This Chef is Next Level
Nyesha Arrington of "Next Level Chef" is the cooking (and life) coach we need. Find out more on today's Radio Cherry Bombe.
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“You don’t know what you know until you know,” laughs Nyesha Arrington.
She’s not wrong! The celebrated chef and co-host of Next Level Chef is in conversation with host Kerry Diamond this week, retracing her steps through the food industry, and it begins with a melted Starburst.
Ah, what? Nyesha, who grew up in a food-loving California family, remembers the visceral reaction she had as a child, unwrapping a sun-warmed Starburst that had softened in the car. Her Proust Madeleine moment, if a little stickier. In that melty moment, something ignited her taste buds and brain: “I was like, oh my god, it’s more malleable. The flavor has bloomed…”
And thus began a culinary career that led her to Michelin-starred kitchens, Top Chef, and now Next Level Chef, where she’s a mentor and judge. Have you seen it? The premise is: a mix of home cooks, pros, and social media creators compete on a three-level set that starts with a cramped basement kitchen, a mid-level catering-esque space, and a luxe pro kitchen. It’s fast-paced and creative; we’re fans.
Nyesha’s chat with Kerry, which took place in Burbank, California, last week, feels very much in line with her role on the show, where she’s coached Bombesquad-ers, including Season 3 winner Gabi Chappel and Mehreen Karim. Nyesha just has a way of speaking that’s energized, making you want to wake up early, hit the gym—maybe hang from a bar for 60 seconds?!—and give it all you got.
She speaks from experience: “The people who are the most successful have all crashed and burned at some point.” So be sure to take care of yourself, folks.
Shout out to…
A great idea: Nyesha freezes segments of peeled kishu mandarins, blends them with sheep’s milk yogurt, and has a citrus-y ice cream snack. We clearly need to bust out our Nutribullet.
She’s cooking in Napa Valley this April, deets here
Oura rings, Kerry and Nyesha are hooked
Cookbook inspiration: In Pursuit of Excellence, by her mentor Josiah Citrin
Ready to work out? Check out The Sculpt Society.
Golf! Nyesha’s new hobby
Watch Next Level Chef Thursdays on Fox, or stream next day on Hulu.
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