Hell's Kitchen Winners Where Are They Now?

Hell's Kitchen Winners

Hell's Kitchen features Gordon Ramsay as Head Chef alongside two sous chefs to support the contestants in the competition.

Each week there are a number of challenges to test the culinary skills of the contestants with at least one being eliminated.

The Hell's Kitchen prize is their own restaurant or the option of working alongside top chefs including Gordon.

Below you can read about the Hell's Kitchen winners in order and find out what happened next the Hell's Kitchen Winners from Season 1 to Season 18.


Michael Wray Michael Wray was a professional chef from Fort Collins, Colorado. His dishes were well received by both Gordon and critics and Michael Wray was the Hell's Kitchen season 1 winner.

His choice of prize was to either open his own restaurant or to travel to London to apprentice with Gordon in one of his restaurants.

After Hell's Kitchen, Michael accepted to work with Gordon but once he realised the strains this would put on his family, he decided not to take up the prize.

He went on to be Head Chef at The Standard in Los Angeles before moving to Arizona. He planned to open his open restaurant HK One, ran his own knife company and taught culinary classes.

In recent years he suffered the loss of his newborn daughter, marriage breakdown and the loss of his home. He has a fundraiser to help raise funds for a food truck, please consider donating here.


Heather West Heather West was a Sous Chef from Port Jefferson, New York. Heather was the Hell's Kitchen Season 2 winner due to her determination and leadership skills.

After Hell's Kitchen, Heather was Senior Chef at Terra Rossa at the Red Rock Casino in Nevada.

She then moved around restaurants working as Head Chef at Monteray Restaurant, Jellyfish Restaurant, Broadway Grill before moving to Schafers in Port Jefferson. She married in 2014 and has two children.


Rock Harper Rock Harper was an Executive Chef from Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia. He was the Hell's Kitchen season 3 winner due to his confidence in the kitchen, his leadership skills and ability to motivate the team.

After Hell's Kitchen, Rock worked his year contract at Terra Verde restaurant.

Following this he worked at Ben’s Next Door as Executive Chef, was an instructor at Stratford University and wrote a cookbook called "44 Things Parents Should Know about Healthy Cooking for Kids".

He appeared on Chef Wanted and won an Executive Chef position at The Precinct but didn't take up the position. He has been also involved with many businesses in an advisory capacity.


Christina Machamer Christina Machamer was a student from St. Louis, Missouri. She was the Hell's Kitchen season 4 winner due to her great potential.

After Hell's Kitchen, Christina was offered the position of Senior Sous Chef rather than Executive Chef and she worked at London West Holywood for 10 months before moving to Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro.

After leaving her position, she returned to school where she trained to be a sommelier and now lives in Napa valley. She was Director of Wine and Culinary at B Cellars Vineyards & Winery and now manages the Caldwell Vineyard. She is also a personal chef.


Danny Veltri Danny Veltri was an Executive Chef from Edgewater, Florida.Danny was the Hell's Kitchen season 5 winner due to his growth on the show, he showed Gordon he had all the necessary skills to be crowned the winner due to his talent and maturity.

After Hell's Kitchen, Danny took up position as a Sous Chef at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey but left after a few months.

He started his own catering company called Back From Hell Catering before moving to Gnarly Surf Bar & Grill, which he helped opened with other investors. He was arrested in 2012 for DUI.


Dave Levey Dave Levey was an Executive Chef from San Diego, California. He was the Hell's Kitchen season 6 winner due to his natural ability in the kitchen.

After Hell's Kitchen, Dave took up the position at Araxi Restaurant until the end of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The position he was offered turned out to be a line cook position and not a Head Chef position as he had expected.

He returned to New Jersey where he worked in a number of kitchens and he was arrested as part of a drugs bust in 2014 but was not charged. Dave is currently Head Baker at Mara’s CafĂ© & Bakery in Denville.


Holli Ugalde Holli Ugalde was a Banquet Chef from San Bernardino, California. She was the Hell's Kitchen season 7 winner due to her growth in confidence and ability during the process.

After Hell's Kitchen, Holli was not given the position in London due to visa issues, something Holli disputes. She claims she isn't even sure they applied for it as she never completed any paperwork and instead accepted an undisclosed amount of cash as her prize.

She briefly returned to being a Chef in a hotel in Florida before starting a lifestyle programme called SENS Wellness and is also an Eco-Luxe Designer at Colheita Lighting.


Nona Sivley Nona Sivley was a Sous Chef from Atlanta, Georgia. She was the Hell's Kitchen season 8 winner due to her impressive improvement during the series and her passion for cooking.

After Hell's Kitchen, Nona took up the Head Chef position at LA Market, with her winning menu being add to the restaurant menu. She left after three years to help her mentor Kerry Simon open his first restaurant Pork & Beans. After the restaurant opened she started her own catering business called Sizzling Peach.


Paul Niedermann Paul Niedermann was a Sous Chef from Davie, Florida. Paul was the Hell's Kitchen Season 9 winner due to his passion and determination and he dedicated the win to his mother who had passed away a few months prior.

After Hell's Kitchen, Paul went to work at BLT Steak but not as Head Chef. He left to become Executive Chef at Hudson at Waterway East and was later Exeucitve Chef at Racks Restaurant Management Group.

Paul is currently Corporate Executive Chef at SALT7.


Christina Wilson Christina Wilson was a Chef from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the Hell's Kitchen season 10 winner beating Justin in the final due to her passion, talent and leadership skills.

