Hell's Kitchen Season 5 aired from January 29 to May 14 2009.
It aired on Fox Network and there were 16 contestants.
The prize for the winner was $250,000 in cash and a position at Fornelletto at the Borgata in Atlantic City.
In this season, Gordon Ramsay was the judge and Jean-Philippe Susilovic was Maître d'.
Gloria Félix was sous chef for the red team and Scott Leibfried was sous chef for the blue team.
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She was eliminated in episode 8 due to her lack of leadership skills and creativity in her food.
She praised as a good, hard worker in the kitchen.
After Hell's Kitchen, Alicia worked at both the Monte Carlo and Planet Hollywood resorts.
She moved to the MGM Grand Hotel Resort as Master Cook and later Executive Chef at Luxor Hotel & Casino.
LA is currently Executive Room Chef at Terrible Herbst.
Andrea Heinly was a Line Cook from Reading, Pennsylvania.
She was eliminated in episode 13 and Gordon gave no criticism instead praised her skills, branded her a determined fighter and wished her well in her career.
After Hell's Kitchen, Andrea was a sous chef at Stokesay Castle.
She later became Executive Chef at The Peanut Bar Restaurant.
Andrea is now a private chef for a household in New York.
Ben Walanka was an Executive Sous Chef from Chicago, Illinois.
He was eliminated in episode 12 and Gordon praised his energy, hard work and attitude in the kitchen.
After Hell's Kitchen, Ben was host on TV Show The Big Ten Cookout.
He was Executive Sous Chef at 1500 Degrees alongside Paula da Silva.
Ben was also a consultant for a catering company.
Ben later became Chef De Cuisine at Ameristar Casino and Pinnacle Entertainment.
He was Chef De Cuisine at Boyd Gaming and Executive Sous Chef at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
Ben is currently a consulting executive chef in the Chicago area.
Carol Scott was a Sous Chef from Knoxville, Tennessee.
She was eliminated in episode 9 due to her poor performance despite her being on the winning team.
After Hell's Kitchen, Carol was hired as Executive Chef at Bravo Italian Cucina.
Carol was a chef at Roy's restaurant from 2011-12.
She later began offering personal chef services after starting Sweet Productions Personal Chef Service.
Carol opened her first restaurant Blue Slip Bistro in May 2016 and reviews were excellent.
She is Executive Chef at Kitchen 919.
Charlie McKay was a Prep Chef from Las Vegas, Nevada.
He was eliminated in episode 3 as he had not progressed.
Gordon however did recognise he was a nice guy but felt he was not ready to be Head Chef.
After Hell's Kitchen, Charlie returned to working in kitchens.
He opened restaurant Nitrogen Bar, Grill and Sushi in 2018.
Charlie sadly passed away in 2024 in a motorcycle accident.
Coi Burruss was a Cafe Chef from Austin, Texas.
She was eliminated in episode 6, she was a strong contestant who performed well at times but struggled to cook burgers.
After Hell's Kitchen, Coi co-owns a catering business Leila Ts Catering.
She co-owns the business with her sister Simone.
She started an ASMR YouTube channel.
Coi also owns a macaroon company called Smack-a-ron.
She sells online and at local events and markets.
Colleen Cleek was a Culinary Instructor from Papillion, Nebraska.
She was eliminated in episode 5 after poor performances on all stations.
Sending out raw desserts was the last straw for Gordon.
After Hell's Kitchen, Colleen returned to her previous role as a culinary instructor.
She hosted classes at her cookery school, The Classy Gourmet.
Colleen has been on television numerous times, appearing on local network cooking shows.
Danny Veltri was an Executive Chef from Edgewater, Florida.
Danny was the Hell's Kitchen season 5 winner.
He won 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 became a Sous Chef at the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
This was instead of the Head Chef position, he didn't stay in the role and left after a few months.
He started Back From Hell Catering.
Danny helped open Gnarly Surf Bar & Grill.
He was later Executive Chef at Vince Carter’s Restaurant.
Danny was arrested in 2012 for DUI.
Giovanni Filippone was an Executive Chef from Destin, Florida.
He was eliminated in episode 10 due to the confrontation between the two of them earlier in the service and the lack of respect he had shown during this.
After Hell's Kitchen, Giovanni returned to his previous role as Executive Chef at Tuscany Italian Bistro.
