He didn't win. Honestly, that’s the first thing people usually bring up when you mention Zach Next Level Chef finalist Zach Laidlaw. He stood there on that top-tier kitchen floor in the season 3 finale, watching Gabi Chappel take the title. It felt like a gut punch to a lot of viewers. Why? Because for the better part of the season, Zach was the guy to beat. He was Richard Blais’s first pick for a reason.
Actually, he was the first pick of the entire draft.
Most people watch reality TV and see a "character." They see the guy from Maui who lost his home in the Lahaina fires. That story is true, and it’s heavy. But if you only focus on the tragedy, you’re missing the actual technical powerhouse that Gordon Ramsay and Nyesha Arrington were constantly critiquing—and praising. Zach wasn't just a "story" contestant. He was a professional chef with two decades of dirt under his fingernails and a level of grit that you just don't see in the social media era of cooking.
Why the Judges Were Obsessed With Zach Laidlaw
You’ve got to understand the dynamic of Next Level Chef. It’s not just about the food. It’s about the platform. Zach came into the competition at 34 years old, which is basically a veteran in the culinary world. He started as a dishwasher at 13 in Illinois. By 16, he was on the line. He did the work. He went to Elgin Community College, got the degrees, and then traveled the world—Chicago, Miami, the British Virgin Islands, Australia.
By the time he hit the Next Level Chef stage, he was the Executive Chef at Hua Momona Farms. He wasn't some kid trying to figure out how to sear a scallop. He already knew.
The Blais Factor
Richard Blais basically hitched his entire season to Zach. It was kind of a gamble. While Gordon Ramsay was busy micromanaging and Nyesha Arrington was focused on "editing" her chefs (basically telling them to stop putting 50 ingredients on a plate), Blais gave Zach a lot of room. Maybe too much.
Critics of the show often point out that Zach’s biggest weakness was his inability to self-edit. He’s a "more is more" kind of guy. Think back to the finale. He made bad calls on all three dishes. He was trying to do too much, too fast, with too many components. It’s a common trap for pros who have a massive repertoire; you want to show the judges everything you can do in 30 minutes, and suddenly your plate looks like a crowded elevator.
The Lahaina Fire and the "Why" Behind the Food
It’s impossible to talk about Zach Next Level Chef without mentioning the wildfires. A month before he flew to Ireland to film, his life was incinerated. He was homeless. He was in debt. He was literally cooking for thousands of displaced people in Maui while his own house was ashes.
He almost didn't go.
He’s gone on record saying he felt a massive amount of guilt for leaving his community during the recovery. But he realized that the show was a megaphone. If he won—or even if he just stayed on screen—he could talk about Maui. He could keep the focus on the island when the news cycle inevitably moved on. That pressure is different from the pressure of a ticking clock in a basement kitchen. It’s the kind of weight that makes a chef either crumble or become untouchable.
What Actually Happened in the Finale?
A lot of fans on Reddit and Twitter (well, X) still argue that Zach was the best chef in the room. In terms of pure technical skill? Maybe. But the finale of Season 3 was a masterclass in why "better" doesn't always mean "winner."
- Gabi Chappel (the winner) had a clear, focused narrative on her plates.
- Christina Miros had the "growth" arc that judges love.
- Zach Laidlaw had the skill, but he fumbled the execution when it mattered most.
There was that moment with the venison and the garnishes where things just felt... off. Ramsay was helping Christina with her rack of venison, which sparked a whole debate about whether the show was "rigged" for a certain outcome. But the truth is simpler: Zach overcomplicated his vision. In a 30-minute sprint, the chef who makes the fewest mistakes wins, not necessarily the one with the most complex resume.
Life After the Basement: Where is Zach Now?
If you think Zach faded into the background after the finale, you haven't been paying attention. He didn't go back to Maui to just hide away. He went back to Hua Momona Farms and doubled down on his mission.
He’s currently the Vice President of Experiences at the farm. He’s doing these wild 5-to-12-course tasting menus that focus on microgreens and small-batch vegetables. It’s high-end, farm-to-table stuff that actually justifies the "Next Level" title. He’s also been doing the pop-up circuit, hitting food and wine festivals, and leaning into the brand deals that come with being a Ramsay-approved finalist.
He’s even hinted at wanting a shot at the Food Network. Honestly? He’d probably crush it. He has that "troublemaker kid turned pro" energy that works well on camera.
Misconceptions About the Show
People think the kitchens are just sets. They aren't. Zach has talked about the physical toll of the basement kitchen—the heat, the lack of equipment, the "grab whatever you can" scramble. When you see him sweating and looking frantic, it’s not for the cameras. It’s because he’s trying to cook a five-star meal on a hot plate with a dull knife.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Chefs
Looking at Zach’s journey, there are a few things anyone trying to "level up" their cooking (or their career) can take away. It’s not just about the recipes.
- The "Edit" is Everything: You can be the most talented person in the room, but if you can’t simplify your message, you’ll lose to someone with half your skill who knows how to focus.
- Fundamental Grit Wins: Zach’s 21 years of experience didn't guarantee him a win, but it guaranteed him a career. He could lose everything in a fire and still have the skills to build a new life from scratch.
- Networking vs. Talent: He got onto Next Level Chef because of a mix of talent and the connections he made over two decades. He knew people from Chicago to Hawaii.
- Community Matters: The reason Zach is still successful isn't just because he can cook; it’s because he showed up for Maui when it mattered. That built a level of local loyalty that no TV show can buy.
If you’re looking to follow in those footsteps, start with the basics. Don't worry about the "molecular" stuff Zach likes until you can sear a piece of protein perfectly in a basement with no ventilation. That’s the real test.
Next time you’re watching a replay of season 3, look past the drama. Watch how Zach moves in the kitchen. There’s a fluidity there that only comes from thousands of hours on the line. He might not have the trophy, but he definitely has the respect of every pro who watched him.
What to Do Next
If you want to support Zach's mission, look into Hua Momona Farms in Maui. They’re still doing incredible work with local agriculture and disaster relief. You can also catch his latest pop-up dates on his social channels—he’s frequently traveling between Hawaii and the mainland for exclusive dining events. Supporting the chefs who use their platform for their community is the best way to keep the spirit of the show alive.