The Full Next Level Chef Season 2 Cast: Where Are Gordon Ramsay's 18 Contestants Now?

The second season of Gordon Ramsay's high-stakes culinary competition, Next Level Chef, delivered a fresh, intense, and star-studded lineup of 18 contestants, premiering immediately after Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023. This season raised the bar, not only by securing a coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot on the Fox Network but also by showcasing a diverse new group of culinary hopefuls—ranging from professional chefs with decades of experience to passionate home cooks and viral social media stars—all vying for the coveted $250,000 grand prize and a one-year mentorship with the show's world-class judges.

The unique three-story kitchen, with its ever-descending platform of ingredients, once again served as the ultimate test of skill, speed, and adaptability. This article provides the definitive, complete list of the Next Level Chef Season 2 cast, details their journey through the competition, and reveals the ultimate winner who proved they could master any level of the culinary world.

The Complete Next Level Chef Season 2 Cast and Biography Profiles

The 18 contestants were initially divided into three teams of six, each mentored by one of the culinary giants: Chef Gordon Ramsay, Chef Nyesha Arrington, or Chef Richard Blais. This structure ensured a fierce, three-way rivalry between the mentors as they guided their teams through the rigorous challenges. Here is the full list of the Next Level Chef Season 2 cast, categorized by their initial designation and mentor.

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Team Ramsay (The Winner's Circle)

Chef Gordon Ramsay, the show's host and executive producer, mentored a team that included the season's ultimate winner. His team was known for its high pressure and high rewards.

• Tucker Ricchio (Professional Chef, Winner): A professional chef from San Jose, California, Tucker Ricchio’s consistent performance and ability to execute refined dishes under pressure secured her the $250,000 grand prize.
• Mark McMillian (Home Cook): A 52-year-old home cook who brought a soulful, family-oriented style of cooking to the competition.
• Cassie Yeung (Social Media Chef): A 28-year-old social media chef from South Brunswick, New Jersey, who transitioned her online fame into a formidable presence in the NLC kitchen.
• Matt Groark (Social Media Chef): Known for his viral barbecue and outdoor cooking content, Matt brought a rustic, large-scale cooking style to the team.
• Preston Nguyen (Home Cook): An ambitious young home cook who impressed the judges with his natural talent and drive.
• Vinny Alia (Professional Chef): A veteran professional chef whose classic techniques were put to the test by the show's unique challenges.

Team Arrington (The Challenger's Edge)

Chef Nyesha Arrington, a celebrated chef known for her innovative and globally-inspired cuisine, guided her team with a focus on technique and flavor complexity.

• Pilar Omega (Professional Chef, Co-Runner-Up): A highly skilled professional chef who showcased incredible versatility throughout the season, finishing as a co-runner-up.
• Alex Morizio (Home Cook): A home cook from Brooklyn, New York, Alex demonstrated resilience and a passion for classic Italian-American flavors.
• Shay Spence (Social Media Chef): A food editor and social media personality who brought a polished, food-media perspective to his cooking.
• April Clayton (Professional Chef): A professional chef whose experience in fine dining was a significant asset to her team.
• Mehreen Karim (Home Cook): A home cook who specialized in vibrant, flavorful South Asian cuisine.
• Michelle Minori (Professional Chef): A professional chef whose refined technique and culinary knowledge made her a strong contender.

Team Blais (The Modernists)

Chef Richard Blais, a molecular gastronomy expert and Top Chef alumnus, mentored a team focused on creativity, presentation, and pushing culinary boundaries.

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• Christopher Spinosa (Professional Chef, Co-Runner-Up): A professional chef who excelled at modern plating and inventive dishes, earning him the other co-runner-up spot.
• Kamahlai Stewart (Home Cook): A home cook who impressed with her bold flavors and ability to adapt to diverse ingredients.
• Darryl Taylor (Professional Chef): A professional chef with a deep background in Southern and comfort food cuisine.
• Nuri Muhammad (Home Cook): A home cook who brought a unique, globally-inspired cooking style to the competition.
• O’Shay Fraser (Social Media Chef): A social media chef known for his visually stunning and accessible recipes.
• Kim Miyoshi (Professional Chef): A professional chef whose technical skills and consistency were key to her team's success.

The Ultimate Showdown and Next Level Chef Season 2 Winner

The competition was fierce, with the chefs battling through grueling challenges that tested their ability to cook with ingredients from the luxurious top kitchen, the middle-tier kitchen, and the challenging, barren basement kitchen. The format of the show—where contestants only have seconds to grab ingredients dropped from above—demanded not only culinary skill but also lightning-fast decision-making and improvisation.

The Finalists and Grand Finale

The final elimination rounds saw the field narrow down to the three top chefs: Tucker Ricchio (Team Ramsay), Pilar Omega (Team Arrington), and Christopher Spinosa (Team Blais). This final trio represented the best of all three mentor teams and all three initial contestant categories—though all had elevated their game to the professional level.

The Grand Finale required the finalists to prepare a three-course meal, each course representing a different level of the NLC kitchen. This was the ultimate test of their journey, demonstrating their growth and mastery over all culinary environments.

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• Appetizer (The Basement/Challenging): A dish made with the most basic, often scraps, ingredients from the lowest level.
• Fish Course (The Middle Level/Standard): A dish utilizing common, quality ingredients from the middle kitchen.
• Meat Course (The Top Level/Luxury): A dish using the finest, most premium ingredients available on the top level.

In a final, tense deliberation, the judges—Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais—unanimously selected the season's champion.

Tucker Ricchio: The Professional Chef Who Mastered All Levels

Tucker Ricchio was crowned the winner of Next Level Chef Season 2. A professional chef from San Jose, California, Tucker was a member of Team Ramsay and consistently delivered dishes that were technically sound, beautifully plated, and bursting with flavor. Her victory was a testament to her adaptability, especially her ability to produce high-quality food regardless of the ingredients she was forced to work with.

As the Next Level Chef Season 2 winner, Tucker Ricchio walked away with the grand prize of $250,000 and a coveted one-year mentorship with the three world-renowned judges. This mentorship is designed to help her elevate her career to the next level, leveraging the expertise of culinary icons like Gordon Ramsay.

The journey of the Season 2 cast—from the first chaotic platform drop to the final, triumphant three-course meal—proved that true culinary talent can shine through any obstacle. The show not only provided high-octane entertainment but also solidified the careers of 18 talented chefs across the professional, home cook, and social media chef categories, proving that the kitchen truly is the ultimate equalizer.