"I make the rules now" — 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Chef Bryan reacts to winning the golden knife

In Episodes 6 and 7 of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, the pressure reached a boiling point. After 16 exhausting hours in the kitchen, the cooks were thrown into a team challenge based on soup and sandwiches. With tiredness setting in, it was no longer just about flavor — it was about leadership, decision-making, and staying together under crushing fatigue. Bryan Voltaggio, who held the Golden Knife, had the upper hand. Not only did it make him the team captain, but it also granted him the authority to select the captain of the opposing team.

“I have the Golden Knife, I make the rules now!” Chef Bryan joked.

The moment established the tone for the challenge. Bryan wasted no time seizing control, while others battled to keep up — or even converse. There were surprises: unusual ingredients, unexpected equipment options, and intense time constraints. Each twist drained the chefs’ stamina and strained their instincts. More than just pride was at stake — each team member received a $2,400 cash reward and direct entrance to shift 7.

The kitchen was chaotic, the competition strong, and the stakes higher than ever. By 1 a.m., it was evident that some chefs were cracking, while others were just getting started.

Chef Bryan takes the lead in a high-stakes team challenge on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing

In 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing episodes 6 and 7, Chef Bryan Voltaggio demonstrated why he is one of the most fearsome competitors in the tournament. With the Golden Knife in hand, Bryan not only became team captain, but he also got to choose his opposing captain, Gabe. This set off the soup and sandwich team challenge, in which strategy and leadership would be just as important as flavor.

Bryan headed a formidable team that included Jonathon Sawyer, Kelsey Murphy, and Kathleen O’Brien-Price, while Gabe led a group that included Nini Nguyen, Kevin Lee, and Stephanie Izard. The 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing task included an exciting twist: cooks entered the kitchen every seven minutes.

The strain was on, with $2,400 and a direct pass to shift 7 at stake. Bryan’s team worked on corn chowder with crab and a Cuban sandwich, while Gabe's team made Tom Kha soup and a banh mi meatball sandwich.

Multiple curveballs were thrown mid-cook — from selecting a flavor style (sour, nutty, smoky) to incorporating surprise ingredients like anchovies. Tension brewed, but Bryan’s team emerged as the more cohesive unit. Sixteen hours into the marathon, his leadership was evident, while Gabe’s team struggled, even forgetting to plate one dish.

The hosts of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Carlos and Malarkey, crowned Bryan’s team the winner, allowing him to keep the Golden Knife. In a final twist, Bryan had to designate teams for the forthcoming 2v2 challenge, but he skillfully left it to a draw. Bryan is not only standing but dominating with each passing challenge on the show.

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Watch all the episodes of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing on Food Network.

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