Netflix’s latest culinary Next Gen Chef has concluded and its winner, Andrew Sargent, awarded with a lifechanging prize of USD 500,000. Here’s everything we know about the 29-year-old sous chef, from his culinary roots to his path to becoming the top chef of this generation.
Television shows centring the culinary world have long leveraged a winning formula to attract viewers. And why not? As a culturally significant part of world history with shared roots capable of bringing people together, food is the glue and fabric of community. A delight that has since gripped the minds and imaginations of food lovers the world over, Netflix’s latest hit reality competition Next Gen Chef has crowned its winner — 29-year-old Andrew Sargent.
Andrew Sargent wins Netflix’s Next Gen Chef S1
Having tested his mettle in the hallowed kitchens of Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller’s Per Se, it comes as little surprise that Andrew Sargent immediately set himself apart from the pack of 21 chefs vying for the crown of the Next Gen Chef. From the first episode, the young chef proved himself worthy to stand at the pinnacle of haute cuisine, volunteering himself as a group leader in the first challenge to create a cohesive menu that embodied the culinary sensibilities of the late Anthony Bourdain. Undaunted, Sargent presented an exquisite pan-seared branzino with red pepper muhammara, all while guiding members of his team to resounding success.
While he has undoubtedly made a few misses over the course of the season — including a less-than-stellar chocolate soufflé — Sargent has proven time and again that curveballs do not faze him. As a sous chef in one of the most competitive culinary institutions in North America, his ability to pivot and remain calm under pressure was on constant display, most notably in the Brigade challenge where he worked as a line cook under Chef Courtney to meet curveballs with significant swagger. While Courtney ultimately fell short in leadership, Sargent won praise for his quick thinking, culinary sensibilities, and lightning speed, delivering an amazing béarnaise sauce and a modified tomato bisque to accommodate an allium allergy.
Sargent further impressed the judges during the fine dining challenge, where he served a duck breast with rillettes croquette, Belgian endive, and pickled apricots — a dish that won him a spot in the finals alongside Courtney and Ilke. Armed with his fine-dining training and the memory of his father, Sargent’s four-course final menu was a masterclass in precision, detail, and technical prowess. The star? His third plate: ‘Dad’s Fajitas’, a deconstructed, elevated beef fajita that paid homage to the man who had been instrumental in his culinary journey.
As the winner of Next Gen Chef S1, Sargent is now half a million dollars richer, with even more culinary doors open for him to explore and conquer. But who’s the mane behind the chef whites and fine dining know-how? Here’s everything we know.
9 things to know about Andrew Sargent, the winner of Next Gen Chef S1
Leadership comes naturally to him
Having led chefs on several occasions in the Next Gen Chef kitchen, Sargent has proven himself an able leader. He believes in “putting himself in a position to succeed”, and his organisation and prep work are next level.
He lost his father at age 13
The subject of Sargent’s culinary inspirations comes up a lot in Next Gen Chef, with the aspiring culinary legend crediting his family for guiding his path today. While he sadly lost his father when he was just 13 years old, Sargent shares, “He taught us the importance of following through on things you said you were gonna do, and that’s brought me here.” He later added, “I got a lot out of the 13 years that I had with my dad. He made a really big impact.”
He used to bake bread for his mother
Over the season, Sargent shares that he and his sister used to bake bread for their mother, who herself is an excellent purveyor of cornbread. He ultimately takes inspiration from his mother’s cornbread for the dessert course of his final menu, saying, “This is me just sometimes wanting to go home and be cooked for by my mom.”
He once weighed over 300 lbs
Serving up a healthier version of Southern comfort food, Sargent shares with the judges that he once weighed over 300 lbs (about 150 kg), and that he realised something had to change when he was winded after walking up a hill.
He does not have a formal culinary education
Sargent honed his culinary skills and techniques at home, where cooking formed the fabric of his family life. He then spent six years in the New York fine dining scene learning from the best in the game.
Legendary chef Daniel Boulud is his former boss
Prior to his role at Per Se, Sargent spent time working with the legendary chef Daniel Boulud in his New York City restaurant, Restaurant Daniel. The two were reunited briefly in the fine dining challenge of Next Gen Chef, where he also demonstrated an ability to speak some basic French.
His dream job is to work in Waffle House
Most chefs vie for a chance to work with Michelin-starred chefs — such as chef Thomas Keller, for whom Sargent currently works as sous chef of Per Se. However, Sargent’s dream is to work at a Waffle House. In episode 3 of Next Gen Chef, he shares, “My dream job is at a Waffle House. Waffle House, if you’re looking, come and find me.”
He wants to change the way we look at Southern Americana food
While fellow contestant and finalist Courtney sought to highlight (but elevate) the heartwarming familiarity of Southern comfort food, Sargent’s take on Southern cuisine is one that leads from health. His cooking draws inspiration from the core tenets of Southern food — flavours, textures, and technique, while also highlighting how they can be made lighter and healthier. Sargent has shared that his goal is to help people see that Southern food isn’t always reliant on meat as a prime protein.
He’s a newlywed
Sargent married his new wife, Rachel Sargent, last year on May 24, 2024. They live together in New York City, where they share a pet cat and a puppy named Melon. The duo are frequent flyers who love exploring new places and cultures together.
(Main and featured images: @rachiwanicki/Instagram, @chefandrewsargent/Instagram)
This article first appeared here
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.