Next Level Chef Elimination Shocker: Why Tim Lost the Kid-Friendly Cook-Off Despite a Flavorful Dish

In a tense and emotional turn on Next Level Chef Season 5 Episode 8, “Mini Gordon,” social media chef Tim Laielli from Dripping Springs, Texas, was sent home after a nail-biting elimination cook-off.

In previous episode Emerson Bartolome was eliminated after third straight elimination cook off.

Tonight’s episode, featured an adorable guest appearance by six-year-old Oscar Ramsay (aka “Mini Gordon”) introducing a playful kids’ food challenge, quickly escalated into high-stakes drama as one contestant fought for their spot in the competition.

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The night began with the main challenge: elevating classic childhood dishes in just 30 minutes, with a surprise mid-round twist—everyone had to incorporate potatoes as a side.

Team Blais, fresh off a strong performance the previous week, held the top kitchen advantage, while Team Arrington battled from the basement.

Connor from Team Arrington impressed the judges—Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais—with his grandmother-inspired chicken and waffles paired with latkes, earning the top dish and sending his team up the ladder.

Next Level Chef’s Wild Potato Curveball Saves Team Arrington – But Sends a Chef Home in Tears!

That left Teams Ramsay and Blais to nominate one chef each for the elimination round. Gordon selected Amber from his team after her pork tenderloin lacked direction and focus. Richard chose Tim, whose steak-and-broccoli pizza fell flat despite the creative concept.

The two faced off in a 25-minute cook-off with a tough theme: transform ingredients kids typically avoid—broccoli, Brussels sprouts, liver and onions, and fish (specifically squab)—into dishes so appealing that even picky eaters would beg for seconds.

Amber delivered a roast squab with Dijon-tossed potatoes and carrots glazed with harissa and honey. The judges praised the meat as cooked to “absolute perfection,” but critiqued it for missing spice and acidity, with Gordon noting the sauce needed more effort and boldness.

Tim went with chicken-fried squab over sweet pea hummus. The dish was flavorful, and the crust earned high marks for beautiful seasoning.

However, the judges pointed out flaws: the meat was a bit dry, and the heavy seasoning and frying masked the squab’s natural taste, making it resemble fried chicken more than an elevated squab preparation.

Gordon remarked that while the crust was “beautifully seasoned—almost too much so,” it overpowered the protein.

In the final deliberation, both dishes were solid under pressure, but the judges agreed Tim’s fell just short.

The 35-year-old social media chef, known for his bold online content, was eliminated. Tim teared up during the cook-off, admitting he didn’t even know what squab was before the challenge—a moment that highlighted the raw intensity of the competition.

This elimination tightens the field further, with remaining contestants like Connor gaining momentum and teams reshuffling kitchens.

Tim’s exit underscores a key lesson on Next Level Chef: flavor alone isn’t enough—balance, technique, and letting the star ingredient shine are crucial, especially when turning “yucky” foods into something irresistible.

Fans were left buzzing over the close call and Tim’s heartfelt goodbye. As the show heads into a pub-themed episode with beer next week, the pressure only intensifies for the chefs still standing.