Who Wins Hell's Kitchen All Stars
Gordon Ramsay is the “master chef” behind reality competition cooking shows MasterChef and MasterChef Junior — but that’s not all. A third competition series, Hell’s Kitchen, is now in its 18th season in the United States.
A complete list of the Hell's Kitchen contestants from Season 1 to Season 18. Some of them were likeable and talented, some of them were really annoying, mean or lazy. With Elise returning to the all-star edition of Hell's Kitchen, she has again caught the ire of the contestants of the show. Almost a decade has passed since Elise graced the hallowed halls of Hell's Kitchen but this diva from hell is still as vile as ever.
The premise of the show, as advertised on Fox, is that every season’s winner “receives a head chef position” at a restaurant of Ramsay’s choosing.
Is that really all the show’s winners get for beating at least a dozen other chefs? Maybe not always. Here’s what they’re promised, and why those promises aren’t always — technically — kept. Plus, find out what some of the show’s winners are doing now.
What do Hell’s Kitchen winners get?
When each season’s cast of contestants are introduced, it’s generally understood that they are all there for the chance to win:
- A chef position at a restaurant
- $250,000
The show’s premise is that contestants compete for a “head chef” position. It’s much more accurate to say they compete for the chance to work in a high-end restaurant — something many aspiring chefs never get the chance to do at all.
All contestants are offered the opportunity to work under chefs at some of the best restaurants around the world. But sometimes the promises the show’s marketing makes and what winners are actually offered don’t quite line up.
Hell’s Kitchen winners don’t win as much as you think
Not all winning contestants are offered executive chef positions. According to Eater, Controversy ignited when the Season 7 winner wasn’t given the head chef position she was promised, but it turned out she wasn’t awarded the job because she didn’t have a proper work visa.
Is Hell’s Kitchen offering fake prizes to its potential winners? Not necessarily. They’re still being given the opportunity to work with expert chefs even if their positions are “downgraded.”
Think of it like applying for a job and being told you’re not quite the right person for the original position, but the company is willing to give you a job at a slightly lower level in hopes you might work up to earning that original position. Better than no job at all, right?
As most of us are aware, reality shows aren’t always as “real” as they might seem. Competing on a show to prove you’re a better cook than a dozen other people doesn’t necessarily translate to the very real-world job of running a restaurant. Some winners simply can’t keep the jobs they are given or don’t have what it takes to run a real high-end kitchen — yet.
Whether they get the prizes they were promised or don’t, and whether they stay in those positions for extended periods of time or not, most end up maintaining sustainable careers. Some remain chefs. Others branch out into other areas that suit their talents and interests.
Where are the Hell’s Kitchen winners now?
Alumna Michelle Tribble ’16, season 17 winner of Hell's Kitchen, has made a name for herself in the culinary world. After reevaluating her goals during the pandemic, Michelle chose to resign as head chef of the Hell's Kitchen restaurant and return to #TXWomans for her Master's.
— TXWoman's Alumni (@txwomansalumni) October 8, 2020
RELATED: Why Gordon Ramsay Refuses to Watch Himself on TV: ‘I’d Rather Go Out to Dinner’
By now, most early winners of the show have moved on from working day-to-day as chefs.
Many past winners have gone on to launch their own catering companies and other food-centric businesses, using their culinary training to serve a slightly different market. Here’s an update on a few past winners and where they are now, according to Gold Derby.
Michael Wray, who won the first season of the show in 2005, would eventually decline the opportunity to work under Ramsay in London. He worked as a culinary instructor for a while at Sur La Table, but according to the BBC also struggled with drug addiction following the loss of his infant daughter. After rehab and a short stint in prison for a pharmacy raid, he began to rebuild his life and continues to work in restaurants today. Though he’s reached out to Hell’s Kitchen a few times since his recovery, he hasn’t heard back from them.
“I think that because the way my life went right after Hell’s Kitchen, I think they’re more interested in having success stories,” he told the BBC.
Christina Machamer won Season 4 of Hell’s Kitchen, was awarded a senior chef position, and worked under chefs Gordon Ramsay and Thomas Keller, among others. Mashed reports that she is now a professional sommelier, and her professional website lists private events and dinners she hosts in Napa Valley, California.
Scott Commings won Season 12, and began life after winning as the head chef at the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Los Vegas, Nevada. He’s remained in Las Vegas and works with many restaurants there through a culinary management company called ECM, according to his LinkedIn page.
Michelle Tribble won Season 17 of the show and was awarded the opportunity to become the executive chef at Ramsay’s Caesars Palace Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas. She worked there for more than two years, but decided to leave when the restaurant shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s since returned to Texas, where she’s from, and to her alma mater at Texas Woman’s University to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in nutrition. Her goal, according to the university’s site, is to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Hell's Kitchen Season 7 aired June 1 to August 10, 2010 on Fox Network, there were 17 contestants and the prize for the winner was and the prize for the winner was $250,000 in cash and a position at Gordon's restaurant at the Savoy Hotel in London.
In this season, Gordon Ramsay was judge, Marino Monferrato was Maître d', Andi van Willigan was sous chef for the red team and Scott Leibfried was sous chef for the blue team.
Find out what the Hell's Kitchen Season 7 contestants did next after appearing on Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. Hell's Kitchen Season 7 where are they now?
Andrew Forster was a farmer from Wake Forest, North Carolina. He left in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 2 after walking out following an argument with Gordon.
