Gordon Ramsay Expands His Culinary Empire With a Festive Baking Show
Holiday spirit meets kitchen chaos as FOX and Gordon Ramsay serve up Next Level Baker, a brand-new competition series debuting December 4. Building on the hit format of Next Level Chef, the show whisks viewers into a world of flour, frosting, and fierce rivalries— while managing the unpredictable platform grab.
Just like its predecessor, Next Level Baker blends personality, precision, and pressure. The twist: contestants are battling with butter and sugar instead of proteins and vegetables. Home bakers, professionals, and social-media creators compete across three stacked kitchens—the basement, middle, and top levels—for the ultimate holiday title.
At the helm is Ramsay, whose fiery intensity targets soggy bottom pies versus soggy seared scallops. Joining him are two acclaimed mentors who balance expertise with encouragement: Carla Hall and Candace Nelson. Their presence ensures both creativity and technique rise to the top—literally and figuratively.
Hall, a celebrated chef and television personality, brings her signature warmth and infectious energy to the series. Known for her joyful approach to food and competition, she urges bakers to embrace the season's emotions while maintaining discipline. Her mix of enthusiasm and thoughtful critique makes her a guiding light for contestants hoping to spread cheer through their confections.
Nelson, the entrepreneurial force behind Sprinkles and Pizzana, offers a master class in flavor and finesse. As a veteran of Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush, she understands that a memorable bake balances artistry with execution. Her mentorship reminds bakers that success lies in equal parts creativity, precision, and presentation.
Although Next Level Baker may sparkle with delectable holiday desserts, the competition is anything but simplistic. Contestants must adapt to unpredictable ovens, hurried platform grabs, and a relentless ticking clock. The basement’s minimal tools demand improvisation, while the top kitchen epitomizes the best of professional baking. A single misstep—too much sugar or a mistimed bake—can turn a masterpiece into a merry mess.
FOX has yet to reveal full episode details, but the series promises plenty of seasonal flavors—from peppermint and chocolate to gingerbread and cinnamon. The revealed key artwork alluded to seasonal flavors, a potential challenge theme, and the creativity required to earn the title. Expect visually dazzling bakes that push contestants to channel both artistry and nostalgia. Each challenge tests skill, storytelling, and heart, proving that dessert can be as dramatic as any dinner service.
Baking requires exactness, the show’s unpredictable platform grab requires celebrates spontaneity. Viewers can expect triumphant highs, creative recoveries, and a few flour-covered meltdowns along the way. Through it all, Ramsay and his mentors keep the energy upbeat, showing that competition and camaraderie can coexist—even in the heat of the oven.
At its core, Next Level Baker captures more than dessert—it embodies resilience, joy, and imagination. The series offers comfort television with a competitive edge, just in time for the holidays.
Next Level Baker premieres on FOX December 4, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu. Get ready for the sweetest showdown of the season, where every baker aims to rise to the occasion.
