narrator: Previously on "Hell's Kitchen"...
- You made it. [screaming]
- Man, let's go! - Oh, man.
narrator: 18 aspiring chefs with big hopes...
- To walk through those doors and be
one of Chef Gordon Ramsay's executive chefs,
that's the dream.
narrator: Arrived eager to impress Chef Ramsay.
- Got it, baby. - Coming from where I come
from, North Philadelphia,
you don't get a lot of opportunity.
narrator: And achieve the American Dream.
- Look at Marino! Look at Marino!
- When I have my eye on a prize,
I know that I'm gonna get it, and I know
I'm gonna win this.
narrator: Which is part hard work--
- Oh!
Come here! What planet are you on?
- America, Earth.
- Oh, God.
- You tell planet Earth this is embarrassing!
[bleep] raw. narrator: Perseverance--
- My body is currently giving up on me.
- You need to dig deep. You've done that
in your life, right? - Yes, Chef.
I want to be a [bleep]-- a great chef.
narrator: And a willingness to sacrifice.
- We all know how to cook.
- I want to be home with my [bleep] kids!
narrator: Many dreams were dashed.
And now, just two remain.
- Johnathan, Ryan.
[cheers and applause]
narrator: Johnathan, a proud father.
- My daughter tells me every day,
"Daddy, you're the best chef in the world."
- It tastes like you've been cooking since the age of five
'cause you're gonna get a five.
Well done. - Thank you.
narrator: An executive sous chef
from Huntington Beach, California...
- Two strips, 4 minutes.
- Nicely cooked, Johnathan. - Thank you.
narrator: Proved his passion matched his skills.
- The Punishment Pass, congratulations, Johnathan.
Well done.
narrator: Determined to change his daughter's life forever.
- It just kind of reminds me of home.
- That's so good. - Thank you.
Having a daughter, it makes me want to make my family proud.
I'm putting my daughter on my back,
and we're going to the finish line.
- I know you can make this work.
- Thank you, Chef.
narrator: His worthy opponent is Ryan.
- You're gonna have to call a fire brigade
to cut me out of here. I'll tell you that much.
I'm not going anywhere. - [bleep] got you.
narrator: A spirited chef de cuisine
all the way from Cork, Ireland--
- Leave that there. I'm eating that.
Off you go. - Thank you, Chef.
- I'm feeling I am the epitome of the American Dream.
I've worked my absolute bollocks off
to be where I am today.
narrator: Who came to prove that cooking
is not only in his blood... - My father was a chef.
Me and him, ever since I've been five years of age,
we've been watching you on the TV.
- Since five? [bleep] Are we that old?
- Yeah.
narrator: It will be his legacy.
- I have a black jacket for you as well, young man.
narrator: The two finalists started as teammates.
- Oh, these are beautiful. These are beautiful.
- Yeah, these look great. - Let's [bleep] go!
narrator: And their friendship blossomed
into a bit of a bromance.
- Woo!
Ryan and I got our first date.
- I plan on standing at the doors, looking at you.
- And my door opens. - Yeah?
[both laugh]
narrator: And tonight--
- Four covers, table five.
narrator: It's the final battle.
- This is it. This is my reputation on the line
for the rest of my life.
Sandra, make sure it's [bleep] seasoned.
- We have a big problem on the meat station.
- One dinner service away from my life forever changing.
Watch your temps, OK? - I got you.
narrator: And the American Dream is on the line.
- Jason, let's go. Yeah, I need it.
- It's not ready. - [bleep] hell.
- Two lamb, D.
- Coming as fast as I can. - They're raw.
- Do not [bleep] it up right now.
- Touch that sauce. It's ice cold.
- [bleep] A. - Deal with it, yes?
narrator: Who will become the head chef
at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Restaurant
at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas?
- Put it up, brother. - Love you, man.
narrator: Whose life will change forever?
- Gentlemen, this is it.
narrator: Find out right now...
- One...
narrator: On the epic season finale...
- Two...
narrator: Of "Hell's Kitchen."
- Three.
[cheers and applause]
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[soft tense music]
narrator: And now, the conclusion
of "Hell's Kitchen, The American Dream."
[laughter]
- Yo, my guy! My guy!
[cheering]
- Yes!
Yes!
The [bleep] final!
Ah!
- Yes!
- Yo, congrats!
- I'm overwhelmed with emotion.
It's so crazy that I made it to the finale.
I did it for you, Saxon.
- Congrats, bro. - Ah!
I have worked my absolute bollocks off
to be where I am today.
28 years of age, I'm on the biggest stage of the world.
And you know, the best of me is yet to come.
All right, so I'm just gonna draw
a picture of Jason really quick.
[laughter]
I'm feeling really, really good about this team.
Bar one, Jason's a bit of a [bleep],
so yeah, there's that.
- Is it a penis? [laughter]
You're gonna win tomorrow, just so you know.
You're welcome.
- I feel really, really good about my team, dude.
So I'm [bleep] hyped.
Listen, I'm not gonna scream either, tomorrow, guys.
I don't work like that.
I just like to, like, get behind you guys
and get the good vibe going. - Yeah.
- 100%, bro.
- Being in charge and being the boss
isn't about being loud.
It isn't about beating people down.
I want us to have such a smooth service,
and cook such badass food,
and do it with smiles.
