Paul Niedermann

 

“

I had the worst service of my life. I am so disappointed in myself that I'm literally cringing. Cringing of watching you at the pass and shitting you on every fucking table 'cause I couldn't get my shit together. I don't want that to ever happen again, and I have enough determination to make sure it won't happen again. That's why I still want to be here, 'cause my fire isn't out!

”

Hometown/Residence	Davie, FL
Occupation	Jr. Sous Chef
Culinary Education	Johnson & Wales University
Statistics
Signature Dish Challenge Score	1 out of 1
Blind Taste Test Score	1 out of 4
Challenges Won	9
Services Won	3
Times as BoW/Announcer	5
Times Nominated	1
Placement	Winner

Paul Niedermann was a contestant on Season 9 of Hell's Kitchen. He was the winner of that season and was awarded a head chef position at BLT Steak in New York City, with a $250,000 salary.

Season 9

Episode 1

Main article: Episode 901 - 18 Chefs Compete

When the chefs arrived in Los Angeles, they were greeted by James on the bus ride, and then, it pulled over to the Orpheum Theatre, where they would be given a standing ovation by a live audience. However, when the curtain was pulled up, they discovered that the room was empty, much to their disappointment before Ramsay revealed himself applauding very slowly. After the latter revealed the grand prize of the season, the chefs were asked to get back to Hell's Kitchen and cook their signature dishes.

During the Signature Dish Challenge, Paul was the fourth person from the blue team to have his dish judged by Ramsay and went up against Krupa. He served his eggplant involtini with mascarpone and ricotta, which was deemed nice, and he won the round over Krupa, which he called a slam dunk. The blue team won the challenge 6-5, and they were rewarded with a dinner at the LA Market, in downtown Los Angeles, along with Season 8 winner Nona. Arriving there, they were greeted by Nona, and during the dinner, she gave them advice on how to compete. After she left, the men toasted to their victory.

The next day, both teams went to the kitchens to begin prepping for the opening night, and they were given their ankle knives set. When both teams were lined up, Paul was disappointed that Jason was gone, but was still convinced that the blue team would beat the red team despite having one less member. During dinner service, he was on the meat station with Jonathon. At one point, he was dismayed when Steven sent rubbery scallops to the pass, stating that everything he was touching was destroyed, before reminding the saying that nobody could teach an old dog new tricks. Later, he was seen rallying his teammates so they could send the first table of entrées, asking a time to Monterray, and because of the latter's mistake, he had to take his Wellingtons back, much to his frustration. He was dismayed because his perfect Wellingtons were being held by potatoes, yelled at Brendan in frustration, but the latter did not appreciate. Eventually, some customers walked out, and the service was shut down.

When both teams were lined up, Paul was asked how he felt after being fucked every second along with Jonathon, and he answered that he was irate as he sent the same table four times while waiting for potatoes and carrots. After Brendan was asked if he was bothered, he answered that he was, but arrogantly told that he would not let him down next time as he finally learned how to cook proteins, and he challenged Brendan to a fight on the table, before reminding him that he just called it as he saw it. The blue team lost the service, and they were asked to nominate two people. While being dismissed, he was furious at Brendan for calling him out and compared the situation to the third strike in baseball before hitting yourself in the nuts with a bat. During deliberation, he angrily threatened Brendan to slap him across the room if he would call him out as he did, but Brendan told him to shut up as he would say whatever he wanted, and told him to not act like a tough guy. That led to an argument between those two, where he was called a meatball and a dumpling by Brendan.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 2

Main article: Episode 902 - 16 Chefs Compete

The next morning, the chefs were woken up by a young guitarist and very loud amplifiers, and they were ordered to get outside. Arrived there, Ramsay introduced the Meat & Grill Challenge, where each pair would have to cook a medium-rare New York strip, a medium rib-eye, a medium-well filet mignon, and a well-done burger. During the challenge, Paul was paired with Monterray, they were the third pair to compete for the blue team, and they scored only two points out of four. The blue team won the challenge 11-10, and they were rewarded with a lunch on the top of Palm Springs with Ramsay, and being taken there in a private jet, which made him declare that he was the big deal, so he deserved a private plane. During the reward, he was amazed by Monterray having six children.

During dinner service, Paul was on the garnish station. He was not seen much, but at one point, he expressed anger because he was tired of getting his ass kicked, and moments later, he asked Tommy to start his chicken over, but quickly corrected himself by calling a duck refire instead. After a lot of mistakes and not being able to send one entrée out, the blue team was kicked out of the kitchen. While going back to the dorms, he was furious about the fact that somebody else would finish what he started as he considered it the most infuriating thing that ever happened in his life, and back in the dorms, he called it embarrassing to be kicked out of the kitchen, while pointing fingers at Brendan and Chino for not knowing how to cook.

The blue team lost the service, Paul was not nominated for elimination, and despite him and his teammates trying to convince Ramsay not to, the blue team learned that a woman would be joining them the following morning.

Episode 3

Main article: Episode 903 - 15 Chefs Compete

Back in the dorms, Paul reminded his teammates that whoever would come to the team, she would be part of the team, and concluded by saying that he did not have any trouble working with anybody as he was tired of getting his ass kicked.

The next morning, the chefs were woken up by clowns, and when both teams were lined up in the dining room, Sous Chef Scott revealed that they were woken up by clowns because they were cooking like clowns. After taking delivery of naan bread with the other chefs, Paul and the blue team welcomed Natalieas a new teammate, much to his annoyance. During the Mommy & Me Lunch Service Challenge, he was not seen much but had good communication with Natalie, which helped the blue team to send all the food for the children. After the blue team succeeded to send their last ticket before the red team, they gave a warm welcome to Natalie by celebrating her arrival on the team.

The blue team won the challenge, and they were rewarded with a day and lunch at Medieval Times, as well as sword fighting themselves. When the blue team came back from their reward, Paul jokingly asked the red team if they could play with what they were building when they would be done, before coming back inside the restaurant with his teammates.

During the Family Night dinner service, Paul was on the appetizer station with Monterray. He was dismayed about Chino's slowness as the latter could not deliver a properly written ticket to the kitchen, and later, he expressed dismay once again, over Tommy's burned chicken tenders. After Natalie showed nervousness, he acknowledged that she should have come with fire in her eyes after, and near the end, while rallying to complete the remaining tickets, he was ecstatic about dominating, while motivating his teammates. The blue team won the service by a mile.

Episode 4

Main article: Episode 904 - 14 Chefs Compete

The next morning, the chefs were woken up by Sous Chefs Scott and Andi, who brought them special farm outfits to wear, and were told to get outside. Arrived there, Ramsay introduced the Chicken Creation Challenge, and Paul was not seen participating during the first part. During the second part, he was on his own and worked on the fried chicken course. He was the first person from the blue team to have his dish judged, presented his roasted corn fried chicken with rosemary grits and gravy southern style, and it was deemed good by Jen Garcia and not easy to eat but worth it by Dave Karger. He won the round over Carrie and Gina.

The blue team lost the challenge 2-3, and they were punished by creating a chicken stock from scratch for the next service. During the punishment, Paul joked about the fact that Elise's ego would probably not fit in the go-kart, and later, he called a fictional order when his teammates decided to simulate a dinner service.

During dinner service, Paul was on the meat station with Chino. He was not seen at all, but after a lot of mistakes, the blue team was kicked out of the kitchen, both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate two people each.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 5

Main article: Episode 905 - 13 Chefs Compete

During the Fire and Water Challenge, Paul deemed Monterray’s dish a hot mess. He cooked with the lobster, was the fifth person from the blue team to have his dish judged, and went up against Elise. He made a citrus poacher lobster, and he won that round over Elise. The blue team won the challenge after a tie at 2 each, and they were rewarded with a spa day at Beverly Hills’ Montage. During the reward, he playfully teased at Tommy that with his rocker look, he fitted right in with the setting.

During dinner service, Paul was on the appetizer station with Will. In the beginning, he took the lead instantly by reminding his teammates on the timings of the dishes, organizing them effectively. On entrées, Jonathon asked him what kind of mushrooms were needed for the sea bass as he had problems remembering the menu, but he felt that by now, they should know the menu by memory. Despite that, he helped Jonathon out on garnish, but Ramsay lectured him not to take over the latter's garnish station. When Tommy did not respond to Monterray’s order callback, he accusing the former of shutting down at services, which he deemed disrespectful for Ramsay.

Both teams were named joint-losers and were asked to nominate two each. During deliberation, Paul felt that anybody from both teams was in danger of elimination as they each had piss poor performances that night and wondered if Ramsay would send four people home that night. Then, he agreed with Jonathon's choices on Tommy and Monterray for elimination, especially since Tommy turned his back on Ramsay when he was yelling at him. While Tommy claimed he did not do it on purpose, he reminded him that turning his back on Ramsay was the equivalent of giving the middle finger to him and urged him to be more vocal.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 6

Main article: Episode 906 - 12 Chefs Compete

During the 20 Year Reunion Planning Challenge, Paul was chosen by Ramsay to listen in on the committee's meeting for the blue team. After Elizabeth asked about a surf and turf dish, despite one of the committee members being pescatarian, he said that the former was in la-la land. During the cooking, he gave out his teammates the right information that was provided, even warning them about the pescatarian women after Will suggested a surf and turf dish. Then, he had to direct Monterray on making chutney for the meat dish and complained that the former should have paid attention to his explanations. Despite his concerns, Monterray's dish won the meat entrée. He did not present a dish, the blue team won the challenge 3-0, and after Ramsay praised him for his perfect briefing, he was happy to have led the blue team in a clean sweep. The blue team was rewarded with a day aboard a superyacht, and during the reward, he took a photo of Natalie's ass when she left the hot tub.

Before service began, Paul jokingly said ole after Ramsay compared the red team's poor cake decorating to a Mexican sombrero that went wrong with shit on top. During the 20 Year Reunion dinner service, he was on the fish station. After receiving their first order, he was confident in his teams’ skills as they knew the dishes very well. On entrées, he sent up a raw snapper, which shocked Ramsay as he never expected that from him and was angrier as it was on the first order of entrées. He admitted that it was all his fault, and the blue team was forced to restart. Then, he was late on the snapper, and when he did send it up, it was raw, angering Ramsay as that was meant for the committee’s table. Afterwards, Ramsay removed him in place of Monterray and Jonathon, but after the former presented a raw snapper, Ramsay berated him for screwing them up from the start, ad the blue team was kicked out of the kitchen. The blue team lost the service, and they were asked to nominate two people for elimination.

Paul was the blue team's second nominee for elimination, with Monterray as the first, and they were joined by Jonathon. During his plea, Ramsay deemed his performance his worst one yet, and he admitted that he ruined what was supposed to be an amazing night for the guests but argued that he was not done yet. Despite Ramsay reminding him how he backed up the fish station, he admitted that he was disappointed in his performance, but still had the determination and was not done yet. After Ramsay sent him back in line, he survived elimination, and while being dismissed, he was ready to forget about that night and focus on the next day.

Episode 7

Main article: Episode 907 - 11 Chefs Compete

Before the Creative Beer Challenge, Paul said that he would make a grilled swordfish with a blood orange reduction with the ingredients provided. He was ranked 5th for the blue team, even though he had no idea why, was the first person to have his dish judged, and went up against Carrie. He made a grilled salmon with holthuizen broth, and while praised for the salmon, it was criticized for having a bitter broth, and he lost that round to Carrie. The blue team eventually won the challenge 3-2, and they were rewarded with a VIP day at the Long Beach Grand Prix Indy Car Racing. During the reward, he tried to flirt with Simona De Silvestro but came up short.

During prep, Paul wanted to bounce back after his lackluster dish the previous day. During dinner service, he was on the appetizer station with Tommy. At the start, Ramsay reminded him that it was his comeback night after his poor performance the previous service, and while his risotto was accepted, Natalie’s scallops were rubbery, annoying him the blue team was forced to start over. After seeing Natalie's ruined scallops, he shockingly thought that she cooked a million ones to ruins. After Natalie was kicked out of the kitchen, he was reassigned onto fish, and as service ended, Ramsay welcomed him back after a strong service, as he celebrated in the confessional.

Both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate two each. During deliberation, Paul considered Natalie and Jonathon for elimination.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 8

Main article: Episode 908 - 10 Chefs Compete

After Krupa's elimination, Ramsay asked both teams to name a leader. Back at the dorms, Paul considered Will the leader of the blue team.

During the American Classics Challenge, Paul got irritated by Tommy's indecisiveness, he cooked the chicken noodle soup, was the fourth person from the blue team to have his dish judged, and went up against Jennifer. He made an Italian style chicken noodle soup, and while it was praised for the presentation, it was criticized for a flat flavor profile, and he lost that round to Jennifer. Despite hoping for Jonathon to pull out the win, the latter did not, and the blue team lost the challenge 1-2. They were punished by cleaning and prepping both kitchens for that night’s service and clean up the dorms. During the punishment, he mockingly called Elise Lady Gaga when he saw the latter's feather, and while cleaning up the dorms, he noticed that Jonathon was still at the patio.

During prep, a ticked Paul wanted to have four blue chefs after Jonathon sat out of the prep work. During dinner service, he was on the garnish station. At one point, Ramsay called him over to help Jonathon and Natalie after the two struggled on the capellini. After Tommy's quiet performance, he once again called out the latter for not communicating. The blue team lost the service, and they were asked to nominate two people for elimination. During deliberation, he remarked that Tommy should have said something and own the station after the latter complained about how he was usurped from his station.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 9

Main article: Episode 909 - 9 Chefs Compete

During the Creative Dessert Challenge, Paul was confused over Tommy’s sticky bun dish as it was normally a breakfast dish and felt the latter was too scattered brained. He was the second person from the blue team to have his dish judged and went up against Elizabeth. He made a banana polenta cake, it was praised for shining with a nice balance, and he scored 6 points. The blue team eventually lost the challenge 13-14, and they were punished by decorating the dining room for Date Night, and prep for a raw bar. During the punishment, he felt the morale of the blue team was being lowered, but deciding not to get pissy about losing, he decided to have fun and danced with Will.

During prep, Paul said that he was there to cook after Natalie complained about losing the Vegas reward. During the Date Night dinner service, he was on the meat station. After Ramsay caught Tommy seasoning scallops, not on order, he knew that it would dehydrate the scallops. On entrées, he sent up raw chicken but angered Ramsay when he asked if it was raw, along with Will. As a result, Ramsay kicked him out of service, and just after he left, Tommy handed him the raw chicken per Ramsay's orders. The blue team eventually won the service.

Episode 10

Main article: Episode 910 - 8 Chefs Compete

During the Blind Taste Test, Paul was the third person from the blue team to compete and went up against Jennifer. He only got asparagus correct, and the blue team lost the challenge 4-5. They were punished by taking in a delivery of 200 pounds of grapes and make jam out of them for the Steakhouse service.

During prep, Paul felt that the blue team had it that night. During the Steakhouse double dinner service, he was on the garnish station during the first seating. After Natalie sent up overcooked steaks, he expressed confusion over why she would walk them if she sliced them. After Natalie set fire to her station, he was infuriated as they only had four items to cook that night, with no hot appetizers. During the second seating, he was a waiter, and when the red team was struggling in the kitchen, he felt that their infighting would be their downfall. Both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate one each. During deliberation, he told Will that Natalie needed to get off her high horse as she caused a hold up on steaks and knew that either her or Tommy was going home that night.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 11

Main article: Episode 911 - 7 Chefs Compete

After Carrie left, Ramsay asked everybody to take off their jackets, and to their shock, announced that Hell’s Kitchen was closed as he was not convinced they each had the drive to become the head chef of BLT steak. To spark inspiration, he was flying them all to New York to see the prized restaurant first hand. During the trip, Paul called the clam pizza delicious, and after seeing the BLT Steak kitchen, he imagined himself working in BLT Steak and hoped next time he stepped into the restaurant in whites.

During the King of the Hill Challenge, Paul got filet, eggplant, polenta, grapefruit, and kale, and his country was France. He was the fourth person to have his dish judged and presented his French-inspired filet. It was praised for a perfectly cooked meat and had the smart idea of mixing the grapefruit into the hollandaise sauce. While he managed to dethrone Elizabeth, he was soon dethroned by Elise, and the blue team lost the challenge. They were punished by prepping both kitchens for that night’s dinner service.

During dinner service, Paul was on the appetizer station. He was not seen much, except getting pissed when Elise tried to blame the blue team for their punishment and told her to man up. Both teams were named joint-losers, and they were asked to nominate one each. During deliberation, he hoped for Elise to go home instead of Natalie for being cancerous.

He was not nominated for elimination.

Episode 12

Main article: Episode 912 - 6 Chefs Compete

During the Time Limit Challenge, Paul cooked with 20 minutes, directed Tommy on the latter’s lamb dish, and was ready to prove while he was a big deal. He was the second person from the blue team to have his dish judged by Ramsay and went up against Elizabeth. He made a pan-seared sea bass, it was praised for having a great sear and having a refreshing and zesty sauce despite needing a little more reducing. He won that round over Elizabeth, and the blue team won the challenge 2-1. They were rewarded with a shopping spree at Ted Baker’s and rode in a limousine. During the reward, he called himself a big deal.

Before the Charity Night dinner service, Paul wanted to show what he could do and was in charge of both the scallops course and the chicken course. On his first course, Ramsay told him to get to the plate, and he immediately became vocal with his teammates as he wanted to show what he had. However, just when he was about to send the scallops out, Ramsay stopped him and discovered inconsistent curry purée, a dirty plate, and a watery salad Tommy sent up, much to his irritation. Despite that, he managed to get his course out on time. On his second course, he took complete control of his course once again and got his course out. The blue team won the service.

At elimination, Paul received the second black jacket, and while being dismissed, he was planning to slam Elise to the ground if she brought in the drama.

Episode 13

Main article: Episode 913 - 5 Chefs Compete

During the Presentation Challenge, Paul was pushed aside by Elise when the latter wanted the eggplant parmesan, and he was left with the tuna casserole plate. During the cooking, he called Elise a pain in the ass with nine pans out for eggplant parmesan after the latter accused him of peaking over her work. He was the second person to have his dish judged and presented his tuna casserole. While it was praised for having a simple presentation and looking like a crab cake, Deborah Jones thought it looked almost cat food like. For the taste, it was criticized for having a heavy taste of tuna and was criticized further when he revealed to use canned tuna for his dish, ending with a score of 60 in total. He lost the challenge to Will and was punished by participating in laundry day the old fashion way, by hand, which included washing Ramsay’s jackets. While he commended Will’s honorable decision, he admitted that he would not have taken Elise, and during the punishment, he called hand washing nasty.

Later that night, the final five learned that they would be facing off against a team of veterans in the following dinner service, and Paul knew that the veterans would be their toughest competition yet. During prep, he wanted to work together despite not being BFF’s with Elise, and if they did not have perfect service, they were fucked. During dinner service, he was on the fish station. When Elise second-guessed herself on the meat temperatures, he did not see as a good sign for leadership, and that it proved to him that she had no idea what she was doing. Later, he sent up an overcooked lobster tail, with Ramsay seeing how his butter was too hot, and then, an argument over timings occurred between him and Elise, much to Ramsay’s irritation, forcing himself to get more vocal.

Despite the black jackets winning the service for having a 96% approval rating over the veterans 83%, Ramsay still asked for two nominees for elimination. During deliberation, Tommy reminded Paul about his cold lobster, but he considered Elise due to asking him for the cooks on three steaks, even though she argued that she only asked once. Then, Elise accused him of nominating her of being insecure, but he deemed her cancerous. Later, Jennifer pulled him aside and admitted to having a crush on him as she did not want to regret not saying, with him hugging her in response.

Paul was not nominated for elimination, and while being dismissed, he said that Elise would not win Hell’s Kitchen if she did not take direction.

Episode 14

Main article: Episode 914 - 5 Chefs Compete Again

Back at the dorms, Paul playfully teased Jennifer over her crush on himself, and while he called it cute, he felt a future relationship with Jennifer would never work as she was from Boston, and he wanted to be with a Jets fan.

During the Alaskan Salmon Profit Challenge, Paul decided to keep his dish simple by adding a little truffle oil on his pan as he wanted the fish to speak for itself. He was the fourth person to have his dish judged and presented his white salmon and Romanesco dish. Chris Denton praising the presentation, the cook of the salmon being just right, and Donato Poto had a few more bites of the dish. After, he scored a $29.67 average and confidently called it a home run.

Paul won the challenge and was rewarded with a helicopter tour of Los Angeles with Ramsay, and lunch at the Water Grill. Also, Ramsay allowed him to pick somebody to join them, and while he knew that he would not pick Elise as he would have an urge to push her out of a helicopter, he picked Tommy, although the latter told him not to kiss him. During the reward, he called it his first time in a helicopter and enjoyed it. After landing on top of a roof, the trio enjoyed a glass of champagne. At lunch, he met with Executive Chef Amanda, with her looks smiting him, but he unsuccessfully flirted with her.

When Paul and Tommy came back from their reward, he talked about Executive Chef Amanda’s looks, making Jennifer was a little jealous. During dinner service, he was on the meat station. When Elise's salmon was burnt on the bottom and overcooked, he confirmed that he did not serve that earlier that day, and Ramsay was forced to send out an incomplete table. Then, he explained that Elise had to cook the skin side first and that it was cooking 101, although she rudely commented that he should have said so 20 minutes ago. Despite trying to help Elise out, the latter was forced to restart after the skin broke, and he was dismayed as there was a table with half of the people starving, while Ramsay berated Elise for taking a $30 dish into a $0 dish, and that they were dragging for 14 minutes. On a six top table for all meat, he refused to go down like everybody else and got his entrées accepted for that table. When Tommy was pushed aside by Elise, he called her out for not allowing help. Eventually, Ramsay kicked the final five due to the multiple mistakes, and he was furious as they were the final five, and that they were getting kicked out. However, he and Will were called back by Sous Chef Andi and called it the greatest pick me up of it all. He and Will were able to complete service.

After service, Ramsay asked the final five to nominate two people for elimination. During deliberation, Paul called the appetizer station horrific, before Elise pulled him aside and asked him to call Jennifer as the weakest chef of the five.

Paul was not nominated for elimination, and when Ramsay asked him who was the weakest chef of the two nominees, he struggled until he said Jennifer was the weakest chef of the two, angering her. After Jennifer left, he felt the former did not like her anymore, and while being dismissed, he had no idea if Elise was playing him, but hoped it would bite her in the ass eventually.

Episode 15

Main article: Episode 915 - 4 Chefs Compete

While going back to the dorms, Elise told both Paul and Will that she owed them for standing up to their promise. However, the men stated that she doesn’t owe them shit. The next day, he reunited with his brother and was happy to see the latter, as he considered his brother his best friend.

During the Taste It Now Make It Challenge, Paul was cooking both monkfish and cod as they both looked the same. He also used prosciutto as the ham wrapping, as well as mushrooms, kale, and cream for the garnish. When he presented his dish, he revealed he used cod as his main protein and was super confident that the protein wasn’t monkfish.

Paul won the challenge because not only was the garnish and the ham wrapping correct, but cod was the right protein, was rewarded with a day with his brother at a local Dodgers game, and he called it the greatest reward. During the reward, he and his brother met with Tommy Lasorda, the two got to stand on the field, and felt the history and legacy flowing though him, despite being a Yankees fan. The two met with some Dodgers baseball players and was ecstatic to have shaken Don Mattingly’s hand, before calling it the highest point in his life. Later, as he and his brother watched the game, they saw Ramsay out in the field about to throw the first pitch of the game, and the latter joined the two brothers with some hot dogs.

During dinner service, Paul was on the appetizer station. He was the first person to run the pass and immediately, he was vocal when he called out his first ticket as he wanted to show why he was a big deal. After the first ticket was sent out, he asked for times, but while Will and Elise answered him, Tommy did not, frustrating Paul until his third time. After, he and Ramsay discovered a raw cod Tommy sent up, but while that happened, Sous Chef Scott prepared the first quality test of that night, a capellini with shrimp instead of lobster. He did not notice the mistake until Ramsay told him, but he was ready to bounce back despite the mistake. Despite that, his leadership was strong as the food was leaving the blue kitchen. Later, he asked Tommy for the refire constantly, but that annoyed the latter as he felt the former was too antsy, and Elise called Paul’s leadership poor as he was shouting. Then, a shouting match between him and Tommy occurred. Despite that, the refire was finally accepted. During Tommy’s turn at the pass, he needed a reread as he was confused about the order, and during Elise’s turn at the pass, he wanted to see how the former could back up her talk.

After service, Ramsay asked the final four to come up with an explanation of why they deserved to be in the finals. During deliberation, while Paul was not worried about Tommy, he was more worried about Elise due to her strong performance at the pass.

After Tommy left, Ramsay asked Paul why he deserved to be in the final two, and he claimed that despite his imperfections, he motivated his team and gained respect. After a tough and close decision, he was named the second finalist, with Will as the first. After Elise left, Ramsay told the finalists that their biggest service was yet to come, and the episode ended in a cliffhanger.

Episode 16

Main article: Episode 916 - 2 Chefs Compete

Continuing from the previous episode, Ramsay told Paul and Will to start thinking about their menus for the final dinner service and urged them to show off their skills. While being dismissed, he called himself a big fucking deal and during his menu creation, he thought of his mother, who passed away a few months before he competed, and wanted to do her proud. The next day, he received his head chef's jacket and discussed with Sous Chef Scott about his menu. Later, Ramsay decided to give the two men a break and offered them dinner. After changing into street clothes, the two men saw a limousine waiting for them, and when James opened the car door, his brother came out. Arriving at the Blasco, Ramsay welcomed to the restaurant, even revealing that chefs from New York opened the restaurant only a month ago, and invited them to see the kitchen. However, once Ramsay opened the doors of the kitchen, a live audience was waiting for them, and he called himself a rock star over seeing a bunch of cute women. After, Ramsay told the two to take in as they were officially superstars, referring to the beginning of the season, before announcing their final challenge.

During the Final Menu Challenge, Paul was confident that the judges would like his dishes as they reflected himself. On the seafood appetizer round, he made a seafood Noche with clams and mussels, and despite Victor Albisu deemed it a well-executed dish as the clams were cleaned properly, he lost that round to Will. On the salad round, he made a mixed green over roasted potatoes, it was praised for an overall balance, and he scored that round over Will. On the fish entrée round, he made a branzino dish, and while Johan Svensson felt the fish was a little crunchy for his liking, he won that round over Will. On the bone in ribeye round, he made a pan-roasted rib eye with buttermilk purée, and while Cliff Crooks deemed the dish eye appealing, he felt the dish need a little more seasoning and lost that round to Will. On the filet of beef round, he made steak and frites, which consisted of a pan-seared filet mignon with braised endives, they were deemed superb, and Keith Treyball liked how the truffles did not overpower the dish overall. He lost that round to Will lost the challenge 2-3, but was not worried, and was confident that he would win the service the following night.

Later that night, Paul and Will reunited with the returning chefs. Because he lost the previous challenge, he was left with the final overall pick. He picked Elise, Elizabeth, and Jonathon, and was left with Carrie, much to his dismay. While he was not happy about having both Elise and Carrie on his team, he decided to make the best of it and warned the two that he would put his foot up their asses if they started bickering again.

During prep, Paul told his team to speed up on prep, but when Ramsay came to look on his dishes, his heirloom tomato carpaccio was criticized for looking like a mess, the grilled swordfish dish had boring crab meat, and he was left kicking himself for not tasting his dishes earlier. After, he stormed out of the blue kitchen and broke into tears as he promised his mother he would win before she passed away, before getting himself refocused, back in the kitchen, and urged his team to show why they made it as far as they did, even revealing the promise he made as he refused to go down without a fight.

During dinner service, Paul received his first order, but only Elise responded to his order, which the latter called out everybody else for. Then, he noticed that Elise sent up shrimp in stock that was not needed, and tried to keep his temper down as he did not want to get her frazzled. Later, he rejected Elizabeth’s scallops for being overcooked, and for entrées, Jonathon sent up raw steaks. After being ordered by Ramsay to talk to his brigade, he ordered Elise and Jonathon to put the steaks inside the over, but when the latter sent up raw steaks again, he ordered Elise onto the meat while relocating Jonathon to garnish with Carrie. His reassignment worked as Elise produced a decent steak, but when he asked Carrie about the garnish, the latter was slow on the cook, forcing him to ask Elise to help Carrie out as he called the former his MVP for having his back. Later, he was pushing his team to get out his final tickets, encouraging them to push themselves for those final tickets. After service ended, he felt that he did well as he was the only one that season to get Elise and Carrie to work together.

