Hell's Kitchen Season 9 Where Are They Now?

Hell's Kitchen Season 9 aired from July 18 to September 19 2011.

It aired on the FOX network and there were 18 contestants.

The prize for the winner was a Head Chef position at BLT Steak in New York City, New York.

In this season, Gordon Ramsay was judge and James Lukanik was Maître d'.

Andi van Willigan was sous chef for the red team and Scott Leibfried was sous chef for the blue team.

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Amanda Colello was a Personal Chef from Sun City, California.

She was eliminated in episode 3 due to her lack of fight in the competition.

After Hell's Kitchen, Amanda was a Private Chef and consultant.

She became Head chef of Fiore Steak and Seafood.

Amanda has done a number of cookery events, charity fundraisers.

She has taken part in Reality Rally since 2012.

In November 2019, Amanda appeared on Chopped season 44.

Amanda was Specialty Chef at Harrah's Resort Southern California.

She is currently Chef De Cuisine at Pechanga Resort Casino.

Brendan Heavey was a Head Chef from Hoboken, New Jersey.

He was eliminated in episode 2 for his poor performance and his ego.

After Hell's Kitchen, Brendan was head chef at Irish Exit.

He returned to college and graduated with a Masters of Business Administration.

Brendan works at the U.S. Department of State.

Brendan married his partner and they have two children.

Carrie Keep was a Pantry Chef from Dallas, Texas.

She was eliminated in episode 10 due to her lack of experience.

Gordon praised her for her ambition.

After Hell's Kitchen, Carrie took a break from the kitchen.

She is now a Pilates instructor at Classic Pilates Studio.

Chino Chang was an Executive Chef from Hatboro, Pennsylvania.

He was eliminated in episode 4 for his consistently poor services.

After Hell's Kitchen, Chino worked at Redstone American Grill.

He was Executive Chef at South Fin Grill.

Chino became Regional Executive Chef for Redstone.

He is currently Director of Culinary for GLU Hospitality.

Elise Wims was a Line Cook from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She was eliminated in episode 15 but was praised for her resilience and allowed her to keep her jacket.

After Hell's Kitchen, Elise started her own catering/consultancy/food demonstration business The Diva Chef.

Elise has made many TV appearances for cooking and fitness segments.

She also her own fitness prepackaged food company.

Elise returned for season 17.

She has remarried a divorce from her first husband and is now Elise Harris.

Elizabeth Bianchi was a Line Cook from New York City.

She was eliminated in episode 12 as Gordon felt she wasn't ready to lead a kitchen.

After Hell's Kitchen, Elizabeth returned to working in the kitchen.

She was a Chef at the Union League Club.

Elizabeth regularly appeared in cookery segments on Good Morning New York.

She was an aspiring actress and had some bit parts on TV.

Gina Melcher was a Restaurant Consultant from Cape May, New Jersey.

She was eliminated in episode 5 due to her deteriorating performances, failure to communicate and her lack of fight.

After Hell's Kitchen, Gina returned to her career as a restaurant consultant.

She was a chef at Morimoto Maui.

Gina has married and is now called Gina Melcher Haggerty.

Jamie Gregorich was a Sous Chef from Bradenton, Florida.

She was eliminated in episode 9 due to her lack of fight to win.

After Hell's Kitchen, Jamie returned to her previous role at Manatee Technical College as a culinary instructor.

She later worked at IMG Academy Golf Club logo, working her way up from Cook to Executive Chef.

Jamie became Territory Manager at US Foods.

She was currently Key Account Specialist at Affinity Group, Sales & Marketing Agency.

Jamie was a Crossfit Coach.

She is currently Culinary Zone Manager at Lactalis American Group.

Jason Zepaltas was a Line Cook from Chicago, Illinois.

He left in episode 1 after becoming short of breath and being rushed to hospital.

After Hell's Kitchen, Jason returned to the kitchen at Real Kitchen.

He moved to other restaurants in the area.

Jason returned for season 12 of Hell's Kitchen.

He works for his the business his family owns, Zepaltas Wines.

