Suvechha Sarkar
Season 4 of Fox’s ‘Next Level Chef’ has been a fierce cook-off competition, which once again introduced a group of culinary talents before the audience. Austin Beckett stood out from the very beginning among the eight professional chefs. He always relied on precision and creativity and possessed a calm and collective demeanor. As the challenges intensified, so did his focus, allowing him to fly through each level consistently. This paved the path for him to be among the three finalists. Ultimately, Austin emerged victorious, impressing mentors and securing the grand prize of $250,000, as well as a year-long mentorship from Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais.
Austin Beckett Has Been Thriving in the Culinary Scene as a Private Chef
Austin Beckett’s culinary journey is a testament to both talent and tenacity. His passion for cooking gradually began to take shape when he was asked to fill in for an absent chef in a restaurant where he worked as a dishwasher. Ultimately, he decided to lay a strong foundation with his academics. Austin enrolled at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, Illinois, pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training. Although he graduated in 2013, he was already gaining professional experience. The chef’s career started in March 2011, when he joined the St Clair Country Club as a Lead Line Cook. He worked in this position until April 2015, before he stepped into the world of five-star hospitality by joining Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a Cook 2.
Austin’s dedication ultimately helped him climb the ladder to become a Chef de Partie there. He continued to work there until November 2020. Unfortunately, his journey was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic when he was laid off. The chef took this opportunity to travel across Asia with his partner until November 2021. During that time, he explored new flavours and cultures that would later influence his culinary style. By December of the same year, Austin returned to Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, reclaiming his role as Chef De Partie, and continued to serve until June 2023. He then transitioned to a Private Chef position at Robbins Research International before moving on in August 2024. However, he had already begun his latest chapter before leaving this role. Austin became a Private Chef for Quouge Capital in March 2024 and has worked there ever since.
Austin Runs a Luxury Dining Service and Shares Recipes on Social Media
Along his culinary journey, Austin has prepared incredible dishes alongside renowned chefs like Gerard Craft and Mauro Colagreco. Currently, he serves as a Private Chef to several high-net-worth clients and specializes in crafting exquisite Italian, Japanese, French, Filipino, and Brazilian preparations. Alongside this, Austin has also founded Double Shift LLC, which is a luxury private dining service. The company offers its clients everything from catering and curated tasting to cooking classes and full-scale private chef experiences. His clients can book the services online for occasions ranging from weddings to corporate functions.
However, Austin has not just restricted himself to the boundaries of the kitchen. He has a namesake YouTube channel where he shares engaging cooking clips and delicious recipes with his fans. In April 2024, Austin launched an Instagram page named Oui Jefe to document his signature recipes and behind-the-scenes culinary creations. He boasts over 4K followers on the platform and showcases dishes like Truffle Mushroom Hummus, Raviolo, and many more. Ultimately, his growing influence has also caught media attention. In December 2024, Austin was featured in Forbes as one of the esteemed chefs defining private dining.
In early 2025, Austin and his former competitors from the show arranged an exclusive multi-city dining tour, known as The Seventh Course. The series began on March 8 in Dallas, Texas, and featured a seven-course Korean and Japanese-inspired menu for one night. On March 28, they brought the same immersive experience to West Palm Beach, Florida, with a Lebanese and Mediterranean-inspired menu. In April, the chefs announced that the places for the dining event in Chicago, Washington State, had been completely sold out.
Austin’s World Revolves Around His Family and Furry Pup
Beyond his professional life, Austin’s heart belongs to his family. According to him, his journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of his parents, Shawn and Keli. From the beginning, they stood by him, encouraging his dreams and even backing his decision to attend culinary school. Another significant cherished part of Austin’s life is his wife, Pichie Lim. The two began dating on July 22, 2019. After a few years of getting to know one another and realizing they are the one for each other, they opened a new chapter of their lives in July 2021, when the chef proposed to her. In November of the same year, they ended up sharing their vows in the presence of their loved ones. In November 2024, Austin and Pichie celebrated their third anniversary with a romantic dinner. It was a quiet yet meaningful moment for the duo, who have built a life on the foundations of love and mutual support.
From hiking together to snowboarding, Austin and Pichie are truly each other’s partners in adventure. Aside from this, their long travel itineraries reflect a blend of spontaneity and romance. They visited the Great Sand Dune National Park and Preserve in August 2019, and even dined in an aquarium in Bali, Indonesia, during their July 2024 getaway. In January 2024, the duo explored the vibrant streets of Tokyo and Mount Fuji, Japan, followed by a trip to Hong Kong, China, in the same month. Adding a touch of warmth to their home is Lady, their adorable pup. To Austin, she is not just a pet but a family member.
From beach visits to riding together during an impromptu drive, Lady is part of nearly every memory Austin makes. The chef has also maintained a close friendship with the former contestants from ‘Next Level Chef’ season 4. Besides this, he often loves to immerse himself in the serenity of nature. Austin loves outdoor activities, and it often leads him to hike beautiful trails or even ski in the snowy mountains of Colorado. He also enjoys scuba diving, further highlighting that he is living the life of his dream with his partner and furry baby by his side.
Read More: Next Level Chef Season 4 Episode 13 Recap: Always Crust Your Instincts