After service, Ramsay congratulated Paul and Will for their strong performances, called it explementary, and sent them back to the dorms while he decided on a winner. Back at the dorms, he was anxiously waiting for the phone call from Ramsay.

Later that night, Ramsay called the dorms and asked Paul and Will to meet him in his office. Once there, Ramsay called the decision difficult but praised him for his strong start and strong passion. After, Ramsay asked the two to stand behind a door, with only the winner’s door being the one that opened. After anxiously waiting for Ramsay’s countdown, both turned their handles, but only his door opened. He was crowned the winner of Hell’s Kitchen and won the Head Chef’s position of BLT Steak New York, along with a salary of $250,000. He was extremely happy to have won, called himself a BLT $250,000 big deal, before giving a speech thanking his team and dedicating his victory to his mother. Then, he hung his portrait on the Hell’s Kitchen Wall of Fame with Ramsay and his brother watching him and was reminded by Ramsay how proud his mother was from heaven. During the celebration, some unused footage was shown as during the Signature Dish Challenge, Ramsay asked him if his balls dropped due to his high-pitched voice.

Ramsay's comment: "Paul won tonight because he's probably the most passionate, determined chef ever to enter Hell's Kitchen. He'll make a great head chef because his enthusiasm is contagious. I'm so proud to hand him over to BLT Steak in New York City."

Nomination History

Week 1	Safe
Week 2	Safe
Week 3	Win
Week 4	Safe
Week 5	Safe
Week 6	Nominated
Week 7	Safe
Week 8	Safe
Week 9	Win
Week 10	Safe
Week 11	Safe
Week 12	Win
Week 13	Safe
Week 14	Safe
Week 15	Safe
Week 16	Winner

Season 11

Episode 17/18

Main article: Episode 1118 - 5 Chefs Compete Part 2

Paul returned as part of a team of returning champions and was joined by Rock (Season 3), Christina (Season 4), Dave (Season 6), and Nona (Season 8). He was the final champion to reveal himself and warned the final five that the big deal was back, but Ja'Nel told him not to talk shit to them out the gate as he had no idea who he was going against. When the champions were going over menu items, he agreed to have Nona's collard greens on the menu.

During prep, Christina and Paul joked around as the former knew none of them were going home that night and felt they knew what they were doing. As prep for the champions was going well, he felt they would dominate that night. He presented the champion's entrée, veal loin with collard greens. While Ramsay praised the veal for tasting good, he reminded the champions not to make it too pink as people from Los Angeles were finicky, and did not want to see a dish returned.

During dinner service, Paul was on the meat station. He and Christina were pushing out entrées and was pumped before feeling confident. However, he sent up raw lamb, and while Ramsay told him New York would like the pink better than Los Angeles, he wanted to go back to New York while Christina told him to fix it. Fortunately, his refire was accepted, but one customer found it rare to her liking, forcing Jean-Philippe to bring it back to the blue kitchen. That frustrated him who asked why the women did not ask for medium instead, while Dave hoped he was not too deep as they all assumed he was the meat master, and Ramsay remarked that he expected a mistake like that in the red kitchen, not the blue kitchen. He rebounded from his mistake, and once again called himself a big deal. After the champions completed service, he felt they had a flawless performance. The champions won the service as they had a 95% approval rating over the black jackets 93%, and he said there was no doubt they would win.

Season 12

Episode 15/16

Main article: Episode 1215 - 7 Chefs Compete

Main article: Episode 1216 - 7 Chefs Again

Paul returned to Hell's Kitchen along with Rock (Season 3) and Dana (Season 10) as their dishes were featured in the first-ever Hell's Kitchen Calendar. Later, they were called to help Ramsay judge the Black Jackets Challenge. Joy ended up winning the challenge and ate a meal with the three returning chefs, which was prepared by the losers of the challenge. During the reward, he had a sick look on his face, making everybody fear he was choking, but he was able to spit it out in the bathroom.

Season 15

Episode 16

Main article: Episode 1516 - Winner Chosen

Before the final dinner service, Paul went to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, in Los Angeles, to give some advice to Ariel and Kristin. When he met with Kristin, he reminded her that it would be the biggest service of her life at that point and that she had to make her brigade follow her directions, by giving the analogy of the duck on the pond. After, he told Ariel that she had to relax and be focused and to create a menu that would be easy to execute.

After the two finalists received a makeover, Paul invited them for a drink on top of the hotel, where they were surprised by Ramsay. He was praised by the two women for giving great tips, and he convinced Ramsay that it would be an amazing final service, before leaving.

