Hell's Kitchen Season 18 Where Are They Now?

Hell's Kitchen Season 18 Rookies vs Veterans aired September 28 2018 to 8th February 2019.

It aired on Fox Network and there were 16 contestants.

The prize for the winner was an Executive chef position at Hell's Kitchen Restaurant at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In this season, Gordon Ramsay was judge and Marino Monferrato was Maître d'.

Christina Wilson was sous chef for the red team and James "Jocky" Petrie was sous chef for the blue team.

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Ariel Contreras-Fox was from Brooklyn, New York.

She was a veteran contestant and competed in Hell's Kitchen 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 did not take up the Executive chef position at Hell's Kitchen Restaurant at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Instead she became Executive Chef of Dos Caminos in NYC.

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

Bret Hauser was from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

He was a veteran contestant and competed in Hell's Kitchen season 14 but left Hell's Kitchen due to an injury.

Bret was eliminated in episode 15.

Gordon praised him for his passion and allowed him to keep his jacket.

After Hell's Kitchen, Bret was arrested in November 2018.

He was arrested for trafficking of synthetic products, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug equipment.

He featured in an article on lifestyle magazine Palm Beach Cannabis (so it isn't surprising he would have these items).

Bret is a private chef.

Chris Mendonca was an Executive Chef from Boston, Massachusetts.

He was a rookie contestant.

Chris withdrew from the competition in episode 6 after realising his mental health was suffering in the process.

After Hell's Kitchen, Chris worked at Ward 8 as the Chef de Cuisine.

In February 2019, he moved to become a Chef at The Automatic Food & Drink.

In June 2020, he joined Ellacoya Barn & Grille as a chef.

He has had positions at White Dog Haverford and Burrata Philly.

Chris was Sous Chef and later Executive Chef at Nemacolin.

Chris has now been sober for over 3 years, as of 2025.

In 2025, he became a Sous Chef at Stubborn Seed.

Chris Motto aka Motto was an Executive Chef from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

He was a rookie contestant.

Chris voluntarily left the show in episode 14 to take the culinary skills he had learnt back to his home town.

Motto was praised by Gordon and allowed to keep his jacket.

After Hell's Kitchen, Motto returned to Mansurs On The Boulevard in Baton Rouge and his role of Executive Chef.

He has raised money for a several local charities by taking part in cookery events.

In 2022, Motto moved to Jubans Creole Restaurant as Chef de Cuisine.

In 2024, he became Executive Chef at The Colonel’s Club.

Elizabeth aka Gizzy Barton was a Former Executive Chef from Atlanta, Georgia.

She was a rookie contestant.

Gizzy was eliminated in episode 7 due to leaving the scales on her bass dish, her choice to sit out of the task and her waning confidence.

After Hell's Kitchen, Gizzy returned to Ecco and her previous role as Sous Chef.

She was Executive Chef/Co-Owner at Atlanta Personal Chef Service.

They offered meal plan services alongside personal chef services.

Gizzy also did cookery demonstrations online and has taken part in culinary events.

She has married and is now Gizzy Rawlins.

Gizzy is currently Executive chef at Fifth Group Restaurants.

Heather Williams was from Easton, Pennsylvania.

She was a veteran contestant and she competed in Hell's Kitchen season 16, where she was runner up.

Heather was eliminated in episode 13 due to her worsening performances, her excuses and not being as strong as her previous season.

After Hell's Kitchen, Heather was Executive Chef at Leaf Cigar Bar.

She is currently at Lehigh Valley IronPigs as Executive Chef .

Jen Gavin was from Chicago, Illinois.

She was a veteran contestant and she competed in Hell's Kitchen season 4, where she came in 4th place.

Jen was eliminated during the service in episode 3 after she exploded at Gordon and accused him of sabotaging her.

After Hell's Kitchen, Jen returned to her company Edible Passport.

There she offers private chef services, catering and culinary classes.

She has expressed her regret for returning to the show.

Jen says she only agreed to it after she lost a lot of money when a food truck investment fell through.

Jose DeJesus was a Chef de Cuisine from Bronx, New York.

He was a rookie contestant.

Jose was eliminated in episode 10 due to allowing raw veal to be served and due to his poor leadership.

After Hell's Kitchen, Jose returned to Breaking Bread Kitchen.

