Suvechha Sarkar
Fox’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ always puts incredibly talented chefs under immense pressure, testing the limits of their resilience and leadership. As season 24 moves forward to its conclusion in episode 16, titled ‘Last State Standing Is …,’ the judge and chef Gordon Ramsay amps up the heat. After Cydni is eliminated following a grueling final individual challenge, Jada and Ellie select their own team for the last dinner service. This is the last chance for the two remaining chefs to command the kitchen and impress the judge when it matters most. With the title of Head Chef of Hell’s Kitchen and the Season 24 crown on the line, the Finale promises fiery clashes, emotional highs, and career-defining moments.
Ellie and Jada Begin Preparing For the Final Service by Deciding Their Menus
The episode begins with Jada noting that she cannot believe that she has made it this far, while Ellie remarks that she is overcome with emotions. Although Cydni is sad about her loss, she states that she will do everything in her power to make sure Ellie wins. Shortly after, both Jada and Ellie move to their dorms with their teams to discuss their menu for the upcoming service. In her confessional, the latter notes that she has worked at steakhouses for the past 6 to 7 years, and that this menu will reflect her twist, flair, and flavor. However, she realizes she needs to keep an eye on Alexandra, as Alexandra isn’t a strong leader at her station. Similarly, as Jada discusses what she wants to prepare, she reveals that the menu features tropical flavors that align well with Florida, the state she is representing.
Jada feels quite confident about the menu as it reflects her identity and stays true to her flavors. The following day, Ellie and Jada channel their energy into preparing for tonight’s dinner service. In Jada’s kitchen, she opens up that she doesn’t want to micromanage, but she also loves being in control to ensure everything is perfect. A few moments later, Gordon Ramsay calls Jada and Ellie aside for a short chat. He then presents them with Finale jackets specially made for them. It further makes Jada realize that winning the competition will not be easy, but Ellie emphasizes that she doesn’t want to win at the cost of the challenge. Meanwhile, back at Ellie’s kitchen, Alexandra begins having difficulty poaching her eggs, even though she has done so several times before.
The situation prompts Ellie to ask Alexandra to get her actions together. Alexandra grows incredibly nervous because she doesn’t want to let Ellie down. Thankfully, Alexandra manages to make poached eggs shortly after. Gordon once again asks Ellie and Jada to come to his office, where he tells them that, although they are representing their states, they are also representing the people of Connecticut. The judge then introduces Jada and Ellie to the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Chairman Butler. The chairman expresses that both competitors have shown the same resilience as his ancestors. So, he offers them a trip to the newly opened indoor water park, Great Wolf Lodge. Chairman Butler invites Jada and Ellie, along with three of their guests, on an all-expenses-paid trip to the park.
Early Mistakes at the Fish and Garnish Stations Push Ellie and Jada to Assert Authority
After the departure of Chairman Butler, Gordon brings Jada and Ellie to a full dining room and introduces them to the audience as the finalists. As the dinner service finally begins, the finalists, along with their teams, take their positions in the kitchen, noting there is no room for mistakes now. Jayden is at the fish station tonight, and he says that since he is from Massachusetts, he is pretty comfortable with this protein. So, he makes a point of really standing out and shining with his culinary techniques. However, a problem soon arises as Ellie calls him to the pass and points out that he should add more butter to the mussels, as they are pretty salty. Fortunately, after refiring the dish, Ellie finds it to be perfect.
In the meantime, in Jada’s kitchen, Anaiya is working on the fish station and notes that Jada has made a wise choice by doing so. Jada also feels Anaiya cooks fish beautifully, and it was never sent back. However, Jada’s expectations are soon shattered when she finds that the scallops that Anaiya has sent are still raw. Although she sends it back, Jada is again disappointed because the scallops haven’t turned out perfectly. She calls everyone to the pass and instructs her team to stop rushing. She further asks Anaiya to refire the scallops, and thankfully, this time they turn out to be entirely up to standard. Seeing Jada drive the kitchen, Henry remarks that leadership starts from the top, and if the leader is confident, that often exudes, helping the rest of the team absorb it.
