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Final Menu Challenge

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The Final Menu Challenge is a recurring challenge in Hell's Kitchen.

Overview[]

This challenge typically occurs during the final two, Ramsay has them cook a sample menu of their dishes (minimum three, maximum five) in front of a live audience. They would then be judged by guest judges who would give a point to the best dish of each course. The person with the most points would win an advantage, mostly having first pick of their brigade.

In Season 17, an new variant was introduced when three chefs were involved. Ramsay would turn the challenge into an Elimination Challenge where the two high scoring chefs would move onto the final dinner service, while the loser was eliminated. The person with the most points got first pick of their brigade. In the event of a tie, Ramsay would give the person with the most perfect tens the first pick.

This challenge not only tests how improved the final two became since the beginning of the season but also shows how well they can handle a menu for the grand prized restaurant.

History[]

Season 5[]

In episode 14, the challenge was introduced. Ramsay had Danny and Paula cook three dishes from their menus to be judged by three of the Borgata Hotel's Executive Chefs. The judges were Borgata’s Executive Chefs, which included Michael Shulson of Izakaya, Geoffrey Zakarian of The Water Club, and Larry Mullin. Paula won the first round, but Danny won the other two rounds, giving him the win at 2-1.[1]

Season 7[]

In episode 15, Ramsay had Jay and Holli cook five dishes from their menus which included an amuse-bouche, cold and hot appetizers, and a fish and a beef entrée in one hour. The judges included James Durrant, from the restaurant Maze, Diego Cardoso, from the restaurant Murano, Clare Smyth, from Ramsay's restaurant at the Royal Hospital Road, Steve Allen, from the restaurant Claridge's, and Stuart Gillies, from the Savoy Grill. Jay won the amuse-bouche round, but Holli won the cold appetizer round. Then, Holli won the hot appetizer round, while Jay won the fish entrée round. On the final round, Jay scored on the meat entrée round, and he won the challenge 3-2.[2]

Season 8[]

In episode 15, Ramsay had Nona and Russell cook five dishes from their menus which included soup, salad, pasta, and a fish and a beef entrée in one hour. The judges included Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG, Joachim Spilichal, Executive Chef of the Patina Group, David Myers, Executive Chef and Owner of Sona, David Lefevre, Executive Chef of the Water Crest, and Kerry Simon from LA Market. Nona scored on the soup round, while Russell scored on the salad round. Then, Nona scored on the pasta round, and Russell scored on the fish round. In the end, Russell scored on the meat round, and he won the challenge 3-2.[3]

Season 9[]

In episode 16, Ramsay had Paul and Will cook five dishes from their menus which included a seafood appetizer, a salad, a seafood entrée, a bone-in ribeye, and a filet of beef in one hour. The judging was done by five people from the BLT Steak family, which included Victor Albisu from the BLT Steak in Washington, D.C., Brian Moyers from the BLT Steak in Los Angeles, Johan Svensson from the BLT Steak in Honolulu, Cliff Crooks from the BLT Steak in New York City, and BLT Steak President Keith Treyball. While Will scored on the seafood appetizer round, Paul scored on both the salad and seafood entrée. However, Will scored on both the bone-in ribeye and filet of beef, winning the challenge 3-2.[4]

Season 10[]

In episode 19, Ramsay had Christina and Justin cook five dishes from their menus which included a salad, a seafood appetizer, a ribeye, a filet, and a fish entrée in one hour. While Justin scored on the first two rounds, Christina scored on the remaining three, winning the challenge 3-2.[5]

Season 11[]

In episode 21, Ramsay had Ja'Nel and Mary cook five dishes from their menus which included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, a fish entrée, a chicken entrée, and a beef entrée. Ja'Nel scored on the cold appetizer round, while Mary scored on the hot appetizer round. However, Ja'Nel scored on the fish entrée round, but Mary scored on the chicken entrée. Lastly, Ja'Nel scored on the beef entrée challenge, and she won the challenge 3-2.[6]

Season 12[]

In episode 20, Ramsay had Jason and Scott cook five dishes from their menus. That season also featured a change in the scoring, as each judge would now score each dish on a 1-10 rank, and the chef with the most points at the end was the winner. On the cold appetizer round, Scott scored 9 while Jason scored 8. On the hot appetizer round, both scored 8, and on the chicken entrée round, both scored 9. However, on the fish entrée round, Jason scored 9 while Scott scored 8. Finally, Scott scored 9 points on the beef entrée round while Jason scored 8 points. Scott won the challenge 43–42.[7]

Season 13[]

On episode 16, Ramsay had Bryant and La Tasha cook five dishes from their menus which included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées that featured beef, chicken, and fish in one hour. The judges included Randy Lutz, Josiah Citrin, Matthew Kirkley, Dominique Crenn, and David Lefevre. On the cold appetizer round, La Tasha scored 8 while Bryant scored 7. On the hot appetizer round, Bryant scored 9 while La Tasha scored 8. On the fish entrée, Bryant scored 8 while La Tasha scored 7. On the chicken entrée round, La Tasha scored a perfect 10 while Bryant scored 7 points. Finally, Bryant scored 8 points on the beef entrée round while La Tasha scored 9 points, giving her the win 42-39.[8]