If I just cook with my heart, like I do always,
and lead tomorrow night, I'm going to win.
And then the lamb chop's gonna be on meat.
That's an app.
It's gonna be like a double chop.
So basically, we just got to get ahead on those.
- Yeah.
- I was thinking Dahmere on meat.
I feel good with that. - Got you.
The person I'm most concerned about tomorrow is Johnathan.
He hasn't been very vocal in the kitchen.
That's absolutely fine.
You know, he has two vocal powerhouses
between me and Donya. - Heck yeah.
- It's going to get done one way or another.
- Chicken and dumplings,
so that's gonna be meat and garnish.
And I was thinking Donya on garnish.
- Heard, Chef. I got you.
I'm feeling great, yo.
I'm on Johnathan's team, and he's laid back.
- New York strip, straightforward New York strip.
- OK, cool. - Heard.
- The only thing that I'm worried about is
Johnathan playing it too safe.
This is a menu that is not too difficult.
But hopefully, it's enough to get the job done.
- And then I was thinking Leigh for apps.
- I'm so down. I love rocking apps.
I really do. - I know.
I feel like you can start strong,
and work really clean,
and get the station dialed in.
- I just kind of assumed that Johnathan
was gonna have a little bit more of an ego
going into this finale.
Not that I'm surprised, but like...
I'm a little bit surprised.
I'm so hype. - I am, too.
- Yeah, yeah.
- I feel really confident, dude.
- This is the first course, grilled red, golden baby beets.
Like what the [bleep].
[laughter] What the [bleep]?
- What's wrong? - This! Like really?
This is insanity. - Yes, this is real, baby.
- What the [bleep]? - It's real.
- It just hit me what I was doing.
- So real.
- I've never been more ready
for anything in my entire life,
to take the reins
and lead this team into victory tomorrow.
- What does that say? - Vol-au-vent.
- V-O-L...
- V-O-L space A-U space V-A-N-T.
Vol-au-vent. It's very French.
I'm not at all surprised that Chef Ryan picked me.
Skill-wise, I 100% think I'm an asset.
He's gonna spoon the beurre noisette over.
- And I'm gonna spoon--I'm gonna spoon the beurre noisette
over the scallops when they're on the plate, OK?
Let's go over what we're doing, then we--
at least we can all read and [bleep].
- Jason? - No, nothing.
- Yes, I thought so.
- It was nothing about you.
- We're all a team here, no? And that's done.
- So cold app, hot app. OK, so next?
- Pan-seared scallops,
and it's going to be with cauliflower veloute.
- Cauliflower puree.
- A really, really, like, saucy cauliflower puree.
- What is that word then?
- Veloute. - Veloute.
It's just a French term.
- I think Ryan is showing great leadership skills,
but the menu is very French.
And I don't have any classic French training
and already am feeling a little bit nervous.
Vo la vue?
Is that the same veloute from the--
- No, that's chicken.
- [chuckles]
Oh, God, I've definitely mispronounced that.
- And then we have our beurre noisette.
- Can you just speak it in, like, normal terms,
like brown butter? - Brown butter, sorry.
Yeah, so brown butter. - Sorry, but like--
- No, that's fine. It's just-- - Thank you.
- Hey, it's just my take, yeah? - Sorry, Chef.
[laughter]
- Oh, man.
I think Ryan's got a solid, super strong,
buff, strong menu.
But like doing and executing is--is another thing.
- So again, we're gonna go super classic,
but we're just updating it, modernizing it.
- Sexifying it.
- Exactly, sexy and edgy.
That's the name of tomorrow, yeah?
- Sexy, edgy. - Sexy and edgy.
What are we? together: Sexy and edgy!
- What is the key to a great service?
together: Sexy and edgy!
- Turn around and tell the person behind you!
together: Sexy and edgy!
- Sexy and edgy, huh? Can't wait to make a T-shirt.
narrator: With a full night of menu planning
under their belts... - Come on, guys.
narrator: Both teams hit the ground running
for a dinner service that will change
one chef's life forever.
- This is your chicken veloute for cold apps.
- Check your ovens, pull out proteins.
Oh, my God.
One dinner service away from my life forever changing.
- Today's your day. I'm here for you.
- My team is just rock solid.
We're looking good.
I just have to rise to the occasion.
Proud of you guys. - You too, dude.
- Thank you. - Love you, guys.
- That means a lot. - Love you, guys.
- Oh.
- Everybody OK with what they're doing now, yes?
- Yes, Chef. - Everybody knows?
I'm in my element. You know, this is me to a T.
Season, taste, season, taste again.
- Teach me your ways, oh, teacher.
- Jason, chop-chop.
Everybody knows exactly what they're doing
and when they're supposed to be doing it.
And when the time comes,
I will lead everybody to success.
- You want me to cut the bones off the chicken?
- They should be already off, I think. Just double check.
- No, they still have the bone, Chef.
I'm on meat.
It's where he wants me to be because
proteins are the starlight of each plate.
And you want to make sure that they are cooked properly.
- Look at that. Beautiful.
- That's why you chose me.
- You know, Jason's a great chef.
He just has a [bleep] attitude.
- Chef Ryan, the least you could do
is give me your attention.
- Well, you know, we're all [bleep] adults.
And we have to own it and look it in the [bleep] eye.
- Easy, fellas.
- Do we have goat cheese we can roll, or--
- It's already done, Chef. - I'm just asking.