Post Hell's Kitchen

• After his appearance on the show, Paul worked for the BLT Group, including a stint as Head Chef at BLT Steak in New York City, New York. In 2013, he was named Chef de Cuisine at BLT Steak Los Angeles and Executive Chef at BLT Prime Miami in Doral, Florida in 2017.
• He returned to Florida, working first at Hudson at Waterway East and then SALT7 in Delray Beach, Florida.
• In March 2021, he got married.
• He is currently the Executive Chef at The Jupiter Grill in Jupiter, Florida.

Trivia

• He participated in the third all-male finals of Hell's Kitchen.
• He is the ninth winner and fifth male winner of Hell's Kitchen.
• He is the first winner to score a point during the Signature Dish Challenge and to this date the only male winner to do so.
• He is the first winner to receive a positive review of his signature dish.
• He holds the record of the most instances announcing the nominees, at 5 and they were all through normal announcements, tied with Christina (Season 4) and Trev (Season 8). He is also the only one to have this record where all the instances were of the same type.
• He and Will are the only two contestants to this date who were not only kicked out of the kitchen with team of black jackets, but was brought back by Ramsay during the second black jacket service.
• He and Will are tied with Christina (Season 4) and Jay (Season 7) for the most challenge victories in a single season, all with 9 each. This record was beaten two seasons later by Ja'Nel (Season 11).
• He is the first winner to have his nomination voided after being called down by Ramsay.

Quotes

• (About scoring a point during the signature dish challenge) "Slam dunk."
• (About Steven) "Know how they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks?"
• (About Brendan and Chino's performances after dinner service) "HE CAN'T FUCKING COOK SCALLOPS!!! HE CAN'T GET THE FUCKING RISOTTO OUT!!!"
• (About Brendan) "Brendan don't know his ass from his elbow, but let me tell you something in baseball: this was a fucking swing and a miss, strike three. Then you hit yourself in the nuts with the bat."
• (To Brendan) "First of all, you ever pull that fucking shit on me again, I will fucking slap you across the goddamn room."
• "Having another person coming in to finish what I fucking started is the most infuriating, slap-in-the-face, literally-taking-your-dick-out, whipping-it-across-my-chin feeling that I have ever had in my life."
• (After winning the blue team's first dinner service by a mile) "We were like the pistons in a fucking car, We were a unit, We were a team, We dominated, I'm ecstatic."
• "Ladies and gentlemen, the Paul is on the yacht." (puts on sunglasses)
• (On why he should stay during his nomination) "I had the worst service of my life. I am so disappointed in myself that I'm literally cringing. Cringing of watching you at the pass and shitting you on every fucking table 'cause I couldn't get my shit together. I don't want that to ever happen again, and I have enough determination to make sure it won't happen again. That's why I still want to be here, 'cause my fire isn't out!"
• (Impersonating Tommy) "'Hey guys, this is grape! Heyo!' Ugh."
• (About Jennifer) "I guess she doesn't like me anymore..."
• "All of the past contestants, and Tommy's ass."
• "That right there was some booty ass shit."
• (After being named the winner) "AHHH HA HA HA HA. I AM BLT 250,000 DOLLARS OF A BIG DEAL." "There is so much emotion going through me, I mean I’m sad, I'm happy, I'm ecstatic. My mom's looking down on me right now, she knows what I've been through, she knows how hard I've worked. This is all for her, I mean, this is it." "THIS IS THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT I HAVE EVER REACHED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I AM A BIG FUCKING DEAL."

Gallery

• Season 9
• Guest

• Chef
• Dishes

Paul's Intro Spot

Paul in Blue Jacket

Paul's Confessional (Blue Jacket)

Monterray, Jonathon, and Paul Nominated

Paul in Blind Taste Test

Paul in Black Jacket

Paul's Confessional (Black Jacket)

Paul in Head Chef Jacket

Paul's Confessional (Head Chef Jacket)

Paul after being crowned the winner

Paul's Signature Dish

Paul's Chicken Dish (Fried) (Episode 4)

Paul's Fire and Water Dish (Lobster) (Episode 5)

Paul's Beer Dish (Episode 7)

Paul's American Classics Dish (Chicken Noodle Soup) (Episode 8)

Paul's Dessert Dish (Episode 9)

Paul's King of The Hill Dish (Episode 11)

Paul and Elizabeth's Time Limit Dishes (Twenty Minutes) (Episode 12)

Paul's Comfort Food Dish Presentation (Episode 13)

Paul's Salmon Profit Dish (Episode 14)

Paul's Final Tasting Dish (Seafood Appetizer)

Paul's Final Tasting Dish (Salad)

Paul's Final Tasting Dish (Seafood Entrée)

Paul's Final Tasting Dish (Ribeye)

Paul's Final Tasting Dish (Filet)

• Season 11
• Season 12
• Season 13
• Season 15

Paul as Returning Champion

Paul's Confessional

Paul in Season 12

Paul in Season 13

Paul in Season 15

Paul with Ariel and Kristin

External links

• Paul Niedermann on Instagram