Hell’s Kitchen Season 23 Episode 1 Recap: Women’s Red Team Shines in Initial Challenge

Fox premiered the 23rd season of Hell’s Kitchen on September 26, showcasing Chef Gordon Ramsay as both host and mentor to 18 contestants. The theme for this season is “Head Chefs Only,” with the ultimate winner set to receive a grand prize of $250,000. In the inaugural episode, the chefs present their signature dishes to impress Gordon while introducing themselves. Notably, this season marks the first time the kitchen has relocated to the Foxwoods Resort Casino on the East Coast.

The contestants this season include: Amanda, Amber, Ann Marie, Anthony, Brittany, Brandon, Corbin, Egypt, Hannah, Joseph, Kyle, Lulu, Magali, Meghan, Michael, Shant, Uri, and Whit. The chefs will be split into two teams, with Michelle Tribble (season 17 winner) leading the Red Team, while James Avery takes charge of the Blue Team.

A press release for the new season highlighted:

“These eighteen talented head chefs that come from all ages, backgrounds, culinary specialties, and restaurant types are used to calling the shots. With such proven leaders in the kitchen, Chef Ramsay is setting the bar higher than ever before.”

Highlights from Season 23 Episode 1 of Hell’s Kitchen

During the premiere episode of Hell’s Kitchen season 23, the 18 talented chefs were escorted by the United States Coast Guard as they arrived in a boat. Gordon declared that this was the first season to feature all head chefs as contestants. The teams were formed with James Avery’s Blue Team being composed entirely of men, while Michelle Tribble’s Red Team consisted solely of women.

Gordon challenged the chefs of Hell’s Kitchen to create their signature dishes within 40 minutes. Midway through this task, Brittany accidentally cut herself, causing blood to splatter on her pasta, necessitating a quick remake.

As the chefs began plating their dishes, Gordon reminded them that the previous three season winners scored a perfect 5 points on the first night. The teams competed against each other, with the one scoring highest overall winning the challenge.

• Ann Marie (seared scallops over risotto) tied with Uri (pappardelle pasta): 4-4
• Magali (poached shrimp cavatelli) tied with Anthony (miso lemongrass steak): 5-5
• Brittany (shrimp and pasta) tied with Kyle (Thai red curry red snapper): 4-4
• Corbin (pan-seared New York strip and polenta) scored higher than Amber (elk tenderloin with sweet potato puree): 4-3
• Meghan (garlic prawns) scored more than Egypt (duck tostada): 5-4
• Amanda (pan-seared duck breast with lemon risotto) outscored Michael (roasted lamb rack): 5-4
• Whit (coconut milk poached fish and gnocchi) scored higher than Joe (chicken scarpariello): 5-4
• Brandon (roasted chicken breast and dumplings) outscored Lulu (masa tortillas with charred salsa roja): 5-4
• Hannah (maple duck breast with chocolate demi-glace) scored higher than Shant (crusted lamb with potatoes): 5-4

The Red Team emerged victorious from the challenge with a score of 40-38 against the Blue Team. This win allowed the women to enjoy a special dinner with Gordon, while the men were tasked with unloading delivery trucks, stocking the kitchens, and cleaning up before service. Team leaders Michelle and James also assigned homework to their respective teams, providing recipe books to aid in preparation for the upcoming dinner service.

Although the atmosphere in the Hell’s Kitchen residence was light-hearted with plenty of jokes, Anthony expressed his frustration regarding the seemingly relaxed attitude of the contestants, particularly after the Blue Team’s loss. The episode concluded dramatically as Gordon called the chefs outside and ignited a flamethrower.

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