The mentors were assigned to their starting kitchens by a random draw, which determined the difficulty of their first challenge:
: A new strategic element allowing chefs to gain or take away time during challenges. Episode #2.1Next Level Chef : Season 2 Episode 1
The premiere of Next Level Chef Season 2, titled "," originally aired on February 12, 2023 , immediately following Super Bowl LVII. The episode introduced 18 contestants divided into three categories: professional chefs, home cooks, and social media chefs. Episode Overview and Format Changes The mentors were assigned to their starting kitchens
: The chef who cooked the best dish on each team received an immunity pin. This pin could be surrendered later in the season to avoid a head-to-head elimination challenge. Episode Overview and Format Changes : The chef
: The grand prize remained a $250,000 cash reward and a one-year mentorship from all three world-class chefs. The Teams and Starting Kitchens
New competitive elements were introduced to heighten the stakes: