NFL Reporter-Turned-Food Influencer Elise Jesse Joins Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef

NFL reporter Elise Jesse is ready for the heat!

The sports broadcaster, who is also known for her work as a food influencer, took to X on Thursday, Dec. 18, to share that she recently completed filming for the fifth season of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef.

“LIFE UPDATE: I am humbled to finally share this next chapter with you,” Jesse shared. “I had the honor & opportunity of a lifetime to compete on Season 5 of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef. I am endlessly grateful for every person who has supported me along this wild path.”

The post, which has been viewed over 125,000 times as of the time of publication, serves as Jesse’s official entry into culinary television, though the reporter is far from new to the world of food as a whole.

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On her Instagram, @ejscookin, Jesse has over 60,000 followers and posts Reels of recipes and cooking hacks. Additionally, the journalist is a contributor at Taste of Home, sharing a myriad of tasty recipes on that platform as well, including her Holiday Pizza Wreaths and Prosciutto Pear Cups.

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The fifth season of Next Level Chef is set to premiere on Jan. 29, 2026, and will feature Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais as mentors to Jesse and the other contestants. The winner of the fifth season will take home a $250,000 prize.

Austin Beckett took home the winning title during the fourth season of Next Level Chef, solidifying himself as both the first male and first member of Blais’ team to win the competition, besting Beatrice Heirigs and Megan Keno in the season finale.