Suvechha Sarkar
Fox’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ has long been the ultimate culinary battleground. Set once again at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, the show returns with season 24 but with a twist. In the premiere episode, titled ‘Making a State-ment,’ judge Gordon Ramsay’s team scours the entire country for the first time, handpicking one chef from every single state. Each of them arrives with a personal story and a burning ambition. From a clash of egos to a boiling temper, it is proven that dreams are either made or crushed in seconds. By the end, only one individual wins the title of champion, besides two life-changing prizes: the Head Chef position at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Foxwoods Resort Casino and the grand prize of $250,000.
The Season Starts With Gordon Unveiling the Top 20 Chefs Among the Selected 50
The night begins at the theatre with the big announcement that one participant from each state is chosen, followed by the videos of the selected individuals. Everyone erupts with applause as Gordon makes his entry on the stage. He then introduces his two phenomenal Sous Chefs, who are also joining him: Restaurant Owner and Executive Chef James Avery and the show’s season 17 winner, Michelle Tribble. Gordon informs everyone that although his team has chosen 50 chefs from each state, after interviewing and analyzing the group, the team hands him the top 20 chefs. The first person selected is 22-year-old Anaiya from Delaware, and the second contestant is 26-year-old Cydni from North Carolina. Right after them, Gordon calls Chase from Montana and Carlos from Alaska up onstage.
Some of the other chosen chefs are Chris from New Jersey, Paul from Colorado, Jada from Florida, Cara Marie from Rhode Island, Anthony from Iowa, Lisa from California, Bradley from Louisiana, Alexandra from Oregon, Henry from Texas, Cat from Maryland, and Antonio from New Hampshire. They are followed by Elaina from South Carolina, Maddy from New York, Jayden from Massachusetts, and Ellie from Nevada. The final competitor who is chosen is Jon from Georgia. Right after, Gordon announces that the winner shall secure their position as a Head Chef of Hell’s Kitchen at Foxwoods Resort Casino and the grand prize of $250,000. He then informs them that they will have 45 minutes to create their unique signature dish to put themselves and their state on the map.
These chefs are set to live at the casino and compete there by giving their all. As the clock begins ticking away, the contestants hurry inside the kitchen to prepare their dishes. Carlos observes that as soon as the cooking begins, a lot is going on, and he feels that his brain scatters into several pieces. Since he is from Alaska, he only slept for one hour last night, which is why the jet lag is affecting him. While Cydni runs around the kitchen, it is revealed that 38-year-old Chris is an Educator who teaches people how to cook. With just 15 minutes remaining, the focus shifts to 22-year-old Jada, who expresses her love for Anaiya. It turns out they have been cooking alongside each other for years. Anaiya feels they can be great friends because Jada seems just like her, but also notes that the latter is a formidable competitor.
After the Signature Dish Challenge, the First Round of Tastings Sets the Tone
In the meantime, 25-year-old Elaina is feeling a little discouraged because the key to her dish is to have thin slices of protein so that her trout isn’t overcooked. With just five minutes left on the clock, she is second-guessing herself and panicking. The spotlight is next on 37-year-old Cara Marie, who is actually using this as her opportunity to show Gordon who she is on a plate, which is vegan. When this information shocks everyone, she admits it is a bold move. Furthermore, she is the only vegan in the competition. On the other hand, 31-year-old Bradley reveals that he constantly works to make crazy concoctions that someone may not even want to try. However, he elaborates that when people taste it, they will ask for more. Although he hits a snag when he finds his duck is not cooked correctly, he eventually manages to salvage the situation.
The chefs hurry to plate their dishes in the last few seconds, and the time finally comes to an end. The 20 contestants are divided into two teams: The Red Team, containing women, and the Blue Team, which includes men. Gordon will now taste each of their dishes and score each of them from one to five. The team with the highest score will win the day’s challenge. The first matchup between Ellie and Paul. When the judge asks the former about the beginning of her culinary journey, she opens up that she was about 14 years old when she went to culinary school alongside high school. She impressively became a Sous Chef at just 21. She has cooked ricotta gnocchi with pesto cream sauce and a bit of burrata. Gordon notes that it is a bit simple and the dish needs more seasoning, leading to a score of 3.
Paul went to culinary school because he couldn’t find anything he enjoyed in college. He presents a Ricotta gnudi, but Gordon points out that it contains more tomato than gnudi, prompting him to give a 2. Next up are Jada and Anthony, and the former thinks her opponents should be intimidated because she represents Florida, making her flavors bright and bold. Her love for cooking began at a very young age as she watched Gordon instead of cartoons after she returned from school. At just 22, she runs her own culinary team of 10 talented gentlemen. Today, she has prepared crispy-skinned salmon and koshi curry rice. Gordon praises the bright colors and the salmon’s cooking and gives her a 5 score.
While Some Chefs Earn Praise, Others Struggle to Meet Gordon’s Standards
Anthony started out by working out with some individuals who won awards and eventually moved to Chicago, where he joined as a junior Sous Chef on a team. Now, he is the Executive Chef of Pickle Palace. He has cooked seared duck breast. Gordon remarks that the duck fat is rendered correctly and cooked beautifully, earning the chef a 5. It is now the turn of Cara Marie and Jayden. The former began her journey at 3 with her Italian grandmother, but now walks on a different path than her “nonna.” The judge is left speechless when he learns she has prepared crispy fried “watermelon tuna” because she is a vegan. Although Gordon compliments the flavor profile and charred aspect of the watermelon, he states that there is too much rice. After getting a 2 out of 5, the night moves on to Sous Chef Jayden, who serves the judge with a shrimp dish.
