Michelle Calcagni Brings The Heat on 'Next Level Chef'

Eating Healthier Without Changing Everything

By KiMBerly redMond

Michelle Calcagni brought the heat this season on Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s popular one-of-akind cooking competition “Next Level Chef.”

{Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers.}

The 30-year-old Washington Township resident and Oradell native was among 18 contestants tasked with some rather unique culinary challenges as they vied for the title of the world’s next culinary superstar, a $250,000 cash prize and a one-year-mentorship from Ramsay, as well as elite Chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.

Described by the television network as “the next evolution in cooking competitions,” the concept revolves around Ramsay’s belief that “the true test of great chefs is not only what they can do in the best of circumstances” but also “what kind of magic they can create in the worst.”

The show – which returned for its second season in February on Fox –was set on an iconic stage over three stories high, with each floor containing a different kitchen featuring culinary equipment and ingredient matching their environment – from the glistening top floor to the no frills basement.

Entering a high-stakes competition wasn’t exactly something Calcagni ever expected to do, but when the chance presented itself, she couldn’t say no.

“I have loved being in the kitchen ever since I can remember,” the River Dell Regional High School graduate said. “I always loved getting involved in prep as a young girl watching my parents make dinner for our family.”

Calcagni, who works as a senior brand marketing manager for Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure, said, “Food has always been at the center of my universe, and a way that my family and I express love, celebrate, comfort and connect. For me…cooking is therapeutic. I love the whole process: coming up with new ideas for a meal, shopping for groceries, prepping, cooking, plating and serving. Whether for a big group, or just my husband, love nurturing through food.”

Then, in May 2022, her Instagram account (@michelle_ calcagni), which features some of the dishes she enjoys preparing and sharing with loved ones, caught the eye of the casting agency searching for the very best home chefs, social media stars, food truck operators, line cooks and everything in between as potential contestants.

“The agent asked if I was interested in the opportunity, and, of course, I said yes! As a next step, I was interviewed on video with the casting producer and we hit it off,” she said. “At this point, I didn’t think it was actually going to happen. I knew there were thousands of applicants determined to get involved.

A few weeks later, as she and her husband, Anthony, traveled to Italy to attend a friend’s wedding, she received word that was selected for the show and would soon be on her way to spend a month filming.

It wasn’t the last surprise in store for her. Just days after arriving, Calcagni learned she was expecting her first child.

Besides grappling with what she describes as “hormonal chaos,” Calcagni said, “Part of me wanted to be home, celebrating the exciting news with my loved ones away from the stress of the competition. However, I understood that opportunities like this one are oftenonce in a lifetime type chances, and I felt blessed to have been chosen out of thousands of qualified and passionate applicants.”

Trusting that the opportunity was given to her for a reason, Calcagni said she felt determined to make the most of it.

“Besides, what an amazing story I will have to share with my daughter one day. I like to think she took part in giving me an extra boost of motivation to push through,” she added.

As part of the competition, Ramsay, Blais and Arrington, each handpicked who would be on their teams and took the contestants under their wings.

During a recent interview with Parade magazine, Ramsay – who ultimately lost last season to Arrington’s protegee – said he looked for three qualities in the chefs for his team: drive, hunger and willingness to learn.

“If they’re willing to learn, then we have a real shot of winning this season,” he told the publication.

Ramsay, who is nothing short of an icon in the culinary world, went on to select Calcagni to compete on his team in the home cook category.

After finding out that Ramsay – a multi-Michelin starred chef with a successful string of restaurants and several TV credits, like “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hell’s Kitchen” – selected her, Calcagni said, “I almost hit the floor.”

“Although many people assume that cooking with a chef of his caliber would be paralyzingly stressful, which it was, at times, he was an incredible mentor and I am a better chef today because of him.”

“After the initial shock of him being there dissipated, his presence in the kitchen actually put me at ease, because I knew I could lean on him to push me in the right direction and always share honest feedback to help me improve,” Calcagni said. “He taught me to trust my instincts as a natural cook. I really tuned into this advice throughout the competition. It’s so easy to start second guessing your decisions and direction in this competition, so being confident enough to trust your gut and run with it was crucial.”

“What many people don’t realize is that during each challenge, the chefs are being tasked with conceptualizing a dish within seconds, oftentimes without experience utilizing the all ingredients we have access to during the platform grab, and executing it within a limited timeframe. We aren’t making our signature dishes, so being creative, adaptable and quick on your feet was absolutely key to being successful in the competition,” she explained.

Now back home in Bergen County, the expectant mother is taking stock of the experience, saying, “I learned that I am more capable than I initially gave myself credit for.”

“When I think about my time competing on the show, I feel really proud of myself for taking a leap of faith despite all the fear I was experiencing about it. Because of that, I am now more confident as a chef and as an individual overall,” she said. “The experience was life changing. I pushed myself in ways I didn’t know I was capable of and it helped me grow, not only as a chef, but as a person.”

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the season came in Episode 11 when Gordon named Calcagni a “top chef” after being challenged to elevate a dish by frying their entire. As the overall best of the night, Calcagni won the Time Token advantage.

In the following episode, however, Calcagni, who was the only chef left who hadn’t yet been in an elimination competition, runs into trouble when the contestants are given 60 minutes to bake a dessert. Due to being uncomfortable baking, Calcagni decides to use her Time Token advantage to give herself 10 extra seconds at the platform. Deciding on a cheesecake, Calcagni admits she’s “kind of winging it” and that this is the first time she’s baking something from scratch.

Ultimately, Calcagni is left to battle it out for elimination against Mehreen Karim and Nuri Muhammad. They are tasked with making eggs Benedict. While Calcagni’s eggs are “delicious,” the shrimp “taste like sand” as they were not properly cleaned. Calcagni is eliminated from the competition.

Calcagni wasn’t the only New Jerseyan competing on “Next Level Chef” this season. Cassie Yeung, a social media chef from South Brunswick, joined Calcagni on Team Ramsay, while Matt Groark, a social media chef from Medford Lakes, was part of Team Blais, according to Fox.

“Next Level Chef” is available for streaming on Hulu.