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Characters / Hells Kitchen Season 17 All Stars

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General Tropes:

  • The Bus Came Back: 16 chefs from multiple seasons return!
  • Informed Attribute: As the season name says, it's All-Stars; all the returning contestants are previous Hell's Kitchen contestants that made the Black Jackets in their original season. You wouldn't know it watching the season, where they make the same mistakes as every other contestant in the show's run, and still regularly get thrown out of service. Ramsay even lampshaded this in Episode 6 after an inconsistent performance from the Blue Team.
    Ramsay: What has happened to my All-Stars?
  • My Greatest Second Chance: Every returning chef never won Hell's Kitchen (in fact none of them are even runner-ups). That being said, they did all make it to the Black Jackets in their respective seasons.
  • Spotlight-Stealing Squad: Lampshaded by Manda when looking at her competitors, calling it a reunion due to the overabundance of contestants from Season 14 & 15 (4 chefs from Season 14 and 3 chefs from Season 15). Season 10 as well with 3 chefs competing, in addition to that season's winner Christina as the Red Team's sous chef. By the time the Black Jackets were handed out, 3 out of the 4 chefs from Season 14 made up the majority of the group.

Michelle Tribble

Previous Season: 14 (3rd Place)
"I guess if you bring cold mash up to Chef Ramsay, he's gonna call you a donut."
Occupation: Line Cook
Age: 26
Hometown: New York, NY
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/michelle_all_star.jpg

  • Actually Pretty Funny: Found it funny in the confessional how Ramsay called Barbie a donut.
  • Arch-Enemy: After choosing Elise to cook for her life in Episode 7, it appears that Elise is becoming one to her. It actually came to a head in the final service when Michelle decided to put Elise on her team, and despite Elise's poor attitude, it ended up working for Michelle as it showed that she could handle someone like Elise and earned her the grand prize at the end.
  • Birds of a Feather: Indirectly to be this with Benjamin. Both were third placers of their respective seasons and were the final two this season. Both also happen to be from Texas (Michelle's hometown is Dallas).
  • Crazy Enough to Work: During the pasta challenge in Episode 11, she made an Asian-inspired dumplings dish instead a more traditional Italian course, which Ramsay was first unsure of. She ended up receiving the highest score of the challenge, with Ramsay and the guest judges even saying it looks like something they'd feature on their own menus, something that indeed happened with that night's service.
  • Friendly Rivalry: With Nick. In fact she took him on her reward after the first black jackets challenge and unsurprisingly, she picked him as her first draft for the final service.
  • History Repeats:
    • Again went up against Nick in the signature dish challenge and again scored 4.
    • Also, like in Season 14, she's the youngest chef participating (at age 26).
    • She managed to receive a black jacket like last time.
  • Laser-Guided Karma: Suffered one according to Manda by failing to give her the correct cook on the pasta and later on slipped while putting the lamb in the convection oven.
  • Last of Their Kind: She became the only member of the red team to earn a black jacket, and come the final three, is the only female chef left standing.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Her decision to put Elise for the cook for your life challenge might have backfired because not only did Elise not get eliminated, but it made her attitude even worse. After that, the Red Team only won 1 challenge after that episode due to not being able to control Elise.
  • Not So Above It All: Despite being one of the saner women of the red team, Michelle did let her temper get the better of her, where she threw a water bottle at Elise.
  • Only Sane Woman: Like with Dana and Jennifer, Michelle was probably one of the few chefs that did not argue almost every time this season, despite Barbie and Elise constantly targeting her.
  • The Rival: To Barbie and Elise.
  • Took a Level in Badass: While she was not terrible in Season 14, she vastly improved this season, clawing her way through one of the most dysfunctional red team's in the shows history, and eventually becoming the winner of this season.
Placement: Winner
Michelle's Winner Comment - "I can't even comprehend how happy I am right now. I'm the winner of Hell's Kitchen All-Stars! Like, oh my god. This moment is everything that I've been working for in my life. Chef Ramsay, thank you so much for believing in me, and pushing me as hard as you could, because you knew that I could deal with it, you had confidence in me, and really goes to show that if you work your ass off, you can really accomplish anything you want to. Ever since I could remember, I wanted to be a chef, and I've just been working my ass off for this for so long. All of that hard work has finally paid off, because oh my god, I'm the winner! That's crazy!"
Ramsay's Winner Comment - "Having the youngest of All-Stars step up and win this competition is a testament to Michelle's talent. At a very young age, she has already proven she is driven, creative, and commanding. She will be a great asset to Hell's Kitchen in Las Vegas."

Benjamin Knack

Previous Season: 7 (3rd Place)
"Oui, Chef!"
Occupation: Culinary Instructor
Age: 41
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/benjamin_all_star.jpg

  • The Ace: Made it through the finale without getting nominated, as one of the four runner-ups to do so. Alas, like Will from Season 9, he lost to someone who was nominated one time.
  • Birds of a Feather: Indirectly to be this with Michelle. Both were third placers of their respective seasons and were the final two this season. Both also happen to be from Texas (Benjamin's hometown is San Antonio).
  • Graceful Loser: While a little disappointed by his loss, he took it well and congratulated Michelle on her victory.
  • Gratuitous French: Still occasionally says "Oui Chef!" Nick quickly got annoyed by it come to the fourth service and the rest of the chefs got annoyed by it during the first black jackets service.
  • History Repeats:
    • Like Van, he also received favorable praise from Ramsay on his signature dish and scored a perfect 5.
    • Like in Season 7, he and his team experienced their first loss by the third team challenge and dealt with punishment involving garbage.
    • He managed to receive a black jacket and won a black jacket challenge like last time.
  • Jerkass to One: While he's generally more mellow this season, in Episode 11, he got a little short with Robyn, but if anything, he was just getting irritated by her inconsistency by that point.
  • Older and Wiser: Like Ben and Giovanni, he had gained weight, a full beard, and a heavily-restrained Jerkass personality.
  • One-Steve Limit: Averted, with Ben and Benjamin on the same team — until Ramsay chose to eliminate Ben.
  • Out of Focus:
    • For the other chefs at least as he was one of the chefs in the earlier seasons. Unlike Ben, Giovanni, and Van, who know each other to a degree (Ben and Giovanni were in the same season, while Ben and Van were part of the All-Star team in Season 9), Benjamin has no other person from his season to talk with.
    • Compared to his season where he had a rival and was known for his ego, he had the presence of The Generic Guy. Unless he made some mistakes or got praised, Benjamin was not featured as heavily as the other chefs. It was until the black jacket phase where he got a significant amount of attention.
  • Promoted Fanboy: Admitted having a crush on Chef Ramsay when he went for a ride through Malibu with him in his Porsche.
    • But Took a Level in Jerkass at the very same time. When they arrived at the restaurant, Benjamin expected to have lunch with Chef Ramsay and commented that his family "is the past" now. Cue lunch actually being with his family, and Benjamin's unconcealed disappointment. Doubles as Irony because in Season 7, he was very upset that he didn't win the second last challenge to meet his family.
  • Took a Level in Badass: He redeemed his poor performance on the Blind Taste Challenge from Season 7 with a 3 out of 4 this season. His leadership skills had been improved as well which had landed him second.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: He seems to have toned down his smugness since Season 7. Even when he was leading the beef entree part of the charity night service, he wasn't talking down to anyone and was more or less lenient with his team.
    • Doubled down for the finale, emphasizing that he wants to be a nice boss. Earned him arguably his shining moment as a leader when he Pet the Dog by dealing gently with Barbie, earning her respect and hard work, but possibly backfiring by letting Robyn back into the kitchen after Chef Ramsay already threw her out.
Placement: 2nd
Benjamin's Runner-Up Comment - "Its not fun losing, but in the end, the winning's not the most important thing, its fighting as hard as you can, staying clear-minded and being positive. You know, you learn from your mistakes, but you've- you regret them, you'll never be able to fight, you'll never believe in yourself, you'll never believe in the people around you, so I have no regrets."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - No comment.

Nicholas "Nick" Peters Bond

Previous Season: 14 (5th Place)
"Watch out, bitches, this is not the same Nick as last time."
Occupation: Private Chef
Age: 28
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nick_all_star.jpg

  • The Ace: Went the entire season without being nominated before finally being eliminated during the final tasting challenge.
  • Arch-Enemy: To Josh from Season 14, who is obviously not happy to see him.
  • Birds of a Feather:
    • With Robyn after she transferred to the Blue Team, where starting from the 4th challenge they referred to themselves as Team Gay.
    • Appropriately enough, his sous chef for the first hour of the finale was Season 10 winner and Red Team's Christina who is a lesbian.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Retained this from Season 14, although it was more toned down, and more often than not it was directed at Elise. Regardless, his snarky and sassy remarks were sharp as a blade.
  • For Want Of A Nail: Nick was heavily favored to win the competition due to his consistency. However, it took just one judge to eliminate him and not allow him to advance to the finals.
  • Friendly Rivalry: With Michelle. He also defended Michelle when Elise targeted her in one of her many rants. And he was genuinely happy when Michelle won the whole thing.
  • Happily Married: Mentions that he's gotten married since Season 14, and on being questioned by Ramsay emphasizes that yes, it is to his boyfriend (same-sex marriage not yet having been legalized nationwide when Season 14 was filmed) and he hasn't gone back to dating women.
  • History Repeats:
    • Ben's elimination wasn't the first time Nick had to see one his teammates eliminated from the winning team (last time it was Randy).
    • Again went up against Michelle in the signature dish challenge and again scored 3.
    • He managed to receive a black jacket like last time.
    • He managed to win the Taste it Now Make it Challenge like last time.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: His real name is Nicholas, but he went by Nick during the show like in Season 14.
  • Tempting Fate: Much like how Jennifer was hoping and praying that Elise wouldn't show up, he repeatedly expressed similar feelings regarding Josh. And much like Jennifer, he did not get his wish.
  • Took a Level in Badass: Compared to Season 14, Nick has improved tremendously in terms of cooking and leadership that he went through the competition without being nominated once and managed to make it farther than he did originally. Even Ramsay noted that Nick was one of the most improved All-Stars to have come back to the competition.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: He's a little less bitchy since last time, probably because being married mellowed him out.
Placement: 3rd
Nick's Elimination Comment - "It sucks that it came down to basically one dish, even though you put so much effort into your food, you obviously think that some of your dishes, if not all of them were better than most of their dishes. Just knowing you lost and you disappointed your sous-chef and your chef, no one wants to have that feeling."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - No comment.

Emili "Milly" Medley

Previous Season: 14 (4th Place)
"You wanna hear it again? Y'all wanna hear it again? You can't BURN."
Occupation: Executive Chef
Age: 37
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/milly_all_star.jpg

  • Achilles' Heel: His lack of fine dining experience and knowledge towards it, which slightly hampered him on the 4th service as he got stumped at the names on the menu. Eventually as the competition went on, Milly's lack of experience showed more and he got in trouble more than often. Ramsay even acknowledged that when Milly was eliminated and offered him a chance to come to London and shadow one of his own kitchens to learn more, which Milly accepted.
  • Arch-Enemy: To Josh from Season 14.
  • Emotional Bruiser: Did Milly do badly? Expect tears. Did he do well? Also tears. The mere mention of any person he cares about brings forth double tears.
  • Failed a Spot Check: While he ended up being safe from the cook for his life challenge in Episode 7 and possibly made the best dish of them all, Ramsay needed to nudge him (and the other chefs) a little more before he realizes that he only prepared 5 oysters instead of 6.
  • Graceful Loser: Left in tears of joy of far he made it through and thanked Ramsay for the once in a lifetime offer.
  • Hypocrite: In season 14, after the incident with Randy's plates (that some believe Milly sabotaged), Milly makes a statement in confessionals that that's who Randy really is, because that's how he acts when faced with adversity. Come Season 17, when Milly truly faces adversity in the competition, he shows a bad attitude while trying to deflect that everyone is upset with him over something that has nothing to do with cooking.
  • History Repeats:
    • Ben's elimination wasn't the first time Milly had to see one his teammates eliminated from the winning team (last time it was Randy).
    • He managed to receive a black jacket like last time.
    • He placed fourth again.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He is rough and blunt, but he is also one of the strongest blue chefs so far, and knows the importance of teamwork.
  • Lazy Bum: The last two punishments he did showed him not contributing a lot much to Robyn's annoyance.
  • The Leader: Shows early signs of it, especially during the second service since it helped the blue team win. He also led the blue team well during the charity night service.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: His real name is Emili, but he went by Milly during the show like in Season 14.
  • Took a Level in Jerkass: In episode 13, he developed an entitled attitude as he did not help out a lot during punishment and even argued loudly against Robyn. It did not stick as he calmed down by the next episode.
Placement: 4th
Milly's Elimination Comment - "This been the greatest experience of my life. I fought my heart out against Hell's Kitchen All-Stars, my confidence level was through the roof! I done did so many first time things, I went to Vegas for the first time, I ate caviar by a lake, I rode a horse, I got to teach Ricky Williams how to make a dish! I got the first All-Star black jacket of all time! Chef Ramsay, I only got one thing to say to you: I love you. I love you! You've been the best mentor, you've been the best person, like the best- like a father figure, like... to me, and I just love you! Period, point blank. I mean, nothing in between. I love you, and I appreciate you!"
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - “Milly has had two fantastic runs in Hell’s Kitchen. I’m personally going to make sure that big, kindhearted man with so much culinary passion gets the right training he deserves.”

