Hell's Kitchen is a reality television cooking competition, broadcast on Fox. It is hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Every season, a handful of chefs compete in a series of challenges and eliminations to win the title of Head Chef at one of Ramsay's restaurants. Since the show's inception, there have been 17 seasons and 16 winners.
Many of the Hell's Kitchen winners have gone on to become successful chefs, with some even opening their own restaurants. But how many of the Hell's Kitchen winners are still working in the restaurant industry? This article takes a look at the careers of all 16 Hell's Kitchen winners and where they're at now.
1. Michael Wray (Season 1)
Michael Wray was the first winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at the now-defunct Gordon Ramsay at The London in New York City. After his stint at the restaurant, Wray went on to become a chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. He is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
2. Heather West (Season 2)
Heather West was the second winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay at The London in New York City. After her stint at the restaurant, West went on to become a chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
3. Rock Harper (Season 3)
Rock Harper was the third winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay at The London in Las Vegas. After his stint at the restaurant, Harper went on to become a culinary consultant and lecturer. He is currently the Executive Chef at the Rock Harper Culinary Institute in Maryland.
4. Christina Machamer (Season 4)
Christina Machamer was the fourth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Machamer went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
5. Danny Veltri (Season 5)
Danny Veltri was the fifth winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After his stint at the restaurant, Veltri went on to become a private chef and caterer. He is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
6. Holli Ugalde (Season 6)
Holli Ugalde was the sixth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Ugalde went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as a consulting chef at a restaurant in California.
7. Jay Santos (Season 7)
Jay Santos was the seventh winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After his stint at the restaurant, Santos went on to become a private chef and caterer. He is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
8. Nona Sivley (Season 8)
Nona Sivley was the eighth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Sivley went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
9. Ja'Nel Witt (Season 9)
Ja'Nel Witt was the ninth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Witt went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
10. Paul Niedermann (Season 10)
Paul Niedermann was the tenth winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After his stint at the restaurant, Niedermann went on to become a private chef and caterer. He is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
11. Scott Commings (Season 11)
Scott Commings was the eleventh winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After his stint at the restaurant, Commings went on to become a private chef and caterer. He is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
12. La Tasha McCutchen (Season 12)
La Tasha McCutchen was the twelfth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, McCutchen went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
13. James Avery (Season 13)
James Avery was the thirteenth winner of Hell's Kitchen. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After his stint at the restaurant, Avery went on to become a private chef and caterer. He is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
14. Ariel Malone (Season 14)
Ariel Malone was the fourteenth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Malone went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
15. Meghan Gill (Season 15)
Meghan Gill was the fifteenth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Gill went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
16. Michelle Tribble (Season 16)
Michelle Tribble was the sixteenth winner of Hell's Kitchen. She was awarded the title of Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. After her stint at the restaurant, Tribble went on to become a private chef and caterer. She is currently working as the Executive Chef at a steakhouse in Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first winner of Hell's Kitchen?
The first winner of Hell's Kitchen was Michael Wray. He was awarded the title of Head Chef at the now-defunct Gordon Ramsay at The London in New York City.
How many Hell's Kitchen winners are still working?
All sixteen of the Hell's Kitchen winners are still working in the restaurant industry. Some are private chefs and caterers, while others are Executive Chefs at various restaurants.
Who is the current Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas?
The current Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas is Michelle Tribble, who was the sixteenth winner of Hell's Kitchen.
Where are the Hell's Kitchen winners now?
The Hell's Kitchen winners are now working in various restaurants and as private chefs and caterers across the United States. Some are Executive Chefs, while others are instructors at culinary schools.
What is the Rock Harper Culinary Institute?
The Rock Harper Culinary Institute is a professional culinary school founded by Rock Harper, the third winner of Hell's Kitchen. The institute offers classes, seminars, and workshops in a variety of culinary topics.
Which Hell's Kitchen winner opened their own restaurant?
No Hell's Kitchen winner has opened their own restaurant yet, but many are working as Executive Chefs at various restaurants.