Prime Video is turning up the heat once again with the highly anticipated return of America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation Season 2. Hosted by Daytime Emmy Award-winner Jeannie Mai, the food competition series is back with bigger stakes, tougher challenges, and even more mouthwatering dishes.
Jeannie Mai returns alongside head judge and ATK editor-in-chief Dan Souza to mentor and challenge 11 aspiring cooks competing for the culinary opportunity of a lifetime. The winner will not only earn a coveted spot as a cast member of America’s Test Kitchen, but they will also secure a cookbook option and a grand prize of $100,000 to help launch their culinary dreams.
This season raises the bar with an even greater emphasis on media challenges, testing contestants’ ability to present their dishes while under the spotlight. Along with Souza’s signature skill drills, the competition will take an emotional turn as contestants gather in the stew room, anxiously awaiting the judges’ deliberations. For the first time in the show’s history, the final five will embark on an offsite culinary adventure, traveling to the shores of Massachusetts to master a new set of cooking skills.
In addition to Jeannie Mai and Souza, America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation will feature a rotating cast of ATK personalities, including Lan Lam, Julia Collin Davison, Jack Bishop, and Season 1 winner Antoinette Johnson.
Celebrity chef guest judges will also make weekly appearances, including Bryan Ford, Pati Jinich, and Joe Sasto. With such an impressive lineup, this season promises to be a feast for both the competitors and the audience.
Meet the Contestants
The competition brings together 11 talented cooks from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique culinary perspective:
Lauren Windham (Atlanta, GA) – A private chef with experience in Napa and Atlanta, striving for culinary entrepreneurship.
View this post on Instagram
Saori O’Reilly (Los Altos, CA) – A vibrant former restaurant owner aiming to reestablish her family’s legacy.
Ashley Gibson (Houston, TX) – A culinary instructor with a passion for fun and flavor.
Annabelle Finefrock (New York, NY) – A Gen Z chef who has cooked for celebrity clients and traveled the world.
Nikita Leone (Woodland Hills, CA) – A hip-hop hall of fame inductee turned meal-prep business owner.
View this post on Instagram
Justine Ma (Kea’au, HI) – An agriturismo owner creating immersive culinary experiences.
Colin Bracken (Chicago, IL) – A globe-trotting flight attendant passionate about technique and cuisine.
Alex Heugel (Chicago, IL) – A dedicated cooking instructor aiming to teach a wider audience.
Dennis Jackson (Rockville, MD) – A devoted family man and IRS analyst with a love for cooking.
David Welch (Chicago, IL) – A charismatic instructor passionate about sharing culinary knowledge.
Kyle Lopez (Brooklyn, NY) – An engineer-turned-chef specializing in global fusion comfort food.
Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation continues ATK’s mission of empowering home cooks with confidence and skill. Since its founding in 1992, ATK has grown into a trusted culinary institution with TV shows, magazines, cookbooks, podcasts, and an expansive digital membership.
With high stakes, exciting challenges, and a wealth of culinary expertise, Season 2 of America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation is a must-watch for food lovers everywhere. Mark your calendars for April 1, and prepare for a season full of inspiration, innovation, and incredible dishes.
All ten episodes will be available to stream on April 1, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video in over 250 countries and territories.
For more details and to meet the contestants, visit www.americastestkitchen.com.