Jennifer Normant was a Chef de Cuisine from Boston, Massachusetts.

She was eliminated in episode 14 for her worsening performances but Gordon praised her heart.

After Hell's Kitchen, Jennifer worked at Beacon Grille as Executive Chef.

She later moved to Kings and then Sea Level Oyster Bar.

Jennifer is currently Executive Chef at Finz Seafood and Grill.

In 2021, she appeared on Chopped for an All-Stars tournament, where she came in second place.

Jonathon Plumley was a Head Cook from Memphis, Tennessee.

He was eliminated in episode 8 due to his poor communication and performances and refusing to accept blame.

After Hell's Kitchen, Jonathon became a travelling Culinary Consultant.

He was also a private chef.

Jonathon sadly passed away in February 2022.

He died aged 45 after a heart attack.

Krupa Patel was a Private Cook from Queens, New York.

She was eliminated in episode 7 for her deteriorating performances but praised her heart.

After Hell's Kitchen, Krupa returned to her previous role as a Private Chef.

From 2012 to 2016 she was Owner/Operator of Over Easy Cafe.

Krupa is Owner/Executive Chef at Chef Kru Catering.

They offer private dinners and cooking lessons.

She was Executive Chef at Village Pine until 2022.

Krupa is Culinary Director at Oath 84.

Monterray Keys was a Line Cook from Darby, Pennsylvania.

He was eliminated in episode 6 due to his inconsistent performances but was praised for his effort.

After Hell's Kitchen, Monterray became a Private Chef.

He is owner of Keys To Catering.

In 2025, he launched a podcast foodandbullsh*t with friend and chef Alex.

Natalie Blake was a Sous Chef from Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

She was eliminated in episode 11 for her deteriorating performances but praised her energy.

After Hell's Kitchen, Natalie was Executive Chef at Aramark Refreshment Services.

She was later Head Chef at The Jax, which has since shut.

Natalie worked at Adega restaurant as Executive Chef.

She is currently Executive Chef at Spice Catering Company.

In 2024, Natalie appeared on Beat Bobby Flay.

In 2025, she appeared on Cutthroat Kitchen.

Natalie is the performance chef for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Paul Niedermann was a Sous Chef from Davie, Florida.

Paul was the Hell's Kitchen Season 9 winner due to his passion and determination.

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 and was briefly Head Chef.

He moved to other restaurants in the group.

Paul worked at BLT Steak in Los Angeles as Chef de Cuisine.

He was Executive Chef at BLT Prime in Doral, Florida.

Paul left to become Executive Chef at Hudson at Waterway East.

He was later Exeucitve Chef at Racks Restaurant Management Group.

Paul was Corporate Executive Chef at SALT7.

He was later Executive Chef at The Jupiter Grill.

Paul is currently Corporate Executive Chef at Sharfi Holdings.

Steven Paluba was a Chef from Ridge, New York.

He was eliminated in episode 1 for having the worst performance of the service.

After Hell's Kitchen, Steven opened a restaurant called Tauk at Trails End.

The restaurant has very good reviews.

Steven also runs a food truck called Wave Crave.

Tommy Stevens was a Line Cook from Brewster, New York.

He was eliminated in episode 15 but was praised by Gordon for his passion and energy in the kitchen.

After Hell's Kitchen, Tommy was a cook at Ancient Mariner.

He has been a contestant on Cutthroat Kitchen twice, once in 2014 and again in 2015.

Tommy is owner and Executive Chef at Iron & Wine Restaurant.

He opened the restaurant in 2016.

Will Lustberg was a Sous Chef from Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was the Hell's Kitchen season 9 runner up, losing out to Paul and took his defeat graciously.

After Hell's Kitchen, Will returned his position at The Waldorf Astoria.

He moved on to be a chef at The Princeton Club of New York.

Will later worked at Hudson Table as a Culinary Specialist.

He was Executive Sous Chef at Highgate Hotels from 2018-2023.

Will was then Executive Chef / Director of Culinar at HandCraft Hospitality.

He is currently Executive Chef at Park Avenue Kitchen in New York.

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