He was later hired as Executive Chef at Vue on 30a.
Giovanni is currently Executive Chef and Managing Partner at Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast.
Jason aka J Maxwell was a Food Court Chef from Clifton Park, New York.
He was eliminated in episode 7 during service after he overcooked the entire rice supply and struggled on fish.
After Hell's Kitchen, Jason worked at Glen Eddy in Niskayuna as Executive Chef.
Jason worked for Morrison Community Living.
He held various positions including Manager, Executive Chef and Regional Director Of Operations.
He founded charity Hope of Hire, that helps those with autism to gain employment.
Jason was Food and Beverage Director at The Cypress of Charlotte.
He was also a restaurant consultant.
Jason is currently a Food and Beverage Project Development Manager at Compass Group
Ji-Hyun Cha was a Private Caterer from Palisades Park, New Jersey.
She was eliminated in episode 2 after she slipped on oil and twisted her ankle and decided she could not continue.
After Hell's Kitchen, Ji was a chef at Moon Jar in Fort Lee.
Ji was hired by US Foods and worked in management.
She started a consultancy business called ChefJi LLC.
Ji does cookery demonstrations for large corporations including Panasonic.
Lacey D'Angelo was a Corporate Buffet Cook from Charlotte, North Carolina.
She was eliminated in episode 8 as an automatic elimination after she was unable to cook meat.
After Hell's Kitchen, Lacey became a baker, specialising in occasion cakes.
She later became a Jamberry Nails rep / brand ambassador.
Paula da Silva was an Executive Sous Chef from Coconut Creek, Florida.
Paula was the Hell's Kitchen season 5 runner up despite a very strong performance in the final service.
After Hell's Kitchen, Paula returned to her role as Executive Sous Chef at 3030 Ocean in Fort Lauderdale.
She became Executive Chef at 1500 in Miami Beach.
Paula worked there until it closed in 2014.
After the closure, Paula returned to 3030 Ocean as Executive Chef.
She stayed in the role until August 2015.
In September 2005, she launched Paula DaSilva Culinary.
Paula was an Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company before becoming Director of Food And Beverage.
Robert Hesse was a Sous Chef from Quogue, New York.
He left the service in episode 10 due to a burn on his hand.
When he returned in episode 11 he revealed he had a heart condition and had to leave the show.
After Hell's Kitchen, Robert lost 450 pounds after 3 heart attacks.
He worked at The Brews Brothers restaurant as Assistant Executive Chef.
He later to work at other restaurants within the group.
Robert started his own food truck Fo Cheezy Twisty Meltz with business partner Craig Munroe.
They later moved from food truck into a premises.
They launched charity No Kid 86'd, which provides food and toys and training opportunities.
He was Executive chef at Eldorado Casino.
Robert is currently Executive Chef at 717 South Restaurant.
Seth Levine was a Private Party Chef from New York.
He was eliminated in episode 4 due to his poor performances but recognised his passion in his cooking.
After Hell's Kitchen, Seth opened a number of restaurants, frozen yogurt and snack stores in both the USA and UK.
He has contributed to FOOD Magazine and has been a consultant on published cook books.
Seth is currently Executive Chef and owner at Hotel Chantelle, The Penthouse Profundo Day Club and Ravel Hotel.
Wil Kocol was a Quality Control Chef from Elgin, Illinois.
He was eliminated in episode 1 after putting himself up for nomination.
Gordon said he had no will to succeed.
After Hell's Kitchen, Wil became Sous Chef at Redstone American Grill.
Wil moved to Yard House, where he became Kitchen Manager in 2013.
Wil transitioned in 2020 and is now called Sarah Kaye Phoenix.
Robert Hesse came back in Season 6 and he did last a couple of weeks. At least that was something.
ReplyDeleteI followed that link about the weight loss...What a difference!
DeleteI have recently been binge watching the early Hell's Kitchen shows in order to catch up. Instead, I have discovered through the internet that the "prizes" are fake! No early winner has received the positions that were constantly alluded to during the seasons. I am disgusted with the lies and have lost respect for Chef Ramsay as a person. Obviously he has earned respect as a chef. Now I feel sorry for all the contestants, knowing they will not receive the promised rewards!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that happened in the earlier seasons, but starting in season 10 when Christina Wilson won, they actually got the jobs that were promised to them.
Delete