Alejandro Najar

“

Chef Ramsay told me not to let anything get in my way so I'm gonna fucking do it.

”

Hometown/Residence	Barberton, OH
Occupation	Executive Chef
Kitchen Experience	-
Culinary Education	-
Statistics
Signature Dish Challenge Score	4 out of 5
Blind Taste Test Score	3 out of 4
Challenges Won	5
Services Won	5
Times as BoW/Announcer	2
Times Nominated	4
Placement	3rd
Episode Eliminated	A Finale for the Ages, Part 1

Alejandro Najar was a contestant on Season 21 of Hell's Kitchen. He ranked in 3rd place.

Season 21

Episode 1/2

Main article: Episode 2101 - Let the Battle Begin

Main article: Episode 2102 - Just Wingin' It

The eighteen new chefs arrived in Los Angeles in two separate limos heading to Hell's Kitchen. The limos arrived at Hell's Kitchen, where Marino was waiting for them. Marino greeted the chefs and introduced them to their Sous Chefs Christina and Jason. They explained that there would be obstacles, but you can't let them get in your way. Later, Ramsay was on a monster truck and crashed into a car, shocking the contestants. Ramsay used it as an example of not letting anything get in your way. Ramsay explained like how the limos got them where they wanted to go, he wanted a chef to take him where he wanted to go. Ramsay questioned whether to hire a chef in their 20s or a chef in their 40s and told them that this season would be a battle of the ages. Ramsay told the contestants to separate between a group of 20s and a group of 40s. Ramsay announced the Signature Dish Challenge and gave the chefs 45 minutes to cook their dishes.

When Nicole revealed that she first applied at a playboy mansion during the Signature Dish Challenge, Alejandro wondered what she would cook there. Still, he then did not want to think about it. He was the seventh person from the red team to have his dish judged by Ramsay and went up against Abe. He presented a brick chicken. Ramsay praised it for being cooked beautifully and said cheers since he worked at a brewery giving him four points. He felt good getting a four. The red team won the challenge after a tiebreaker at 31, and they were rewarded with a dinner cruise with Chef Ramsay. Before they left, he told the 40s that their bedtime was at 8:00 pm and not to forget it.

During the Creative Chicken Wing Challenge, Alejandro stated that the brewery he worked at was Mediterranean themed and felt like he was taking a risk with Mediterranean wings. When Ramsay showed the contestants the Punishment Passes, he felt like getting one is like having the power of God since you get to swap places with someone when you lose a challenge, and he felt like he needed it. When Sous Chef Christina asked if he had made wings like that before, he admitted it was his first time. He was one of the top three chefs from the red team from Sous Chef Christina, which shocked him since it was his first time making Mediterranean wings. He felt so good being in the top three and was super excited and super nervous. He presented his Mediterranean wings with whole Greek yogurt and pomegranate seeds. Ramsay praised it for looking beautiful, having a nice middle eastern flare, and stated that it was very rare for a pomegranate to go with a chicken wing.

Alejandro was deemed the winner of his team and won a Punishment Pass. He felt like a baller since he had the punishment pass. Ramsay also made him and Alex choose the two contestants with the worst wings in their team. He knew it was a hard decision but knew in life, you have to make decisions like that, and he felt like this was his chance to prove that he was the leader. When he tasted Ileana's wings, he revealed that they were undercooked. He named Ileana and Dafne as the bottom two of the red team. When asked about Dafne's wings, he felt that the latter's wings were ambitious but lacked flavor and seasoning. When asked about Ileana's wings, he felt that the latter's wings were undercooked, lacked flavor, and poorly executed.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the garnish station. At one point, his garnish was not ready, and Ramsay told him he could not throw Sakari under the bus if he didn't tell the latter that he wasn't ready. He knew that the meat station and the fish station weren't communicating with him and knew he needed to get his garnish before the entrees and felt like they were arguing too much. The red team won the service.

Episode 3

Main article: Episode 2103 - Clawing Your Way to the Top

During the Whole Lobster Prep Challenge, Alejandro was the final person from the red team to present his attempt, and it was accepted. The red team won the challenge 6-5, and they were rewarded with driving European Sports Cars. Before the red team left for their reward, they had a meeting to discuss the growing tensions. He told Ileana to stick up for herself more.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the appetizer station with Vlad. When the red team received their first order, Ramsay told him to take control of the appetizers. Forty minutes into dinner service, he got his flatbreads ready, but Ileana was late getting her scallops up to the pass. After Ileana got them up, Ramsay told him to tell the fish station he was ready so his food did not die. He knew he had to be the leader Ramsay wanted him to be, and on the following order, he asked Ileana if she had the lobster tail cooking. Ileana nor Sommer did not respond to him, frustrating him as fish was supposed to be an easy station. When he got his risotto up to the pass, Sommer realized they forgot to fire a second lobster tail. After Ileana served a raw lobster tail, a frustrated Ramsay took the dishes and walked the red team into the pantry to scold them for shutting down. Ramsay reminded him of his expectations of him leading appetizers, and he told Ileana to take control of the fish. The red won the service.

After elimination, Alejandro was not impressed by the blue team and knew that sooner or later, they would be taken out one by one. Later that evening, Ramsay brought both teams back downstairs and announced that the battle of the sexes would begin the following day. So, he, Brett, Sakari, and Vlad were reassigned to the blue team.

Episode 4

Main article: Episode 2104 - Slipping Down to Hell

Back at the dorms, Alejandro wanted the men to step it up and work together so they could win. Then, he jokingly asked the forty-year-olds how it would feel about going on rewards finally.

During the Creative Sliders Challenge, Alejandro and Alex made the chicken sliders, but his dish was chosen to represent the blue team. He was the first person from the blue team to have his dish judged, and he went up against Alyssa. He made fried prosciutto and marmalade chicken sliders. They were praised for combining the two elements, but Ramsay wanted the slider a little thicker. So, he scored four points. The blue team won the challenge 16-14, and they were rewarded with a trip to Palm Springs.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the fish station with Vlad. He was not seen that night, and the blue team won the service.

Episode 5

Main article: Episode 2105 - Breakfast 911

During the Emergency Workers Breakfast Service Challenge, Alejandro was at the steak station with Vlad. One of the steaks he cooked was raw, and Vlad felt he had dropped the ball. Then, he asked Alex for a second opinion on his steaks in the blue kitchen and had Brett walk them to the pass. However, the steaks were mid-well, and Billy told him to get it right. Fortunately, the third attempt was accepted. The blue team lost the challenge, and they were punished by participating in trash sorting day. Ramsay asked him if he wanted to use his Punishment Pass, but he declined. As the blue team went back upstairs, he said it sucked to see the women win the reward and said it was time to take the punishment on the chin.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the appetizer station with Abe. He tried to help Abe on the carbonara, but the latter pushed him aside. The blue team lost the service, and they were asked to nominate three people for elimination. During deliberation, Sakari considered him the third nominee, which Alex agreed with as he struggled on steaks that morning. Still, he nominated Abe for lashing out at him when he tried to help and for being slow on the carbonara.

Alejandro was the blue team's third nominee for elimination, with Vlad as the first and Billy as the second. He said he did not want to be judged on one bad day during his plea. Still, Ramsay reminded him that he ran a successful restaurant back home and deemed his performance a letdown. He survived elimination.

Episode 6

Main article: Episode 2106 - Til Chef Do Us Part

Before the Trenton and Macee Wedding Planning Challenge, a picture of Alejandro and his wife was seen. During the cooking, he went for a Mediterranean-styled flatbread. He was the first person from the blue team to have his dish judged and he went up against Tara. He made a Spanish-inspired flatbread with chorizo sausage and clams. Even though Tara found it too out of the box, the dish was deemed good despite Trenton feeling that the flatbread was not fluffy enough. He scored that round, and he hinted that he might put that flatbread on the menu. The blue team won the challenge 4-2, and they were rewarded with a rage room experience at Rage Ground LA and lunch cooked by Suzanne Goin at Cara Cara.

During the Trenton and Macee Wedding Service, Alejandro was at the meat station with Brett. He was not seen that night, and both teams were named joint losers. They were asked to nominate two each. During deliberation, he told Abe that his nomination was a professional opinion when the latter got angry.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 7

Main article: Episode 2107 - Wok This Way

Before the Dome Challenge, Alejandro saw the similarities Ramsay mentioned regarding music and cooking. He grabbed snapper and yuzu for his dish. During the cooking, he debated whether to sear his snapper or poach it without the skin, as it was hard to conceptualize a dish on the fly. He was the final person from the blue team to have his dish judged and went up against Mindy. He made a fried snapper with yuzu dashi. While Ramsay deemed the fried cook smart, Izard felt it needed more seasoning. He lost that round to Mindy and the blue team lost the challenge 2-4.

The blue team was punished by prepping beets for a beetroot risotto for a special that night. Ramsay asked Alejandro if he wanted to use his Punishment Pass, and he said he would use his. He decided to swap places with Sommer, claiming he wanted to throw her off her game and did not want to be around weak chefs. So, he joined the red team on their reward: a rooftop dance party and brand-new HexClad sets.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the appetizer station with Alex. He was seen getting his risotto accepted, and on entrées, he told Abe to fire more fries for the order. Although both teams were named joint-winners, Ramsay still asked them to nominate two each. During deliberation, he nominated Abe.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 8

Main article: Episode 2108 - Game On!

During the Game Meat Challenge, Alejandro correctly guessed pineapple in Kitchen Sightmares and gave it to the women's boar, knowing that tropical fruit and game meat did not match. However, he failed to correctly guess an ingredient later. During the cooking, he and Abe cooked the duck. Come judging, his dish was taken out as Abe's duck had a better finish. When the score was tied at one each, he knew it was the most crucial round of the challenge and had confidence that Brett made the mismatched ingredients work. However, the blue team lost the challenge 1-2, and they were punished by pitting olives and making two pounds of olive tapenade and pesto.

Because Alejandro did not have his dish judged earlier, he was forced to compete in the Cook For Your Life Challenge alongside Alex, Ileana, Tara, and Vlad. He was ready to cook his heart out and deboned half of his whole chicken during the cooking. Then, he grabbed polenta as he wanted starch for his dish, despite knowing that it usually took forty minutes to cook as he refused to let anything get in his way. Still, Dafne was doubtful he could pull it off. Three minutes left, he said he was focused on himself. He was the first person to have his dish judged by Ramsay and presented his seared chicken breast with rosemary polenta, chorizo broth and spring vegetables. He felt confident that he had made a good dish and Ramsay praised the chicken's cooking for being crispy. Ramsay was also amazed that he made a flavorable polenta within the time limit and deemed it a good effort. As he went back in line, he said that if he were to go home, he at least went out with a bang. He was the first chef sent to safety and he claimed he was not going anywhere. The other chefs greeted him as he felt a new fire lit from that challenge, warning everyone he was a force to be reckoned with.

Episode 9

Main article: Episode 2109 - Putting the Carne in Carnival

Before the Creative Steak Challenge, Alejandro said goodbye to Brett as the latter was reassigned to the red team. During part one, he faced Brett in the New York Striploin round and they played jousting. He beated Brett and won a five-minute head start. He was the fourth person to have his dish judged by Ramsay and he made a curry spiced strip steak. It was deemed great, and Ramsay called it the best New York striploin he had tasted. He scored that round and felt he was in a dream. The blue team lost the challenge 2-3 and they were punished by cleaning the dorms and prepping vegetables for Steak Night.

During the Steak Night dinner service, Alejandro was at the fish station. Ramsay called out the first entrée order in the blue kitchen, and he felt nervous as any little mistake would spell doom. Vlad tested the steaks for a temperature check and gave him the okay to walk his salmon, only for him to serve raw fish. Ramsay showed it to the blue team and revealed that the ribeye was also undercooked. After Vlad served his refired ribeye, Ramsay looked to him for the salmon. He got it accepted. On the following order, he sent his dish up, but Ramsay saw that his salmon was wrong and dragged the blue team into the back pantry room. Ramsay revealed that the salmon was overcooked and deemed it a joke. Fortunately, he got the refire accepted. Both teams were named joint losers and they were asked to nominate two each. During deliberation, Alex, Abe, and Sakari considered him for nomination. However, he was not ready to go home and wanted to see another day in Hell's Kitchen.

Alejandro was the blue team's second nominee for elimination, with Vlad as the first. They joined Brett and Tara from the red team. He felt he had stronger services during his plea and promised not to screw up again. He survived elimination. While being dismissed, he planned on being the best version of himself.

Episode 10

Main article: Episode 2110 - Everyone's Taco'ing About It

During the Creative Taco Challenge, Alejandro cooked the pork tacos and was seen searing his steaks. When Sakari went up on the shrimp round, he had high hopes for the former. He was the final chef from the blue team to have his dish judged, and he went up against Dafne. He wanted to go up against Dafne for a long time, so he presented his Thai street tacos with pork tenderloins. While the presentation was beautiful, Ramsay thought that the dish was too sweet due to the coconut milk. He lost that round to Dafne and the blue team lost the challenge after a tie at three each. They were punished by prepping a hundred pounds of corn and making fresh tortillas for a taco special in that night's service. During the punishment, he deemed the husking tedious and got tired of losing as it was affecting his mind. Later, Ramsay asked him for a quick meeting in the pantry. Ramsay told him that while he could cook well, he had a bad habit of getting in the weeds and dropping his head. Ramsay urged him to fight back as he saw what he brought in cooking and gravitas, but he could not afford to disappear that night. Hearing that made him recall how he made a big sacrifice to leave his family to compete and become Ramsay's head chef at Atlantic City. He promised Ramsay he would bring his voice out and be ready to run through a brick wall.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the appetizer station. The blue team worked on their first order in the blue kitchen as he knew it was time for them to bounce back. When Ramsay asked him for a time, he did not respond until he was prompted a few more times. That caused Abe to tell him to man up with his voice as Ramsay was looking for a vocal person to run the line. He used his voice to lead the appetizers and got his risotto accepted. On the final order, he walked up Sakari's steak, but it was raw, and he got frustrated. The blue team lost the service, and they were asked to nominate two people for elimination. During deliberation, he nominated Sakari and Abe for elimination, the latter due to the salmon mishap. In response, Abe nominated him for elimination as the former felt he did not have leadership skills. Still, he knew Ramsay saw how people could bounce back and how they could lead. Abe reminded him that he was messing up in challenges, but he retorted that he made up those mistakes and knew he could lead a kitchen over the former.

Alejandro was not nominated for elimination, and during the ceremony, he welcomed Brett back into the blue team after the latter was reassigned by Ramsay.

Episode 11

Main article: Episode 2111 - 21st Annual Blind Taste Test

The following day, Ramsay gave the chefs Italian dishes that Marino cooked. While tasting the food, Alejandro thought the pizza tasted off. It turned out the dishes were frozen and Ramsay used them to introduce the Blind Taste Test. During Sakari's turn, he received all three punishments. He was the final chef from the blue team to compete and went up against Cheyenne. He got golden beets, pineapple, and potato correctly. The blue team lost the challenge 4-5, and they were punished by baking hundreds of macaroons.

When Ramsay announced the Charity Night service, Alejandro was excited to see Eric McCormack as he used to watch Will and Grace growing up. During the scallop course, he knew Brett was letting the team lead him instead of the other way around due to the latter's quiet leadership. He was in charge of the spring pea and fava bean risotto and was told by Tara to be ready in eight minutes instead of seven. Then, Ramsay scolded him for having his back against his teammates while they made the risotto, warning him that it was dangerous. He felt this was his chance to step up as a leader and told the men to combine some of the risottos to balance the salt taste. However, Ramsay tasted a risotto and told the men to taste it. It was salty, and Ramsay told him to own his course. He thought he should have cooked the risotto himself and got his course out shortly after Tara did.

After service, Ramsay named Sakari as the blue team's "Best of the Best". During deliberation, Sakari spoke with Alejandro first, and he knew the risotto course could have gone better due to the inconsistencies. Sakari felt he should have stepped up that night for his course, but he said it was weird to see the former take control after starting the competition quietly.

Alejandro was Sakari's second nominee for elimination, with Brett as the first. They joined Tara and Dafne from the red team. During his plea, he felt he was the best chef in the competition and could produce excellence despite his hiccups that night. He survived elimination. While being dismissed, he said he would do anything to get the grand prize.

Episode 12

Main article: Episode 2112 - What in Hell's Kitchen?