After Hell's Kitchen, Christina took the Head Chef position at Gordon Ramsay Steak before moving to become Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay BurGR in Planet Hollywood Casino. She works closely with Gordon, now overseeing both his Vegas restaurants as Executive Corporate Chef.

She has appeared on Hell's Kitchen as a Sous Chef on seasons 15, 17 and 18. She also worked in the kitchen behind the scenes on Hotel Hell and 24 Hours to Hell and Back where she trains chefs and helps develop new menus.


Ja'Nel Witt Ja'Nel Witt was an Executive Chef from Houston, Texas. Ja'Nel was the Hell's Kitchen season 11 winner but did not take up the position after allegedly failing a drugs test, she was however offered the $250,000 prize money.

After Hell's Kitchen, Ja'Nel was Executive Chef at Corner Table before moving to Sammy's Steakhouse. She is currently Executive Chef at Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant. Ja'Nel also did a number of cookery demonstrations, events and hosted cookery classes.


Scott Commings Scott Commings was an Executive Chef from Woodstock, Illinois. He was the Hell's Kitchen season 12 winner due to his passion, determination and leadership skills.

After Hell's Kitchen, Scott took up his position as the Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace before becoming Executive Chef of Freedom Beat at The Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino. He is also Co-Founder of BLT Foods Las Vegas. In 2018 he opened Stove in Las Vegas with co-owner Antonio Nunez.


La Tasha McCutchen La Tasha McCutchen was a Kitchen Supervisor from Winter Haven, Florida. La Tasha was the Hell's Kitchen season 13 winner due to her strong leadership skills, cooking ability and her determination.

After Hell's Kitchen, La Tasha took up the head chef position at Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill at Caesars Atlantic City for a year before becoming a Private Chef. She also does pop up dining events and cookery demonstrations.


Meghan Gill Meghan Gill was an Executive Chef from Roanoke, Virginia. Meghan was the Hell's Kitchen season 14 winner due to her passion, determination and leadership skills.

After Hell's Kitchen, Meghan took up the winners head chef position at Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill at Caesars Atlantic City.


Ariel Malone Ariel Malone was a Country Club Chef from Hackensack, New Jersey. She was the Hell's Kitchen season 15 winner due to her confidence in the kitchen, cooking ability and her outspoken nature.

After Hell's Kitchen, Ariel took up the head chef position at BLT Steak at Bally's Las Vegas until January 2017 before moving on to other opportunities. She has had three children including twin girls.


Kimberly Ann Ryan Kimberly Ann Ryan was an Event Chef from Traverse City, Michigan. Kimberly was the Hell's Kitchen season 16 winner due to her skills, drive and command in the kitchen.

After Hell's Kitchen, Kimberly took up the head chef position at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at The Venetian Las Vegas.


Michelle Tribble Michelle Tribble was from New York City and competed in season 14, where she came in 3rd place.

Michelle was the Hell's Kitchen season 17 winner based on her performance in the finale and throughout the season.

After Hell's Kitchen, Michelle up the position of Head Chef at the Caesars Palace Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas with a salary of $250,000.


Ariel Contreras-Fox Ariel Contreras-Fox was from Brooklyn, New York, is a veteran contestant and competed in season 6, where she finished in 3rd place.

Ariel Contreras-Fox was the Hells Kitchen Season 18 winner due to her tremendous growth since her original appearance on Hell's Kitchen. She proved her talent, leadership and determination throughout and offered runner up Mia a position.

After Hell's Kitchen, Ariel took up the position as Executive chef position at Hell's Kitchen Restaurant at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada until March 2020.

In May 2020 she became Vice President of Culinary at Del Frisco's Double Eagle, Del Frisco's Grille, and Dos Caminos.

Kori Sutton Kori Sutton was an Executive Chef from Los Angeles, California. Kori Sutton was the Hell's Kitchen season 19 winner.

After Hell's Kitchen, Kori continued to offer private chef services and will take up the position of Head chef position at Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen Restaurant in Lake Tahoe.


Trenton Garvey Trenton Garvey was an Executive chef from Union, Missouri. He was the Hell's Kitchen season 20 winner after Gordon reviewed the comment cards for their menus.

After Hell's Kitchen, Trenton is executive chef of The Blue Duck.


Alex Belew Alex Belew was a Former Restaurant Owner from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is on the 40 somethings team.

He was the Hell's Kitchen Season 21 winner sfter both of the finalists made the decision very hard for them.

After Hell's Kitchen, Alex is owner of AB Hospitality and a podcast host at Cooking, Cocktails & Community.

Ryan O'Sullivan Ryan O'Sullivan was a Chef de Cuisine from Cork City, Ireland. He was the Hell's Kitchen season 22 winner due to his passion, ability and leadership skills.

After Hell's Kitchen, Ryan is Chef de Cuisine at Solstice at The Country Club at Mirasol.

He has also cooked for events at The DTLA Dinner Club.


Click for more Hell's Kitchen Contestants

Seasons

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Hell's Kitchen Winners

4 comments:

  1. I have predicted each winner within the first 4 episodes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Why would some of these chefs want to give up such a great opportunity to pursue mediocre jobs. And to those chefs that continue to work at the place they were chosen for great job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some contestants opted for the cash payout instead.

      Delete
  3. Chefs don't accept jobs because they pay well, true Chefs have a passion for food and they also have a passion for teaching the junior chefs. It's not always about money.

    ReplyDelete

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