The Hard Rock culinary wizard they call “Chef Too Hype” is returning to the Food Network to compete in a cooking challenge a year after winning the praise of famed host Guy Fieri.
Leslie Daniel, the executive chef at Japanese steakhouse Kuro in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, will appear later this month on the second season of Last Chef Standing. In 2024, Daniel was victorious in an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games on the Food Network. That appearance showed off Daniel’s infectious personality as he defeated two other chefs in various cooking challenges.
Daniel took home $16,000 from his appearance on the Food Network last season, highlighting his expertise honed through his years crafting a menu and meals for the Atlantic City hotel and casino in New Jersey. His celebrity is well earned. In both 2023 and 2024, USA Today named Kuro the top hotel restaurant in the nation. In 2020 under his leadership, the establishment was named the No. 1 casino restaurant.
Visitors to Kuro at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City have been delighting in food creations by Daniel since 2018. The menu includes sushi, maki, wagyu, lobster, other beef dishes, and more. The drink menu offers imported beers, sake, local beers, as well as whiskey and other liquors. Hard Rock describes the Kuro cuisine as “new-style Japanese featuring contemporary artisanal dishes using locally sourced and imported ingredients directly from Japan.”
In Last Chef Standing, the competitors will compete in 24 challenges over the course of 24 hours. The format promises a grueling battle for contestants who must be artful and precise while battling fatigue and culinary challenges. The cooking segments will present various requirements of skill and cooking ability. Each chef will be required to display a variety of experience. According to the Food Network, episode one will focus on speed.
Where to watch Last Chef Standing on The Food Network
Season two of Last Chef Standing will debut on Sunday, April 27, at 8 p.m. ET. This season is dubbed 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, because of the 24 chefs who will compete for the top prize under the watchful eye of hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi. The judge is famed restauranteur and chef Antonia Lofaso.
There will be five weeks and five shows in season two of Last Chef Standing. The champion chef will be crowned in the final episode on May 25. The winner of Last Chef Standing season two will win a $75,000 prize.
