A new Netflix show airing Sept. 17 was filmed solely in Dutchess County.
Netflix’s “Next Gen Chef,” an elite cooking competition series, was filmed at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.
In this “cutthroat” competition, according to Netflix, 21 young chefs will work for the title of “generational talent” and a substantial $500,000 prize.
The first seven episodes will air on Sept. 17, the season finale will air on Sept. 24.
Why was ‘Next Gen Chef’ filmed in Hyde Park?
Timothy Ryan, The Culinary Institute of America chancellor who served as executive producer and co-creator of “Next Gen Chef,” said in an email statement the college has been approached by “many production companies over the years to do various shows.”
“Next Gen Chef” was the one show they didn’t decline.
“In this case, it was the combination of a talented and professional group of executive producers coupled with Netflix — the world’s largest media platform — and the CIA’s deep involvement that made this project so compelling,” Ryan said. “The series was years in the making.”
What to expect from ‘Next Gen Chef’
The 21 competitors, under the age of 30, according to The Culinary Institute of America’s site, will endure a series of tests devised by the school.
Plus, viewers will see the campus, facilities, faculty and alumni featured.
Model and actress Olivia Culpo, who is a former Miss Rhode Island USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe, will host along with CIA alumni Kelsey Barnard Clark, ’11, a former “Top Chef” winner, and Carlton McCoy, ’06, of “Nomad with Carlton McCoy.”
Here’s what you need to know about “Next Gen Chef.”
Where, when was ‘Next Gen Chef’ filmed?
Filmed on the Hyde Park Culinary Institute of America campus through much of July 2024, “Next Gen Chef” features the entire campus.
From the residence halls to the library, and of course, their restaurants, kitchens and bake shops, this Dutchess County college is taking a global spotlight.
But more specifically, Ryan noted, both Boardroom and Farquharson Halls play crucial roles.
“The series does a terrific job in highlighting why the CIA has been named one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country,” he said.
How filming ‘Next Gen Chef’ at the CIA went; what it means for the school
The shoot was “long and complicated,” according to Ryan, with hundreds of people coming together to make it happen, such as Culinary Institute of America students, faculty, staff and the film crew, but overall, “it went extraordinarily well.”
Watch the credits at the end of the show and you’ll see key CIA contributors acknowledged.
“One of Netflix’s senior executives told me that it was one of the most organized shoots he has ever seen for a new series,” Ryan said.
Though the CIA already has a global reputation, Ryan expects Netflix’s over 300 million subscribers, “which translates into more than 600 million potential viewers,” could significantly boost how many people in the world know about the school and its slice of Hyde Park.
Will there be a ‘Next Gen Chef’ season two?
“Every day was a new and exciting adventure, but the director’s first call of ‘Action!’ on the first day was especially exciting because we had put so much time and effort into getting to that point,” Ryan said.
Watch “Next Gen Chef” on Netflix beginning Sept. 17.
If all goes well with this first season, Ryan said, they may do a second season. There are more CIA faculty and student alumni whom they’d love to highlight.
Being involved in “every aspect of the series from beginning to end,” Ryan said, the experience was “wonderful.”
“I enjoyed watching our faculty, staff, students and alumni shine, and I am very proud of how the series came out,” Ryan said. “I think it will be fascinating for the viewers and a terrific global showcase for the college.”
(This story has been updated to add new information and a photo.)
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: What is ‘Next Gen Chef’? Behind the scenes of Netflix show filmed in Dutchess County
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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