Later that evening, everyone relaxed in the dorms as Dafne wished they had a video message from their families as a boost. Alejandro said he would not want that as he would cry seeing his family. The following day, the Sous Chefs had the chefs prepare a display for some guests Ramsay invited. Once everything was ready, everyone saw skydivers drop down from the sky and land on the purple carpet they laid out. Ramsay introduced the chefs to the HK Fliers and revealed that they brought an important message to them. They turned around to show letters that spelt black jackets, exciting everyone as it meant the Black Jackets Challenge had arrived.

During the first Black Jackets Challenge, Alejandro said he was making a mussels dish as it was a meal he ate on his first date with his wife. He was the fourth chef to have his dish judged by Ramsay, and he presented his chorizo fennel bacon mussel stew with shawarma marinated prawns. Ramsay loved the broth, but he lost that round to Sommer and Dafne. He was forced to compete in the second challenge.

During the second Black Jackets Challenge, Alejandro got a menu from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and picked the lobster ravioli. During the cooking, he decided to make raviolo with an egg yolk, but he admitted that picking the dish was a ballsy move. He was the fourth chef to have his dish judged by Ramsay, and he presented his lobster egg yolk raviolo with black truffles and crumbed salmon skin. Ramsay loved the finesse and the egg yolk refreshing, but his major praise came from the freshness of the truffles and the salmon. So, Ramsay immediately gave him his black jacket as that was what he was looking for. As he went upstairs, he recalled how he was inches away from going home the previous night. Now, he said that getting a black jacket was crazy and was welcomed by the women with open arms. After changing jackets, he knew his wife would be proud of him for making it and told the women about his thoughts regarding the other’s dishes. Later, he and the women welcomed Alex.

During the third Black Jackets Challenge, Alejandro was the third chef to blind judge the three pork chop dishes. He deemed Sakari’s dish undercooked but thought Tara made it. Then, he thought Cheyenne’s dish was juicy and had a better cook than the first dish, instantly realizing that he was eating the latter’s dish. Lastly, he found Tara’s dish solid, but he mistook it for Sakari’s. He voted for one of the dishes, but it was not shown who he voted for. After Cheyenne got her black jacket, the final five celebrated as Ramsay gave them two plane tickets to go anywhere courtesy of Allegiant Airlines.

Episode 13

Main article: Episode 2113 - The Fab Five Take Flight

Later that evening, everyone gathered in the dining room and began talking about the Covid-19 Pandemic. Alejandro said his place of business shut down during that time.

The following morning, the final five came downstairs to see Ramsay next to an Allegiant airport conveyor belt. Still, Alejandro said he stopped assuming things to happen in Hell’s Kitchen as anything could happen. During the King of the Hill Challenge, he picked flight number 25 and got Austin, Texas, which he deemed the smoking capital of the world. During the cooking, he decided to make Johnnycakes and a potato vinaigrette. He was the second chef to have his dish judged and presented his ribeye with barbecue sauce, Johnnycakes and fried potato vinaigrette. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the vinaigrette was tasty, but Michael Cimarusti found the Johnnycake too heavy. Even though Ramsay found the ribeye cooked perfectly, he failed to dethrone Alex and lost the challenge. He was punished by taking in peppercorns, separating them by hand, grinding them, and prepping pistachios for that night’s services. During the punishment, he worked on the peppercorn and deemed it the worse punishment he did due to his big hands. When Cheyenne and Sommer returned from their reward, they told the others about their accident. However, he got annoyed by how loud Sommer spoke, leading Cheyenne to comment on their beef.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the appetizer station with Sommer. After Ramsay called in Tia Mowry’s order, he and Sommer worked on appetizers despite their complex relationship. Still, Sommer knew he did not want to send out imperfect food like herself. He told Cheyenne he needed two more minutes on his rice and later, sent up his risottos. When Cheyenne struggled to get a rhythm going, Ramsay told him to countdown on times as he refused to serve the dining room as they were currently doing. On entrées, he came to the garnish station to help Dafne. After the final five were kicked out of the kitchen due to multiple mistakes, they were tasked to nominate two people for elimination. During deliberation, he and Alex knew Cheyenne had the most mistakes that night, but he did remind the latter that his one mistake on the steaks got them kicked out. Then, he told Dafne she was quiet that night.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 14

Main article: Episode 2114 - Lights, Camera, Sabotage!

