The return of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef is set to create hundreds of jobs in Ireland and bring over €30 million to Irish TV production.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar recently confirmed that the new global hub for FOX Entertainment’s US cooking competition, Next Level Chef, will be a brand-new, purpose-built sound stage at Ashford Studios, County Wicklow.
Next Level Chef was just renewed for its third and fourth series and will be produced by Studio Ramsay with production company BiggerStage.
Next Level Chef to be filmed in Ireland – creating opportunity
The return of Next Level Chef will see celebrity chef and notorious hothead Gordon Ramsay film its new season in County Wicklow, a county he says he “loves”.
FOX Entertainment has produced over 60 hours of primetime US television in Ireland in the last year and a half.
In turn, this has led to the support of two dozen Irish businesses and the creation of hundreds of jobs.
A recent Economic Impact Assessment by PWC highlights the immediate opportunity for unscripted television production to become a €300m – €500m industry.
The industry delivers hundreds of jobs and drives investment in skills, training, and infrastructure. It also drives regional development should the right “fiscal incentive” be in place.
A momentous occasion for TV production in Ireland – driving international attention to the Emerald Isle
At the recent launch event, Leo Varadkar described the announcement as a “momentous occasion for international television production in Ireland”.
He said, “The last number of years have seen a surge in the sector which is now matched with unparalleled investment from FOX Entertainment and over 300 jobs in the creative industry”.
He also spoke of Ireland’s perfect placement to become a global hub for unscripted productions.
“Our membership of the EU, close proximity to the UK, strong cultural alignment with the USA and skilled work force makes Ireland a favourable location for investment,” he said.
CEO of FOX Entertainment, Rob Wade, said the company is very happy to expand operations in Ireland. He said the move will drive skills and talent here further.
He also noted the importance of promoting Ireland to the wider international TV industry.
The show – what is Next Level Chef all about?
Next Level Chef first premiered on 2 January 2022. Gordon Ramsay is the host of the show, along with mentors and American chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.
On the show, they divide hopeful chefs into three groups to compete in a series of cooking challenges. They compete under the guidance of Ramsay, Arrington, and Blais.
Over a series of challenges, the chefs battle it out for a whopping $250,000 cash prize and a one-year mentorship.
On filming the new series of Next Level Chef in Ireland, Gordon Ramsay said, “Not only do I get to spend weeks filming in a county that I love, it also creates an appealing opportunity for our international partners from around the world”.
