Kitchen Factory Productions, Chef Cyril Lignac, producer Matthieu Jean-Toscani and Studio Ramsay Global, Gordon Ramsay’s worldwide production venture created with FOX Entertainment, today announced the French format acquisition of the hit competition series, Next Level Chef.
Set on an iconic stage over three stories high, each floor containing a different kitchen featuring culinary equipment and ingredients matching their environment — from the glistening top floor to the challenging bottom of the basement — Next Level Chef pits restaurant chefs, home chefs cooking or even social network stars, against one another. Creativity, imagination and resistance to pressure, the candidates, surrounded by their mentors, will have to prove that they are the best, regardless of their working conditions, if they want to win a cash prize of 250,000 Euros.
The French format will be produced by Kitchen Factory Productions.
Regarding the announcement, Gordon Ramsay said, “When we launched the first ever series of Next Level Chef in the US at the beginning of this year, the goal was for other broadcasters and international territories to recognize the truly original and epic format. Following the US, the UK came on board and now I’m delighted Kitchen Factory Productions see the potential in bringing this fantastic format to the French screen. Next Level Chef, truly is Next Level everything and I’m looking forward to seeing the fantastic Chef Cyril discover his own Next Level superstars.”
Cyril Lignac, Chef and associate partner of Kitchen Factory Productions, declares: “This “new generation” culinary competition, embodied by my friend Gordon Ramsay, has been an undeniable success in the United States. I will be delighted to introduce it to the French public who continue to be fascinated by all cooking shows!”
Matthieu Jean-Toscani, Associate Producer of Kitchen Factory Productions, says: “This acquisition is an important step in the development of Kitchen Factory Productions, the leading independent production company of cooking shows in France. As such, I am sure that Next Level Chef, will meet its audience, whatever its broadcasting mode (linear or streaming).”
Next Level Chef is in line with Kitchen Factory Productions’ desire to pursue the development of powerful formats around the cooking theme following the success of TOUS EN CUISINE, LE MEILLEUR PÂTISSIER (BBC co-production), Le Chef En France.
America’s #1 new entertainment program last season, Next Level Chef’s January 2022 premiere in the U.S. ranked as the highest-rated debut of the season among Adults 18-49 and was FOX’s third most-streamed unscripted debut ever. The program’s second season will premiere on FOX after Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. Ramsay, Lisa Edwards and Matt Cahoon serve as executive producers on Next Level Chef.
In June, Studio Ramsay Global sold the UK format rights for Next Level Chef to ITV.