The Winner of 'Next Level Chef' 2026 is Revealed
After a season of ups and downs when it came to which level kitchen -- basement, middle or state-of-the-art top level -- each of the contestants would be cooking in, for the Season 5 finale of Next Level Chef, the three remaining chefs had to create a dish on each level in just 90 minutes. How they divided their time was up to them.
Richard Blais was with the three finalists in the basement, where they were tasked with producing a next-level appetizer. Nyesha Arrington oversaw the middle level, where the mission was to produce a flawless fish course. The final course was a next-level meat entrée overseen by Gordon Ramsay. The winner gets $250,000 plus a one-year mentorship with Gordon, Nyesha and Richard Blais.
Here's our spoiler-filled recap of the Next Level Chef finale, including who won.
Who went home on Next Level Chef tonight?
Cole Lawson, 31
Los Angeles, CA
Professional Chef
Team Gordon
Connor Caine, 30
Manhattan Beach, CA
Professional Chef
Team Nyesha
Who Won Next Level Chef Season 5?
Darian Bryan, 34
Buffalo, NY
Professional Chef
Team Blais
Here's how the finale played out:
Appetizer:
Darian: Pepper lobster
Cole: Seared scallops
Connor: Cajun shrimp cake
Fish course:
Darian: Sea Bream Escovitch
Cole: Pan-roasted Halibut
Connor: Pan-roasted Snapper
Meat entrée
Darian: Seared Duck Breast
Cole: Pan-roasted Loin of Venison
Connor: Pistachio-encrusted Rack of Lamb
"Words can't express how I feel right now," Darian said. "I put my all into this every day. This is what I do. I'm a chef and I'm so proud to represent. Thank you for believing in me. My mom and my wife are here supporting me as always…I am the winner of Next Level Chef Season 5. A little kid from Jamaica that nobody knows. I am changed for life. I am so proud to be a part of this. I won't take it for granted at all.
All five seasons of Next Level Chef are streaming on Hulu.
Related: Here's What Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef is Serving Up for Season 5
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM.