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Damn, dude. I didn't know the kids that young knew shit about food. When I was eighteen, I just like to eat cheeseburgers and hot dogs.

Jillian Flathers was a contestant on Season 8 of Hell's Kitchen. She ranked in 3rd place.

Season 8[]

Episode 1[]

Main article: Episode 801 - 16 Chefs Compete

During the introduction of the season, Jillian was one of the four chefs seen getting her acceptance invitation and reacted with excitement with her family. After James introduced himself, all the chefs put blindfolds on and were taken to the prize restaurant, the LA Market, in Los Angeles. Then, they returned to Hell's Kitchen and were asked to cook their signature dishes. When she learned that the head chef position would have a $250,000 payment, she said that she could use that money to finally get her and her boyfriend out of his parents' house.

During the Signature Dish Challenge, Jillian commented on Emily's big breasts and got thanked by the latter for the compliment. She was the fourth person from the red team to have her dish judged by Ramsay and went up against Rob. Before tasting her dish, Ramsay noticed her eyebrows and asked if she singed them, but she revealed she got them tattooed. She presented a herb and vegetable stuffed chicken with an herb cream sauce, which Ramsay deemed delicious. She scored a point over Rob, but the red team eventually lost the challenge after a tiebreaker at 3. They were punished by cleaning both kitchens ahead of the opening night.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the appetizer station with Nona. She was not seen much, except when she sent her first order of appetizers, which was accepted. Both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate two people each.

She was not nominated for elimination.[1]

Episode 2[]

Main article: Episode 802 - 14 Chefs Compete

Before the next challenge, Jillian was annoyed by Raj's heavy breathing, and mocked it. When she discovered that she would be competing in the Sushi Challenge, she got concerned as she never made "Chinese food" before. She was paired with Nona, and together, they had 8 of their 9 sushi pieces accepted. The red team eventually lost the challenge 15-16, and they were punished by prepping sushi for the next service, and eating a squid dinner. She managed to calm Gail down after the latter was upset over her poor performance.

During dinner service, Jillian was an assistant maître d'. When she sent over her first ticket, Ramsay noticed that she wrote three desserts for a table that had two people, so she apologized, and blamed her nerves. Later, she was sent back to the kitchen and was dedicated to the garnish station, exchanging positions with Melissa. The red team won the service.[2]

Episode 3[]

Main article: Episode 803 - 13 Chefs Compete

Back in the dorms, Jillian told Russell that the blue team looked weak compared to the red team. She also thought that Emily would be the next eliminated due to her poor performance during the previous service.

During the Paramedic Service Challenge, Jillian was not seen much, but the red team won the challenge. They were rewarded with a trip to Santa Monica, where they had lunch at the Viceroy Hotel, along with trapeze lessons. During the reward, she expressed hope that the red team would continue to win as she wanted to make Ramsay proud.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the appetizer station with Emily. When she asked Emily to taste her food because she did not like tomatoes, Emily added more salt to it. Unfortunately, their dishes were sent back as they were too salty, and she got angry at Emily for screwing her up. Later, she laughed at Ramsay's Gandhi's flip-flop comment, and asked where he came up with it as she thought Gandhi was not wearing flip-flops because he lived in the jungle. The red team lost the service as they only received a 50% approval rating from their customers, compared to the blue team's 54%.

She was not nominated for elimination.[3]

Episode 4[]

Main article: Episode 804 - 12 Chefs Compete

Back in the dorms, Jillian knew that her teammates hated her for defending Sabrina, but she did not care.

During the Ravioli Challenge, Jillian was the second person from the red team to compete, and went up against Rob. She made an eggplant, spinach, garlic, shallots, and ricotta cheese ravioli, which Ramsay praised for the pasta tasting good, and for making the ricotta cheese exciting. She tied the round with Rob, but the red team eventually lost the challenge 3-4. They were punished by prepping both kitchens and make pasta and mozzarella cheese from scratch for the next service. During the punishment, she hoped that the red team would finally come together, as it was herself and Sabrina against her remaining teammates. Later, the men returned from their reward, and when she asked to make something delicious for dinner, Vinny answered by calling himself delicious.

During prep, Jillian was given a lesson from Vinny on how to make the ravioli filling properly, but she felt that he was throwing a fit about it. During the Italian Night dinner service, she was on the garnish station. She was not seen much as she did not make any mistakes. After the red team finished their tickets, Ramsay ordered them to go in the blue kitchen, and help the men finish their tickets. However, both teams got confused on orders, and Ramsay kicked everybody out.

Both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate two people each. Back in the dorms, Jillian agreed with Sabrina that Melissa and Gail should be the red team's nominees, and was not happy when Nona told her that Sabrina should be up.

She was not nominated for elimination.[4]

Episode 5[]

Main article: Episode 805 - 11 Chefs Compete

Back in the dorms, Jillian was asked by Sabrina if she thought any of her teammates could win the competition, which she answered no.

When it was revealed that the next service would be for a high school prom, Jillian revealed that she never went to her prom as she was wasted in her teenage years. During the Prom Planning Challenge, she was not seen much, but the red team won the challenge 3-0, and they were rewarded with a date at Knott's Berry Farm. During the reward, she envisioned one of the side games plates as Ramsay's head and won a large stuffed animal, which she called Boris.

During the Prom Night dinner service, Jillian was on the appetizer station with Sabrina. When she saw Emily's soggy crab cakes, she stated that her six-year-old could make better ones. Then, when she saw that Melissa cooked twenty-three filets mignons at once, she called that situation stupid. Later, she compared Gail's purple goop to baby poop.

The red team lost the service, and Sabrina was named "Best of the Worst". Back in the dorms, Jillian, along with Russell and Rob, tried to convince Sabrina to nominate Gail instead of Emily.

She was not nominated for elimination.[5]

Episode 6[]

Main article: Episode 806 - 10 Chefs Compete

Before the next challenge, the red team said goodbye to Melissa, who was transferred to the blue team, and said hello to Trev as a new teammate.

During the Salad Challenge, Jillian asked Trev a bunch of questions regarding her raspberry vinaigrette. She was the third person from the red team to compete, and went up against Vinny. Her fruit and nut salad were criticized for not being an actual entrée salad, and neither she nor Vinny scored a point. The red team lost the challenge after a tiebreaker at 2, and they were punished by prepping both kitchens for the next service and eating a flower salad.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the salad station and served the red team's chefs table. She was not seen much, except at one point when she was taking the chef's table's orders, and Ramsay pulling her back for the other orders. Both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate one person each.

She was not nominated for elimination.[6]

Episode 7[]

Main article: Episode 807 - 9 Chefs Compete Part 1

During the Roulette Challenge, Jillian landed on C and chose cauliflower. She was not seen much, but the red team won the challenge, and they were rewarded with a trip to The Rio, in Las Vegas, for an overnight visit, and a meeting with Penn and Teller.

During prep, Jillian finally got annoyed with Sabrina's inconsistent help, and stated that if they would lose, she wanted Sabrina gone. During the Family Night dinner service, she was on the appetizer station. Her first risotto was sent back for not having enough pea purée, but she managed to fix it quickly. Both teams were named joint-winners as they received a 90% approval rating, but they were still asked to nominate two people each.

She was not nominated for elimination.[7]

Episode 8[]

Main article: Episode 808 - 9 Chefs Compete Part 2

Back in the dorms, Sabrina asked Jillian why she nominated her, and while she answered that she did not know who else to vote for, Sabrina rudely dismissed it. That caused her to call Sabrina both a baby and the weakest link since day one, while adding that she was sick and tired of carrying her. Then, she told Nona and Gail that there was no way Sabrina could win Hell’s Kitchen.

During the Budget Challenge, Jillian was paired with Gail on the pork dish. During the cooking, she expressed concern for Sabrina as lentils were taking 45 minutes to cook. She did not present her dish as Gail did it, and the red team won the challenge $110-$101. They were rewarded with a sailboat trip, a waterfront dinner at the Maya hotel, and salsa lessons. During dinner, she did not like Trev's comment about him not trusting them before, as she claimed the women were a kickass team before he came along, and said that he did not help them win the challenge.

During prep, Jillian noticed Trev's poor attitude, even asking him if he was on his period. During dinner service, she was on the fish station. She was not seen much, except for not agreeing with Nona's plan on sending a recycled risotto to the pass, and said that Trev sucked on the garnish station. The red team won the service.[8]

Episode 9[]

Main article: Episode 809 - 8 Chefs Compete

After Boris' elimination, Jillian said goodbye to Trev who was transferred back to the blue team.

During the Blind Taste Test, Jillian was the third person from the red team to compete and went up against Vinny. She correctly guessed potatoes and mozzarella cheese, scoring two points. The red team won the challenge 6-5, and they were rewarded with a $2000 shopping spree to purchase any clothes at a local boutique, and lunch with Ramsay at Michael Mina’s XIV. During their shopping spree, she compared her team as the Spice Girls of Hell’s Kitchen.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the appetizer station. She sent a lot of appetizers quickly, giving the red team a good start. Later, she was relocated to the meat station after Nona was kicked out. The red team won the service, and Ramsay singled out her performance, along with Sabrina's, saying it was one of the best from the red team. Back in the dorms, she comforted Nona about her poor performance, and reminded that one of the men would be eliminated.[9]

Episode 10[]

Main article: Episode 810 - 7 Chefs Compete

During the Relay Challenge, Jillian was the second person from the red team to compete, and got the sauces for the tagliatelle and chicken entrées ready. During the final round, she went to grab the salmon from the oven, she burned her hand, and dropped the salmon on the floor as time ran out. The missing salmon would haunt her as the red team lost the challenge 1-2, and they were punished by participating in Delivery Day, and cleaning both kitchens. During the punishment, she said that if her teammates hated her for her mistake, they could fuck themselves, and later, she told Sabrina and Nona that she felt Gail did nothing during the challenge.

For their next service, both teams were tasked to create their own menus. During dinner service, Jillian was on the garnish station. She was not seen much, except when she was relocated to the fish station after Gail was kicked out. Both teams were named joint-losers, and Ramsay asked everybody to nominate who they personally thought was not deserving a black jacket.

Jillian voted for Trev, and she did not receive any votes. She was awarded the second black jacket.[10]

Episode 11[]

Main article: Episode 811 - 6 Chefs Compete

During the Presentation Challenge, Jillian felt nervous cooking for a lot of Michelin star chefs, and admitted that she thought Michelin was a tire. She was the third person to present her dish, and served a grilled pita bread, lemon crème sauce, and sautéed vegetables. The dish’s presentation was deemed boring, and she only scored 32 points. Also, the flavors were deemed boring, and she scored 33 points, giving her a total of 65 points. She lost the challenge to Russell, and was punished by cleaning the dorms, and prepping for the next service.

When Ramsay put Nona on serving Steak Diane tableside, Jillian secretly wanted Trev to do it instead. During dinner service, she was on the garnish station. She was not seen much, except at one point, when she brought her mashed potatoes, which tasted too salty.

She was not nominated for elimination.[11]

Episode 12[]

Main article: Episode 812 - 5 Chefs Compete

Back in the dorms, Jillian told Nona and Russell that Gail fucked her over, and unless she would get her shit together, she could be the next one eliminated. She also felt that the pressure was getting to her, and then, revealed that she thought herself, Russell, and Nona might be the final three.

During the 80 Portions Food Truck Challenge, Jillian made a herbed chicken with mixed vegetables. She lost the challenge to Gail and was punished by cleaning the front entrance of Hell’s Kitchen ahead of the next service and cleaning the food trucks. During the punishment, she got into an argument with Russell over his decision to use octopus for his dish but was called creative as a cardboard box by him. Later, she was not impressed with Gail's new look and said that it did not ignore that she sucked and would be the next one eliminated.

During prep, Jillian refused to help Gail as it was every man for themselves by that point. During dinner service, she was on the fish station. Despite revealing that she never made scallops before, she rejected Nona’s offer for a demonstration as she figured they would be easy to do. That bit her in the ass as her first attempt was overcooked, and she was forced to start over. Despite receiving help from Russell, she continued to struggle. Later, she did not have her halibut seared on time, but because of Russell's help, it was accepted. After Ramsay came back from his exit, she was relocated to the garnish station. But, she sent a raw egg and was kicked out from the kitchen after being called rude. After service, she was singled out for struggling on scallops, and Ramsay said that she had better services weeks ago, while adding that she may not belong here any longer.

Despite her poor performance, Jillian was not nominated for elimination. However, that did not stop Ramsay for railing on her for sending a raw egg, even though she said that she fought back every time.[12]

Episode 13[]

Main article: Episode 813 - 4 Chefs Compete

Back in the dorms, Jillian felt white as a ghost, and knew that she would have to fight back after her poor performance. Then, she admitted to Russell that she did not think Trev would be in the finals.

During the Taste It Now Make It Challenge, Jillian used pork, yam, celery root, cabbage, bacon, and chicken stock to recreate Ramsay's dish. She only got the chicken stock for the sauce correct, before being out of the running due to using the wrong protein. She lost the challenge to Nona and was punished by prepping the kitchen for the next service, and ironing the tablecloths and Ramsay’s chef jacket. She was not happy when Nona picked Russell instead of her, and called her a bitch. During the punishment, she was fed up, and while ironing, she and Trev planned on nominating Nona and Russell, even if they would do well, as they wanted the underdogs to win.

