How many episodes in 12 season: 20 episodes
On the Season 12 premiere of HELL'S KITCHEN, the newest batch of 20 aspiring restaurateurs attempt to impress Gordon Ramsay and his fiery personality as they head to the kitchen. In the first challenge of the season, Chef Ramsay splits the chefs into two teams: men (blue) vs. women (red) and asks the them to present their signature dish. The winning team gets treated to an exclusive dinner with Chef Ramsay, while the losing team is left behind to scrub down the kitchen. During opening night dinner service, both teams make major mistakes and some tempers reach their boiling point. Find out which contestants are safe and who is the first to be eliminated in the "20 Chefs Compete".
Chef Ramsay tests the contestants' ability to work as a team by setting up a tricycle relay race during which both teams must work in pairs to accomplish basic culinary tasks. The winning team earns a trip to San Francisco, while the losing team goes carrot picking at a farm. Later, both teams fail to impress Chef Ramsay during another disappointing dinner service. Find out who is sent home for good.
Chef Ramsay teaches the chefs a lesson in teamwork when he puts them through a physical challenge involving pigs and potatoes, but the competition really heats up when the team competition continues in the kitchen. The winning team earns a luxurious day on a yacht while the losing team is tasked with bathing their new livestock friends. Later, a disorganized dinner service disappoints Chef Ramsay, and once again an entire team is kicked out of the kitchen. Find out who is eliminated.
Chef Ramsay challenges the contestants to an intense team competition involving lobster ravioli. The first team to successfully create 10 perfect plates of lobster ravioli will win a relaxing day by the pool at a luxurious Beverly Hills mansion, while the losing team must spend the day cleaning the kitchen. Later, the competition heats up as contestants prepare a steak dinner for hungry diners. While some rise to the top, others struggle to make it make the appetizer, and Chef Ramsay grills the losing team
Chef Ramsay puts the contestants to the ultimate memory test when he challenges the red and blue teams to match side dishes with four different types of protein. The team that pairs the dishes successfully wins a day trip to Laguna Beach, while the losing team spends the day preparing honey taffy from scratch. Later, the contestants get an early wake-up call to prepare a breakfast reception for the first-ever HELL'S KITCHEN wedding. While some contestants rise to challenge, others scramble to complete the simplest dishes, resulting in an emotional elimination round
In the continuation of a heated elimination, Chef Ramsay asks each team to pick a team leader for the next dinner service. Each team strategizes station assignments, as they anxiously prepare for their first VIP guests in HELL'S KITCHEN. But the meal takes a turn for the worse when one chef prematurely serves an undercooked dish. Find out which team has to present two chefs for elimination and which contestant Chef Ramsay chooses to send home
Pairs from the Red and Blue teams must create a unique pizza dish to present to Chef Ramsay and VIP guest judge Chef Wolfgang Puck. The judges will determine which team will go on a relaxing day trip to a luxurious hotel and which team will stay behind to clean up and prepare for dinner service. Later, pressure mounts during Family Night dinner service as the contestants must not only impress the regulars, but Chef Ramsay's family, as well. In a lopsided dinner service, one team excels while the other team breaks down after running out of a very crucial ingredient, forcing the losing team to put two of their own team members up for elimination. Find out which contestant will be sent home for good
The team that prepares the most-impressive Southern-inspired menu for a sorority's anniversary party wins a trip to Las Vegas; both teams struggle with communication during dinner service.
In the ultimate adaptability challenge, contestants from the Red and Blue teams are given 30 minutes to shine, as each team member must create an entrée with four surprise ingredients in a hidden dome challenge. Chef Ramsay and VIP guest judge, Chef Michael Cimarusti, will determine which team will be treated to a beachside lunch and volleyball lesson with Kerri Walsh Jennings and which team will stay behind to do the kitchen chores. Later, tensions rise as Chef Ramsay announces it is time for 1:1 performance evaluations. Then, for the first time in HELL'S KITCHEN history, Chef Ramsay pits the lowest-ranking chefs from each team against each other, beginning an emotional elimination round.
After a dramatic elimination, Chef Ramsay starts the day with a surprise field trip to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, welcoming them into a kitchen that one day could be theirs. Later, the Red and Blue teams must prepare the restaurant's inspired meals. While one team leads the way, the other team struggles to communicate and is eventually kicked out of the kitchen, forcing them to present numerous chefs up for elimination.
A team competition tests the contestants' knowledge of pork, with the winners receiving an indoor sky-diving experience; during dinner service, both teams face struggles.
After both teams are reorganized, the chefs blindly choose ingredients from which they must create a unique dish; the chefs must serve a five-course meal to UNICEF Ambassador Angie Harmon and other VIP attendees.
The red team and the blue team each create their own menus, from which guests can order during dinner service; the team that impresses diners with its food and service wins the challenge; contestants face elimination.
The remaining contestants face the blind taste test, with the winning team getting an ice skating lesson with figure skater Rachael Flatt; the contestants struggle to stay organized during the dinner service.
Ramsay challenges the teams with creating entrees with the highest dollar values with ingredients purchased on a small budget; three previous winners judge individual contestant's entrees.
The contestants prepare a dinner service with guests from OxFam America, including Minnie Driver; two chefs struggle with their stations.
The six remaining chefs receive their black jackets and prepare tailgate food for football fans; tempers flare during dinner service.
The remaining contestants use leftovers to create a dish; Better Homes & Gardens Editor Laurie Buckle chooses which dish will be featured in the magazine; the contestants face elimination.
The four finalists receive a surprise after their loved ones visit the kitchen but family time comes to an end after Gordon announces the classic 'taste it now make it challenge'.
The final two contestants must prepare five unique dishes, to be judged by renowned Los Angeles chefs; former contestants help with the final dinner service; a winner is chosen.
