Next Level Chef US Season 2 Where are they now?

Next Level Chef US Season 2 aired from 12th February to 11th May 2023.

It aired on Fox Network and there were 18 contestants.

The chefs compete to be named the Next Level Chef by competing in cookery challenges.

If the contestants do well they move up a level and when they perform poorly they drop levels.

The prize for the winner was mentorship by all three mentors and $250,000 cash.

In this season, the mentors were Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.

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Alex Morizio was a Home cook from Brooklyn, New York.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

He was eliminated in episode 2 after his pork chop with 4 corns was the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Alex showed off his cookery skills on social media.

He also had a YouTube Podcast.

Alex is an ICU doctor.

He is also a comedian and performs regularly.

April Clayton was a Home cook from Henderson, Tennessee.

She was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

She was eliminated in episode 6 after her fish and chips dish was the worst.

After Next Level Chef, April is the owner of Southern Skillet Catering, with her partner Kyle.

They offer events catering and take home meal services.

Cassie Yeung was a Social media chef from Henderson, Tennessee.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

She was eliminated in episode 5 after her lamb dish was the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Cassie is a cheerleader with the Brooklynette's.

She is a food content creator on TikTok and has over 4 million followers.

Cassie launched Yes Chef Co, selling branded clothing.

She also launched a range in collaboration with Hedley and Bennett.

In 2025, she released a cookbook called Bad B*tch in the Kitch.

Christopher Spinosa was a Professional chef from Long Island, New York.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

He was a Next Level Chef season 2 runner up after a tough cook off with Pilar and Tucker.

After Next Level Chef, Chris is a Personal Chef.

He offers meal prep, private dinners, cooking lessons and catering services.

Chris has done podcast interviews.

Darryl Taylor was a Professional chef from Memphis, Tennessee.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

He was eliminated in episode 3 after his spicy chicken sandwich wasn't spicy enough.

After Next Level Chef, Darryl is a catering company owner.

They cater big and small events and also offer meal delivery.

He shares food content across social media platforms and YouTube.

Darryl also sells a range of his BBQ sauces online.

Kamahlai Stewart was a Home cook from Washington D.C.

She was mentored by Richard Blais.

She was eliminated in episode 1 after her steak was the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Kamahlai ran a catering company along with her husband.

It was called Muhall's House of Soul Catering.

She briefly moved into selling real estate.

Kamahlai is a certified ServSafe instructor.

She now runs House Of Soul Catering.

Mark McMillian was a Home cook from Los Angeles, California.

He was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

He was eliminated in episode 4 after his dumplings were the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Mark is a football expert, often appearing on TV at sports events.

He was host on the Raiders Pregame Live for CBS.

Mark is also a sports presenter and a guest speaker.

Matt Groark was a Social media chef from Erial, New Jersey.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

He was eliminated in episode 7 after his lobster dish was the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Matt returned to Groark Boys BBQ, his barbecue business.

He is a food content creator.

Matt has 3.5 million TikTok followers and nearly a million subscribers on YouTube.

He launched RubCity Seasoning Co and sells seasonings online.

In May 2025, he published his cookbook The Meat Teacher Cookbook.

Matt is currently a culinary teacher at a High School.

Mehreen Karim was a Home cook from Auburn, Alabama.

She was mentored by Richard Blais.

She was eliminated in episode 13 after a difficult cook off of game dishes.

Her cornish game hen was slightly underseasoned leading to the loss of the challenge.

After Next Level Chef, Mehreen is a food writer and freelance recipe developer.

She sold home made cookies.

Mehreen released her cookbook Make It Plant-Based! Southern.

She has done several pop up dining experiences and cooking demonstrations.

Michelle Calcagni was a Home cook from Oradell, New Jersey.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

She was eliminated in episode 12 after her shrimp dish was gritty as they had not been cleaned properly.

After Next Level Chef, Michelle works in Food marketing and branding.

During filming she discovered she was pregnant and later welcomed a baby girl.

Michelle is working in events for Food & Wine.

She has since had another baby boy.

Nuri Muhammad was a Professional chef from Bowie, Maryland.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

He was eliminated in episode 14 after failing to make the final cook off.

After Next Level Chef, Nuri is a private chef as Chef Stretch Kitchen.

He also provides event and in home catering services.

Nuri also provides meal prep for celebrity and high profile clients.

Omi Hopper was a Social media chef from Río Grande, Puerto Rico.

She was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

She was eliminated in episode 14 after failing to make the final cook off.

After Next Level Chef, Omi is a food content creator.

Many of her videos feature her cooking with her mom.

Her cookbook Cooking con Omi is due to be released in 2026.

Pilar Omega was a Professional chef from Detroit, Michigan.

She was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

She was a Next Level Chef season 2 runner up after a tough cook off with Christopher and Tucker.

After Next Level Chef, Pilar is a Private Chef.

She owns Soul fusion, a catering company that offers sushi dishes with a twist.

Pilar has had multiple recipes published including in US Weekly and other publications.

She also works at Buckhead & Newport Meat and Seafood.

Preston Nguyen was a Professional chef from Dallas, Texas.

He was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

He was eliminated in episode 8 after his duck a l’orange was the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Preston worked at Prince Lebanese Grill as a chef.

He takes part in the World Food Championships every year.

Preston won for a second time in 2025.

Preston had previously won the competition in 2021.

He is currently a Private Chef as The Culinary Code.

Preston does pop up dining events and offers cooking classes.

In September 2025, he appeared on Beat Bobby Flay.

Preston is Executive Chef at Caravan Court.

Shay Spence was a Social media chef from Austin, Texas.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

He was eliminated in episode 10 after his pistachio-crusted chicken breast dish was a little dry and the crust fell apart.

After Next Level Chef, Shay is a food writer.

He is a food content creator and has 1.7 million TikTok followers.

Tineke Younger was a Social media chef from Frederick, Maryland.

She was mentored by Richard Blais.

She was eliminated in episode 11 in a strong cook off, despite cooking an outstanding grilled chicken dish.

After Next Level Chef, Tineke is a content creator on social media.

She has over 11 million TikTok followers.

Tineke had released cookbook Cooking For My Boyfriend prior to filming the show.

She is currently pregnant with twins.

Tucker Ricchio was a Professional chef from San Jose, California.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

She was the Next Level Chef season 2 winner after her mussel, seabass and pork chop dishes impress the judges.

After Next Level Chef, Tucker collaborated with Truffle Shuffle, offering cooking experiences.

She was a Private chef.

Tucker opened her first restaurant Lira in 2024.

She is Executive Chef and reviews are excellent.

Tucker appeared on Chopped in 2025.

Vincent aka Vinny Alia was a Home cook from Columbia, South Carolina.

He was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

He was eliminated in episode 9 after his wagyu filet dish was deemed the worst.

After Next Level Chef, Vinny is a firefighter.

He cooks the meals for his fire house.

It was his fellow firefighters who encouraged him to apply for the show.

Vinny graduated with an Associate degree in science in 2024.

In 2025, he returned to college to study Aerospace engineering.

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