After serving the appetizers, the teams turn their attention to preparing the entrees. In Ellie’s kitchen, Lisa is focused on cooking the meats to perfection, hoping to help Ellie win. Unfortunately, after sending the first dish to the pass, Ellie calls her out, noting that the protein is undercooked. Lisa quickly bounces back by making sure the duck meat is cooked perfectly, ready to be served. Another issue arises when Jada points out that Chris’ garnishes are undercooked. In his confession, Chris discloses that he is feeling overwhelmed because around 9 garnishes are coming off his station. As Chris holds up the service due to delays, Jada makes a quick decision to ask Anthony to take over the garnish station. Gordon quickly remarks that it is a smart move since they shouldn’t be waiting for garnish.
The Finalists Battle Through the Final Dinner Service Marked by Bold Decisions
After Jada sends out the dishes for her own family, Ellie also begins preparing the orders for her loved ones. This time, Alexandra holds up the garnish station in Ellie’s kitchen. Ellie quickly sends back an egg prepared by Alexandra since it’s undercooked, which makes the latter nervous since Ellie can hold her accountable if she loses. Around 90 minutes into the dinner service, Alexandra continues to struggle with the garnish but finally gets it out just in time. Meanwhile, although Anaiya vows not to send any more undercooked proteins, Jada quickly calls her to the pass to point out that the snapper is still raw. As Anaiya quickly refires the fish, she notes that despite feeling she is cursed, she will bounce back for Jada. Just like she intended, Anaiya finally serves a perfectly cooked snapper.
As Lisa next delivers her chicken in Ellie’s kitchen, Gordon notes that it is overcooked. However, Ellie feels the protein is cooked perfectly and decides to send it to the customer. In her confessional, Ellie reveals that she has now gone up against Gordon. She cannot understand whether it will diminish her chances of winning or set her apart from the competition, showcasing that she is a leader who will take charge. As both kitchens finally finish serving their first ticket, each diner must now fill out their comment cards. Shortly after, Gordon gathers Jada, Ellie, and their teams in the kitchen. Gordon then announces that he is now holding the comment cards, which will be vital to him because they will help him decide who will become his new Head Chef.
After the rest of the team heads to the dorms, the judge instructs Jada and Ellie to return as well, noting that he shall call them once he is ready. Back at the dorm, Jada states that if someone had told her Ellie would come this far in the competition, she would’ve never believed it. She then tells Ellie that her biggest shock in the competition was being sent to the Blue team. At the same time, Ellie opens up in her confessional, admitting that she knows she deserves to be here. She further states that Jada didn’t demonstrate strong leadership in the kitchen. However, Ellie remarks that she knows she herself has the qualities needed to become Gordon’s Head Chef.
Ellie Becomes the Season 24 Winner After a Dramatic Final Door Reveal
It doesn’t take Gordon much longer to call Ellie and Jada and ask them to meet him at his office. Upon their arrival, the judge remarks that both of them have exceeded his expectations as talented and determined chefs. He tells Jada that it is fitting for her to represent the Sunshine State of Florida because she is a ray of sunshine herself, with her poise and positivity. After turning his attention to Ellie, Gordon tells her that she represents Las Vegas completely, and there is no doubt she has made Nevada proud. He then announces that he has already made his decision and instructs them to stand before two doors and open their door on the count of 3. The person whose door opens will be revealed as the winner.
Ultimately, Ellie is declared the winner of season 24 as her door opens seamlessly while Jada’s remains shut. Gordon encourages Jada by noting that she is still young and has her whole life ahead of her. In her confessional, she admits she is disappointed by her loss, yet adds that, at the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. She also states that Ellie deserves this success, and she is proud of her. In the meantime, Ellie expresses that this has been the most challenging and joyful thing she has ever done. She extends her gratitude to her boyfriend, Brandon, her father, Daniel, and her best friend, Kevin, remarking that they have been her rock and she wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them.
In her exit interview, Jada notes that, looking back on her first day in the competition, she is a completely different person now. Hence, she is happy with her self-growth and adds that she doesn’t think this is the end of the road. If anything, Jada believes it is just the beginning. As Ellie puts her portrait up on the wall of the winners of ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ she states determinedly that no one ever will tell her again that she doesn’t amount to anything. In the end, Gordon also remarks that Ellie’s brilliant final dinner service confirmed to him that she is the right choice, as she is confident, decisive, and resilient. The judge also feels that she has proven that she can overcome obstacles and is a natural-born leader. With that being said, Ellie finally becomes the next Head Chef of Hell’s Kitchen following her win.
Read More: Hell’s Kitchen Season 24 Episode 15 Recap: Hell of a Showdown