Season 14[]

On episode 16, Ramsay had Meghan and T cook five dishes from their menus which included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées that featured beef, chicken, and fish in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, T scored 8 while Meghan scored 7. On the hot appetizer round, Meghan scored 9 while T scored 8. On the fish entrée round, T scored 9 while Meghan scored 8, which was the same for the chicken entrée round. Finally. while both scored 8 points on the beef entrée round, T won the challenge 42-41.[9]

Season 15[]

On episode 16, Ramsay had Ariel and Kristin cook five dishes from their menus which included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées that featured beef, chicken, and fish in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, Kristin scored 9 points while Ariel scored 8 points. On the hot appetizer round, Ariel scored 9 points while Kristin scored 8 points, which was the same for the fish entrée round. On the chicken entrée round, Kristin scored 9 points while Ariel scored 8 points. Finally, Kristin scored 8 points on the beef entrée round, while Ariel scored 7.5 points, and the former won the challenge 42-41.5.[10]

Season 16[]

In episode 16, Ramsay had Heather and Ryan cook four dishes which included a hot appetizer, a fish entrée, a beef entrée, and a chicken entrée in one hour. For that season, Ramsay changed the rules that the winner of each round would pick somebody from the returning chefs as part of their brigade. Heather and Ryan cook four dishes which included a hot appetizer, a fish entrée, a beef entrée, and a chicken entrée. Heather won the hot appetizer round and picked Andrew as her first pick, while Ryan scored fish entrée and picked Heidi as her first. Then, Heather won the beef entrée round and picked Kimberly as her second, and she also won the chicken entrée round. Afterwards, it turned into a schoolyard pick for the remaining chefs.[11]

Season 17[]

In episode 15, the challenge happened when there were three chefs for the first time. Ramsay had Benjamin, Nick, and Michelle cook five dishes that included a cold appetizer, hot appetizer, and three entrées which featured fish, chicken, and beef in one hour. The rules reverted to what they were before Season 16. On the cold appetizer round, Michelle scored 9 points, while Benjamin and Nick each scored 8. On the hot appetizer round, both Benjamin and Nick scored 9 each while Michelle scored 8 points. On the fish entrée round, Michelle scored 9 points, while Benjamin and Nick each scored 8. On the chicken entrée round, both Benjamin and Nick scored 9 each while Michelle scored 8 points. With the scores being 34 each, it came down to the beef entrée round to decide which two of the three would make it to the final dinner service. In the end, Michelle and Benjamin had their dishes accepted and made it to the final two, while Nick was eliminated.[12]

Season 18[]

In episode 15, Ramsay had Ariel and Mia cook five items from their menu which included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrée dishes that featured seafood, chicken, and steak in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, Mia scored 9 points while Ariel scored 8. On the hot appetizer round, Ariel scored 9 points while Mia scored 8, which was the same for the seafood round. On the chicken round, Mia scored 9 points while Ariel scored 8. With the score tied at 34 each, it came down to the steak round to decide the winner. Mia won that round, and the challenge.[13]

Season 19[]

In episode 15, the challenge happened when there were three chefs. Ramsay had Declan, Kori, and Mary Lou cook five dishes that included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées which featured seafood, chicken, and red meat in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, both Kori and Mary Lou scored perfect 10's, while Declan scored 9. On the hot appetizer round, Mary Lou scored a perfect 10, while both Kori and Declan scored 8's. On the seafood entrée round, Kori and Mary Lou each scored a 9, while Declan scored 8. On the chicken entrée round, Declan scored a perfect 10, Kori scored a 9, and Mary Lou scored an 8. Finally, on the red meat entrée round, Kori scored a 9, Mary Lou scored an 8, and Declan scored a 7. Both Mary Lou and Kori won 45-45-42 and made it to the final two, while Declan was eliminated.[14]

Season 20[]

In episode 15, the challenge happened when there were three chefs. Ramsay had Kiya, Megan, and Trenton cook five dishes that included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées which featured seafood, red meat, and surf n turf in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, both Kiya and Trenton scored perfect 10's, while Megan scored 9. On the hot appetizer round, both Kiya and Trenton scored 9's, while Megan scored 8. On the seafood round, Trenton scored a perfect 10, Megan scored 9, and Kiya scored 8. On the red meat round, Trenton scored a perfect 10, while Megan and Kiya both scored 8's. Finally, on the surf n turf round, Megan scored a perfect 10, Trenton scored 9, and Kiya scored 8. Both Trenton and Megan won 48-44-43 and made it to the final two, while Kiya was eliminated.[15]

Season 21[]

