Developed by Australia’s MonkeySplash Studios, Chef it Up is a four-player cookery game that blends fast-paced kitchen chaos with arcade-style flair. After an early version appeared at IAAPA 2024 and a test in Orlando, it surfaced again this August with a simplified control scheme, and its first-ever European test in the UK. Let’s dig into what this game offers and where it stands today.

What is Chef it Up?

This arcade-only title invites up to four players to take over different kitchen stations—Pantry, Prep, Cook, and Serve—all to feed customers as quickly as possible. Each player controls a stage in the cooking process, coordinating with teammates to complete recipes under pressure. It’s cooperative, frantic, and packed with charm.

Chef it Up boasts over 150 ingredients, more than 100 recipes, and 50 levels spread across five unique stages. Each stage is themed around a different chef, adding some personality and variety to the gameplay. This structure not only supports replayability but also gives players a reason to try each role. Whether you’re handling the pantry or managing the stove, every station has a part to play. It can also be played by a single player, who then has to rush around managing each station.

What’s Changed in Chef it Up After the Location Testing?

Chef it Up borrows some DNA from games like Overcooked, but its physical setup makes it stand out. Instead of being a couch co-op experience, this one demands you get up and move. The original version featured custom hardware at each station—including five oven dials and a physical bell—but recent refinements have dialed things back. Now, most stations use standard joysticks and buttons, with just one dial remaining for oven control and the bell staying in place.

This update likely came from hands-on feedback during location testing. Simplifying the controls could make the game easier to maintain and more intuitive for casual players, while still retaining that real-world kitchen feel. It also suggests that MonkeySplash is serious about fine-tuning every aspect of the experience before its full release.

As for how the game plays, Chef it Up has modes that support both casual fun and ticket redemption, making it attractive to a wide range of arcades. Operators can choose whether to focus on high-score chasing or mix in redemption elements depending on what suits their audience. This flexibility shows that the game is being built with real-world operation in mind.

What’s the Development Status for Chef it Up?

Chef it Up has been steadily gaining traction since its reveal at IAAPA 2024. It was first spotted at Dave & Buster’s in Orlando, where it was quietly tested before being officially unveiled. It later appeared at MAGFest as part of an indie arcade showcase, then briefly disappeared from the public eye until this August, when new updates were shared via the official Instagram.

These updates introduced the simplified control scheme and hinted at ongoing refinements based on player feedback. Even more notably, Chef it Up recently made its way overseas for a limited-time test in the UK. The location, Gravity MAX at Westfield Stratford, is known for hosting early arcade builds, often tied to Sega Amusements. While nothing is confirmed yet, this could be an early sign of interest from a major distributor in Europe.

Up until today, Chef it Up has been spotted and tested in multiple locations, including the following:

• Dave & Buster’s Orlando
• IAAPA 2024 (Orlando)
• MAGFest 2025
• Gravity MAX Westfield Stratford (UK)

When is Chef it Up Releasing?

Looking ahead, MonkeySplash is targeting late 2025 for shipping. They’ve been transparent about continuing to polish the game until launch, and that attention to detail is reflected in how they’ve adapted and reworked features throughout the testing phase. If the UK test goes well, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chef it Up make wider appearances across Europe—or even show up again at another trade show before the end of the year.

It’s still early, but if Chef it Up keeps building momentum, it could end up as one of the standout original arcade releases of the year. Keep an eye out; this is one kitchen you’ll want to step into.

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