NBC is stirring the pot with a sizzling new competition series that's got all the right ingredients. "Yes, Chef!" is a high-stakes, feel-good food fight starring none other than Martha Stewart and José Andrés.
"Yes, Chef!" premiered on Monday, April 28 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, and it's serving up a fresh twist: 12 chefs, handpicked not by casting directors, but nominated by their own family, friends, and coworkers.
© Getty Images for TIMEA Recipe for Prime-Time Drama
At the heart of "Yes, Chef!" is a premise that feels more personal than most culinary contests. These chefs have been quietly killing it in local kitchens, late-night diners, and community centers. Now, they're getting the spotlight and a shot at a life-changing $250,000 prize.
They're not just about searing the perfect steak or flambéing without lighting your eyebrows. The show promises to put these chefs through rigorous challenges that will test their skills, creativity, leadership, and grit.
Star-Studded Hosts
The lifestyle mogul, TV host, and queen of "good things" is trading her garden for chef's knives as she co-anchors the show. Known for her precision, taste, and uncanny ability to make even a tuna salad feel like fine dining, Martha brings decades of culinary and hosting experience to the table.
© Pief Weyman/NBC via Getty ImagesThen there's José Andrés, the celebrated Spanish-American chef and humanitarian. Famous for both his Michelin-starred restaurants and his emergency food relief work with World Central Kitchen, Andrés brings a heart as big as his paella pans. His presence on "Yes, Chef!" promises to inject not just flavor, but real soul into the series.
Together, Stewart and Andrés make for a fascinating pairing we never knew we needed.
When and Where to Watch
Catch the heat in real-time by tuning in to NBC every Monday at 10 p.m. ET. If you're more of a watch-it-while-cooking-dinner type, episodes will also be available on NBC's streaming platform, Peacock, but only starting the day after they air. So yes, it delayed gratification, but it is worth the wait if you prefer your drama commercial-free.
© Pief Weyman/NBC via Getty ImagesWhy 'Yes, Chef!' Might Be the Next Big Thing
We've seen a lot of cooking competitions, including MasterChef, Chopped, Iron Chef, and the list goes on. So what makes "Yes, Chef!" worth tuning into?
For one, it's not just about talent; it's about recognition. These chefs didn't just audition; they were lifted up by their communities. There's heart baked into the concept from the very beginning. Add to that the charisma of two hosts with wildly different (but equally iconic) culinary legacies, and you've got something fresh.