During prep, Jillian rudely snipped at Nona, before Ramsay came by and told her to meet him in his office, much to her concern as she might be going home. In his office, Ramsay said that despite her coming in the competition as an underdog, she really worked hard and proved him wrong. However, Ramsay asked her why she was losing confidence in herself during the last few weeks, and when she answered that she was beating herself up on her past mistakes, Ramsay told her not to do that anymore and fight back, as she could perform as good as anybody else. She felt motivated as she came back to the kitchen.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the garnish station. Her scallop garnish was accepted, and later, found it funny when Trev was asked to leave the kitchen due to stress. She was very pumped after her pep talk with Ramsay, and kept pushing perfect garnishes. Later, she stopped and argument between Russell and Trev, and said that Russell was a bully and Trev was a fucking idiot, while adding that they could fail if they wanted. Back in the dorms, she went against her and Trev's plan when she announced him as her nominee.

Jillian was not nominated for elimination, and later, she was reunited with her boyfriend and two sons.[13]

Episode 14[]

Main article: Episode 814 - 4 Chefs Compete Again

Back in the dorms, Jillian said that winning Hell’s Kitchen would get her out of her boyfriend’s basement, and wanted to give her sons a better life.

Before the Fusion Cuisine Challenge, Ramsay informed the chefs that after service, two of them would be eliminated. Jillian was not excited about the challenge as she only made American food before, and was more worried when she learned what the countries were. She got Thailand and Spain. During the challenge, she was still looking at what to use five minutes in, as she did not know what her ingredients were. Later, she debated on scrapping her beans as they were not cooking properly, and after finishing, she was not confident in her dish, saying that it sucked. After seeing the judges' harsh critiques, she was close to having a panic attack. She was the last person to compete, and presented her marinated shrimp, white rice, chorizo, and soybean curry. It was praised for being interesting, having a nice flavor, and looking like a paella, which relieved her. She won the challenge, was especially happy that she proved Russell wrong and that she was deserving to be there. She was rewarded with lunch at Spago with Ramsay. During the limousine ride, Ramsay and her talked about how Russell was too cocky for his own good, and how she had a one in four chances at winning. When they arrived at Spago, they met Lee Hefter, who took them to their table, and much to her surprise, her boyfriend and sons joined them, which she responded that her day could not get any better. After a few moments, Ramsay left for her to reconnect with her family, and she promised them that she would make it to the finals.

When Jillian came back from her reward, she noticed that Nona was the only one that greeted her. Then, she hoped that she and Nona would be the finalists.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the meat station. Despite being sent by Russell to help Trev on fish, she was rudely rejected. After Trev was caught trying to send entrées before appetizers, she said that he sucked. She was the last person who ran the pass, and immediately got vocal, calling out orders with authority, as Russell was concerned that she might give herself a brain aneurysm. Despite that, her assertiveness paid off as dishes were leaving the kitchen. Then, Sous Chef Scott sent a ribeye instead of a New York strip, and she failed to spot the mistake until Ramsay told her. Therefore, she decided to be very anal about attention. After, she had an argument with Trev over his inconsistent fish portions and raw halibut. As Trev was talking back to her, Ramsay reminded her that she had to take control of the kitchen. However, she continued to struggle as Ramsay took over and warned Trev that if he would not get his shit together, he would be kicked out. Back in the dorms, she thought that she did great, even though Trev told that she did nothing but yell at him at the pass. Then, she annoyingly told Nona that they all worked hard after the latter said that she worked her ass hard.

After Trev's elimination, Ramsay asked the chefs why they deserved to be in the finals, with Jillian saying that she kicked ass every day since her arrival. Ultimately, she was eliminated, but before leaving, Ramsay praised her for being a fierce competitor and allowed her to keep her jacket. During her exit interview, she received a retrospective montage of her run, and at the end, she received the burning picture sequence.

Ramsay's comment: "Jillian didn't let her lack of fine dining experience get in the way. She made it this far because of her passion and determination. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough to get her into the final." [14]

Episode 15[]

Main article: Episode 815 - 2 Chefs Compete

When she came back for the final dinner service, Jillian was Russell's first pick, the first pick overall, and said that she would have done the same if she was in his shoes. She was followed by Vinny, Sabrina, and Rob.

