media LLC. CR: FOX.
NEXT LEVEL CHEF: L-R: Mentor/Executive Producer Gordon Ramsay and mentor Richard Blais in the “Happy Hour” episode of NEXT LEVEL CHEF airing Thursday, April 6 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2023 FOX Media LLC. CR: FOX. /
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As the competition gets heated, the chefs might need a cocktail to calm their nerves. In Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 9, the Happy Hour theme might not have everyone toasting to the good life. Could another simple mistake cause a chef to fall out of favor?

According to FOX, Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 9, “Happy Hour” features the following:

"As the chefs continue to compete as their individual selves, they are challenged to create one perfect appetizer dish and pair it with a beautiful craft cocktail. The chefs learn that a new element has been added to the competition, “the time token,” giving the chef with the winning dish the chance to add an extra 10 seconds to the start of their platform grab or they can use it to take 10 seconds away from a competitor of their choosing. One chef’s dreams will come to an end in the all-new “Happy Hour” episode of Next Level Chef airing Thursday, April 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX."

In the previous episode, the immunity pin advantage went away. While that had helped Matt stay in the competition for one extra week earlier in the season, it did not cause extreme havoc when the chefs were in teams. Maybe the chefs who earned that immunity pin were a sign that they were the ones to beat. But, the new twist of the “time token” might be a huge game changer.

Although some chefs might take the extra 10 minutes to ensure that they get their preferred ingredients, the other option can be a sabotage in the kitchen. 10 second might not seem like a lot, but there have been many last second runs to place a dish on that platform. If one chef was looking to eliminate a favorite or someone that they deem as competition, that time token could be more influential than the immunity pin. Only time will tell the outcome.

FOX provided FoodSided this exclusive clip from Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 9.

As seen in this clip, rising to the top kitchen does not mean that cooking is just easier. While the chefs might get first pick at the ingredients, they still need to be focused on the task at hand. Location does not guarantee a great cook.

Thinking about Michelle’s predicament, it might be better to at least have the scallops versus having no protein. That situation would be a huge mistake. But, losing focus for even a moment can be a huge disadvantage.

Also, creating a great appetizer does not have to be complicated. With beautiful scallops, shallots and a few other ingredients, she might be able to present a stunning dish. Simplicity can be lovely, but lack of direction is not smart. Only time will tell if Michelle can find a creative approach with just three ingredients.

Will the chefs need a stiff drink when this challenge is over? Watch Next Level Chef Season 2 episode 9 on FOX, Thursday, April 6 at 8 p.m. ET or stream it the next day on Hulu.