Who Won the First Season of Next Level Chef?
The Next Level Chef is a popular cooking competition reality TV show that premiered on Fox in January 2020. The show is hosted by Padma Lakshmi, a renowned chef, food expert, and TV personality. The show features a unique format where three talented chefs compete against each other in a series of challenges to win the coveted title of Next Level Chef.
The First Season
The first season of Next Level Chef premiered on January 8, 2020, and concluded on March 12, 2020. The show featured 15 talented chefs from across the United States, each with their unique culinary style and expertise. The contestants were divided into three teams, each led by a mentor chef: Nyesha Arrington, Richard Blais, and Nona Sivley.
The Competition
The competition was fierce, with each episode featuring a new challenge that tested the chefs’ skills, creativity, and ability to work under pressure. The challenges ranged from cooking for a crowd of hungry diners to creating innovative dishes using unusual ingredients. The contestants were judged on their dishes based on taste, presentation, and creativity.
The Final Episode
The final episode of the first season featured the last three contestants: Shota Akiyama, Loren Falsone, and Hugo Valdovinos. The final challenge was to create a three-course meal for a panel of judges, including Padma Lakshmi, Nyesha Arrington, Richard Blais, and Nona Sivley. The contestants had to use a mystery basket of ingredients and cook their dishes within a limited time frame.
The Winner
After a tense and exciting final episode, the judges announced the winner of the first season of Next Level Chef: Shota Akiyama! Shota, a 27-year-old chef from Los Angeles, California, impressed the judges with his creative and delicious dishes throughout the competition. His winning dish, a Pan-Seared Scallops with Black Truffle Risotto and Caramelized Fennel, wowed the judges and earned him the title of Next Level Chef.
The Prize
As the winner of the first season, Shota Akiyama received a cash prize of $250,000, a cookbook deal, and a mentorship with one of the show’s mentor chefs. The prize package was a dream come true for Shota, who had been working in the culinary industry for several years before appearing on the show.
What’s Next?
The first season of Next Level Chef was a huge success, and the show has been renewed for a second season. The new season is expected to feature a new group of talented chefs competing for the title of Next Level Chef. The show’s unique format and challenges have made it a fan favorite, and we can’t wait to see what the new season has in store.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways from the first season of Next Level Chef:
- The show features a unique format where three talented chefs compete against each other in a series of challenges.
- The contestants are divided into three teams, each led by a mentor chef.
- The challenges range from cooking for a crowd of hungry diners to creating innovative dishes using unusual ingredients.
- The contestants are judged on their dishes based on taste, presentation, and creativity.
- The winner of the first season was Shota Akiyama, a 27-year-old chef from Los Angeles, California.
Table: Top 3 Contestants
| Rank | Contestant | Age | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shota Akiyama | 27 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2 | Loren Falsone | 31 | New York, NY |
| 3 | Hugo Valdovinos | 29 | San Francisco, CA |
Conclusion
The first season of Next Level Chef was an exciting and entertaining competition that showcased the talents of 15 talented chefs. Shota Akiyama’s win was well-deserved, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. The show’s unique format and challenges have made it a fan favorite, and we’re excited to see what the new season has in store.