Smallscreen News

FOX's 'Hell's Kitchen' picks 20 new donkeys, the cast list

By April MacIntyre Feb 27, 2013, 17:06 GMT

Gordon Ramsay during "Gordon Ramsay\'s Ultimate Cookery Course" book signing at Harrods in London. Picture copyright by Landmark / PR Photos.

Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay welcomes 20 new competitors on the 11th season premiere of Hell's Kitchen airing Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

These aspiring restaurateurs will endure name calling, back-biting and side stabbing from their competition peers as well as an intense culinary academy, including a series of grueling team challenges and dinner services. 

All of this abuse in a bid to prove to Chef Ramsay that they have the perfect blend of skill, poise and determination to win a life-changing grand prize: a head chef position working under Executive Chef Jeremy Berlin at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace.

From FOX

For the first time in HELL’S KITCHEN history, the newest batch of 20 aspiring restaurateurs will head to Las Vegas to present their signature dishes before a live audience. The contestants will split into two teams – the red team (women) and blue team (men) – to show Chef Ramsay and the live audience that they have what it takes to make their mark in the restaurant world. The winning team with the most impressive dishes will earn a VIP night on the town and attend a special concert, while the losing team will take a long, sweltering eight-hour journey back to Los Angeles on a school bus. 

This season, the chefs will compete in an obstacle course involving lobsters and prepare a meal for hungry runners and world-renowned athletes as they vie for a chance to win lavish rewards, including a luxury spa day on a yacht and a trip to wine country on a private jet. Meanwhile, the losing teams will scale hundreds of pounds of fish or scrub down HELL’S KITCHEN in preparation for dinner service. Throughout the competition, the teams will be winnowed down until two chefs are left standing to compete for the ultimate prize.

Below are the 20 chefs competing on this season of HELL’S KITCHEN:

The Red Team (Women) includes:

Amanda Giblin                   Age: 28

Hometown: Orange County, NY

Occupation: Executive Chef

Signature Dish: Pan-Seared Sea Scallops over Roasted Corn and Crispy Prosciutto Risotto

Cyndi Stanimirov               Age: 25

Hometown: Queens, NY

Occupation: Head Chef

Signature Dish: Tri-Color Pepper-Crusted New York Strip with Black Truffle, White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese with Asparagus

Danielle Boorn                   Age: 33

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Occupation: Executive Chef

Signature Dish: Parmesan-Encrusted Chicken with Herbed Orzo and Grilled Asparagus

Gina Aloise                         Age: 49

Hometown: Bronx, NY

Occupation: Line Cook

Signature Dish: Penne Pasta with Meatballs and a Petit Braciola 

Ja’Nel Witt                          Age: 31

Hometown: Houston, TX

Occupation: Executive Chef

Signature Dish: Thai Grilled Prawns with Asian Pesto

Jacqueline Baldassari       Age: 27

Hometown: Florence, NJ

Occupation: Roundsman

Signature Dish: Magret Duck Breast, Sweet Potato Rosti, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with a Currant Au Jus

Jessica Lewis                     Age: 26

Hometown: New York, NY

Occupation: Chef Tournant

Signature Dish: Wahoo with Vegetable Succotash and Lemon Thyme Vinegar

Mary Poehnelt                    Age: 26

Hometown: Belchertown, MA

Occupation: Butcher/Cook

Signature Dish: Seared Duck Breast with a Red Wine Reduction, Pommes Anna and Arugula Salad

Nedra Harris                       Age: 24

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Occupation: Kitchen Manager

Signature Dish: Honey-Glazed Lamb Chops with Grilled Potatoes

Susan Heaton                     Age: 29

Hometown: Whittier, CA

Occupation: Culinary Student 

Signature Dish: Moroccan Lamb with Couscous

The Blue Team (Men) includes:

Anthony Rodriguez             Age: 27          

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Occupation: Line Chef 

Signature Dish: BBQ Scallop “Po’ Boy” with a Tasso Jambalaya Pilaf

Barret Beyer                       Age: 35

Hometown: Long Island, NY 

Occupation: Head Chef 

Signature Dish: Pork Loin Roulade with Mushrooms and Spinach Cream Sauce with Smashed Roasted Garlic Potato

Christian Rosati                 Age: 38

Hometown: Boston, MA  

Occupation: Line Cook/Sandwich Maker

Signature Dish:  Pasta alla Norma

Dan Ryan                            Age: 27

Hometown: Westchester, NY  

Occupation: Head Cook

Signature Dish: Eggs Benedict

Jeremy Madden                 Age: 22

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA  

Occupation: Lead Cook

Signature Dish: Stuffed Porterhouse Steak with Caramelized Onions and Smoked Gouda

Jon Scallion                        Age: 27

Hometown: York, PA  

Occupation: Chef de Cuisine

Signature Dish: Seared Scallops and Foie Gras with Truffle and Smoked Gouda Risotto

Michael Langdon               Age: 33

Hometown: Plains, PA  

Occupation: Executive Chef

Signature Dish: Seared Striped Bass and Ratatouille with a Saffron Tomato Jus

Ray Alongi                         Age: 51 

Hometown: Boston, MA  

Occupation: Executive Chef

Signature Dish: Stuffed Veal Cutlet Damiano

Sebastian Royo                 Age: 32 

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY     

Occupation: Sous Chef

Signature Dish: Sea Bass “Sea Farce” (aka Salmon and Shrimp Corndogs)

Zach Womack                     Age: 34

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Occupation: Head Line Cook        

Signature Dish: Pork Chop with Apple Fig Purée