Robyn Almodovar

Previous Season: 10 (6th Place)
"That's right! Cause I'm the bounce back queen!"
Occupation: Executive Sous Chef
Age: 36
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/robyn_all_star.jpg

  • Achilles' Heel: Fish for her seems to be a major problem as it cost the red team the win in the signature dish challenge, and got them thrown out of the second service. Her fish in the cedar challenge seems to be a subversion, though Nick was her partner on it so it's unknown if she did cook the fish. In the 5th service, her overcook salmon became the trigger for Ramsay to kick the blue team out of the kitchen. Finally subverted in Episode 9 when she scored a point on her fish dish in a challenge.
  • Arch-Enemy: She and fellow Season 10 contestant Barbie still clearly don't like each other, but in the first service that feud quickly paled into insignificance next to her newly-established rivalry with Elise. Come to the second service, however, her rivalry with Barbie was back up to full speed. Given that Robyn is now on the blue team, both rivalry's are on hold and ended with both Barbie & Elise being eliminated while she received the black jacket.
  • Belief Makes You Stupid: After the signature dish challenge loss it was revealed that during times of stress she consults with a pendulum, who was revealed to be named Herbie after her elimination. The other women were naturally pretty bemused by this, with Elise joking that the pendulum could probably have given more accurate cooking times for the salmon in her signature dish.
  • Birds of a Feather: With Nick after she got transferred to the Blue Team, and stated that her transfer got less stressful due to being with him.
  • Born Lucky: Aside from being saved from elimination over stronger members, the biggest one of all is being transferred to the more stable Blue Team early in her game, which enables her to focus on her cooking itself while the rest of the Red Team ended up being dysfunctional due to being unable to handle Elise. However, when she got to the black jackets, it was every man for herself, and she was eliminated not soon afterwards.
  • Butch Lesbian: She gets a little... excited when surrounded by her bikini-clad teammates during a reward.
  • Cloud Cuckoo Lander: She's a bit more goofy than last time.
  • Crazy Enough to Work: During the cave meat challenge, Robyn revealed she had never cooked elk before, and decided to closely follow Benjamin's lead as she knew he was strong in challenges. In the end, Robyn's dish not only came out great, but it scored a point and eventually led to the blue team winning.
  • Crippling Overspecialization: In challenges, she has been the top runner since being on the blue team. In services however, she makes more mistakes than often.
  • The Determinator: As her quote above hints, Robyn is a strong fighter who, despite starting of as one of the weaker chefs, made a bit of a come back and fought hard to get to the black jackets. Even Ramsay stated that he was impressed on how much she improved since then when she was eliminated.
  • Epic Fail:
    • Single handily cost the red team the win in the signature dish challenge with the only 1 out of 5 at the worst possible moment, and later being the only contestant that scored 1 point in the 3rd challenge (though here her team won). Her failure stood out all the more when you consider that none of her team-mates scored any lower than a 3.
    • As well as single-handily costing Benjamin's chances of winning the season. She made so many mistakes that Ramsay himself kicked her out. Fortunately for her, Benjamin let her back in. Unfortunately for him, this seemed to have been something that cost him the win.
  • Graceful Loser: Left with no regrets and was proud how much she improved in this season.
  • History Repeats:
    • Just like in Season 10, Robyn is switched over to the blue team.
    • She also won the Blind Taste Challenge just like in Season 10.
    • She managed to receive a black jacket like last time. For bonus points, she was the last chef form both seasons to get a black jacket.