During the Presentation Challenge, Alejandro took the branzino as he wanted the dish to look immaculate. With sixteen minutes left, he wanted to prove to everyone what he had, but he saw that everyone had amazing plates and realized it would be stiff competition. He was the third chef to have his dish judged and thought his dish was worthy of a win as it looked and tasted stunning, like a work of art. He made a branzino with Thai curry and roasted vegetables. It was praised for the cook of the fish, and Gerrad Hall said the colors were beautiful. After his review, he considered opening his own sauce company. He lost the challenge to Dafne and was punished by making compound butter by churning it. As the two went back upstairs to await their punishment, During the punishment, he wished he still had his Punishment Pass, but Sommer reminded him that he had already used it on her. He admitted that he did it to get under Sommer’s skin, and the latter was still upset by that. As the two churned the butter, Sommer refused to make contact with him due to the motion, and he felt he underestimated the punishment, saying he had never had that type of exercise since high school.

Before service, Ramsay pulled Alejandro to the pantry for assertiveness training. He stammered but was able to get his assertiveness worked out. During dinner service, he was at the meat station. He was the first chef to run the pass. He knew it was his moment to shine and swore to look out for any sabotages he encountered. He called his first order very well and in a booming voice, making Dafne wonder if God was speaking. Dishes were sent up to the pass, and Ramsay gave him his first test: a risotto with orzo instead of arborio rice. He quickly caught the mistake and sent the correct order to Hall’s table. He continued to lead the kitchen and felt it was like running his brewery. His second test came in the form of a ribeye instead of the New York striploin. Once again, he quickly caught it and told Ramsay nothing would get past him. As the chefs gave him the food, Sous Chef Christina gave him lentils le puy instead of black lentils for the salmon garnish. That time, he failed to see the mistake until after he plated them, but he felt proud of his time on the pass. During Sommer's turn, the former did not tell him what the entrée order on the ticket was. During Dafne's turn, he deemed Sommer's action of talking over the former rude as no one talked over his turn.

After service, Ramsay asked the final four to name one person that did not deserve to be in the finale. During deliberation, Alejandro knew it would be a tough decision as everyone did a great job that night. Still, he knew making a tough decision was part of the job. He said he was torn between Dafne and Sommer. He thought Dafne needed to raise her voice, and Alex agreed. Then, he told Sommer she tended to be frantic, and Alex said he did not like how she was dismissive to their questions.

When the final four came downstairs, Ramsay asked them why they deserved to be in the finale. Alejandro felt he was an awesome leader and had a great palate, believing he could succeed in Atlantic City. He was the first person to make it to the finale for having the best leadership of the final four that night. He was joined by Alex and Dafne. While being dismissed, he said his family would be proud of him.

Episode 15/16

Main article: Episode 2115 - A Finale for the Ages, Part 1

Main article: Episode 2116 - A Finale for the Ages, Part 2

After returning to the dorms, the final three were treated to champagne and toasted to their milestone. Alejandro found the journey surreal, but he was proud of himself for getting that far.

Later that evening, Ramsay called the dorms and asked Alex to bring the trio back downstairs. On returning to the dining room, Ramsay explained that their final challenge was to design their own menu. After the final three received menu books, Ramsay explained that each would receive a Sous Chef to help conceptualize their menu. When Ramsay described Season 11's Jon life after competing, Alejandro commented that even non-winners could make a career out of Hell's Kitchen. Once the final three opened their books, they found out where they would meet their Sous Chef. He got the patio and met with Jon. He was ready to take risks and told Jon his Asian-themed menu ideas. Jon was impressed and suggested that he cook with seabream. He was intrigued despite never cooking it before.

