Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is set to shake up the world of baking competitions with a brand-new show, Next Level Baker, which is being hailed as a direct rival to The Great British Bake Off.
The fiery chef, 58, has reportedly signed a lucrative £25 million deal to launch the spin-off series on Fox in the US later this year. The show will build on the success of Next Level Chef, which has already become a hit among food competition fans.
Speaking about his latest venture, Ramsay expressed his excitement and passion for the project.
“I’m delighted that Next Level Baker is coming to Fox later this year,” he said.
“A holiday special, where passionate home cooks, more used to crafting treats for their family, will compete against social media creators—individuals who fill our feeds with photo-ready creations—side by side with talented professional pastry chefs, impressing with Michelin-starred perfection.”
A return to baking roots
Ramsay, known for his no-nonsense approach in the kitchen, revealed that this show holds a special place in his heart due to his early career in baking.
“My very first job was baking in Paris, and to me, there is nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread,” he shared.
“I’m hoping on these holiday specials we get to discover incredible family recipes handed down through generations of bakers, inventive bakers cleverly working with dietary sensitivities, and those with a talent for stunning creativity and elevated design work.
“This holiday season, I cannot wait to discover the baking heart of America.”
The show promises to blend traditional baking expertise with modern innovation, bringing together amateur bakers, social media influencers, and professional pastry chefs for a festive showdown.
Major expansion of the next level franchise
Ramsay’s new deal with Fox doesn’t just include Next Level Baker—it also extends his Next Level Chef franchise with two more series, solidifying his dominance in televised cooking competitions.
Michael Thorn, President of Fox Entertainment, praised Ramsay’s impact and the ongoing success of the Next Level format.
“Next Level Chef consistently raises the bar of culinary excellence as a high-stakes food competition fans love, an invaluable franchise for Fox, and an increasingly popular global format.
“Extending the reach of this series with the new holiday competition once again exemplifies the strength of our incredible, long-standing collaborative partnership with Gordon, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.”
With Ramsay at the helm, Next Level Baker is expected to bring a fresh and dynamic edge to the baking competition genre, rivalling the charm and tradition of The Great British Bake Off.
A busy year for Ramsay
The Next Level Baker announcement comes at a particularly eventful time for Ramsay, who has been expanding his empire with multiple new business ventures.
The chef has just launched four new projects, including a high-profile 120-seater restaurant, Lucky Cat, located on level 60 of 22 Bishopsgate—the tallest building in the City of London.
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In addition, he has opened Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, the Gordon Ramsay Academy, and the Lucky Cat Bar in the same location.
These ambitious expansions reflect Ramsay’s continued influence in the culinary world, both on and off-screen.
How will it compare to bake off?
Ramsay’s Next Level Baker is poised to compete directly with The Great British Bake Off, a beloved staple of UK television known for its gentle charm, amateur bakers, and supportive judging panel.
While Bake Off focuses on traditional techniques and warm-hearted competition, Ramsay’s take on the format is expected to bring higher stakes, a faster pace, and a mix of social media-driven trends and Michelin-level expertise.
Whether the new show can truly challenge Bake Off’s dominance in the world of baking competitions remains to be seen, but with Ramsay’s name attached, it’s likely to draw significant attention from viewers on both sides of the Atlantic.
With his signature passion, high energy, and drive for perfection, Ramsay’s latest project is set to make waves in the baking world—just in time for the festive season.
