Meet the 18 contestants competing in season 15 of Hell’s Kitchen, which premieres Friday, January 15 at 9pm on FOX.
Gordon Ramsay is welcoming 18 new contestants into the kitchen for season 15, and having them compete in high-stakes challenges and dinner services, including a (rubber) duck hunting competition, preparing dishes for high school students, catering a wedding reception and taking part in the blind taste test challenge. Only one chef will win the Head Chef position at BLT Steak at Bally’s Las Vegas.
#18 Kristin Barone
Age: 27
Occupation: Line Cook
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Signature Dish: Grilled Pork Loin with Apricot Mango Puree and Fried Brussel Sprouts and Garlic Aioli
#17 Sherkenna Buggs
Age: 30
Occupation: Personal Chef
Hometown: Grand Junction, TN
Signature Dish: Crab-Stuffed Blackened Salmon, Mushroom Couscous
#16 Meese Davis
Age: 25
Occupation: College Chef
Hometown: Upper Darby, PA
Signature Dish: Pork Loin Chop with Roasted Sweet Potato and Grilled Asparagus
#15 Jackie Fuchs
Age: 32
Occupation: Line Cook
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Signature Dish: Seared Scallop with Roasted Corn and Lemon Salsa with Bok Choy and Brown Butter
#14 Dannie Harrison
Age: 30
Occupation: Line Cook
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Signature Dish: Scallops And Vermicelli with Thai Curry Sauce
#13 Ariel Malone
Age: 26
Occupation: Country Club Chef
Hometown: Hackensack, NJ
Signature Dish: Shashkouka
#12 Ashley Nickell
Age: 27
Occupation: Chef de Cuisine
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Signature Dish: Ostrich Filet with Blueberry Sauce
#11 Manda Palomino
Age: 30
Occupation: Sous Chef
Hometown: Atlantic City, NJ
Signature Dish: Fried Scallops with Rustic Corn Salad
#10 Vanessa Soltero
Age: 33
Occupation: Airport Chef
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Signature Dish: Eggplant Involtini Rolls with Sausage Ricotta Stuffing and Marinara Sauce
#9 Jared Bobkin
Age: 28
Occupation: Line Cook
Hometown: Oak Park, MI
Signature Dish: Halibut
#8 Frank Cala
Age: 25
Occupation: Marine Chef
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Signature Dish: Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken
#7 Chad Gelso
Age: 25
Occupation: Sous Chef
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Signature Dish: Confit Cabbage, Celeriac Fondant, Poached pear
#6 Eddie Jaskowiak
Age: 27
Occupation: Sous Chef
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Signature Dish: Hunters Edge, Bambi Tenderloin
#5 Hassan Musselmani
Age: 24
Occupation: Catering Executive Chef
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Signature Dish: Pan-Seared Diver Sea Scallops with Roasted Sweet Corn Coulis, Poblano Coulis, Parmesan Risotto and Crispy Capicola
#4 Mark Paras
Age: 27
Occupation: Line Cook
Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Signature Dish: Black Mussels with Chorizo in a Fennel and Tomato Broth
#3 Alan Parker
Age: 42
Occupation: Sous Chef
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Signature Dish: Maple-Glazed Arctic Char
#2 Joe Ricci
Age: 31
Occupation: Sous Chef
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Signature Dish: Veal Braciole with Creamy Polenta and Grilled Broccoli Rabe with Balsamic Red Wine Reduction
#1 Kevin Ridlon
Age: 29
Occupation: Culinary Manager
Hometown: Warwick, RI
Signature Dish: Chicken Caesar Piadina
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
