When Hell’s Kitchen 24 premiered, the primary premise was Battle of the States. With chefs from all the states competing for the coveted title and position within the Gordon Ramsay empire, everyone wondered which state would reign supreme. With the Black Jackets awarded to the final five, one element is quite clear in the kitchen.
Hell’s Kitchen has earned its legends of fans for several reasons. First, the Gordon Ramsay led show produced some of the most memorable television lines. Who hasn’t worked “lamb sauce” or “doughnut” into a food conversation.
Additionally, Hell’s Kitchen took the traditional Beef Wellington and made it even more iconic. People across the globe line up at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant to enjoy a bite of the signature dish. Even Top Chef had an episode exploring the complexities of a Wellington.
Most importantly, food television fans watch the show for the drama. As any former Hell’s Kitchen chef will share, the experience takes a mentally taxing toll. Working and living with their fellow chefs creates tension. Yes, there is pressure on the line, but the personalities heighten the experience.
What Made Hell’s Kitchen Season 24 Different?
When the Black Jackets were awarded, it was more than a reduced number that caught people’s attention. All the chefs were women.
Granted, it is not necessarily new that women chefs do well on Hell’s Kitchen. Some of the most successful winners are women. There have been plenty of seasons where the final two chefs were women.
But, there was never a season where all the Black Jackets were women chefs. What does this scenario say about the uber popular FOX television show? Is it just circumstances?
Truthfully, this Hell’s Kitchen outcome is similar to a bigger trend across food television. Food Network’s Tournament of Champions has crowned only women chef winners throughout its history. MasterChef has had many women winners. As has Next Level Chef, Next Level Baker and a slew of other food television competitions.
Before anyone says that a competition is rigged or slanted, women chefs know how to handle the pressure. Being told no, passed over and even being under-paid creates resilience. Hearing criticism on television is just another comment heaped onto the pile.
Many of these food television shows require chefs to think on their feet, pivot and get along with others. Their ego cannot be more flavorful than the food. In that scenario, women chefs have an advantage.
The only food television show where there have been more winning men chefs than women, Top Chef. Who remembers when Stephanie Izard earned the title as the first woman Top Chef? To be fair, the women who have won the Bravo food television series have dominated the restaurant landscape. They might be small in number, but they are mighty.
Who will earn the title of Hell’s Kitchen Season 24? Everyone will have to watch FOX Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT or stream episodes on Hulu
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