You know, I'm just gonna stop asking.
- I can deal with him for one more night
if he just gives me some really good cooking skills.
- You say "jump," I say "giddy up."
- Johnathan, Chef Ramsay wants to see you in his office.
- Thank you.
- Hi. Good morning. - How are you?
- Oh, good, indeed. Thank you. How are you?
- Good. I got a lot of emotions.
I'm feeling it, today.
- This journey's been incredible.
You are one performance away from becoming
my next head chef. - I can feel it.
I'm ready for my life to change, Saxon's life.
I want to go home and tell her we're moving to Vegas.
- Somebody wants to see you.
- Oh, what?
Saxon! Saxon!
- Daddy!
[laughter]
- Oh! - Daddy!
- Saxon. - Daddy.
Daddy! Daddy! - Oh!
- Oh, my goodness, me. - I know.
- Oh, my goodness, me. - It's been a long time.
Aw, honey. - Daddy!
- You're doing it, dude.
You're doing it. - Daddy!
- I'm so happy I got to see her.
Being away from her has taken such an emotional toll on me.
- What did you tell me this morning?
- Don't yell at my dad.
[laughter]
- Sit down and catch up.
- Thank you, Chef. - I'll see you shortly.
- Thank you. - Aw, thank you.
- Enjoy. - Saxon!
- Daddy!
- Oh, she made you something. - What did you make?
- It starts with me and you.
How sweet would blueberry muffins be?
- Oh, my gosh.
Look, is that us cooking? Is that our hands?
- Yeah, that--that's me taking a blueberry muffin.
And you're putting in the next batch of muffins.
- Wow, this is so beautiful.
I'm so proud of you.
Give me a big kiss.
[kissing]
I feel so motivated and so proud
to cook for my life tonight
and to know that my family is gonna be tasting my food.
Let me tell you my menu. - OK.
- So it's based around my family.
Tuna poke to start.
That comes from being our "fancy night,"
and that's the dish that Giada gave me a perfect 10 on.
And my second dish is glazed carrot ravioli.
- And who is it based on?
- It's based on Grandma's burnt carrots.
- Remember, we have them all the time at home?
- I made them a couple days ago.
- Did you? Yeah. - [laughs]
- I feel like nothing can stop me at this point.
Nothing can stop me.
Kiss me.
- [kisses]
- Oh, thank you.
narrator: Coming up, the final two chefs face off
in their most epic battle yet.
- This is going to be the most important service of our lives.
- Let's go! Let's go, guys.
narrator: Which one will rise to the occasion?
- Sandra, season the water, OK?
Make sure it's [bleep] seasoned.
Doesn't matter what the [bleep] it is.
It needs to be right.
No more [bleep] ups. I expect perfection.
Let's go, chicken. I need it now!
- You can't say I need it now when it's not ready.
narrator: And which chef's American Dream...
- OK, I need two lamb, D.
- I'm coming as fast as I can!
- I did not think that
Dahmere would [bleep] me on my lamb chops.
- We have a big problem on the meat station.
narrator: Will come true?
[cheers and applause]
- Little bit of butter.
- Ryan, Chef Ramsay wants to see you.
- Yeah.
- Chef calls, you move.
- Hey. - Chef.
- You good? - Fantastic.
- Good. Good. How's it going?
- You know, I'm confident in the team.
I'm confident in the plates.
- You're one service, young man,
one service away from winning this thing.
- One service for the rest of my life.
That's the way I see it.
- I want to remind you what you're fighting for.
Uh, excuse me, miss.
- [cries softly]
Welcome. - Hi.
- Jennifer, so nice to see you.
- [sighs]
I haven't seen my wife in like five weeks.
So like just to see how beautiful she is again,
I am punching well above my weight.
- What, you missed her?
- Oh, my God, more than-- more than anything.
- I am so happy that our travel partners, Allegiant,
could fly you in this morning.
It's such a shame that Dad couldn't be here.
- Yeah, absolutely.
- And maybe next time I'm in Ireland,
he can host me a dinner.
- [sobbing]
[emotional music]
♪ ♪
I [bleep] told you.
I told you I'd be here. I told you.
♪ ♪
- Gordon.
- It's not only my dream. It's his dream.
- Good to see you, sir. - Pleasure.
- Chef is his idol, and I'm so happy that
he could be a part of it.
- Thank you so much for coming.
I'll see you shortly.
- Oh, my God.
- Ryan. - Oh, my good, good God.
All that we talked about.
We both know how much this means,
not only to me, but to you, too.
And what makes this just so much better for me
is the fact that we all know I've never cooked for you.
What a place to do it,
on the world's biggest platform, you know,
to cook my first meal for--for my dad, you know?
- That's fantastic. I love you, boy.
- I know. I love you, too. - And you got this.
You got this. - I do.
That's a long, long journey to make, and he's here.
Like my mother and father, like, were always there for me,
no matter what.
Just having them here with me right now
just gives me extra fuel to go win it.
- You got this, guys.
narrator: After an emotional day in Hell's Kitchen,
Chef Ramsay has summoned the two finalists
for a pre-service briefing.
- Gents. - Yes, Chef.
- Take a seat.
I just want to quickly check in with both of you.
We good? - Yes, Chef.
- What a journey.
I just want to say congrats to both of you.
- Thank you so much for everything.
- Tonight, you need to make it clear
that you're the head chef. - Yes, Chef.
- So take charge of your teams and own this service.
- Yes, Chef.
- To help you both get in the right mindset,
I want to take a little moment and give you these.
- Oh, wow.
- That's right. Let's get them on, guys.
- Yes, Chef.
- This executive chef jacket
is just the pinnacle of everything.
This is something I will have forever.
It just is an absolute surreal moment to have that.
- This is a beautiful, beautiful jacket.
Like if I get it dirty, I don't care.
I'm not washing it.
I'm hanging it up on my [bleep] wall,
like boom, boom, boom.
- You've got something quite extraordinary tonight,
cooking for Dad, and for the first time.
Sadly, I didn't get a chance to cook for my father.
My father passed at 53 with a heart attack.
So he never got to see anything I'd done.
- That really strung on my heart.
I can only imagine how proud his father
would be of him, you know.
And you know how proud my father is of me.
This one's for you, Dad.
- I want both of you to take all that hunger,
all that passion, and give me a service
that shows the entire world
that dreams are made in America.
Make it count tonight.
- Yes, Chef. - Yes, Chef.
- I'd like to wish you both the very best of luck.
- Thank you.
Thank you for everything, Chef. - Thank you.
- Let's go. - Thank you, Chef.
[cheers and applause]
- Let's go.
- I'm wearing the jacket.
You know, I'm standing in the spot.
I'm ready to rock.
You know, this is a "pinch me" moment.
- Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much
for joining us on this historic night.
[cheers and applause]
I'd like to introduce now our two incredible finalists,
Ryan and Johnathan.
Ryan, why don't you give our guests
an insight on what they're going to be
tasting this evening and how much this American Dream
means to you?
- So hello, everybody.
I'm Ryan. I'm from Ireland.
I came here four years ago with pennies in my pocket
and a dream in my heart.
And I worked my ass off, and here I am, standing in front
of you, living my dream.
The food I prepared for you tonight
is me on a plate, some dishes that my father
taught me how to cook.
And I just want to pay homage to my family
and cook from my heart. So please enjoy.
- Amazing. Well done.
[cheering]
Johnathan, give our guests an insight to the magic
you've created in the menu... - Hi, guys.
- And what this dream and journey means to you,
personally, young man.
- Yes, Chef.
You know, food is everything to my family.
My mom and dad are over there.
And now, being a single dad, my daughter is five.
So it's not only my American Dream, it's hers.
And I push myself for her.
So my menu is just the emotions that I
cook with for my family to my daughter, on the plate.
So thank you guys so much.
[applause]
- Now tonight, one of these two talented chefs
will be crowned as my executive chef
at Hell's Kitchen Caesars Palace Las Vegas,
a prize worth a very cool quarter of a million dollars.
Right, ladies and gentlemen,
join me in wishing these two phenomenal chefs
the very best of luck.
Dinner service will begin shortly.
Let's go.
[cheering]
- Ready? - Yeah.
- This is going to be the most important
service of our lives.
- Woo! Come on, Ryan!
- I've never cooked for him, not once.
- Wow. - So tonight, I want you
to put your hearts on a plate for me.
We're going to be--
- Sexy and edgy! - Yes, Chef.
- OK, let's go. Let's go! - Yes, Chef! Woo!
- We worked really hard. This the last night.
Just push it hard.
Cook with your heart, guys.
I am so ready to go out there and crush
this dinner service for my mom and my dad
and for my daughter.
Thank you guys a lot. I appreciate it.
- We got you.
[exciting music]
narrator: For the 22nd time,
two chefs are going head to head
in a life-changing battle.
- Cheers. - Cheers to Ryan.
Go Ryan.
- He's looking good right now.
- Yeah. Hi, Johnny!
narrator: Ryan, the chef from Cork, Ireland.
- This is going to be one of the best services,
I promise you, you will ever do!
- Yes, Chef. - Yes, Chef.
narrator: And Johnathan,
the chef from Huntington Beach, California.
- The coolest chef coat I've ever [bleep] had in my life.
It's my executive chef coat.
- That's the only one that counts, baby.
- [laughing]
- Chicken and dumplings.
- Gonna be a good menu. - Yeah.
- I'll do the pan-seared scallops, the lobster ravioli,
and the lemon for dessert
- Ready? First ticket.
- Thank you. OK, guys.
Four guests, two poke, two lamb.
- Heard. - Just like that, guys.
All night. - Yes, Chef.
- OK, first ticket, two beet salads, two vol-au-vent.
- Yes, Chef. - Yes, Chef!
- Two beet, two vol-au-vent.
- Get your vol-au-vents in.
Beet salad is going to be half the plate, OK?
- Yes, Chef.
- Taste, taste, taste everything.
You know, this is it.
I really hope that Chef Ramsay sees
that I can lead a kitchen.
How long do we need to the pass?
- Two vol-au-vent, two beet salad in five minutes.
- Heard that. This is the golden ticket.
Get this one right, and the rest of the service
will go [bleep] perfectly.
Let's go, beet salad. Let's go.
- I got it.
- This vol-au-vent can't wait for anybody.
I need it right now.
- Ryan, right now, is really channeling
his inner Chef Ramsay.
He definitely needs perfection out of us.
- Let's go, beet salad.
Let's go.
- Right here, in my hands, 10 seconds.
- Ryan is such an amazing leader, so in control,
so organized.
He really deserves this head chef position,
and I'm going to be really surprised
if he doesn't get it.
Two beet salads to the pass.
- Let's go, Sammi. Thank you.
Beet salad to the pass. Down, down, down, down.
Beautiful. Very nice.
- OK, yes, Chef.
- Dahmere, how long on the lamb?
- We two minutes out on the lamb.
- Heard. - Two poke right behind.
- Heard on the two poke behind.
I'll follow.
- My team is just rock solid,
and tonight's a celebration of how far they've come as cooks.
And it just feels really, really nice to have that.
OK, I need lamb, Dahmere, as soon as possible.
- I got a lamb in my hand. Lamb walking.
- Heard. Lamb walking.
- Tonight, I'm on the meat station.
I got a lot of responsibility with tonight's service.
- Give me the lamb. - Lamb. OK.
- So I'm going to lock in and knock the [bleep]
out the box.
- Johnathan, come over, quickly.
Look.
What is this?
[suspenseful music playing]
narrator: It's 20 minutes into the final dinner service.
- Give me the lamb. The lamb, OK.
narrator: And Dahmere's first attempt at lamb--
- They're raw.
narrator: Is in serious need of shepherding.
- So they got to go back in the pan.
They've gotta help you with it now.
- Yes, Chef. - Let's go.
- Yes, Chef.
[bleep] the raw lamb, Dahmere.
Tonight is not the night for stupid mistakes.
Dahmere, come here, come here.
You got to get this back in the pan.
So put these in and baste it.
And then more oil, less heat.
- I got you. Yes, sir.
- Johnathan is amazing.
We're cooking for him, his family, his American Dream.
- I need one poke right now. - Coming right now.
Walking one poke.
- Nice.
- And you know, every time we plate,
it's for his family.
And I feel so connected
because I'm a mom as well.
- OK, I need two lamb, D.
- To lamb in my hand, coming now.
Two lamb in my hand. Walking.
- Always test it.
- Beautiful. - Beautiful, there you go.
narrator: With Dahmere getting out of his lamb jam...
- Send it. Send it.
narrator: Johnathan's first appetizers are a big hit.
- Delicious.
narrator: While over in the red kitchen,
Ryan's next ticket is hitting close to home.
- This is your family, OK? - Thank you.
OK, walking in. This is a V-V-VIP.
This is my father and my wife, OK?
- Yes, Chef. - Two scallops.
- Two scallops heard, Chef.
- This is the first time I've cooked for my father, OK,
so let's make it count, OK, guys?
Give me five minutes on those scallops, yes?
- Five minutes on scallops. Heard.
To have his father there, like, traveling from Ireland,
to come all this way, and, like, see his son,
I'm gonna--I'm gonna well up again, you know?
60 seconds on two scallops. - Heard that.
- This is his service of a lifetime.
And you want to do your absolute best,
like, for his father and for his wife.
Walking scallops.
- In the middle, yes? In the middle.
Thank you.
♪ ♪
Sandra, come here.
Quick! Let's go. - Yes, Chef?
- I need these even-seared, yes?
- Yes, Chef. - Quick sear
on the other side, OK? Let's go. This is VIP.
I'm losing it right now.
It's her first mistake. I give her one chance.
If she [bleep] up again,
she'll see a different side to me.
Make sure they're the best scallops
you've ever cooked in your life.
- Yes, Chef! - No more [bleep] ups.
I expect perfection.
- They look ready. They look ready.
- Scallops in the middle, please. Let's go!
- Walking scallops.
[suspenseful music]
- Nice, much better. - Yes, Chef.
- Two scallops up. Thank you.
narrator: With both Ryan's...
- It's absolutely divine. - Yeah.
narrator: And Johnathan's appetizers
receiving high marks from their nearest and dearest...
- That's pretty darn good.
narrator: Appetizers are now rolling out of both kitchens
and impressing diners.
- Mmm! - Wow.
narrator: And Johnathan's team is ready
for their first entrees of the night.
- OK, guys. I need one chicken,
one branzino, two strips.
- Heard! - How long? How long?
- Bro, I'd only need four minutes.
- Four minutes. - Heard four minutes.
- Let's go. Let's go, guys.
- Chicken is going down. So is the New York strip.
There's a lot on the line.
You know, Johnathan going for his American Dream.
Service started off a little rocky,
so I feel as though I need to make sure
I put the best effort into making this ticket
perfect as possible.
- Dahmere, two strip, how long?
- 90 seconds on this two strip, OK?
- Please, please, please. - I'm coming as fast as I can.
- I'm getting a little nervous for Johnathan.
The meat station is the backbone of this service,
and Dahmere is definitely overwhelmed.
- Bring 'em, bring 'em, bring 'em.
Don't forget sauce with those strips.
- Come on, dude.
Keep on pushing and get this win for Johnathan.
- Chicken, New York to your right.
- Yes.
- Just touch that sauce.
Ice cold. Ice cold. - OK.
- [bleep] A, this cold sauce
is honestly killing me, Dahmere.
Dahmere, come here. - Yo.
- Heat this up in the back. - I got you.
I got you. I got you. - Ice [bleep] cold.
- I did not think that Dahmere would
[bleep] me on my lamb chops and [bleep] me on my sauce.
I need Dahmere to figure out this meat station
because it's [bleep] sinking us.
- Not nearly enough color on that.
- [bleep]! - We have a big problem there
now--we have a big problem on the meat station.
Young man? - Yeah?
- [bleep] happens. Deal with it, yes?
- Yes, Chef. - Welcome to my world.
- Donya, Donya.
I need you to be on meat. I'm sorry, D. I'm so sorry.
- That's fine. Switch out, switch out.
- Can you go to garnish? - Yeah. I got you.
- Donya, I need you to put these in the pan.
Baste them how long?
- Give me 90 seconds on this, Chef.
- 90 seconds. - 90 seconds.
- I need you to cook that meat. - I got you.
90 seconds. - Let's go, guys.
Push hard, please!
I know Donya can cook meat like a [bleep] dream.
- Yes, Chef. I'm moving.
I'm walking in 30 seconds.
- This is my moment.
This is the most important dinner service of my life,
and it's important I prove to Chef Ramsay
why I can be the next winner of Hell's Kitchen.
- Behind, coming in hot.
- [bleep] thank you, Donya.
- Thanks, Donya.
- I already know what time it is.
It's time to get off the bench and sub in.
Let's go! Let's go!
I'm like Steph Curry at the half court, bro.
I'm pulling out clutch shots.
- Beautiful. - Beautiful.
There you go.
- I don't think I've had a better steak in my life.
narrator: With Johnathan's switch
on the meat station paying off...
- Hey, you made the right move. - I know, Chef.
narrator: Ryan is determined to keep
his team focused on pushing entrees out for his.
- VIP, my father and my wife!
Make this the best dish you've ever cooked in your life,
please! Two lobster ravioli fired.
How long? - Two lobster, five minutes!
- Taste everything, OK?
- Yes, Chef!
- I know what this guy wants.
And, you know, I, too, have high expectations.
- Sandra...
season the water, OK? - Yes, Chef.
- Make sure it's [bleep] seasoned.
I went through all this trouble to make
these beautiful raviolis.
We're not going to [bleep] them up in seasoning, OK?
- Yes, Chef. I'll season more.
- It doesn't matter what the [bleep] it is.
It needs to be right.
- Walking ravioli. - You know what I mean?
If it's a chive or an onion or a glass of water,
I don't give a [bleep]. It needs to be right.
[bleep] sakes, Sandra.
Sandra! - Yes, Chef?
- Please, [bleep] like it.
[suspenseful music]
narrator: It's 90 minutes into the final dinner service,
and Ryan is looking for perfection...
- Taste everything, OK?
- Yes, Chef.
narrator: For a very special VIP table.
- Walking ravioli.
- Sandra!
- Yes, Chef?
- Beautifully cooked on that lobster.
- Thank you, Chef.
- VIP, please, table 6. - Absolutely.
narrator: As Ryan's entrees get some Irish eyes smiling...
- Looks good. - It's absolutely amazing.
narrator: Johnathan's dishes are delighting
his family, as well.
- Yeah, that's so good.
- It's wonderful.
narrator: And main courses are leaving both kitchens
in a timely manner.
- Two chickens walking to the pass.
Let's go, baby!
- Walking two salmon. - Keep it up, guys.
Keep it up!
narrator: Leaving diners with culinary pots of gold.
- It's amazing.
- That's good.
narrator: And now, both kitchens are on their...
- Final table.
Two branzino, two New York strips, OK?
- Heard! - How long?
- Two branzino, two New York strips in four minutes.
- Heard. Four minutes, garnish in three.
- Let's go!
- Two surf and turf, one rav, one chicken.
- Yes, Chef! - One chicken.
- Make sure the chicken is perfect, please, OK?
- Yes, Chef.
- They're notorious for fumbling when we
get closer to the finish line.
So make sure you keep pushing them.
- Yes, Chef. - Yes, and this lady knows
more about that than anybody. - Absolutely.
- She's been in your shoes. And her [bleep] door opened.
- Let's push, now. Let's push!
- Push it, guys. Last entrees.
- We're pushing it. Let's go. Let's go!
- Right now, you know, making the switch
and finding my voice, I feel like I'm hitting my stride.
Let's go, guys! Let's [bleep] go.
- Two branzinos, two strips, one minute.
- Keep pushing. You can do this.
I know you can do this. - Yes.
We hit a couple of bumps, but it doesn't matter.
We bounced back.
- I got 30 seconds on these two branzinos.
- Heard. - Finish strong.
- Yes, Chef! - Yes, Chef!
- Come on, guys. Last push!
Give me this chicken! - It's not ready.
- [bleep] Hell. Hey. - Let's go. Come on.
- Not on the last table. Don't do that.
- Come on, Jason!
- I have one last chicken breast I need to send out.
But at the same time, I need a little bit longer.
- Jason, come on. Let's go.
Yeah, I need this. Let's go!
Let's go!
Jason, do not [bleep] it up, right now.
- Chicken walking.
[suspenseful music]
- [bleep] sake.
So that's undercooked.
- Jason brings up [bleep] undercooked chicken.
There's no time for rookie mistakes.
My American Dream is going to come true.
Jason, [bleep] sake.
Back in the oven, yes? Come on!
This is my reputation on the line for the rest of my life.
Let's go, back in the [bleep] oven!
- Let's go! Finish strong!
- [bleep] last push! Come on, Jason!
♪ ♪
Let's go, chicken. I need it now!
- You can't say I need it now when it's not ready.
This is, right now, about Chef Ryan.
And I want Chef Ryan to win, no matter what.
- Chef!
[suspenseful music]
- Let's go. Service please, last table.
- Beautiful, thank you.
- It's really good. - Yeah.
- Push it, guys. Last entrees.
- Behind you and hot.
Chefs walking. - Right here.
Right here. Right here.
Nice. See? They're ready.
Yes, [bleep] beautiful steak!
narrator: Ryan and Johnathan have each
sent out their final ticket.
- I love it.
narrator: And now the diners can appreciate
that Ryan and Johnathan
are among the most worthy finalists ever
in the history of "Hell's Kitchen."
- My appetizer was good.
- Jason?
- What's up, buddy? - Great [bleep] job.
- You know, Ryan and I haven't always seen eye to eye,
but he's a great cook.
And you know, we did great food tonight.
- So good.
- He was very vocal. He was very supportive.
And, you know, I just think there's not a shadow
of a doubt that he won this.
- Best part of my dining experience...
it was watching my son cooking with Gordon Ramsay,
my idol, as well.
- Great [bleep] job, everybody. - Yes.
- I've never been so proud of a [bleep] group
of people in all my life. - That was really true.
- I'm proud of you and everyone in here,
everyone in this room.
I feel it, Ryan. I feel it. - Everybody's done a great job.
- I'm so proud of you guys, dude.
- You too, Johnathan. You did amazing.
- You did a hell of a job, bro.
- You guys crushed it, bro.
- Johnathan has more than what it takes
to be the winner of "Hell's Kitchen," man.
The way he thinks about food, the way
he pour his heart onto a plate--
he's more than a leader.
I am so ready to see him live out his American Dream.
- Whatever happens, I'm proud of what happened.
I'm proud of the food we did. - Yeah, that's it.
And that's all that matters.
- I want to take this moment
and thank all the returning chefs.
The performance tonight you put in for both Johnathan
and Ryan was extraordinary. Come on.
Really good.
Having read these comment cards,
the competition is so close.
Seriously, both of you young men, congratulations.
I'm going to be going upstairs to my office
and studying every comment from both teams' kitchens.
And based on tonight's performance,
I can assure you've made my decision
very, very difficult.
Your challenge is over.
Mine, right now, is just beginning.
So all of you, together, head back to the dorms.
Crack open a bottle of Guinness, crack open a...
- Never again.
[laughter]
- You're allowed! - No, not tonight.
- What would you like? - Nothing, Chef.
- Just one, young man! - Water.
- I'll have a water with you, OK? We'll keep it PG.
- I'll have a little Guinness, and that's it.
- There you go. OK.
All of you, head back to the dorms.
Ryan and Johnathan, I'll call you when I've made my decision.
- Yes, Chef. - Yes, Chef.
- Good luck to you both. - Thank you, Chef.
- Head off. Well done.
- Thank you, Chef.
- Thank you, guys. Thank you.
- I poured my heart and soul into every
[bleep] piece of food I put on a plate tonight.
There's [bleep] Guinness in the fridge!
- Guinness!
- I think I commanded loud, proud.
My team did [bleep] phenomenal.
I'm so proud of all of them.
It was absolutely amazing.
Boy!
I feel like I've got a chance to do this.
I really do. But again, it's "Hell's Kitchen."
Anything could happen.
[exhales]
- Whatever kitchen you in, don't forget me, OK?
- I know. I won't.
- Love you, bro. - I love you, bro.
- I love you. - Good luck.
- I'm so proud of myself, and...
I'm so proud of the way I...
I led my team on the pass.
I just want to live in the moment, right now,
and take it all in.
Tonight was a huge occasion, and I feel like
I rose to that occasion.
- Johnny, we're legit [bleep].
- Yeah, legendary status.
- Part of an elite group, like.
- To make it to the finale--
- It's-- - It-it has not kicked in.
- It doesn't get better than this, my friend.
It's something that's going to be, you know,
held close to my heart for the rest of my life, you know.
Because working with Johnny, like,
he has changed my life for the better.
What do you think is going to happen tonight?
- I think we're going to crush service and get
our hands on those doors.
- I plan on standing at the doors, looking at you,
your hand on one handle, mine on the other.
No matter who walks out that door tonight,
we're both winners.
I just can't imagine what this is gonna do
for our lives. - We're still in our 20s.
- [laughing]
- Our whole lives are gonna change after this.
I never expected this to-- to be part of our journeys.
- No, never in a million years.
Johnny, I love you.
- You too, bro.
- So tough.
Great comments.
♪ ♪
And that, five.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
- Really good.
- That's not risotto, Chef.
That's--that's orzo, Chef.
- Well-spotted. - Thank you.
- It's great. It's a restaurant quality dish.
You should be very proud of yourself.
- Thank you very much.
- The first chef advancing to the final three is...
Ryan.
- You've taken this all the way, mate.
I'm giving you a 10. - Wow.
[cheers and applause]
- Tastes like you've been cooking since the age of five
'cause you're gonna get a five.
- Thank you. - Well done.
Congratulations.
- So good. Now, that's like
you have to go there and get the pork chop.
- Young man, it's, for me, the dish of the night.
- Thank you, guys.
- I like that you gave me the whole filet.
It's properly cooked fish, period.
- That is something we strive for on a daily basis,
the sheen and the glaze.
- Oh, my.
- That was a standout dish.
- I can't tell you what this means to me.
- There's really so many different textures
going on here.
I wish I could stay for the rest of the meal.
I mean, I'm telling you. - Thank you.
[line ringing]
- Hello, this is Johnathan.
- Chef, please make your way up to my office.
I've made my decision. - OK, thank you.
[suspenseful music]
♪ ♪
- Gentlemen, my decision tonight
has been incredibly difficult.
Think back to your very first day inside Hell's Kitchen.
Doors, just like these, were set in the dining room.
You both walked through them as a touch of inspiration
on your American Dream journey.
- If you want to feel what it feels like,
just go on that side.
[cheering]
- Now, you're about to stand before the actual doors
and so close to fulfilling your dreams.
I know that this is, right now,
one of the biggest moments of your lives.
Ryan, your fight and determination
is extraordinary.
You're one of the most determined chefs
I've ever met.
I think back to that moment, you arriving
with pennies in your pocket.
But trust me, you came rich in talent.
- Thank you.
- Johnathan, young man,
you have tremendous drive,
incredible finesse,
and a big, big heart.
- Thank you, Chef.
- Just understanding your dedication of craft
and to giving your daughter a better life
is incredibly admirable.
- Thank you, Chef.
- Regardless of my decision,
you are both living proof
that the American Dream is possible.
I have reached a decision.
Ryan, Johnathan, please, step up to your doors.
♪ ♪
- Like it's all coming down to this.
I hope to God that this dream comes true for me, you know.
I really, really do, because I believed in myself.
And here I am.
- Love you, man. Love you.
This is it.
Everything's led up to this point.
I gave it everything I got.
My heart is racing.
My blood pressure is just [bleep] boiling.
- It all comes down to this.
- I need this door to open for my family, for Saxon.
It's going to change our lives.
- The chef whose door opens will become the winner
and take up that amazing role
as my head chef at Hell's Kitchen Las Vegas.
Gentlemen, this is it.
On the count of three,
I want you to turn your handle.
Here we go.
Good luck to the both of you.
Proud of you both.
One...
two...
[suspenseful music]
Three.
[cheers and applause]
[suspenseful music]
- The chef whose door opens
will become the winner of season 22 in Hell's Kitchen
and take up that amazing role
as my head chef at Hell's Kitchen Las Vegas.
Gentlemen, this is it.
On the count of three, turn your handle.
Here we go.
Proud of you both.
One...
♪ ♪
Two...
♪ ♪
Three.
[cheers and applause]
[celebratory music]
♪ ♪
- Ryan!
- Yes!
- Go, Ryan!
- You have not lost.
Head up high, OK? Come on.
You've got a great career in front of you.
And think of what you've done.
OK? Well done.
- Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
- Yes, Ryan!
[cheering]
- We love you!
- Congratulations!
- All right, go down those stairs.
- I'm the [bleep] winner of Hell's Kitchen!
- Ryan, ladies and gentlemen.
- I'm so proud to be Irish.
I'm so proud of where I come from
and so proud of what I've achieved.
A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and determination, sacrifices.
[crying] I told you I'd do it!
Vegas, here I come, baby!
- Good job, son.
Good job.
- My door didn't open.
And, uh, it's...it's tough.
- So proud of you. So proud of you.
- I just have to use it as fuel for my fire.
I know I'm going to be successful.
I know Saxon is going to be proud of me,
and I'm happy I lost to Ryan and such a good person
and a good man and a good friend.
- Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the winner
of season 22, Hell's Kitchen winner!
[cheers and applause]
What an amazing journey!
Congratulations.
- My name is Ryan O'Sullivan, and this is my American Dream!
I just can't put this into words, what this means to me.
You know, like, I came here four years ago.
So fresh, it's just so validating, you know,
all the sacrifices I had to make.
And I just want to say that no matter what happens tonight,
I have made a friendship and a bond in such a short period
of time with a man that is now going to be my best friend
for the rest of my life.
- At the end of the day, I've accomplished so much.
I've made amazing friends and colleagues
and people that are going to be in my life forever.
I'm going to walk away from this with my head up high.
[cheering]
I'm so proud of Ryan.
I wouldn't want to lose to anyone else.
- Please, off you go.
Go ahead.
- I finally believed in myself, and this is what happens.
I'm 28 years of age.
My life is only beginning right now.
The best of me is yet to come, and I can't wait
for the world to see it. - Go, Ryan!
- Cork, Ireland, I did it for you!
The green, white, and gold, yeah?
Bringing it home!
- The American Dream.
Congratulations, Ryan. - Ryan!
- Ryan is everything I could want in a head chef.
Hey, Marino. Where the [bleep] is my champagne?
[laughter] I don't think I've ever met
a more passionate chef.
He's also very creative and a tremendous leader.
An amazing finale, well done.
His amazing journey from Cork, Ireland
is proof that the American Dream is alive and well.
Ryan will be a wonderful asset to Hell's Kitchen Las Vegas.
Marino, come over, quick!
This is funny.
Champagne floats in space.
- Oh!
- Get him! Get him!
- Oh, my God.
That's so bad.
- Yes, that was amazing!
[laughter]