Meet The Contestants and Judges of 'Next Gen Chef', Netflix's New Elite Cooking Competition Series

Picture: Netflix

Next Gen Chef premieres globally on Netflix on September 17, 2025, and is set to be Netflix’s most prestigious competition reality series to date. Set to consist of eight 45-minute episodes, you’ll be taken to the Culinary Institute of America, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary schools. Over the season, 21 chefs under 30 will face a gauntlet of tests designed to find the next great leader of the culinary world. Produced by Alfred Street Industries, UltraBoom Media, Fulwell Entertainment (LeBron James and Maverick Carter among the executive producers), and the CIA itself, the series aims to be both aspirational and fiercely competitive.

You may remember we first reported on the project all the way back in November 2024, when we got our mitts on a casting call for the new series, with many of those early details for the show remaining the same. In late August, we first reported on the release date for the series, and now, Netflix has opened the lid on the remaining details, such as key judges and contestants, in addition to lots of first-look imagery.

Let’s dive in!

Host and Judges

Olivia Culpo – Restaurateur, television personality, and former Miss Universe, Olivia brings charm and poise to her hosting role. She also co-owns three restaurants in New England and has hosted major events like the Super Bowl Pre-Show.
Carlton McCoy – A Master Sommelier and CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates, Carlton rose from CIA graduate to one of the youngest people to ever earn the title. He also hosted CNN’s Nomad.
Kelsey Barnard Clark – Winner of Bravo’s Top Chef and a James Beard nominee, Kelsey blends her Southern roots with French technique. She is also an author and restaurateur in Alabama.

NEXT GEN CHEF. Khan, Peter, Karla, Jacob, Ilke, Specs, Sam S., Courtney, Eli, Keyana, Max, Joaquin, Abby, Zach, Nikki, Javauneeka, Sidney, Sam D., Andrew, London, and Alicia in episode 1 of NEXT GEN CHEF. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

Guest Judges for Next Gen Chef

A rotating lineup of culinary icons appears throughout the season, including:

Francis Lam – Food writer and critic
Cat Cora – The first female Iron Chef
Paul Carmichael – Executive Chef of Momofuku
Susan Feniger – Chef and restaurateur
Dale Talde – Executive Chef and author
Christina Tosi – Milk Bar CEO
Kwame Onwuachi – Executive Chef and owner of Tatiana
Daniel Boulud – World-renowned French chef
Thomas Keller – Chef and proprietor of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group
Grant Achatz – Chef and owner of Alinea Group
Harold Dieterle – Founder of HD Hospitality
Emma Bengtsson – Executive Chef of Aquavit
Anne Burrell – In memoriam appearance
Dr. Tim Ryan – Chancellor of the Culinary Institute of America

The Contestants of Next Gen Chef

Here are the 21 rising chefs competing to be crowned the leading chef of the next generation:

Abby Kirn, 30 – Private Chef – Specializes in refined, intimate dining, creating tailor-made experiences for clients with a flair for elegance.
Alicia Herranz, 22 – R&D Chef at Restaurante Barro – Brings an experimental edge, blending science and creativity to push traditional boundaries.
Andrew Sargent, 29 – Sous Chef at Per Se – With Michelin-starred pedigree, Andrew thrives on precision and discipline at the highest level of dining.
Courtney Evans, 25 – Private Chef (formerly at 3rd & Fernwood) – Left the bustle of restaurants to craft custom menus that showcase both technique and comfort.
Eli Kochman, 24 – Sous Chef at Chleo – A fast-rising name who’s proven his adaptability by climbing ranks in one of LA’s buzziest kitchens.
Ilke Schaaf, 23 – Line Cook at Coverhill BK – Represents the gritty creativity of Brooklyn’s food scene, blending bold flavors with a youthful edge.
Jacob-Bao Nguyen, 30 – Private Chef & Pop-Up Owner – Runs the Than Thai pop-up, merging entrepreneurial spirit with authentic, soulful cooking.
Javauneeka Jacobs, 27 – Chef at Frontera Grill – Draws on modern Mexican traditions, bringing bright flavors and vibrant plating to every dish.
Joaquin Cariaso, 23 – Sous Chef (Charlie Palmer Steak, now Manhatta) – Sharp technique honed in New York’s competitive fine-dining world.
Karla Perez, 21 – Tournant at Blue Hill at Stone Barns – At one of America’s premier farm-to-table restaurants, she’s already turning heads with her seasonal approach.
Keyana Jadali, 30 – Private Chef – Known for versatility, crafting tailored dining that spans global flavors and dietary needs.
Khan Bataa, 27 – Sous Chef at Hamdi – Elevates his Mongolian roots with refined techniques that marry heritage and innovation.
London Chase, 29 – Jr. Sous Chef at Essential by Christophe – Brings polished skills from elite kitchens, pairing discipline with creative flair.
Max Centauro, 28 – Executive Chef at Chica & the Don – Formerly a sous chef, Max now leads his own kitchen, balancing leadership with inventive cooking.
Nikki Patterson-Nash, 29 – Private Chef – Known for attention to detail, serving clients where consistency and presentation are everything.
Peter McTiernan, 25 – Executive Chef at Dio Mio – Runs a restaurant at just 25, bringing bold ideas and leadership beyond his years.
Sam Driscoll, 26 – Chef de Cuisine at Tavern on State – Combines creativity with the organizational skills needed to manage a busy kitchen.
Sam Etienne, 28 – Private Chef at Rose Catering – Focuses on bespoke dining, offering personalized menus with a refined touch.
Sam Seideman, 20 – Private Chef & Student – The youngest contestant, eager to prove raw talent and a fresh perspective can compete with experience.
Sidney Rubenstein, 21 – Private Chef for the New York Jets – Fuels professional athletes with high-performance cuisine that balances nutrition and flavor.
Zachary Ethan Atkins, 26 – Traveling Chef – A culinary nomad whose global perspective informs inventive, adaptable cooking styles.

Here are a few more first look stills from the upcoming series:

It’s going to be a busy month for new food-related competition series on Netflix, with those in the United States also being treated to new weekly episodes of The Great British Baking Show beginning September 5th. For more of what’s coming to Netflix throughout the remainder of September 2025, keep it locked here on What’s on Netflix.