Who are Confirmed Contestants on Next Level Chef 2026 & Who Eliminated in Auditions?
Next Level Chef Season 5 exploded onto FOX screens With 24 talented chefs divided into three categories—Professional Chefs, Social Media Chefs, and Home Cooks (8 per group)—the season delivers intense, high-pressure battles for the $250,000 grand prize and the title of Next Level Chef.
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Join NowThe format launches with dedicated audition episodes for each category: Eight chefs enter the three-level kitchen (starting with basement challenges using limited tools, advancing to middle-level upgrades, and reaching top-level premium access), tackling 20-minute rounds with one elimination per level until only five advance per group.
These 15 survivors head into the draft, where the mentors build their teams for the main competition phase of weekly challenges, strategic level advantages, and relentless eliminations.
As of February 6, 2026 (following tonight’s Episode 2, “Auditions — Social Media Chefs,” which aired February 5 on FOX), the Professional Chefs (Episode 1) and Social Media Chefs (Episode 2) auditions are now complete, with five chefs advancing from each group to the draft phase. The Home Cooks auditions are next up, set to air in Episode 3 on Thursday, February 12, 2026—so their status remains “In Auditions” for now. Here’s the full contestant breakdown with current status based on all aired episodes so far.
Next Level Chef Season 5 Contestants Table
| Chef Name | Age | Hometown | Category | Current Status | Key Notes / Elimination Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Chefs | |||||
| Belinda Vu | – | Los Angeles, CA | Professional | Eliminated (Basement Round) | Early exit in pro auditions |
| Kevin Hill | – | – | Professional | Eliminated (Middle Round) | Eliminated after second challenge |
| Hunter Gentry | – | – | Professional | Eliminated (Final Round) | Last cut in pro group; did not advance |
| Darian Bryan | – | Buffalo, NY | Professional | Advanced to Draft | Strong performer; advanced with team potential |
| Connor Caine | – | Los Angeles, CA | Professional | Advanced to Draft | Impressed in challenges; draft-eligible |
| Trinidad “Machete” Gonzalez | – | – | Professional | Advanced to Draft | Standout in pro round; meatballs noted but advanced |
| Cole (likely Cole or similar) | – | – | Professional | Advanced to Draft | Advanced from pro auditions |
| Gabrielle (likely Gabrielle or similar) | – | – | Professional | Advanced to Draft | Completed the five advanced from pros |
| Social Media Chefs | |||||
| Andy Allo | 37 | Malibu/Los Angeles, CA | Social Media | Advanced to Draft | Pan-fried white fish with creamed spinach standout |
| Christian Alquiza | 35 | Austin, TX | Social Media | Advanced to Draft | Oatmeal-crusted chicken wings highlight; creative win |
| Mareya Ibrahim-Jones | 56 | Capistrano Beach, CA | Social Media | Advanced to Draft | Serrano ham-wrapped snapper with rice and tomatoes |
| Matt Starcher | 54 | Chesapeake, VA | Social Media | Advanced to Draft | Crispy shrimp with curry noodles; visual bold |
| Tim Laielli | 35 | Dripping Springs, TX | Social Media | Advanced to Draft | Beef strip ramen redemption; deep flavors impressed |
| Henna Alvarez | 27 | Virginia Beach, VA | Social Media | Eliminated (Basement) | Hot dog stir-fry didn’t hold up under pressure |
| Miriam (Green?) | 44 | Atlanta, GA | Social Media | Eliminated (Middle Level) | Wasabi pea-crusted tilapia with beet sauce fell flat |
| Landon Bridges | 29 | Los Angeles, CA | Social Media | Eliminated (Final Round) | Seared mackerel with purple potato salad; last eliminated |
| Home Cooks | |||||
| Amber Kellehan | – | Los Angeles, CA | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Danielle Kartes | – | Puyallup, WA | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Diana Silva Head | – | Carlsbad, CA | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Earl Middleton | – | Manchester, CT | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Elise Jesse | – | Cincinnati, OH | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Emerson Bartolome | – | San Diego, CA | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Jared Veldheer | – | Grand Rapids, MI | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
| Michael Galyean | – | Knoxville, TN | Home Chef | In Auditions (Pending) | Awaiting home chefs episode |
(Note: Ages and some hometowns/details are based on available previews and episode recaps; “-” indicates not specified in sources. Pro advanced names include confirmed from recaps like Darian, Connor, Machete, Cole, Gabrielle. Status accurate as of February 6, 2026, post-Social Media Chefs audition.)
Standout Moments & Early Drama
The pro chefs audition (Episode 1) featured intense tuna challenges, platform ingredient grabs, and brutal critiques—Belinda Vu out first, followed by Kevin Hill and Hunter Gentry. Standouts like Darian Bryan and Connor Caine showed pro-level composure.
Social media chefs (Episode 2) brought viral flair: Christian’s oatmeal wings and Tim’s ramen wowed, while risky plays like Henna’s hot dog stir-fry bombed. Only five advanced, setting up an exciting draft.
Home cooks are next—expect fresh twists as amateurs battle the tiers.
What’s Next?
With 10 chefs advanced so far (5 pro + 5 social), the draft looms where mentors select teams. Weekly episodes will ramp up eliminations until the finale. Catch Next Level Chef Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX, next day on Hulu.
Who’s your pick to win Season 5? Drop predictions in the comments— the three-tier chaos is just heating up!