Jayden successfully receives a score of 5, earning applause from his team. Next up are Line Cook Elaina and Executive Chef Antonio, and the latter presents a spiced pork chop. Gordon praises the dish, which earns him a 4. On the other hand, Elaina reveals her calling came when she blew up a microwave in high school and realized she needed to learn cooking. She provides Gordon with a wrapped rainbow trout, but he finds difficulty cutting inside. Although he notes that the flavors are there, he gives her a 3. The following two contestants to come up are 38-year-old Cat and Chris. The latter reveals that he is a Culinary Instructor and helps both men and women learn how to cook and get a career in this particular arena. He has prepared spicy quail, which impresses the judge, but Gordon gives him a 4, remarking that it would be perfect with 30 seconds less cooking.
Cat presents a codfish croquette, and thanks to its incredible taste, she gets 4 out of 5. Next up are Chase and Anaiya, and the former has cooked elk tenderloin. He explains that it is an embodiment of his hometown. After Gordon compliments the dish, he provides the competition with a 4 score. Anaiya tries to impress the judge with his favorite dish, a crabcake, and she succeeds in doing so, earning a solid 4. Following them are 21-year-old Maddy and 37-year-old Jon. Upon asking, the latter explains that he maintains a great life with his six kids, and adds that there is a lot of love in his house. He has a son with special needs, whom he loves dearly. Moreover, Jon discloses that he lives on a 12-acre homestead where he collects ingredients directly from his garden. His family enjoys everything from chickens, ducks, and vegetables.
Heartfelt Stories and Varied Performances Keep the Cook-off Balanced
Jon explains to Gordon that he has prepared Chicken and Waffles since he is from Georgia. Although Gordon is surprised by the southern classic, he finds it filled with intense flavors and gives it a 4 score. The judge then turns his attention to Maddy, one of the youngest in the competition. Everyone is impressed as she reveals she became a Sous Chef at 18 and a restaurant co-owner at 19. It was followed by her starting the catering business at 21. Today, she presents Gordon with marinated stir-fried steak and veggie stir-fry over basmati rice. Although he finds the dish delicious, he remarks that the rice needs a little seasoning, and it seems rushed, resulting in a 4. The next two contestants to come up are Cydni and Carlos. The latter is originally a professional skateboarder and divulges that he has five little sisters.
So, Carlos always wanted to show them what it takes to be an adult and care for the family. His signature dish today is a crusted halibut, but Gordon quickly points out that it is overcooked. The judges also observe that the crust absorbs moisture, which is why it should be undercooked. Thus, Gordon gives him a score of 2. His competitor, Cydni, began cooking when she was little, and when she was 12, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Since she cannot eat everything, she expressed that several people told her she cannot be a chef. However, she persevered and pursued her only dream with persistence. Gordon finds her pan-seared salmon quite delicious, earning her a 4. Following them are Alexandra and Bradley. It turns out that the former’s parents own a restaurant, and she began working as a preparation cook, dishwashing, waitressing, and so on.
When Gordon tastes Alexandra’s crispy skin chicken thigh with Greek potatoes, he discovers it tastes good despite having a messy look. Bradley then opens up that his story began at 13 when his mother became addicted to some drugs. So, he looked after his brothers and even cooked for them, making him realize he loved them. He presents the judge with a crispy-skinned duck breast, who is left incredibly impressed by how well the duck is cooked and gives him a 5 score. The last matchup is between 28-year-old Lisa and 35-year-old Henry, who was in the Air Force for 6 years before he came out and joined culinary school. He has cooked ricotta gnocchi with vodka sauce. Upon tasting, Gordon notes that he has efficiently elevated the dish and provides him a 4.
Lisa’s Exceptional Dish Earns the Red Team a Victory During a Tiebreaker
When it’s Lisa’s turn, she shares about the birth of her daughter recently, which was why she had to let go of her Chef de Cuisine position in San Diego. However, she is here today to bring back her passion and position, although she misses her daughter. She becomes a little tense while presenting her mofongo dish because she needs a 5 for her team to tie with the other. Fortunately, Gordon compliments it by referring to the preparation as “exceptional.” He continues to remark that he would’ve given a 6 if possible, but since it’s not, he gives her a 5. By the end, both teams end up in a tie of 38-38. Hence, the judges inform everyone that the winner will be decided by the overall outstanding dish. The top two dishes for him are Bradley’s and Lisa’s, and then he proceeds to announce that the latter’s dish had an edge, making Red Team the winner.
Gordon announces that while the ladies will enjoy an incredible day on board a 120-foot yacht, the guys must prepare the Hell’s Kitchen dining room right here for their first dinner service the following night. As the Blue Team heads to the lounge, the Red Team enjoys their time amid the waters, where Gordon joins them. Meanwhile, the guys get to work to unpack truckloads of tables, chairs, dishes, and linen and then set them up. On the other hand, the judge imparts his knowledge to the women, stating that they should look for a job to get experience because money will eventually follow. He continues that the moment they feel they are the best chef in the kitchen, they are in the wrong kitchen. The focus shifts to Jayden, who is disappointed that his team got two 2s from Paul and Carlos.
Carlos feels his teammates think he is a weak opponent, but he hopes to prove soon that he is a formidable competitor. Sadly, he drops the cutlery from a box, which now needs to be washed again. As everyone returns to their dorm for the night, some women find that the men are being too loud. After a funny moment, the episode moves on to the following day. The contestants return to the kitchen, where Gordon tells them about Connecticut’s past name, the Provision State. He continues that during the Revolutionary War, they supplied a large portion of the food for George Washington’s Forces. Hence, as chefs in Hell’s Kitchen, they also have the tremendous advantage of getting some of the freshest ingredients. The episode comes to an end as a box of components is dropped from above, leaving the contestants surprised.
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