There he offered pop up dining experiences and underground dining experiences.

Jose is currently a private chef.

He offers private chef services and catering services as well as consulting services.

Jose works for a number of celebrity clients.

In 2020, he appeared on Beat Bobby Flay.

Kanae Houston was a Lead Line Cook from Los Angeles, California.

She was a rookie contestant.

Kanae was eliminated in episode 12 as she failed to get the final black jacket.

She was praised by Gordon who believed she would have a great future in the industry.

After Hell's Kitchen, Kanae is a personal chef offering catering, private chef and cook and sip experiences.

She also offers gardening and Food to Table workshops for families.

Kanae offers cooking classes through her company Always Homemade.

She has done several pop up dining experiences.

Kevin Cottle was from Middletown, Connecticut.

He was a veteran contestant and competed in Hell's Kitchen season 6, where he was runner up.

Kevin was eliminated in episode 5 after multiple nominations.

Gordon praised his achievements but believed he did not appear to have the same passion as in season 6.

After Hell's Kitchen, Kevin returned to his previous role at Fire at the Ridge at Powder Ridge Ski Resort as the Executive Chef.

In March 2019, he became Corporate Executive Chef at American Cruise Lines.

He was promoted to Director of Culinary Operations.

Mia Castro was a Private Chef from Miami Beach, Florida.

She was a rookie contestant.

Mia Castro was the Hell's Kitchen season 18 runner-up, losing out to Ariel.

Mia took her defeat with grace and was happy for Ariel, as they had grown close.

After Hell's Kitchen, Mia is a private chef, food content creator and a food photographer.

She hosted YouTube series Ramsay in 10.

Mia is a culinary consultant and brand ambassador.

Her cookbook Cocina Puerto Rico is due to be released in 2026.

Roe DiLeo was from Dallas, Texas.

She was a veteran contestant and competed in Hell's Kitchen season 13, where she came in 5th place.

Roe was eliminated in episode 8 due to her poor performance on meat after serving raw steaks.
After Hell's Kitchen, Roe is at City Tavern as Executive Chef.

In August 2019, she appeared on Chopped.

Scotley Innis was a Sous Chef from Atlanta, Georgia.

He was a rookie contestant.

Scotley was eliminated in episode 9 due to his declining performances.

After Hell's Kitchen, Scotley returned to his position as Executive Chef at 5Church.

In 2019, he became a Personal Chef.

He offered catering and events, meal prep and cookery classes.

Scotley is co-owner of three restaurants.

They are Continent Atlanta, Continent Brooklyn and ALIYA.

Scotley has taken part in several cookery events as a demonstrator and speaker.

Scott Popovic was an Executive Chef from Cleveland, Ohio.

He was a rookie contestant.

Scott was eliminated in episode 2 due to his lack of focus that saw him cooking the shrimp that was supposed to be cooked tableside.

After Hell's Kitchen, Scott worked at Polaris Career Center teaching culinary arts as a Chef instructor.

In 2023, he was Culinary Innovations Manager at Nestlé Professional.

Scott is Private Chef/Owner at Evoke Private Dining.

He is also owner of Evoke Hospitality Consulting.

Torrece aka T Gregoire was from Draper, Virginia.

She was a veteran contestant and competed in Hell's Kitchen season 14, where she was runner up.

T was eliminated in episode 6 due to her poor performances and failure to communicate with Heather.

After Hell's Kitchen, Torrece went to work at the Draper Mercantile

T became Executive Chef and later Director of Culinary Operations.

In March 2019, she moved to Radford University as Executive Chef.

T opened her first restaurant ina+forbes in August 2019 but this closed during the pandemic.

Reviews were excellent prior to the closure.

T was Executive Chef at Union 41.

The restaurant closed in 2025 to focus on private chef services and catering.

T appeared on season 1 of NBC's Yes Chef and season 1 of Food Network's Big Restaurant Bet.

Trevor aka Trev McGrath was from New York City.

He was a veteran contestant and competed in Hell's Kitchen season 8, where he came in 4th place.

Trev was eliminated in episode 11 for losing the respect of his team, failing to take the blame and his worsening performances.

After Hell's Kitchen, Trev is executive chef/owner at catering company YooNeke.

In May 2020, he launched a Skinny Chef meals delivery service.

Trev has since stepped out of the culinary world and is now a mailman.

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