Master chef Gordon Ramsay, joined by culinary stars Carla Hall and Candace Nelson, is set to ignite the holiday season with ‘Next Level Baker,’ a three-week baking competition promising festive delights, a $25,000 prize, and premiering December 4 on FOX.
The culinary world is buzzing with anticipation as master chef Gordon Ramsay prepares to host a brand-new holiday baking competition, ‘Next Level Baker: Holiday Event.’ This exciting three-week special event, a festive spin-off of the popular ‘Next Level Chef,’ will bring together diverse baking talents from across the country to create show-stopping seasonal creations.
Joined by acclaimed co-mentors Carla Hall and Candace Nelson, Ramsay will guide contestants through intense head-to-head rounds, all vying for a substantial cash prize and a premium cookware package. Get ready for a sugar-filled spectacle perfect for the festive season!
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
Mark your calendars! ‘Next Level Baker’ is scheduled to debut on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 9/8c on FOX and FOX One. For those who prefer to stream, episodes will be available on Hulu the very next day. This makes it easy for fans to catch all the action, whether live or on demand, bringing holiday cheer right to their screens.
The Unique Format: From ‘Next Level Chef’ to a Winter Wonderland
Fans of ‘Next Level Chef’ will recognize the iconic three-tier kitchen set, which has been spectacularly transformed into a “winter wonderland” for this holiday baking extravaganza. This innovative setup is at the heart of the competition, challenging bakers across three distinct levels:
- Top Level: A state-of-the-art kitchen with every conceivable tool.
- Middle Level: An average, yet functional, home kitchen setup.
- Basement Level: A rudimentary kitchen with limited equipment, truly testing the bakers’ resourcefulness.
Contestants, recruited from a wide array of backgrounds including home bakers, professional chefs, and social media stars, must adapt to their assigned kitchen levels while creating stunning holiday treats. The competition also features the signature moving platform, where bakers must quickly grab ingredients to craft their culinary masterpieces.
Meet the Mentors: Culinary Legends Carla Hall and Candace Nelson
Leading the charge alongside Gordon Ramsay are two formidable figures in the culinary world, bringing their wealth of experience to coach and inspire the bakers:
Carla Hall
Carla Hall is a beloved personality with years of television experience. She famously co-hosted ‘The Chew’ for seven seasons and has appeared as a judge or coach on numerous shows, including ‘Bakeaway Camp,’ ‘Holiday Baking Championship,’ and ‘Worst Cooks in America.’ Notably for our community of film enthusiasts, Hall also serves as a judge on ‘Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,’ showcasing her diverse culinary expertise. Her track record as a mentor makes her an invaluable asset to the competition, as noted by Food Network.
Candace Nelson
Candace Nelson is an innovator who famously left a finance career to create Sprinkles, widely credited as the world’s first cupcake bakery and the pioneer behind the cupcake ATM. Her judging prowess was showcased for ten seasons on ‘Cupcake Wars,’ and she also spent three seasons on Netflix’s ‘Sugar Rush,’ where she served as an executive producer. Nelson’s entrepreneurial spirit also extends to launching the Pizzana neo-Neapolitan pizzeria brand and founding CN2 Ventures, a Los Angeles-based venture studio. Her insights into both baking and business will be crucial for the contestants.
The Coveted Prize
The stakes are high for the aspiring bakers. The winner of ‘Next Level Baker’ will be crowned the first-ever champion and will receive a grand prize of $25,000 in cash, along with a prestigious HexClad cookware package. This combination of financial reward and top-tier kitchen equipment provides a significant boost for any culinary career.
Ramsay’s Excitement and FOX’s Long-Standing Partnership
Gordon Ramsay has expressed his genuine enthusiasm for the show, sharing a personal connection to the craft. He recalled, “My very first job was baking in Paris and to me there is nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread. I’m hoping on these holiday specials we get to discover incredible family recipes handed down through generations of bakers.” His passion promises a heartfelt, yet competitive, environment.
This holiday event also highlights the enduring and successful partnership between Gordon Ramsay and FOX, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. As Michael Thorn, President of FOX Television Network, remarked, “extending the reach of this series with the new holiday competition ‘Next Level Baker’ once again exemplifies the strength of our incredible, long-standing partnership with Gordon which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.” The announcement of the spin-off was initially reported in February 2025, according to Deadline.
‘Next Level Baker’ is produced by Studio Ramsay in partnership with Bigger Stage and Studio Ramsay Global, with Ramsay himself and Matt Cahoon serving as executive producers. This lineup ensures a high-quality, entertaining competition that will captivate audiences throughout the holiday season, as detailed by Parade.
