Pat Tortorello

HELL'S KITCHENS16, E1

Wall Comes Tumbling Down

On the Season 16 premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN, Chef Gordon Ramsay welcomes the newest crop of hopefuls on the grounds of a U.S. Army training facility. The 18 aspiring chefs will have to demonstrate they have the discipline to succeed in HELL’S KITCHEN, before proving their culinary skills in the kitchen. Once Ramsay is confident they have a chance to survive, they are then split up into two teams – men (blue) vs. women (red) – and greeted by the Signature Dish Challenge! The winning team will enjoy a special dinner hosted by Ramsay at Takami Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the losing team will be tasked with cleaning both kitchens and preparing the dining room for the season’s first dinner service. Later, during the dinner service, and joined by VIP guests actor Nolan Gould (“Modern Family”) and actress Erica Ash (“Real Husbands of Hollywood”), one team will deliver a fantastic service that impresses Chef Ramsay.
HELL'S KITCHENS16, E2

Crepe Grand Prix

The teams go head-to-head during the first-ever HELL’S KITCHEN Crepe Grand Prix challenge, with the contestants racing to present Chef Ramsay with 10 acceptable savory crepes. The winning team will head to Santa Barbara for a luxurious dining experience on a yacht. Meanwhile, the losing team will face a fishy punishment as they take on the responsibility of handling fish delivery day. Later, during the dinner service featuring VIP guests – actress Noureen DeWulf and actor Dash Mihok – one team will struggle right out of the gate before someone’s lack of passion leads to another elimination.
HELL'S KITCHENS16, E3

The Yolks on Them

With tensions running high in the house, the chefs must set aside their feelings and prepare for their next challenge. This week, Gordon greets the chefs with a surprising selection of meat as each team will need to prepare eight unique dishes using a selection of ostrich cuts. The rest of their ingredients will be selected as the contestants take turns breaking through giant ostrich eggs to collect as many ingredients as they can in just four minutes. Gordon has recruited special guest judges, David McMillan and Frederic Morin, the chefs/owners of Joe Beef, to help critique this week’s challenge. The winning team will be jetted off to Big Bear for a zip lining excursion in the mountains. Meanwhile, the losing team has no choice but to face the tedious job of plucking pine nuts out of pinecones and cleaning the kitchen. Later during the dinner service, find out which chefs can’t handle the pressure.
HELL'S KITCHENS16, E8

Dancing with the Chefs

After the shocking change that was implemented by Chef Ramsay, the chefs must work together and come out strong. Chef Ramsay informs the teams that HELL’S KITCHEN will be hosting the International Ballroom Invitational and that they will prepare a special menu for the event. The winning team is rewarded with kayaking in the Pacific Ocean and lunch at The Lark, while the losing team must prepare a raw bar for the ballroom event and break down lobster, scrub clams and oysters, and steam up crab. Find out which team will fall short during the final challenge.
HELL'S KITCHENS16, E4

Surf Riding & Turf Fighting

Chef Ramsay introduces the contestants to the latest challenge – a Surf & Turf protein relay. As the teams struggle to identify their proteins, they must work together in pairs to succeed in the challenge. The winning team will spend the day surfing at the Wavehouse in San Diego, CA, while the losing team will find themselves spending the day making sausages from scratch. Later, during the dinner service, Ramsay informs the teams that tonight they will need to cook with extra confidence because they will be welcoming a VIP 12-top. Find out which chefs will impress Ramsay.
HELL'S KITCHENS16, E7

Don't Tell My Fiance

The remaining contestants are tasked with cooking their own interpretation of a southern staple, and are judged by Chef Ramsay and surprise guest judge Chris Hastings, the executive chef of Hot and Hot Fish Club. The winners will enjoy a Southern-themed reward, while the losing team must prepare for both team’s dinner service by grinding pieces of corn and shelling shrimp. The dinner service begins with determination to impress Chef Ramsay and the VIP Guests: NBA player J.J Redick, recording artist Blake Lewis, actress Mircea Monroe and entrepreneur and reality TV star Adrienne Maloof. Stress rises within the teams, and Ramsay makes a shocking decision that leaves the chefs speechless.

Pat Tortorello

Guest Appearances