Next Level Chef Season 5 Where are they now?

Next Level Chef Season 5 aired from 29th January 2026.

There were 15 contestants and the show aired on FOX.

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 the 2026 season, the mentors were Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.

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Amber Kellehan was a Home Chef from Los Angeles, California.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

After Next Level Chef, Amber is a social media chef.

She shares food content with other contestants from the season.

Amber hosted a watch party for one of the episodes.

Andy Allo was a Social Media Chef from Malibu, California.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

After Next Level Chef, Andy is the owner of Akone.

Akone offers a cameroonian fine dining experience.

She also continues to share food content on social media.

Andy was previously an Actor and Singer.

She also offers coaching and personalised videos on Cameo.

Christian Alquiza was a Social Media Chef from Austin, Texas.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

After Next Level Chef, Christian continues to create food social media content.

He is the a culinary producer and host of Hot Kitchen on YouTube channel First We Feast.

Christian did a pop-up dining event.

His third child is due in July 2026.

Cole Lawson was a Pro Chef from Los Angeles, California.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

After Next Level Chef, Cole is a Private Chef.

She also does pop-up dining experiences.

Cole is also a food content creator on social media.

In June 2025, she appeared on Yes, Chef! Season 1 as a sous chef for Zain Ismail.

Connor Caine was a Pro Chef from Manhattan Beach, California.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

After Next Level Chef, Connor is a a private chef and caterer at Eats By Connor.

He is a food social media content creator and launched Rank Every Cookie on Instagram.

Connor appears to have launched a cookie company Connor's Cookie Co before abandoning the project.

Connor has recently started a YouTube channel.

Danielle Kartes was a Home Chef from Puyallup, Washington.

She was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

After Next Level Chef, Danielle is a food blogger.

She also has a YouTube channel.

Danielle has had a number of cookbooks published and appeared on a number of TV shows. Connor has recently started a YouTube channel.

Darian Bryan was a Pro Chef from Buffalo, New York.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

After Next Level Chef, Darian returned to the restaurant he owns, Bratts Hill by Chef Darian.

Darian is also a Private Chef.

He has previously appeared on multiple TV shows and hosted many pop-up dining events.

Elise Jesse was a Home Chef from Cincinnati, Ohio.

She was mentored by Richard Blais.

Elise was eliminated in episode 5 after her New York Strip was delicious but the potato was lumpy and the presentation was lacking.

After Next Level Chef, Elise continues to create food content alongside working as a reporter.

She is a sports reporter, mostly covering the Cincinnati Bengals.

Elise has a YouTube channel called The Sick Podcast - Orange Report, covering Bengals games.

She is also a food blogger at Elise Jesse's Kitchen and shares her recipes online.

Elise hosted a watch party with funds raised for charity.

Emerson Bartolome was a Home Chef from San Diego, California.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

Emerson was eliminated in episode 6 after his curry dish lacked texture.

There is a beautiful moment where a butterfly lands on Emerson's shoulder, a message from a dearly departed friend.

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

He has recently started a YouTube Channel, BT Cooks.

Emerson has appeared in other contestants social media content.

He is a brand ambassador for Kamado.

Emerson had previously appeared on Guy's Grocery Games un 2022.

Gabrielle Coniglio was a Pro Chef from Palm Beach, Florida.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

After Next Level Chef, Gabrielle is a Private Chef.

She has had a number of high profile clients including Ben Affleck, who there was a false rumour she was dating.

Gabrielle also owns a meal delivery company, Gab’s Organics.

Jared Veldheer was a Home Chef from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

After Next Level Chef, Jared was in charge of the school lunch programme at jis childrens school.

Jared was a former NFL player, who retired in 2021.

He had previously retired in 2017 but returned in 2019.

Jared creates NFL content and runs a line back training programme called The Veldheer Lineman Vault.

Trinidad, aka Machete, Gonzalez was a Pro Chef from Houston, Texas.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

After Next Level Chef, Machete is the owner of Gordo Niños, a taco restaurant.

He and some of the other contestants did a meet and greet event.

Machete hosted a watch party for his audition episode.

He is competing in the 2026 World Food Championships.

Mareya Ibrahim-Jones was a Social Media Chef from Capistrano Beach, California.

She was mentored by Gordon Ramsay.

Mareya was eliminated in episode 4 after her pork loin with mole dish was overcooked and overspiced.

After Next Level Chef, Mareya is a Freelance Consultant and owner of FitLife Corp.

She is the Founder of Superfood Sprinkle, a food supplement.

Mareya is also a health and wellness public speaker.

She hosts a podcast called The Real Dish.

Mareya released a cookbook called Eat Like You Give a Fork: The Real Dish on Eating to Thrive in 2019. (*AD - Amazon).

Matt Starcher was a Social Media Chef from Chesapeake, Virginia.

He was mentored by Nyesha Arrington.

After Next Level Chef, Matt sells MaD seasoning online and at farmers markets.

He also creates food content on social media as MattDad.

Matt was previously approached to appear on the show for season 1 but declined at the time.

Tim Laielli was a Social Media Chef from Dripping Springs, Texas.

He was mentored by Richard Blais.

After Next Level Chef, Tim is a full time photographer.

Tim continues to create food content for social media.

He has over 1 million followers on Instagram and is approaching 1million on YouTube.

Tim is currently writing a cookbook, due for release in 2027.

More Next Level Chef Contestants

Seasons

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