In episode 15, the challenge happened when there were three chefs. Ramsay had Alex, Alejandro, and Dafne cook five dishes that included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées which featured seafood, chicken, and beef in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, Alex scored a perfect 10, Dafne scored 9, and Alejandro scored 8. On the hot appetizer round, both Dafne and Alejandro scored 9's, while Alex scored an 8. On the chicken round, both Dafne and Alejandro scored 9's, while Alex scored an 8. On the seafood round, all three scored a perfect 10. On the beef round, Alex scored a perfect 10, Alejandro scored a 9, and Dafne scored an 8. Both Dafne and Alex won 46-46-45 and made it to the final two, while Alejandro was eliminated.[16]

Season 22[]

In episode 15, the challenge happened when there were three chefs. Ramsay had Ryan, Sammi, and Johnathan cook five dishes that included a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, and three entrées which featured fish, chicken, and beef in one hour. On the cold appetizer round, Ryan and Sammi both scored 9's, while Johnathan scored a perfect 10. On the hot appetizer round, all three scored a perfect 10. On the fish round, Ryan scored a 9, while Johnathan and Sammi both scored 8's. On the chicken round, Ryan scored a perfect 10, while while Johnathan and Sammi both scored 9's. On the beef round, Ryan scored a perfect ten, Sammi scored an 8, and Johnathan scored a 9. Ryan and Johnathan won 48-46-45 and made it to the final two, while Sammi was eliminated.[17]

Trivia[]

  • This could be considered an evolution of the Final Signature Dish Challenge as it's the final challenge the final two must do before their final dinner service.
  • Seasons 9 and 10 are the only seasons to date to feature two separate beef dishes as entrees on each chef's menu.[4][5]
  • Seasons 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are the only seasons to date to feature three chefs competing in the challenge, and to also be used as an elimination challenge.[12][14][15][16][17]
  • The eventual runner-up of the season would win the challenge seven times[2][3][4][9][10][13][14] (not counting Season 16 since it is the only time that the rule had changed)[11].
  • Seasons 17 and 18 are the only seasons where a chef advanced to final service or win the challenge after a tiebreaker.[13][14]
  • Since the 1-10 scoring system Season 12 introduced, Trenton (Season 20) and Ryan (Season 22) are tied with the highest final score: 48 points out of a possible 50.[15][17]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ↑ (May 7, 2009). "Episode 514 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 5. Episode 14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 (August 10, 2010). "Episode 715 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 7. Episode 15.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 (December 15, 2010). "Episode 815 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 15.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 (September 19, 2011). "Episode 916 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 9. Episode 16.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 (September 4, 2012). "Episode 1019 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 10. Episode 19.
  6. ↑ (July 25, 2013). "Episode 1121 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 11. Episode 21.
  7. ↑ (July 24, 2014). "Episode 1220 - Winner Chosen". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 12. Episode 20.
  8. ↑ (December 17, 2014). "Episode 1316 - Winner Chosen". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 13. Episode 16.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 (June 9, 2015). "Episode 1416 - Winner Chosen". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 14. Episode 16.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 (April 29, 2016). "Episode 1516 - Winner Chosen". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 15. Episode 16.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 (February 2, 2017). "Episode 1616 - Leaving It on the Line". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 16. Episode 16.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 (February 2, 2018). "Episode 1715 - Final Three". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 17. Episode 15.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 (February 8, 2019). "Episode 1815 - A Rollercoaster Ride". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 18. Episode 15.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 (December 10, 2020). "Episode 1915 - What Happens in Vegas...". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 19. Episode 15.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 (September 13, 2021). "Episode 2015 - Young Guns: What the Hell". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 20. Episode 15.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 (February 9, 2023). "Episode 2115 - A Finale for the Ages, Part 1". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 21. Episode 15.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 (January 25, 2024). "Episode 2215 - And Then There Were Two". Season 22. Episode 15.
Recurring Challenges
Team Challenges
Attention to Detail Challenge • Blind Taste Test • Burger Challenge • Consistency Challenge • Exotic Meat Challenge • Farm Animal Challenge • Head to Head Challenge • Ingredient Spelling Challenge • Jacket Challenge • Last Chef Standing Challenge • Meal Course Challenge • Multi-Way Cooking Challenge • Pasta Making Challenge • Pizza Challenge • Potato Challenge • Protein Cut Challenge • Protein Identification Challenge • Ranking Challenge • Relay Challenge • Service Challenge • Special Events Planning Challenge
Individual Challenges
Black Jackets Challenge • Cook For Your Life Challenge • Final Signature Dish Challenge • Final Tasting Challenge • Menu Addition Challenge • Portions Challenge • Tableside Challenge
Individual/Team Challenges
Alcohol Challenge • American Classics Challenge • Budget Challenge • Cooking Method Challenge • Cooking School Challenge • Craps Challenge • Creative Dessert Challenge • Creative Steak Challenge • Dome Challenge • Foreign Cuisine Challenge • Fusion Cuisine Challenge • Holiday Dish Challenge • Ingredient Number Challenge • King of The Hill Challenge • Leftovers Challenge • One Time Challenges • Presentation Challenge • Seafood Challenge • Signature Dish Challenge • Taste It Now Make It Challenge
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