‘Next Level Chef’ season 3 episode 16 recap: Who was named the winner in ‘Final Level’? [LIVE BLOG]

Tonight on “Next Level Chef,” the competition reaches its boiling point as the final three chefs race against the clock to craft a sensational three-course meal. With $250,000 and a year-long mentorship on the line, only one chef will rise to the top and claim the title of the Next Level Chef champion in the all-new “The Final Level” season finale episode of “Next Level Chef ” airing Thursday, May 9 (8:00-9:02 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In an epic three-story kitchen, the only way to move to the top is to cook your way up. Each week professional chefs, home chefs and social media chefs have seconds to grab, minutes to cook and moments to deliver their dishes to mentors Gordon Ramsay, Richard Blais and Nyesha Arrington. Who will rise to the challenge? Gordon promises the toughest, most competitive and most grueling season of “Next Level Chef” yet. With an amazing one-year mentorship and $250,000 on the line, only one contestant can climb their way to the top.

SEE Izahya Thomas (‘Next Level Chef’) exit interview: ‘I just wanted to inspire others’

Here are the chefs still in contention:

Team Blais: Zach 

Team Arrington: Christina 

Team Ramsay: Gabi 

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “Next Level Chef”! In episode 15, the final four chefs faced a tangy twist as they were tasked with showcasing one of the classic taste elements. In the end Jordan, a 24-year-old social media chef from Team Ramsay was eliminated. Now only three chefs remain — Zach, a pro chef from Team Blais, Christina, a home chef from Team Arrington and Gabi a social media  chef from Team Ramsay. Who will prevail? It’s time to start the Season 3 finale!

8:05 p.m. — After a brief visit from last season’s champ Tucker Ricchio, the final three are told one of them is about to win the title of Next Level Chef, a check for $250k and the coveted one-year membership. They’re all nervous, but excited to get started. Each of them have people at home worth fighting for. In this final challenge they’ll create a stunning three-course meal starting in the basement with Richard, cooking appetizers. Next, they head to the middle kitchen to cook a delicious seafood course with Nyesha. Last, Gordon will meet them in the top level to help them deliver the ultimate main course. They have 90 minutes to cook all three dishes and they will manage their own clock. How much time they use on each level is entirely up to them. Once they finish each dish, they’ll hit a buzzer to stop their clock. It’s time to get started!

8:15 p.m. — Before everyone gets cooking the chefs are surprised with emotional reunions with their families. This should motivate them to do their best for the next 90 minutes. Then they’re rushed into the basement and get started on their appetizers. The first platform descends and Zach is thrilled to snag scallops. Gabi takes a risk going for ground pork, but her goal is to knock her appetizer out as quickly as possible. Christina decides to go with Asian flavors. Richard is concerned Zach is buying time and going “a little light” on this appetizer. Gabi finishes her appetizer first with 67 minutes left followed by Zach with 65 minutes left and Christina with 64 minutes left.

8:20 p.m. — The judges will taste the appetizers immediately. Zach’s scallops are visually colorful and flamboyant. They’re cooked beautifully, but the sauce is very rich and a bit “clunky.” Christina’s pan-roasted prawns in broth are beautiful and elegant. A great choice of plating. The flavors from the shellfish echo through the broth, but the broth may be a little “too reduced.” Gordon thinks it’s delicious. Gabi’s pork meatballs in broth looks “basic” and Gordon would like them to be a bit more artistic. That said, the depth of flavor is amazing and Nyesha loves the restraint in this dish. Richard calls the broth “a little bit murky.” Overall, everyone had good reviews.

8:30 p.m. — The chefs head to the second platform for their seafood dish. The platform descends and Christina grabs lobster, Zach gets sea bass and Gabi snags sea bream. Gabi plans to toss some grapes in herbs and grill them to go alongside her fish. Christina feels a little frazzled right now working with her huge lobster as she aims for perfection. Zach looks cool as a cucumber, but he has a habit of biting off more than he can chew. Will he overcomplicate his dish? Zach finishes with 35 minutes left on his clock, Gabi has 37 on hers and Christina has 34.

8:35 p.m. — The judges now have a taste in this seafood round. Christina’s butter-poached lobster looks beautiful and it’s cooked perfectly. The asparagus is undercooked, but the lobster is the star. Gabi’s sea bream with roasted grapes is “stunning.” The fish is cooked beautifully and the salad is delicious. Richard says Gabi has gone from Brooklyn to Berkley. Zach’s crispy-skin sea bass is beautifully plated and cooked to perfection. On the downside it lacks a little acidity and sweetness.

8:45 p.m. — The chefs head up to the top kitchen to cook their entrees. Gabi has a two-minute advantage at the platform to grab whatever she wants. She chooses the New York strip, Zach wants the filet mignon and Christina takes a venison rack. While he’s cooking, Zach realizes he forgot to grab red wine for his sauce. Christina has it, so Zach will have to make due with a bourbon sauce instead. Gordon thinks Zach needs to edit himself down. Gabi is playing to her strengths and Christina looks like she is about to have an anxiety attack. Eventually the time expires and everyone’s entree is on the plate!

8:55 p.m. — It’s time for the final judgement. Christina’s rack of venison is one of the best looking plates Richard has seen. Nyesha is at a loss for words and so proud of Christina’s confidence. It tastes “stunning” and is a “theme park of texture.” Gordon calls it her most spectacular plate. Zach’s filet mignon is a classic, safe dish until they taste the mystery flavor combo. Gordon says it needs a red wine sauce, not bourbon, but Nyesha slightly disagrees. Gabi’s New York strip has great colors popping off the plate. Richard loves the sweet and sour notes from the sauce and the steak is cooked “expertly.” Gordon says she’s elevated a New York strip. What a great performance from all three. But who will win? The judges go deliberate this finale and decide on a winner.

9:02 p.m. — It’s time for the judges to let everyone know who has won the title of Next Level Chef, $250k and the one-year mentorship. The winner is…Gabi! Team Ramsay has won for the second season in a row and poor Richard remains the only mentor to never produce a winner. That’s a wrap for Season 3 of “Next Level Chef”!