4 Levels of Boneless Wings: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Desi, home cook Emily, and and executive chef Ayesha Nurdjaja of Shuka Restaurant in New York City - to make us a batch of boneless wings. Once each level of chef had presented and tasted their creations, we asked expert food scientist Rose to explain the choices each made along the way. Which wings are you opting for, no bones about it?
Keep up with Emily on her KZbin channel at / emilyduncan and on Instagram at @emilyslamduncan
Follow Desi on Instagram at @descomedy
Chef Ayesha is on Instagram at @ayesha_rare & @shukanyc
Follow Rose at @rosemarytrout_foodscience
Director: Chris Principe
Editor: Manolo Moreno
Talent: Desi Johnson
Talent: Emily Duncan
Talent: Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja
Sr. Culinary Director: Kelly Janke
Producer: Tyre Nobles
Associate Producer: Sam Ghee
Culinary Producer: Jessica Do
Culinary Associate Producer: Katrina Zito
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Director of Photography: Jeremy Harris
Camera Operator: Lucas Young
Audio: Rachel Suffian
Production Assistant: Rafael Vasquez
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Graphics, Animation, VFX: Léa Kichler
Still haven’t subscribed to Epicurious on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/epiyoutubesub
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[@epicurious]

Yes, you saw correctly- *Emily is now officially a Level 2 chef!* Hit that like and drop a note below to wish our longtime ketchup ambassador congratulations.

[@benslater3588]

POGGGGGGG

[@jaimemontes-tarango10]

Emily is awesome

[@gibixhegu1612]

She's come a long way since the great ketchup incident of 2019 lol

[@TrinaMoitra]

Emilllllyyyyyyyyyy - congrats. So happy!

[@yuriyumanskiy3916]

You mean no more ketchup in everything?

[@EmilyDuncan]

So honored!! Not over it!! Thank you Epicurious and thank you all! I’ve certainly learned a lot 😅💕

[@pahiramngaxawamo]

congrats queen! !!

[@rjsmiley89]

We love you congratulations

[@Flk0217]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSS EMILY!

[@calmandfree]

Congrats Emily👍🏿👍🏿

[@Delaneyy5]

CONGRATULATIONS EMILY!!!!

[@avatarfan12341234]

Oh my god, Emily's now a level 2 chef!! I've never been prouder in my life!🥲 RIP to the holy trio of Emily, Lorenzo, and Frank

[@skylarjara1667]

SAME!!!

[@ahmeduansar]

RIP to the trio

[@lordautismo9153]

4 Levels of Hamburgers was the first video I watched of this series, and Emily, Lorenzo and Frank were the chefs cooking, RIP to the trio that started my liking to this amazing channel.

[@RavenclawNimbus]

YES! They are the ultimate trio

[@pattersonbrown7884]

What happened to them

[@jaspherdansalan635]

Desi’s cooking is not level 1 cooking, it’s drunk at 3 am and craving for chicken level cooking 😂. More of him pls he’s hilarious!!

[@cartonofmilk2190]

😂😂😂

[@ordelian7795]

It's level one. Your idea of level 1 is just too high.

[@jackchesney3585]

I was literally about to type this exact comment

[@Xardaras]

that IS level 1 cooking.

[@pollypockets508]

He does Crack me up

[@yumichan15]

Look at Emily being a level 2. Our ketchup queen has made it

[@agentkirifuda_shank7071]

Yey😆

[@trynabenobody5285]

OMG YES, I WAS SHOCKED

[@lucianasoriagutierrez5593]

I AM SO PROUD OF OUR QUEEN!

[@NataliaSteck98]

I love cause she predicated this a few years ago. I think was when she switched ingredients with a professional chef.

[@DA_9219]

Her ketchupness has ascended

[@BuddyMills-hg4kh]

Seeing Emily go from 1 to 2 feels like “we made it”😂

[@undertakernumberone1]

in 10 years: "I am Emily, and I've been a chef for..." lol

[@RodrigoBarbosaBR]

@@undertakernumberone1 actually. Can't wait to see her as a lvl 3.

