A show of a highly acclaimed Emmy-winning host won’t be returning to NBC for a second run. The show premiered in April 2025 but has already been canceled after just one season.
NBC cancels Martha Stewart’s Yes, Chef! after Season 1
NBC has decided to pull the plug on Yes, Chef!, confirming the cooking competition will not return in 2026. Instead, the network plans to stack its summer schedule with proven crowd-pleasers like America’s Got Talent and American Ninja Warrior, along with newer titles such as Surviving Earth and Season 3 of Password (via Deadline).
The competition itself brought together 12 skilled chefs who entered the show after being nominated by people close to them, friends, family members, coworkers, or even bosses. Throughout the season, mentors Martha Stewart and José Andrés put the contestants through demanding kitchen challenges.
The tasks tested more than just cooking talent. Judges also looked at teamwork, attitude, and how much the chefs grew along the way. In the end, the top competitor walked away with a $250,000 grand prize backed by Purely Elizabeth.
The numbers for Yes, Chef! stayed fairly modest during its run on NBC. The premiere pulled in about 1.5 million viewers and landed a 0.14 rating in the key demo. According to data from Nielsen using live+same-day metrics, the ratings didn’t shift much across the season and stayed in a similar range.
Online reactions painted a mixed picture. On IMDb, the series sits around a 4.6 out of 10. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, audience feedback felt divided. Many viewers enjoyed the easy chemistry between Martha Stewart and José Andrés, but others reportedly felt it was riddled with drama and repetitive challenges.
Cooking competitions often face a quick exit if ratings don’t justify the production budget. Even with recognizable hosts and interesting challenges, Yes, Chef! had trouble standing out in a crowded field of food shows. Fans liked the mentorship angle and creative dishes, but the series ultimately couldn’t lock down a long-term slot in NBC’s packed summer lineup.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on ComingSoon.
