24 chefs. 24 hours. 24 challenges. Food Network's hit series '24 In 24: Last Chef Standing' is back for season 2

Hosts Michael Symon & Esther Choi welcome new roster of elite competitors in return of groundbreaking series

Food Network Press Release & Photo

The culinary world’s most ambitious and grueling competition is back for a second season this spring with the return of “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing,” hosted by Michael Symon and Esther Choi.

Shot in real time, the hosts have gathered a group of 24 talented and fearless chefs for 24 challenges over the course of 24 straight hours. Skill, creativity and stamina are tested while the clock never stops – and only one competitor will survive to become the last chef standing and win $75,000. The challenges are divided into eight shifts that reflect the all-consuming intensity of a chef’s daily life, with each focusing on a different skill like speed, resourcefulness, artistry and adaptability in front of guest judges. With contenders ranging from Gen Z prodigies and renowned restaurant chefs to Food Network veterans and an Iron Chef, the “24 in 24” arena is filled with culinary stars who must conquer major twists and turns, all while battling fatigue and each other.

“24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” season two premieres Sunday, April 27 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Food Network and streaming the next day on MAX.

“ ‘24 in 24’ is a wild ride – we knew having a culinary competition play out over 24 hours in real time would be risky, but the experiment could not have gone better and delivered our newest hit,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Season two is even more unpredictable; these chefs are using every drop of skill, confidence and adrenaline to make it through a whole new gauntlet of challenges, making this show a must-watch.”

The 24 competing chefs are: Elia Aboumrad, Brittanny Anderson, Gabe Bertaccini, Samantha Cruz, Leslie Daniel, Richie Farina, Ilan Hall, Stephanie Izard, Kevin Lee, Arturo Leighton, Laurence Louie, Star Maye, Kelsey Murphy, Marc Murphy, Nini Ngyuen, Kathleen O’Brien, Damaris Phillips, Michele Ragussis, Zurisadai “Zuri” Resendiz, Jonathan Sawyer, Ashleigh Shanti, Lawrence “LT” Smith, Bryan Voltaggio and Dara Yu.

In the supersized season premiere, hosts Symon and Choi welcome 24 of the country’s most talented and fearless chefs to compete in the most intense competition of all time – 24 challenges in 24 nonstop hours. In the first shift, the chefs must endure three challenges testing speed. Those that impress expert judge Antonia Lofaso survive, and whoever does not is forced to clock out. When Symon and Choi introduce the all-important golden knife, the chefs learn this epic day of cooking will be full of twists and turns, but only those that can adjust on the fly have a chance to be the last chef standing.

Over the next 24 hours, the competition tackles different shifts that test aspects of being a chef. After the premiere’s speed challenge, themes include simplicity, resourcefulness, artistry, adaptability, teamwork, risk taking and elevation. The five-week season’s two-hour episodes culminate in the finale on Sunday, May 25, where only the last chef standing declares victory and wins $75,000.

Fans can check out Food Network's social channels all season using #24in24 to go behind-the-scenes of this epic competition, meet the chefs who are preparing to cook for 24 hours straight, tour the set with hosts Symon and Choi and hear from all the judges about how they'd approach their challenging shifts. Viewers can also head to FoodNetwork.com for “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” news, updates and competitor information.