As Next Level Chef Season 4 premieres on FOX, a new group of professional chefs, social media chefs, and home cooks seek culinary supremacy. With both a monetary prize and mentorship on the line, the battle is not just for the competitors. The mentors are vying for another success story. For Nyesha Arrington, she has found that one key element is vital to her team’s success.
When FOX revealed the key art for Next Level Chef Season 4, the tag line alluded to the possibility of a three-peat. Even though Gordon Ramsay has had multiple wins, Chef Nyesha has knocked him off his pedestal once. As food television fans root for their favorites, Team Arrington is ready, willing, and able to earn that title.
During a conversation ahead of the Season 4 premiere, Chef Nyesha spoke candidly about the season. When asked about the possibility of leading her chefs to victory, she said, “being professional chefs, we always want to be performance driven. We are in a position of leadership. Just like any team sport, you always want to lead your team to victory. At the same time, I would be hard pressed to say that we are not individually competitive ourselves.”
As seen in throughout the previous seasons, the witty banter between the mentors not only adds to the FOX competition food television show’s appeal but also shows the respect and fun that these chefs have working together. Of course, everyone wants to win, but fun along the way makes the process more enjoyable.
While all these competitors have experience, the pressure cooker of Next Level Chef is far from either a professional kitchen or the comforts of cooking in front of a screen. From the clicking clock to the unpredictable platform, the chefs need to think on their feet and react.
As seen in this Next Level Chef Season 4 clip, Chef Nyesha has simple, yet vital, advice for one chef.
When asked about this moment and chefs ability to think on their feet, Chef Nyesha believes that skill is incredibly vital. “You’d be surprised how difficult it is to compartmentalize your thoughts when your brain is hurling towards a goal. As soon as you step into that kitchen, the chefs’ adrenaline could be through the roof. It is a practice of staying present, to intentionally conceptualize your dish. Then, add the element of grabbing the ingredients and execute without burning or cutting yourself. Add to that, taking direction from your mentor. It is extremely challenging to take a breath. I’ve been through this type of challenge and can relate. I understand what it feels like to execute that vision.”
Having gone through her own culinary gauntlets on other food television shows, Chef Nyesha’s guidance blends her professional expertise and adapts it to what each chef needs. She explained, “my approach is to appreciate that each individual has growth opportunities and they have strengths within them. As a mentor, it is important to recognize and nurture those growth opportunities. It is coaching to the individual, which lends itself to the dynamic and the overall success of the team.”
While viewers appreciate the concept behind Next Level Chef, the FOX production always keeps the competition fresh. Chef Nyesha hinted that this season the mentors have a few new tricks up their sleeves. The competition will get a little heated in the kitchen.
Those twists and turns in Next Level Chef makes the food television show engaging. Additionally, the premise, blending professional, social media, and home chefs, ensures that the viewers can relate to someone in the competition.
When asked why she thinks Next Level Chef has the longevity to be a successful FOX show for many seasons, Chef Nyesha said, “it’s the first of its kind. Food transcends so many different styles outside of the four walls of a restaurant. People make careers on social media. It is exciting to put those brains to the test. There are passionate food people in their homes that can bring a food memory to the table, but they still have a day job. We really get to tap into their soul of cooking around a dinner table. They have transferable skills to take them through a gauntlet like Next Level Chef, but they have never actually worked in a professional kitchen. It is exciting to see us push the boundaries and meet the culinary industry where it is and have the viewership follow us.”
Ready to see which mentor and which chef rises to the top in Next Level Chef Season 4? New episodes air Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Hulu.