They’ve survived emotional trauma, bar fights, wildfires, and twin surprises on screen — but can Mel and Jack survive the heat of the kitchen?

Netflix has confirmed that Virgin River stars Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson are officially competing on the upcoming season of the hit reality series Culinary Stars: Battle of the Co-Stars — a high-stakes cooking competition pitting TV’s most beloved duos against each other in the ultimate test of flavor, flair, and fire.

And yes, they’ll be representing Virgin River.

“Let’s Settle This Over a Skillet”

The idea reportedly came after an on-set lunch last season, where Breckenridge jokingly claimed her vegan chili “could crush anything Jack would serve at the bar.”

Producers of Culinary Stars were listening — and extended the invite.

Each week, the actors will face themed cooking challenges inspired by their shows. For the Virgin River episode, they’ll be creating:

A rustic dish using only ingredients found in a general store pantry

A romantic dinner with a secret ingredient revealed mid-round

A bar snack “Jack would sell out of in ten minutes”

Behind the kitchen bench? Celebrity chefs Padma Lakshmi and Gordon Ramsay — joined by a rotating guest judge from the Virgin River cast, including Tim Matheson and Colin Lawrence.

Competitive or Just Hungry?

While fans are used to seeing Alexandra and Martin as one of Netflix’s most swoon-worthy couples, insiders say filming for the competition got… intense.

“Martin is charming, but hyper-focused. Alexandra? Total strategist. Let’s just say flour was thrown,” said a crew member.

In a sneak peek from the premiere episode, Alexandra is seen whispering to her sous-chef, “He thinks I’m making a pie. It’s actually a trap.”

Cooking for a Cause

The show isn’t just for fun. Each duo is competing for a charity of their choice. Breckenridge has chosen Feeding America, while Henderson is cooking for Movember, a men’s health organization.

The winner gets $50,000 donated to their charity — and bragging rights for life.

“I may lose Mel to drama in the show,” Martin teased in an interview, “but in real life, she’s going down in the kitchen.”

Fan Reactions: “This Is Peak Television”

Fans of Virgin River and food competition shows alike are thrilled.

@VirginRiverWhisk: “I didn’t know I needed Alexandra flame-grilling steak in a cardigan, but now I can’t live without it.”

@JackInThePan: “Martin Henderson is wearing an apron and stirring polenta. This is art. This is cinema.”

Where and When to Watch

The special Virgin River episode of Culinary Stars: Battle of the Co-Stars will air on Netflix in August 2025, just before Season 9 premieres.

Netflix will also release a behind-the-scenes mini-doc, featuring never-before-seen cast moments, bloopers, and an exclusive chili recipe from Alexandra’s own kitchen.

Final Bite

They may play soulmates on screen, but in the kitchen? All’s fair in love and roasting. Whether you’re Team Mel or Team Jack, one thing is certain: the kitchen in Virgin River has never been hotter.