The following day, Sous Chef Jason called the dorms and asked Alex to come down to the patio for a message from Ramsay. Everyone was nervous as Alejandro wondered if it was challenge time. Ramsay told the final three that he wanted the final three to relax for a day of wellness. Ramsay arranged for the final three a stay at a VIP hotel room with a group sound bath, something he had no idea what it entailed. Lastly, the final three had a VIP dinner reservation at the Castaway, with Ramsay joining them. The final three drove to their first event and had their group sound bath. He felt something after two minutes, and Alex noticed he had dozed off during the meditation. Still, Alex wondered what kind of voodoo magic the guru did to make him relax. Later, the final three arrived at Castaway for dinner as Ramsay awaited them. After being duped by a couple of empty rooms, he asked if the bamboozling would end. Ramsay led the final three to where they were eating. As the final three ate, he described his experience as amazing, recalling beating Brett in the jousting game, enjoying the silent disco reward, the photoshoot, and winning the Creative Chicken Wing and Black Jackets Challenges. Later that evening, the final three returned to Hell's Kitchen, but when they entered the dining room, they were welcomed by a large crowd and the returning chefs. After the final three went to the main stage, Ramsay said this was their final challenge and welcomed the returning chefs back to Hell's Kitchen. When asked about their insights into the competition, he said he had top ten moments in the competition alone. Ramsay told the final three that the stakes were high as the top two chefs of the Final Menu Challenge would be in the final dinner service and gave them one hour to cook their dishes.

During the Final Menu Challenge, Alejandro felt nervous cooking in front of a live audience and tried to keep his confidence. Also, he cooked the sea bream for the first time as it was go time. Ninety seconds left, he knew there were only two spots in the final dinner service and was confident he would earn one of them. On the cold appetizer round, he presented his Vietnamese-style beef tartare with smoked oyster aioli and rice cracker. Mei Lin did not get the Vietnamese flavor he went for, but she liked the dish's cracker-smashing portion. He scored 8 points, bumming him out as he thought his dish was great. On the hot appetizer round, he presented his uni pasta. It was decadent, but David Myers liked the brulée torching of the uni. He scored 9 points. When Stephani Izard came for the chicken entrée round, he recalled that she was a hard judge to please as he failed to get a point from her in the Dome Challenge. Still, he felt he had the flavors that time and presented his roasted chicken with seared baby squash and black truffle potato puree. It was praised for the home-styled attempt, but he knew anything could happen with the judging. Izard found the dish moist, and the skin was crispy, with special praise for the potatoes. He scored 9 points. On the fish entrée round, he presented his sea bream with Thai green curry and trumpet mushrooms. They were deemed delicious and he scored a perfect 10. On the beef entrée round, he presented his dukkha-crusted wagyu steak with fried shallots and herb salad. Curtis Stone found the steak cooked well and deemed it the hero. Although he hoped he would get a 9, he scored 8 points instead.

Alejandro lost the challenge 45-46-46 and was eliminated from the competition. Still, Ramsay told him that he made his family proud for getting far as he could. He said he would not trade his experience for anything else, as he was proud of getting as far as he could. Ramsay did not comment on his elimination, and he did not receive the portrait burning sequence. After joining the returning chefs, Alex picked him as his first chef for his team, as the former knew he was a workhorse. He was the first pick overall and was followed by Brett, Cheyenne, and Tara.

Back at the dorms, Alejandro said that both Alex and Dafne sucked, making everyone laugh. When Alex went over the menu, the former put him on garnish as he knew he had a powerful voice.

During dinner service, Alejandro was at the garnish station. When service began, he knew he must be great for Alex to win. Later, he walked up Brett's fried chicken, but it was raw. After service ended, he believed that Alex made a perfect team and had confidence that the latter would win. Alex eventually won the finale over Dafne.

Nomination History

Week 1	BoB
	Win
Week 2	Win
Week 3	Win
Week 4	Nominated
Week 5	Safe
Week 6	Win
Week 7	Nominated
Week 8	Nominated
Week 9	Safe
Week 10	Nominated
Week 11	Safe
Week 12	Safe
Week 13	Safe
Week 14	Eliminated

Post Hell's Kitchen

• After his appearance on the show, Alejandro worked at The Blue Door in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio until June 2023. He cited the owner's mistreatment of staff as the reason for his departure.
• In July 2023, he moved to New York City and became a Private Chef.
• In November 2023, he is named Executive Chef at Butcher's Cellar in Woodway, Texas.