[@David_Jr]

We started at at the bottom, now we're here!

[@GyroCannon]

Even if Emily is level 2 now, Desi carries the mantle of level 1 really well! The low effort, relatable methodology: "I'm gonna leave them in the air fryer for 15 minutes and go play some basketball" Absolute perfect 😂

[@justkillintime3411]

He embodied the sentiment of a level 1 chef 😂😂😂

[@Momentusx3]

Tbh I didn't like the level 1, most of the others at least try to put in some effort with their cooking aside from putting frozen, already cooked food in an air fryer. A 10 year old could probably do that lol

[@JonPawesome]

@@Momentusx3 if a 10 year old can season and fry frozen wings and plate it with a sauce and cut veggies then they sound like an amateur cook to me lol

[@carrot708]

Desi gets that level 1 isn't 'bad' . It's just 'real'

[@estherluciano9623]

@@Momentusx3yeah, I think he’s too lazy for my taste

[@MartyNozz]

Desi is the realest dude amongst dudes. Congrats to Emily for leveling up. She came out strong on this video.

[@seekerandthinker]

Is this video the first time Emily promoted to level 2?

[@MartyNozz]

@@seekerandthinker Yep! She's moving on up!

[@delavidaebella]

Emily becoming level 2 chef is the highlight of my day. Congrats, Emily!

[@Connie_cpu]

I feel like I've been leveling up with her and this step up feels like a step up for all of us!

[@PessOmist]

you could have easily made her the level 1, and just ditched the popcorn chicken

[@dylanchadderton1]

These are just meaningless made up levels anyway but I’m still happy for her always liked her cooking

[@PessOmist]

I just feel insulted that literally a premade meal is in here

[@delavidaebella]

@@Connie_cpu Exactly, esp because I too have become more adjusted to cooking the last few months during my sabbatical (I'm talking about starting from level 0 cooking lol). And with Emily leveling up I now realized that I may have unlocked a lot of cooking skills due to more practices as well.

[@codasyryc]

Emily becoming a Level 2 is like seeing a favorite college athlete get drafted to a professional team. Way to go!

[@tepmurt76]

And it's like you've been watching from the beginning so it's even more satisfying

[@kellenconvery]

Codasyryc: damn right

[@vladimirtchuiev2218]

It's like watching Vinicius Jr. starting as a nervous inefficient dribbler and becoming a world-class player with a 20 goals 20 assists season and the best Brazil's player in the world cup.

[@kendelaigarner2174]

Emily is the underdog of epicurious she went through a character arc and trained her cooking to become a level two chef. I remember when first saw her I instantly think: "Yep this lady will be my favorite." I was surprised that she became a level two Congratulations Emily.

[@RavenclawNimbus]

I wanted her to be a level 2 chef for a long time, I just heard about it

[@nunya148]

The fact that y’all switched from that lady de-boning a chicken wing to him pouring the processed chicken nuggets in a bowl is HILARIOUS!!!

[@mrtlsimon]

Desi was hilarious and showed how to elevate pre-made chicken. Congratulations to Emily for becoming a level 2.

[@nardinadeleon]

This video made me so happy 😊

[@jasonb9562]

Desi is the true Everyman and that brings me hope as someone who is finally taking up cooking

[@peabody1976]

I think Emily getting promoted to Level 2 is the kind of energy we need going forward in 2023, ketchup and all!

[@iarekillerpie]

Just remembering the horror of my first time watching Emily, she put ketchup on her French toast. Look at how far she's come. I feel like I'm watching my kid graduate from college 🥹

[@AS-kq7hw]

I loved the little "graduation" for Emily (I hope she frames that Level 2 Diploma!). Also, I love Desi "can't wait to throw this celery in the garbage". So true 😂

[@nemui8327]

shoutout to Desi for being the recipe that all of us will actually end up doing. Truly a master of efficiency.

[@tinarose9137]

Seriously, I told my husband ours is the one farthest to the left 😂

[@nardinadeleon]

I love him 😂

[@chuyito7095]

sewerslvt pfp 😱😱

[@maryharris1894]

As a stay at home mom yes his recipe is best. Not much work

[@lordsergal8783]

@@Sletchman Perhaps do the opposite? Instead of spicing up the chicken, you could use it to spice up something else, like Ramen. Oh, you can also throw a washed egg in the water while cooking the noodles for a soft boiled egg. Finish with everything bagel seasoning and it should be ready right as the chicken comes out.

[@lawrencel6516]

Seeing Emily as a level 2 chef legitimately floored me. Best character arc.

[@dutexasgamer]

Emily: Just you wait

[@tom_something]

I want to eat all three. Desi shows that low effort doesn't have to mean low quality, augmenting the bottled barbecue sauce with his own spice blend. Emily is so inspirational, with her innate curiosity that has led to her recent "promotion" (congratulations!) and exploring new flavor combinations. And Ayesha.... I mean, I didn't even _know_ a flat could be deboned and stuffed. I see the labor _and_ the love, and I bet it tastes phenomenal. Gimme six of each to start, please.

[@azraphon]

Emily has been a level 2 in our hearts for so long! Good for her!

[@CrazyneroLP]

Emily is the human Version of Ratatouilles Quote "Everyone can Cook" And she just made it, i think i speak die everyone if i salute to her ♥️

[@JRodosama]

Agreed, except it's "anyone" can cook, specified at the end of the movie that not "everyone" can cook, but an excellent chef can come from anywhere (or can be anyone regardless of their past)

[@elizzledizzleful]

I literally screamed EMILY when she was announced a level 2!!! Congrats girl 👏

[@LauraJean3]

I did, too!!!!!!!!

[@naveenramkumar6123]

OMG so did i

[@amandadoyle2118]

Congrats Emily!!!!! Little sad that this means no more Emily and Lorenzo videos, but super happy for Emily! You're a legend :)

[@madyhatter17]

Emily, I am so proud of you 👏🏻 congrats on being a level 2 chef! 🎊

[@daveplaysdestiny]

Omg Emily at level 2!! I hope she gets to choose whether to be level 1 or 2 depending on the amount of effort she wants to put into it

[@farronroboff255]

This is the BEST response for dear Emily.

[@swadhaa5643]

IT TOOK ME FOUR MINUTES TO REALISE THAT EMILY IS A HOME COOK NOW OMG

[@beashemmad.sayson545]

Same, i realized it when Rose said congrats

[@belalabusultan5911]

the real winner here is whoever is living with her, they eat better now.

[@PaulLoh]

Desi is freaking hilarious. And I'm so glad that Emily is moving on up.

[@peytonlbeyer]

I remember her from her humble beginnings making french toast 🥺 So proud at how she has progressed!!!!

[@Dharzhak]

Holy hell, Desi is hilarious. I really hope we see a lot more of him. Get him in a room with Emily, Lorenzo and Frank and it'd be a week before I'd stop laughing

[@sergeykens5189]

I could not understand much of what he said.

[@HTMLguruLady2]

No, please do not bring him back! He is absolutely the LAZIEST person they have ever had on this show!

[@wandasetzer1469]

@@sergeykens5189 There is closed captioning for this video, so probably for all of the Epicurious videos. I haven't used it though. I can understand him.

[@wogwegw]

Frank be like: so first we gotta build our house

[@t-momusic]

Emily becoming a Level 2 chef is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever seen on this channel!

[@LakshayKukreja11]

Emily didn't just level up her cooking skills, but also her personality! She has become more and more fun to watch! Level 2 Chef. Level 10 Personality!

[@jacekmaraj1774]

I've been watching Emily for years now, and seeing her turn into level 2 makes me feel like my life has been progressed a lot. So proud of all of us ❤️

[@DarthSears]

Congrats to Emily. But also, Desi is so unbelievably relatable. He's great.

[@HTMLguruLady2]

He's a loser!

[@DarthSears]

@@HTMLguruLady2 That's what makes him so relatable.

[@taddykabba9100]

He’s waaaayyy too funny 💀

[@diaryofablackspinster]

This is a really fun combination of chefs! Love how detailed chef Ayesha her techniques really shine. Desi is laid back, funny, and loves his food for what it is- simple, convenient, and tasty. Plus Emily has been nice to watch as she’s literally leveled up in front of our eyes thru the series!

[@IsaacAtap]

Thank you Ayesha for cracking the code that boneless wings DO exist! 🙌🏿

[@dawnt0pia]

Welcome back to Desi and Ayesha and also congrats to Emily on being a level 2 chef! 👏🏻✨️

[@clueless3773]

Congratulations to Emily for the status of being a Level 2 chef. One day, she will reach Level 3!

[@xanderscookingschool1497]

I think for that, she'd actually need a job in a restaurant.

[@xanderscookingschool1497]

Professionally.

[@HTMLguruLady2]

Not unless she works in a restaurant for a long, long time or goes to culinary school, and then works in a restaurant. Level 1 and level 2 are NOT chefs, they are home cooks. Epicurious calling them chefs is an INSULT to real chefs.

[@StormCrusher94]

It took me a while to process that Emily, Queen of Ketchup, is now a level 2, congratulations to her. And her wings looked pretty good to. Incorporating a few techniques helps a lot. Now she just needs to start growing her carefully sorted tomatoes and bring her homemade ketchup to the next episode.

[@belalabusultan5911]

she already made a commentary video on all kinds of ketchup there is, reviewing different brands and comparing them. I guess home-made ketchup is the next step, fresh taste with no perservatives, and the ingredients could be adjusted for taste or recipe, thicker sauce for fries, more acidic sauce for burgers, milder sauce for hotdogs etc...

[@Jordi6304]

True level 3 material right there

[@a_karch]

When she'll be level 3, she'll just make the most fancy ketchup from scratch

[@CLB30ROX]

Desi is exactly what this show needs. Also, congrats Emily🎉🎊

[@OriginalElysian]

Words can't describe how happy Emily becoming Level 2 makes me! So happy to see this series still going strong!

[@christopherchia8101]

All of these chefs were fantastic! Desi’s commentary was AMAZING - I drooled laughing so much. More of him! Also, congrats Emily!

[@crloscee]

i feel like such a proud parent seeing emily as a level 2 chef 🥲

[@DancePants91]

I like that Emily actually upgraded to level 2! I love seeing people bettering themselves and working at things they really enjoy!

[@blackpow3r]

The evolution of Emily to level 2 chef has been a long time in the making!! Thank you for sharing her journey and show that anyone can level up in cooking!! 🏆

[@TheLowstef]

Emily has been level 2 in my heart for a while now. CONGRATS!

[@SirOshi]

Agreed the last few times she showed up on here she was much better than you'd expect out of a Lvl 1. This was well overdue.

[@xdtrix24]

Emily becoming a level 2 chef is a W. And desi is way tooo funny we need more of him.

[@Jes-yk5jp]

Also, thanks for bringing Ayesha back, I absolutely love the way she cooks

[@lianthelioness7882]

I'm impressed Emily's gone a long way. She'll always be my favourite level 1 chef. It is exciting to see what she does as a level 2 chef.

[@EvilMoW]

Now I wanna see a playlist of Emilys' videos in chronological order. Watch her journey to level 2! Onward to level 3!

[@gerardacronin334]

Congratulations Emily! 🇨🇦 Your promotion made my day. Well deserved!

[@joshuacampagna1175]

Watching Emily grow from a level 1 to a level 2 chef brings a tear to my eye.

[@DelroyNedd0409]

Emily (officially) being a level 2 chef honestly made my day. She’s been one unofficially for a while now

[@eleazarevanmoeljono8804]

This combination sort of reminds me of the earlier episodes of 4 levels where the cook’s screen time ratio was 1:2:3. Feels nostalgic yet rewarding because the OG Emily is now level 2! What a character development!

[@Maya-wk6br]

Congrats to Emily moving up to lvl 2, love Desi's energy in these 4 lvl videos, and Ayesha's wings look delicious.

[@aaronwalcott513]

I've been following these guys since 2019. It's great to see Emily level up at last. Also, keep that Desi guy. He's funny!!

