Episode #2.1next Level Chef : Season 2 Episode 1 Now

The mentors were assigned to their starting kitchens by a random draw, which determined the difficulty of their first challenge:

: 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 #2.1Next Level Chef : Season 2 Episode 1

: A new strategic element allowing chefs to gain or take away time during challenges. The mentors were assigned to their starting kitchens

This season departed from the inaugural season's "draft" format. Instead, the 18 chefs were by mentors Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais before the premiere. This season departed from the inaugural season's "draft"

: 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: