Ashley Nickell

It’s an all-new season and for the first time ever in HELL’S KITCHEN history, Chef Ramsay invites 16 All-Stars back to the kitchen for a second chance to prove they have what it takes. Old rivalries are renewed and new alliances are formed, but in the end, only one of these all-stars will claim the grand prize – a head chef position at the brand-new Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant at Caesars Palace Las Vegas and $250,000. During the premiere episode, Chef Ramsay surprises the 16 former Black Jacket chefs with a twist on the infamous Signature Dish Challenge. The winning team will enjoy the ride of their lives at Skyslide in downtown Los Angeles, followed by a dinner with Chef Ramsay and special guest Wolfgang Puck at his restaurant, WP24. Meanwhile, the losing team will stay behind to clean up and prep both kitchens for the upcoming dinner service. The next day, Ramsay gathers the chefs in the newly redesigned dining room for a huge announcement that will leave them stunned. Find out which all-star makes the biggest first impression.

In the Season 15 premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN, Chef Gordon Ramsay welcomes the newest bunch of contestants into the kitchen. The steaks are high when the contestants travel to Las Vegas and see the kitchen where this season’s winner will work as a Head Chef: BLT Steak at Bally’s Las Vegas. And, for the first time in HELL’S KITCHEN history, they will compete in that kitchen for the signature dish team challenge. The winning team will earn a ride on the High Roller – the world’s tallest Ferris wheel – and get VIP service at Drai’s Nightclub, while the losing team prepares a Vegas buffet service, which includes peeling 50 lbs. of shrimp and 1,000 lbs. of potatoes. Later, during their first dinner service, one of the teams will fail early on in the service, prompting Chef Ramsay to kick them out of the kitchen. Find out which contestants will be safe from elimination and whose luck will run out.

The 16 chefs are given 40 minutes to execute their first individual challenge – the Bar Menu Challenge. Then, the chefs prep for the season’s first dinner service, as they adapt to an all-new menu. For the first time ever, the restaurant will host Chef Tables on opening night with special VIP guests – singer Jordin Sparks (“American Idol” winner), actor Joe Montegna (“Criminal Minds”), actor French Stewart (“3rd Rock from the Sun”), R&B singer Keith Sweat and singer Kirstin Maldonado from Pentatonix. One team struggles to bounce back after a rocky start, while the other team hits its stride and finishes strong. And after a disappointing dinner service, Chef Ramsay makes a shocking decision during elimination.

The remaining chefs meet at DeSano Pizzeria and learn about their next challenge, for which they will be given 30 minutes to create a pizza inspired by their assigned country. Marino, the owner of the pizzeria and HELL’S KITCHEN’S Maître D’, joins Chef Ramsay and special guest judge Steve Samson, to determine the winning team. Later during dinner service, actress Melissa Fumero and Victoria’s Secret model Devon Windsor join as special guests, and while both teams struggle, one just can’t keep up.

The remaining chefs must face off in a “game of chance” to divvy up their ingredients and create their own unique dishes. During this challenge, each chef has 45 minutes to create a dish, combining a protein of their choice with all the ingredients selected from the game of chance. After Chef Ramsay judges each dish, the winners are chosen and rewarded with a private jet whisking them away for an exclusive stay at the Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, CA. During dinner service, the contestants are determined to impress Chef Ramsay and the VIP Guests: Mixed martial artist Paige VanZant and actress/model Shannon Tweed. After mistakes are made in the kitchen, Chef Ramsay decides to shake things up.

Chef Ramsay challenges the remaining chefs to complete a four-tiered shellfish tower with “fast hands.” Each team is divided into four teams of two, with each pair completing one tier at a time. The first team to finish all four tiers wins and is rewarded with a glamorous day in Malibu. Meanwhile, the losing team must prep for a massive fish delivery. Then, the dinner service begins with a rocky start, as Chef Ramsay sends multiple entrees back to the kitchen and temporarily kicks out one of the All-Stars. In the end, one team manages to improve its performance, while the other fails to impress. During an intense elimination, another contestant is sent home for showing a lack of commitment.