Trivia

• He is the sixth contestant to earn a punishment pass, following Bret (Season 18), Syann (Season 19), Steve, Brynn (both from Season 20), and Alex (also from Season 21).
• He currently holds the record for the longest tenure with a new team, with nine services, and is tied with Natalie (Season 9), Amber (Season 19), Sakari, and Tara (both also from Season 21).
• He is the ninth male contestant who switched teams and made it to black jackets, following Michael (Season 1), Matt (Season 4), Giovanni (Season 5), Benjamin (Season 7), Trev (Season 8), Scott (Season 12), Josh (Season 14), and Bret (Season 18). He was also the only contestant of that season to make it to the black jackets after switching teams.
• He is the sixth contestant and third male contestant, who made it to black jackets after competing in the Cook For Your Life Challenge, following Milly, Robyn (both from Season 17), Bret, Heather (both from Season 18), and Amber (Season 19). He is the first one to make it to the finals.
• He is the first contestant to receive a black jacket during a Black Jackets Challenge round before Ramsay finished his judging.
• He is the fifth contestant to switch teams that ranked in third place, following Benjamin (Season 7), Melanie (Season 12), Sade (Season 13), and Bret (Season 18).
• He is the seventh black jacket contestant who did not receive a retrospective montage of his run after being eliminated, following Josh (Season 3), Santos, Jennifer (both from Season 13), Nick (Season 17), Declan (Season 19), and Kiya (Season 20). He is also the fourth contestant who is in 3rd place to do so.
• He is the fourth contestant and third male who was announced as a finalist but didn't make it to the final two, following Nick (Season 17), Declan (Season 19), and Kiya (Season 20).
• He is the twenty-fifth contestant to keep his jacket after elimination, following Ji (Season 5), Ariel (Season 6), Jillian (Season 8), Elise (Season 9), Dana (Season 10), Jon (Season 11), Melanie (Season 12), Sterling (Season 13), Ashley (Season 15), Heidi (Season 16), Elise, Jennifer, Robyn, Milly, Nick (all from Season 17), Motto, Bret (both from Season 18), Nikki, Cody, Declan (all from Season 19), Steve, Brynn, Kiya (all from Season 20), and Sommer (also from Season 21).

Quotes

• "Chef Ramsay told me not to let anything get in my way so I'm gonna fucking do it."
• (After being eliminated) "I would not trade this experience for anything. I’m extremely proud of myself. This has been such an amazing experience. My head is held up high. And I’m excited what the future brings.”

Gallery

• Chef
• Dishes

Alejandro in Red Jacket

Alejandro's Confessional (Red Jacket)

Alejandro with the Punishment Pass

Alejandro in Blue Jacket

Alejandro's Confessional (Blue Jacket)

Billy, Vlad, and Alejandro Nominated

Tara, Ileana, Alex, Alejandro, and Vlad Nominated in Cook For Your Life Challenge

Brett, Tara, Vlad, and Alejandro Nominated

Alejandro in Blind Taste Test

Tara, Dafne, Brett, and Alejandro Nominated

Alejandro in Black Jacket

Alejandro's Confessional (Black Jacket)

Alejandro Eliminated

Alejandro's Signature Dish (Episode 1)

Alejandro's Chicken Wings Dish (Episode 2)

Alejandro's Sliders Dish (Chicken) (Episode 4)

Alejandro's Trenton and Macee's Wedding Flatbread Appetizer (Episode 6)

Alejandro's Dome-Wok Dish (Snapper) (Episode 7)

Alejandro's Game Meat Dish (Duck) (Not Judged) (Episode 8)

Alejando's Cook For Your Life Dish (Episode 8)

Alejandro's Creative Steak Dish (New York Striploin) (Episode 9)

Alejandro's Taco Dish (Pork) (Episode 10)

Alejandro's Black Jacket Dish (Round 1) (Episode 12)

Alejandro's Black Jacket Dish (Round 2) (Episode 12)

Alejandro's King of The Hill Dish (Austin) (Episode 13)

Alejandro's Seafood Dish Presentation (Episode 14)

Alejandro's Final Menu Dish (Cold Appetizer) (Episode 15)

Alejandro's Final Menu Dish (Hot Appetizer) (Episode 15)

Alejandro's Final Menu Dish (Chicken Entrée) (Episode 15)

Alejandro's Final Menu Dish (Seafood Entrée) (Episode 15)

Alejandro's Final Menu Dish (Beef Entrée) (Episode 15)

External Link

• Alejandro Najar on Instagram