During dinner service, Jillian was on the garnish station. She was not seen much, except when she sent Vinny's scallops to the pass and was asked by Russell to help Rob on appetizers. Russell eventually lost the finals to Nona.[15]

Nomination History[]

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

Season 9[]

Episode 13[]

Main article: Episode 913 - 5 Chefs Compete

Jillian returned in Season 9 to compete against the current final five black jackets, along with other returning chefs such as Ben (Season 5), Tennille, Van (both from Season 6), and Trev (also from Season 8).

During dinner service, Jillian was on the appetizer station with Trev. After Trev served a fraiche salad not on order, she got irritated, and when Tennille served an ice-cold tuna, she deemed the former’s performance on the fish bad. The veterans lost the service as they had an 83% approval rating compared to the black jackets 96%.[16]

Post Hell's Kitchen[]

  • After her appearance on the show, Jillian worked at Plaza Grill, and briefly at Freddy's Steak house, before resigning as she cited a hostile work environment. She intended to open her own restaurant someday.
  • She changed her surname and is now known as Jillian Lucero.
  • She is currently the Dietary and Environmental Services Manager at the Pagosa Springs Medical Center.[17]

Trivia[]

  • She is the first female contestant, who finished in third place that completely avoided nomination during the entire season.
  • She is the fourth contestant to score a point on signature dish without being nominated, following Jim (Season 6), Mikey and Jay (both from Season 7).
  • She is the first contestant who finished in third place that received the burning picture sequence on the episode where she was eliminated.
  • She is the third contestant who kept her jacket after being eliminated, following Ji (Season 5) and Ariel (Season 6).

Quotes[]

  • (To Emily) "You got some big-ass breasts."
  • “I have never touched sushi in my life. I’ve never worked with Chinese food ever.'
  • "Damn, dude. I didn't know the kids that young knew shit about food. When I was eighteen, I just like to eat cheeseburgers and hot dogs."
  • "I don't know where he comes up with this stuff! Gandhi didn't even wear flip-flops, he lived in the jungle!"
  • (About Gail's cauliflower purée) "They did kinda look like baby poop!"
  • "How in the hell does a salad come back?!"
  • "Trev sucks. Sorry Trev, you suck."
  • (After being eliminated) "I never thought I would make it this far. This experience proved to me that I have what it takes to be a chef. I got great comments from some world class chefs. I’m the only person that never got put up for elimination in Hell’s Kitchen and that says a lot. It’s hard, but, I did the best I could. I’m not gonna give up. I know I made my kids proud, and I know this isn’t the end for me. Like, honestly, I don’t feel like I deserve to be standing here I, I feel like I should be in the final two."

Gallery[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. (September 22, 2010). "Episode 801 - 16 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 1.
  2. (September 22, 2010). "Episode 802 - 14 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 2.
  3. (September 29, 2010). "Episode 803 - 13 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 3.
  4. (September 29, 2010). "Episode 804 - 12 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 4.
  5. (October 6, 2010). "Episode 805 - 11 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 5.
  6. (October 6, 2010). "Episode 806 - 10 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 6.
  7. (October 13, 2010). "Episode 807 - 9 Chefs Compete Part 1". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 7.
  8. (October 13, 2010). "Episode 808 - 9 Chefs Compete Part 2". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 8.
  9. (November 10, 2010). "Episode 809 - 8 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 9.
  10. (November 10, 2010). "Episode 810 - 7 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 10.
  11. (November 17, 2010). "Episode 811 - 6 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 11.
  12. (November 24, 2010). "Episode 812 - 5 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 12.
  13. (December 1, 2010). "Episode 813 - 4 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 13.
  14. (December 8, 2010). "Episode 814 - 4 Chefs Compete Again". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 14.
  15. (December 15, 2010). "Episode 815 - 2 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 8. Episode 15.
  16. (September 5, 2011). "Episode 913 - 5 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series). Season 9. Episode 13.
  17. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-lucero-6691b644?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Hell's Kitchen Season 8
Staff
Gordon Ramsay (Head Chef) • Scott Leibfried (Blue Team Sous Chef) • Andi Van Willigan-Cutspec (Red Team Sous Chef) • James Lukanik (Maître d'hôtel)
Contestants
Vinny AccardiAntonia BoregmanRaj BrandstonSabrina BrimhallLewis CurtisMelissa DoneyJillian FlathersRussell KookEmily KutchinsLisa LaFrancaRob McCueTrev McGrathGail NovenarioBoris PoleschukLouis RepucciNona Sivley
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