[@alexisgeiser4387]

I feel so proud of Emily idk. Her growth is amazing to see.

[@ryodark]

Desi, great job keepin it real. Your dish is the only one I’d probably get my lazy butt to make 😅 Emily, Grats on your graduation to rank 2! In another couple years maybe you’ll be the Level 3 chef 🎉 Ayesha, well done being the only chef to actually use fresh wings in this wing challenge lol 😂

[@renato2354]

I'm going to drink an entire bottle of ketchup to celebrate this very special moment. Congrats Emily, you really deserve this promotion! (Rose if you happen to read this, can I die from drinking an entire bottle of Ketchup?)

[@kailaoconnor4538]

I think at most you'll get heart burn from it. It can't be as bad as drinking a whole bottle of ranch... I have seen horrors involving people chugging ranch... so much gagging, I was in the front row seat... The. splash zone if you will...

[@pyromania3764]

I had to double take when I saw Emily is now officially level two. We love character growth, absolutely inspiring!

[@MekleetF]

Emily, her ketchup, and her character arc have been a true delight. Congratulations Emily!

[@loriki8766]

Wow! These all look great BUT I like Desi's, they're so simple to make and they look delicious. I like my wings with carrots & celery NOT radishes or turnips or stuffing.

[@siphillis]

Emily is an inspiration to us all.

[@Orion-fj2kr]

Not to be too parasoicial, but im so proud of Emily's progress up to level 2, it's wonderful to see someone improve so much and see that recognized her as well, Congrats Emily!!

[@ColombianLNP]

Please please PLEASE bring Desi back that man is HILARIOUS lol he needs an episode with Frank and it Lorenzo where they meet/interact ... And congratulations Emily!!! I've seen your progress since day 1! And as always great to see Rose. This channel is awesome!!! Cheers from your biggest fan in Colombia amigos !!!

[@Mas_Tun]

Congrats to Emily! Quite the journey from ketchup to no ketchup. One day, she'll reach Frank levels and then return to ketchup - but it'll be homemade and she'll grow the tomatoes from scratch

[@stephenm8725]

lol yeah, or sun-dried tomatoes straight from the sun

[@belalabusultan5911]

@@stephenm8725 "straight from the sun" that's level 100 there, with space travel and genitically modified tomatoes that can grow on the sun lol.

[@SG2048-meta]

It would be insane if Emily got a job at a professional restaurant for like 10 years, and then she reaches level 3. It would take a while but imagine Emily going from level 1 to level 3

[@stephenm8725]

@@belalabusultan5911 you know it then she can be like "Hi I'm Emily and I've been a level 100 mega space chef for 1.7654 eons"

[@Mas_Tun]

@@SG2048-meta It'd be as if she was the protagonist in an Epicurious adventure game

[@LesonaCrochet]

Emily level up is like the people from the bottom has a chance to be at the top. You give us hope Emily 💚

[@eeveedee3702]

Emily’s the best!! I always see her as level 1 and I’ve been waiting for this day forever! Great job Emily! Ur awesome

[@FirstLittleRat]

Just want to shout out to Emily, I was excited to tears to see her as a level 2. She's been my favorite level 1 for a while and I'm sure she's going to rock my cooking socks as a level 2! Cant wait to see more great recipes from all your chefs ❤️

[@stephaniebusch2430]

Yes! I've been alive for one of the greatest milestones of all time. Emily made it to level two!

[@wandererking]

Emily’s moved up to Level 2! I know I have no personal connection with this person whatsoever but somehow I am still SO secondhand proud. 😊

[@MrReal333]

I almost spit my drink at seeing Emily be a level 2 chef. What an inspiration for all the other home cooks!

[@birdmasterthecaffeinatedowl]

Desi is a hilarious and loveable replacement for Emily as she climbs the tower of success 🥰

[@6n2poloe]

I honestly thought half way through the level 1 chef was going to pull out a takeaway menu. His laid back simplicity cracked me up

[@nollypolly]

Now that Emily is a lvl 2, can we have more of Desi as a lvl 1? He's hilarious! Love him! 😂

[@shawnbrowder1975]

I’m so happy that Emily has graduated!! She’s learned a ton from being part of this team, and I love seeing people learn cooking skills!

