Grand Rapids Jared Veldheer is Cooking With Gordon Ramsay

So, last night my wife Susie and I were dialing around the TV and found the show, Next Level Chef on Fox. It looked interesting; Gordon Ramsay is doing it, so we took a chance and tuned in.

The premise is to find the Next Level Chef or superstar from a group of home chefs. These are not pros, but not slouches. To make it on the show they do have to be talented chefs in their own right, and Gordon and his posse take them under their wings as they face unique cooking challenges.

Guess who turned out to be on the show?

It was Grand Rapids native and former NFL star offensive tackle, having played for the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, Jared Veldheer! We were blown away.

Jared played for Forest Hills Northern High School, Hillsdale College, and was then drafted into the NFL. That isn't easy not coming from a major college football program, but Jared was no ordinary football player and enjoyed a super career in the NFL before retiring.

So what does a retired NFL player do with his time? How about cooking? He found a new love and interest while honing his skills at home, and took charge of lunch at St. Paul the Apostle School. Go figure, he's a "lunch lady," okay, a "lunch man." His food is killing it at the school, and students are gobbling it up. Parents are asking if he would do takeout!

👇 BELOW: ARE YOU A HOME CHEF? HERE ARE HILARIOUS EPIC FAILS! 👇

So now Jared Veldheer is on Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef and has made it to the top level. Next, he teams up with the other remaining home chefs, along with one of the show's mentors - it could be Gordon - and has to cook through more challenges.

What does the winner win?

$250,000 and a one-year mentorship under all three mentors. Not too shabby!

Go Jared!

WATCH THE FUN EPISODE OF NEXT LEVEL CHEF!