After Hell's Kitchen, Andrew returned to his previous career in farming and had intentions to open his own restaurant.
Autumn Lewis was a Personal Chef from West Hollywood, California. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 14 after serving the wrong sauce and not taking her mistake seriously but Ramsay praised her dedication and passion whilst on the show.
After Hell's Kitchen, Autumn returned to her previous role as a Personal Chef.
Benjamin Knack was a Culinary Instructor from Malden, Massachusetts. He was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 14 after a mix up with lamb and venison wellingtons, he was praised by Gordon for his strong leadership skills and encouraged him to never give up.
After Hell's Kitchen, Benjamin returned to teaching cookery and in 2014 became Executive Chef at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio & Mokara Hotel and Spa. In 2017 he was Executive Chef at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club.
Ed Battaglia was a High School Culinary Teacher from Edgewater Park, New Jersey. He was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 11 for his poor performances and failure to persuade Gordon to allow him to stay.
After Hell's Kitchen, Ed returned to teaching culinary skills in a special school before becoming Executive Chef at Ralic's Steakhouse.
Fran Klier was a Catering Chef from Rockville Centre, New York. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 9 due to reaching her peak in the competition, although he praised her determination.
After Hell's Kitchen, Fran started a catering company called Catering Creations by Fran.
Holli Ugalde was a Banquet Chef from San Bernardino, California. She was the Hell's Kitchen season 7 winner due to her growth in confidence and ability during the process.
After Hell's Kitchen, Holli was not given the position in London due to visa issues, something Holli disputes. She claims she isn't even sure they applied for it as she never completed any paperwork and instead accepted an undisclosed amount of cash as her prize. She briefly returned to being a Chef in a hotel in Florida before starting a lifestyle programme called SENS Wellness and is also an Eco-Luxe Designer at Colheita Lighting.
Jamie Bisoulis was a Sous Chef from Chicago, Illinois. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 3 due to her lack of leadership skills and her poor performances.
After Hell's Kitchen, Jamie returned to Hofherr Meat Company as Executive chef and has been a restaurant consultant for local North Shore restaurants.
Jason Jay Santos was an Executive Chef from Medford, Massachusetts. He was Hell's Kitchen season 7 runner up and was a consistently strong competitor, who lost out to Holli.
After Hell's Kitchen, Jay initially returned to his previous position at Gargoyles, appeared on a number of morning television shows and teaches culinary courses. Jay owns restaurants Abby Lane, Buttermilk & Bourbon and Citrus & Salt. His restaurant Blue Inc closed in September 2014 and he appeared in Bar Rescue season 6.
Jason Ellis was a Personal Chef from Suwanee, Georgia. He was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 12 due to his lack of leadership skills compared to other contestants but commended his performance.
After Hell's Kitchen, Jason returned to his role as a Personal Chef for celebrity clients and owns catering company The Chef’s Lobster & Chocolate Affairs. He also owns a food truck called Smoke 631 BBQ and he opened this as a restaurant but it closed after 14 months.
Maria Torrisi was a Kitchen Supervisor from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 5 after struggling in the competition, Gordon felt she was out of her depth.
After Hell's Kitchen, Maria was a Sous Chef in a Hilton hotel before leaving the cooking profession to work in healthcare insurance sales and insurance claims.
Mikey Termini was a Line Cook from Kihei, Hawaii. He was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 2 due to his two poor services, where he served under cooked food.
After Hell's Kitchen, Mikey returned to Four Seasons Resort Maui before moving to the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole and later the Four Seasons at Disney World. He is currently Senior Sous Chef at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
Nilka Hendricks was a Line Cook from West Hempstead, New York. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 10 mid service as she had made many mistakes on the fish section that Gordon asked her to leave, she returned and begged for a second chance and had to be removed from the kitchen.
After Hell's Kitchen, Nilka was Executive Chef at Retro Lounge & Grill in Freeport before starting her own catering company called Chef'n it up Catering. She has done a number of pop up dining events in Atlanta.
Salvatore Coppola was a Pizza Chef from Laurel Springs, New Jersey. He was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 7 for his consistently poor performances.
After Hell's Kitchen, Salvatore appears he went to work at Blue Inc owned by Jason as they remained good friends after the show.
Who Won Hell's Kitchen All-stars
Scott Hawley was an Executive Chef from New York, New York. He was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 6 due to his arrogance and after he had burnt food during two shows Gordon questioned his abilities as an Executive Chef.
After Hell's Kitchen, Scott was Executive Chef at Bluebell Café in New York before opening his own restaurant Otis with his wife Michelle Lobo-Hawley in 2017.
Siobhan Allgood was an Executive Chef from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 8 due to allowing herself to be overpowered and her poor performances.
After Hell's Kitchen, Siobhan worked at West Side Gravy, owned by incarcerated Chef Alex Capasso before working in a variety of restaurants and launching her own catering business. She later became a fashion designer, gave up her house and sold everything to take up a job in LA but this fell through and she was left homeless.
Who Won Hell's Kitchen All Stars 2019
Stacey Slichta was a Private Chef from Studio City, California. She was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen season 7 episode 1 after her poor performance cooking fish and scallops and her dismissive attitude in the kitchen.
After Hell's Kitchen, Stacey returned to being a Private Chef and was also holding cookery classes.
Who Is The Winner Of Hell's Kitchen All Stars
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