Next Gen Chef

Season 1

2025 · 8 episodes · 6h 15m in all

Episodes

1. 

   1. The Entrance Exam

   17 Sept 2025 · 53 min

   Upon arriving at the CIA, the chefs are split into teams and must create a menu inspired by culinary icons Anthony Bourdain, Julia Child and Paul Bocuse.

2. 

   2. Global Food Test

   17 Sept 2025 · 46 min

   To demonstrate their mastery of global cuisine, the chefs must craft family-style dishes specific to Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean.

3. 

   3. Core Creativity

   17 Sept 2025 · 42 min

   They can dole out flavors, but can they take feedback? The chefs devise savory dishes using apples, and the judges introduce a game-changing twist.

4. 

   4. Grading The Brigade

   17 Sept 2025 · 42 min

   The chefs navigate curveball after curveball during the dinner service of nightmares as they run an elevated gastropub as a brigade for the first time.

5. 

   5. Fast Casual Exam

   17 Sept 2025 · 49 min

   In a two-part challenge, the chefs create fast casual dining menus — but only two winning concepts will launch and go head-to-head in the CIA cafeteria.

6. 

   6. Baking the Grade

   17 Sept 2025 · 40 min

   The heat is on as the chefs race to bake 36 portions of a treat using a culinary byproduct in just five hours. Christina Tosi joins as a guest judge.

7. 

   7. Souffle Showdown

   17 Sept 2025 · 50 min

   In the semifinals, the chefs must make a fine dining entrée and flex or fake their soufflé skills for guest judges Daniel Boulud and Kwame Onwuachi.

8. 

   8. Graduation Day

   24 Sept 2025 · 53 min

   For their last exam, the chefs must make a themed four-course meal for 70 VIP diners, including legendary chef Thomas Keller and CIA president Tim Ryan.