[@schootzmootz]

My husband and I literally exclaimed when we saw Emily was Level 2!!!! Our favorite chef by far! Congratulations, Emily! 💛💛💛

[@DjangoAZombie]

This warms my heart seeing a level 1 chef become a level 2. Congrats!

[@kenoi131]

Desi needs his own cooking show. He's such a breath of fresh air

[@phiakate]

No ‘cooking’ was done.

[@AmonDerevexx]

Not only was there no cooking involved, he comes off as indifferent - can't be bothered to do all that, he says. There's a line for coming off as casual, and he came off more apathetic to me.

[@alli7447]

@@AmonDerevexx it’s a joke

[@joemarsden68]

this warms my heart to see Emily is a level 2 chef, what a journey haha

[@kimzapanta91ify]

Congratulations to Emily's promotion. She has come a long way since I started watching 4 levels. If it could happen to Emily, then it could also happen to other level 1 chefs. I hope to see a level 2 chef ascend to level 3. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@vonarlin]

The way me and my fiance popped off when Emily was the level 2 chef! She's been our favorite chef for basically as long as we've been watching this series, she deserves it!

[@miyomikonran]

It feels amazing to be able to watch Emily on her cooking journey for so long and now see her as level 2 chef! Congrats Emily, you're doing so great! As someone said, highlight of the day

[@elijahschultz5581]

I’m actually so happy for Emily!!! Congrats!!! Teared up a bit

[@gthefolf9932]

I wanna say I'm surprised Emily is level 2 now but honestly part of me saw this coming. I've seen her make some awesome stuff in the ingredient swap episodes

[@kacperjestfajny]

I'm happy for Emily becoming lvl2, but now my fav trio Emily lvl1 + Lorenzo lvl2 + Frank lvl3 is no longer possible :(

[@Sheenifier]

I can't believe we had a character development in Epicurious' 4 level series! Wow! Congrats, Emily! And thank you to Desi and Chef Aisha, too!

[@abhishek-goswami]

Emily as Level 2 Chef is the most wholesome news that I didn’t know that my heart wanted!!!! So happy!!! Go Emily!

[@MCDJEntertainment]

im actually emotional at emilys graduation i remember her first appearance as a level 1 chef...she's come so far

[@erizel.1887]

emily's character development from level 1 to 2 chef is the best character arc ever

[@jessanewell9452]

LET’S GO EMILYYY!!! My favorite level 1 is now my favorite level 2! Get it, girl!! Can’t wait to see more of your level 2 dishes!!

[@matariki9818]

Emily you deserve it !! So happy for you, you're an inspiration !

[@panjimoulana]

Seeing Emily promoted to home cook feels like inspirational. Just like Lorenzo few months ago, honestly these two are my favourite home cooks. Now, that we've seen both as a home cook can we have home cook showdown? With another home cook (lv 2) of course

[@cchase1282]

lorenzo was a level 1 chef?

[@panjimoulana]

@@cchase1282 he's already promoted to level 2, so does Emily

[@kristathehungrymelon]

I'm glad rose is still here, I missed her on the pro swap ingredients episodes :/

[@audrey822]

Congrats Emily on making level 2, that's so awesome!!

[@jollyfish84]

Congratulations Emily for getting to level 2! Looking forward to seeing you go level 3 🎉

[@stephenhill1716]

EMILY MADE IT TO LEVEL 2!!! This is as like watching a child grow. I’m so proud of her!

[@DF-tq2vl]

Rose congratulating Emily really made me smile. Congrats Emily.

[@Tailow1234]

Probably one of my favorite videos. The chemistry between all 3 is amazing!

[@no_dot_0_dash]

I'm so proud of you Emily!!! What a wonderful transformation so far! How wonderful it is to grow! 😊❤️🙏

[@VoteForPedroxQSx]

Omg this made my day!!! Awesome Job Emily can’t wait to see what you do as a level 2!!!