America's Test Kitchen: The Next Generation - Season 2

First aired: 3/31/2025 10 episodes

Host Jeannie Mai and head judge Dan Souza return to mentor and guide 11 aspiring cooks as they compete for the job of a lifetime. In the end, one cook will become the newest ATK cast member, receive an option for a cookbook, and win $100,000. Who has what it takes?

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Episodes

1. Demos and Dishes

Aired: 4/1/2025

It’s the start of a search for the newest face of ATK. For the Task, 11 cooks are thrown into a media challenge. Then in the Test challenge, they must prepare a dish that made them fall in love with cooking. One cook will be sent home. Season 1 Winner, Antoinette Johnson, joins Dan Souza, Jack Bishop, Julia Collin Davison and Elle Simone Scott for the start of a fiercely battled competition.

2. Great Egg-Spectations

Aired: 4/1/2025

It’s only week two in the test kitchen and the competition is fire! Head Judge Dan Souza is back with Cook’s Country’s Morgan Bolling and Jeannie Mae hosts. The Task examines the cooks' egg techniques. It’s no yolk! Then, the Test challenges the cooks to make comfort food with a twist! Baker and television personality, Bryan Ford, joins the kitchen as the guest judge.

3. A Perfect Blend of Cooks

Aired: 4/1/2025

It’s health week in the kitchen. First, the remaining nine cooks must create a 90-second solo demo with a blender and a mystery ingredient. Then in the Test challenge, the cooks must pick from one of ATK’s cookbooks and create a dish that could seamlessly fit in. Chef and model, Ronnie Woo guest judges.

4. Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

Aired: 4/1/2025

This week, the 8 remaining cooks must team up in pairs to tackle a media challenge showcasing simple how-tos. Then in the Test challenge, they team up again to create a meal fit for a modern dinner party. Guest Judge, Melissa King, along with Dan Souza and Jack Bishop, will decide which team is on top, and which cook from the bottom team will be leaving the Test Kitchen for good.

5. Un-Boxing Day

Aired: 4/1/2025

This week, the Task challenge has the cooks faced with mystery ingredients picked by ATK's beloved cast. Cooks Country star Bryan Roof stops by to offer his favorite ingredients and help judge the cooks' dishes. In the Test, the legendary Pati Jinich presents our cooks with the unique challenge of creating a dish with only four ingredients!

6. Parties and Holiday Feasts

Aired: 4/1/2025

It’s a party this week at America’s Test Kitchen! The 6 remaining cooks compete in challenges revolving around party food. The Task dares them to make an appetizer version of popular ATK main courses. Then Jeannie recruits the cooks’ own family members to bring the holidays to the Test Kitchen. Chef Joe Sasto joins judges Dan Souza and Julia Collin Davison in an emotional and celebratory episode.

7. It's an Abbondanza!

Aired: 4/1/2025

After a surprising test with no elimination, 6 cooks still remain. This week, the Task is to create, style and photograph a gift basket with a unique flavor profile. The winner gets a secret advantage! Next, we're going around the world in the Test with three-dish cuisine-themed food towers. Comedian Punkie Johnson guests.

8. I'm on a Boat!

Aired: 4/1/2025

We’re down to the Final Five and the competition is fierce. This time, the cooks are going on a field trip! After spending a wonderful morning at Island Creek, the cooks must prepare two cooked oyster dishes in the Task Challenge. For the Test Challenge, the cooks are asked to impress guest judge Vivian Tu with their use of expensive ingredients and fine dining cuisine skills.

9. Put Everything on the Table

Aired: 4/1/2025

Today in the Test Kitchen, the final four cooks have four hours to put together a cohesive, three-course meal. The catch: they must include one affordable cut of meat. Guest Richard Blais joins judges Dan Souza, Jack Bishop, and Elle Simone Scott in deciding which three cooks will make it to the finale, and who will be saying goodbye to the Test Kitchen for the final time.

10. The Final Interview

Aired: 4/1/2025

It all comes down to this. The three remaining cooks must impress the judges as they prepare two dishes that represent their cookbook’s theme. Then, they produce a photo shoot of their dishes before doing a live 7-minute demo alongside Julia on the ATK stage. Finally, our cooks must pitch the judges why they should join the ATK team. In the end, one winner is crowned!