Heart-thumping, fiery, and dramatic – those are the adjectives that could describe “Hell’s Kitchen,” the hit reality cooking competition hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
With all the drama, Ramsay banging utensils and shouting at the contestants, Emmy nominations, versions worldwide, and guests like soccer star David Beckham, you should not be surprised that “Hell’s Kitchen” is headstrong with 22 seasons already in total.
But which of those seasons are actually the best? Here, we rank the best seasons of “Hell’s Kitchen” based on how they have excited audiences.
Season 1
The first-ever season of “Hell’s Kitchen” may not be the best, but it has made it to the Top 10 best seasons. This season inaugurated several first-time challenges for the contestants, such as the Signature Dish Challenge and Ramsay’s decision to divide the chefs into two teams.
Season 14
Season 14 deserves a place on this list primarily because it saw a wide array of young chefs who came head-to-head with their contenders, fiercely battling it out to become the best chef in this season of “Hell’s Kitchen.”
Season 2
“Hell’s Kitchen” Season 2 may not be the best of the bunch, but it deserves a spot on this list. It is better than the confusing first season, which is expected as it was the first season, and delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in the kitchen.
This season also marked the beginning of the notable challenges that would be applied in the rest of the show’s seasons.
Season 19
Now this season would also be remembered as one of the best and most exciting. For one, the stakes were higher because the winner was to become the head chef at Ramsay’s restaurant in Las Vegas. Not just Ramsay’s restaurant but his restaurant in Vegas, the city of dreams.
Moreover, this season also saw contestants doing their best to outperform each other at every turn. Plus, the twists and arguments that left every viewer stunned.
Season 16
The 16th season of “Hell’s Kitchen” is truly remarkable. It was the first season that introduced the phenomenal Black Jacket Lounge, which features several entertainment props like a buffet, pool table, and an open bar. Did we mention that Ramsay himself handpicked the final handful of chefs in this season? Yes, dear.
Each contestant selected received a black jacket instead of the usual blue or red jacket. Also, this season was the third to feature an all-female top three. Women power, all the way, indeed.
Season 5
Ranking it at fifth is “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 5. Now it is understandable that fans may think this season should have placed at a lower rank, but let’s have it at this ranking for now. Talk about exciting, Season 5 featured some of the most shocking eliminations in the entire show, not to mention a lineup of contestant chefs that were hungrier for the prize than the rest of the contestants in prior seasons.
Season 9
Coming in at rank four is “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 9. Now it is interesting because this season was the only season released during that year because of the countrywide writer’s strike that happened at that time. Nevertheless, the show entertained viewers and even introduced Charity Dinner Night, a special dinner service for charity members.
Season 6
Many “Hell’s Kitchen” fans would agree that Season 6 brought them to the edge of their seats. This season is star-studded, and being so, it is also that season that saw many foul-mouthed characters. We’re not saying that stars are foul-mouthed people.
Plus, one memorable scene in this season was the confrontation between contestant Joseph and Ramsay, where Joseph threatened to fight the celebrity chef in the parking lot and tossed several curse words at Ramsay.
Second Best: Season 10
“Hell’s Kitchen” Season 10 may just come as a runner-up, but it is, no doubt, one of the most entertaining seasons in the history of reality TV. Its winner, Christina Wilson, became Ramsay’s executive chef and one of his closest kitchen advisors.
Furthermore, this season also made history as it was the first time a chef from the red team won the Signature Dish Challenge.
The Most Heart-Thumping Season: Season 18
The jury has spoken. The most heart-thumping season of “Hell’s Kitchen” is the 18th. In this edition, for the first time ever, Ramsay introduced the concept of rookies and veterans competing against each other to find out who the very best chef is. Thus, it is also the first time in the show’s history that the teams were not split up based on gender but according to the contestant’s talent and competitiveness. This concept made this season the best of the best among the show’s entire season lineup.
And those are the best seasons of “Hell’s Kitchen” ranked if you want to watch the show in the order of how dramatic the seasons are. “Hell’s Kitchen” is a reality competition cooking show that first aired on Fox in May 2005. The winner works with Ramsay in his kitchen, as well as wins a $250,000 cash prize.
The show is hosted by celebrity chef Ramsay, whose restaurant group Gordon Ramsay Restaurants has been awarded not just one, not just two, not just three, but 17 Michelin stars. You can watch “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 22, ongoing now.
