Next Gen Chef: Olivia Culpo discusses her love of food post the show

Former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo just got real about how much food means to her, both in life and in her new gig hosting Netflix’s Next Gen Chef. On August 22, she dropped a heartfelt Instagram post about her passion for cooking, tying it back to her childhood obsession with food shows and how those early moments shaped her.

Next Gen Chef, shot at the Culinary Institute of America in New York’s Hudson Valley, isn’t your average cooking show; it’s a high-pressure playground where young chefs tackle tough challenges that test their skills, creativity, and even business smarts. At the judges’ table are Top Chef champ Kelsey Barnard Clark and master sommelier Carlton McCoy, with big-name guests like Christina Tosi and Thomas Keller popping in.

For Culpo, hosting wasn’t just another job; it felt like coming full circle. Her personal love for food and culinary TV made the whole experience more than just work; it was a milestone, both in her career and in the way she connects with the thing she’s most passionate about.

Next Gen Chef host Olivia Culpo’s personal food journey and time on the show

Next Gen Chef's Olivia Culpo got real on Instagram, admitting that food has always been about way more than just eating; it’s love, comfort, connection, and a sprinkle of artistry. She traced her gourmet obsession back to childhood marathons of cooking shows with her mom, which she says left lasting memories (and probably a few drooled-on couches).

“Some of my favorite memories are watching cooking shows with my mom,” she wrote which was simple, but heartfelt.

Even now, she kicks back at night with cooking shows, joking that husband Christian McCaffrey has to tolerate her very particular binge-watching habits. Her lifelong love affair with food and TV kitchens isn’t just for fun. it fuels her energy as host of Netflix’s Next Gen Chef, making her connection to the show feel totally real, personal, and way more passionate than just “another gig in front of a camera.”

Next Gen Chef established demanding standards from its opening episode. Almost half of the candidates were eliminated before they even made it to the dorms; no pressure, right? Once inside, the cooks faced a variety of tasks, ranging from environmentally conscious cooking to preparing classic French cuisine. Each exam forced them to demonstrate their abilities, ingenuity, and ability to manage stress in public.

The judges didn't just taste the food; they wanted each dish to convey a narrative. Contestants had to demonstrate their ability to connect flavors with concepts, as well as demonstrate that their products could be used in the real world.

“They had to tell a story on a plate,” Culpo said, and it wasn’t just a cute line.

The show set itself apart from other cooking competitions by focusing on long-term impact in the culinary world instead of just short bursts of drama or fancy plating.

Judges sought contestants who could eventually lead and influence the food world. Kelsey Barnard Clark noted that the young chefs' caliber and high expectations set the show apart from similar programs. The competition demanded excellence across multiple areas of culinary expertise.

Carlton McCoy emphasized the forward-thinking approach, stating their goal was identifying who the leaders in the industry would be. Challenges extended beyond traditional cooking skills to include business concepts and market applications. Contestants developed ideas suitable for both upscale dining and casual restaurant environments.

The impact of guest judges on Next Gen Chef

Renowned culinary professionals provided specialized expertise throughout the season. Christina Tosi, Kwame Onwuachi, Thomas Keller, and Grant Achatz offered direct feedback that often prompted immediate recipe adjustments.

Their involvement created an environment balancing strict evaluation with constructive guidance. This combination pushed contestants to demonstrate resilience alongside culinary imagination. The guest judges' real-time feedback system challenged chefs to adapt quickly while maintaining their creative vision and technical execution. Hosting Next Gen Chef allowed Culpo to merge her entertainment background with genuine culinary passion. The role provided a platform to showcase her authentic enthusiasm for food culture and cooking artistry.

Her Instagram post showed how the event validated her own interests while also broadening her career portfolio beyond typical modeling and pageant employment. The hosting position marks Culpo's successful shift into food-focused entertainment, which builds on her longtime love of culinary arts and storytelling.

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Next Gen Chef airs on Hulu, with new episodes streaming the day after their premiere on FOX.

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