Season 9 premiere: Chef Gordon Ramsay welcomes (if that's the word for it) the 18 culinary wannabes vying for a head-chef position at New York City's BLT Steak restaurant. First up: their signature dishes. Then comes the first dinner service, but not before one contestant is rushed to a hospital. Dinner is predictably problematic; in fact Ramsay "benches" three members of one team ("the three stooges"). But other chefs show mastery of those Hell's Kitchen mainstays risotto and beef Wellington

The remaining 16 chefs attempt to make a comeback from their disastrous first dinner service, but once again they seem to take two steps backward with each step forward.

With Brendan out of the competition, Natalie, Carrie, Will, Gina, Amanda, Krupa, Monterrey, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Paul, Tommy, Jennifer, Chino, Jamie, and Elise are still competing for the prize. Tempers flare on the Red Team and everyone turns on one chef for making all the wrong moves.

With Amanda gone, Natalie, Carrie, Will, Gina, Krupa, Monterrey, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Paul, Tommy, Jennifer, Chino, Jamie, and Elise remain in the running for the winning the spot as Head Chef at BLT Steak in New York City. Tempers are heated when Chef turns on Head Chefs on the Red Team and Blue Team leading to the most shocking elimination.

With Chino out of the competition, Natalie, Carrie, Will, Gina, Krupa, Monterrey, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Paul, Tommy, Jennifer, Jamie, and Elise have to pick it up to show that they have what it takes. However, when Gina turns to Elise to vent her anger, it is a battle of who could be the meanest.

After the elimination of Gina, only Natalie, Carrie, Will, Krupa, Monterrey, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Paul, Tommy, Jennifer, Jamie, and Elise remain to fight for their victory as Hell's Kitchen champion.

With Monterrey out of the game, Natalie, Carrie, Will, Krupa, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Paul, Tommy, Jennifer, Jamie, and Elise are still in it. However, when teammates turn on each other on both teams, tempers reach their peak with many of the chefs.

Ten chefs compete.

Now that Jonathan is out of the competition, only Natalie, Carrie, Will, Elizabeth, Paul, Tommy, Jennifer, Jamie, and Elise remain in the running for the Head Chef spot at the $250,000/year salary.

Eight chefs compete in the first hour; seven in the second.

Hells Kitchen 7 Chefs Compete

Now that Natalie is gone, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Elise, Will, Paul, and Tommy fight for the coveted black jackets to make it into the Top 5 Chefs. Tempers ignite when a new leader pushes to get to the top despite what the other team members agree with.

The two teams are challenged to make three entrees. The catch: one must be made in 30 minutes, on in twenty, and the last in only ten minutes. The winning team gets to go shopping, while the losers set up the dining room for the next dinner service, in which Hell's Kitchen will be hosting a charity dinner.

With no one eliminated from the competition last time, Elise, Will, Tommy, Paul and Jennifer have another chance to prove that they have what it takes. However, when Elise's temper reaches maximum, it could possibly be the end of the Diva from Hell.

Season 9 finale: The final four chefs compete in the first hour, with two advancing to the final round. The winner gets the gravy: a chef-de-cuisine post at BLT Steak in New York City.

Season 9 finale: Will Lustberg from Jersey City, N.J.; Paul Niedermann from Davie, Fla.; Tommy Stevens from Brewster, N.Y.; and Elise Wims from Pittsburgh compete in the first hour, with two advancing to the final round. The winner gets the gravy: a chef-de-cuisine post at BLT Steak in New York City.