Kevin Cottle

For the first time ever on HELL’S KITCHEN, Chef Gordon Ramsay invites eight previous contestants back to the kitchen to battle against eight ambitious rookies for a chance at a life-changing grand prize: an Executive Chef position at the world’s first Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. In the first challenge of the season, the rookie chefs will cook up the best versions of their signature dishes within 45 minutes, while the veterans will attempt to create the same dishes, foregoing the making of their own signatures in the process. The winning team will be rewarded with a first-class meal at restaurant Charcoal and will be joined by Chef Ramsay, while the losers must prep the kitchen for dinner service the next day.

The chefs are tasked with serving lunch to a room full of Marines and prepare dishes that represent the air (chicken parmesan), the land (NY Strip) and the sea (fish and chips). The first team to serve all of the Marines on their side of the dining room wins the challenge and is awarded a day at Paramount Ranch, where they will have the opportunity to star in their own western film. Later, the most dramatic dinner service ever ends with a shocking contestant walk-out.

When Chef Ramsay announces that he is taking his risotto off of the Hell’s Kitchen menu, the contestants are tasked with preparing their own risotto dish in the hopes of replacing the old one for the remainder of the season. Then, in preparation for the first dinner service of the competition, Chef Christina calls both teams down to the kitchen to demonstrate how to make the night’s menu. While the veterans are prompt and attentive, the rookies drag their feet, making it clear that they still have a lot to learn. Find out which chefs survive another day.

The chefs are surprised with winter jackets and then must compete in a sled race for an advantage in the upcoming challenge, during which the two teams must prepare their best winter soups. The winning team is rewarded with a luxurious day and night in Palm Springs. After a troublesome dinner service, Chef Ramsay makes an extreme change in the teams.

The contestants are greeted by Grammy nominated pianist and composer, Stephan Moccio and Chef Ramsay explains that like a great musician, great chefs must be versatile in a wide variety of cooking styles. During the challenge, each team is tasked with cooking halibut 7 different ways for Michelin star chef David LeFevre. During the dinner services, both teams struggle with communication and supporting one another which ultimately results in a contestant’s elimination. Tune-in to find out which front-running contestant is cut, creating a major wake-up call for the rest of the chefs.