    • Just like in Season 10, she was eliminated the episode after receiving her black jacket. She even lampshaded this moments before her elimination.
      • Not only that, but she continues the curse of chefs receiving the last black jacket to be the first eliminated during black jacket phase.
  • Irony: She paid attention to Benjamin, who had more experience than her, when both of them were cooking their respective Elk dishes, and yet she was the one to score the winning point while Benjamin's dish was deemed dry.
  • Large Ham: Especially compared to last time.
  • The Load: For the final service, she had a poor night on the meat station which involved raw meat, scorched meat, and even cooking a lamb dish in a pan that was used for a steak dish earlier. She was inches from getting kicked out from service by Ramsay until Benjamin allowed her back on (at a different location).
  • Loon with a Heart of Gold: She is way more eccentic and over the top compared to last time, but unlike last time, she's nowhere near as aggressive, and it's clear time away from the show did a lot to calm her temper.
  • The Scapegoat: Barbie and Elise tried to turn her into this after the first service, claiming that Elise had only performed as poorly as she did because Robyn left her to do too much of the work. The other women ignored this argument and nominated Elise anyway, but it resulted in a major argument between the two afterwards.
  • Too Dumb to Live: During the final service, she tried to justify using the same pan to cook beef and lamb "because it was hot". That is a health violation, made even worse by the fact that there are literally dozens of saute pans in the kitchen. With Benjamin not being a proactive leader, Ramsay had no choice but to tell her to get out.
  • Took a Level in Badass:
    • Robyn started off as one of the weaker red chefs this season, but being on the blue team has improved her consistency.
    • She managed to redeem her poor performance in the Blind Taste Challenge in Season 10 with a 3 out of 4 this season.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: Robyn would have had the same personality like in Season 10 as her arguments with Elise and Barbie shown. But when she was transferred to the blue team, she got along with most of the guys, and toned down her attitude a lot. Maybe Ramsay made the right decision in reassigning her.
  • What the Hell, Hero?: Pissed off her blue teammates (mostly Giovanni) when she begged Ramsay to send her back to the red team, even though the blue team has been trying to get along with her and Jared was the one to comfort her when she was upset by the switch. Even Robyn realized how bad that was after they went back to the dorms, it probably helped none of the guys but Jared wanted to hear her excuses.
  • What Were You Thinking?: Got this from both Chef Ramsay and her team-mates after she decided to cook a thin piece of salmon with over a half-hour of the signature dish challenge to go.
  • Worthy Opponent: She considered Jennifer this as she respects her as a culinary. The fact that she had to compete against her in the final black jackets challenge brought her to tears.
Placement: 5th
Robyn's Elimination Comment - "I did not think this is how it was gonna end for me, but do you know what? I have absolutely no regrets leaving Hell's Kitchen tonight. I gave it my all. I was rocky when I started, but no matter what, atleast I know I put my heart in the plate, atleast I know I went down fighting. I know I'm a strong personality, but in that kitchen, you should always have fun. Its not the end of me, me and my pet rock, Herbie, we're gonna be just fine!"
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "I've always admired Robyn's no-nonsense attitude, but tonight she had the wrong attitude and served up a lot of nonsense."

Jennifer Normant

Previous Season: 9 (5th Place)
"Culinary 101 has gone out of Elise's brain."
Occupation: Chef de Cuisine
Age: 40
Hometown: Burlington, MA
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jennifer_all_star.jpg

  • Arch-Enemy: To Elise from Season 9, though her quiet approach ended up not making them fighting each other for now. Until near the end of Episode 10 where the gloves came off after Elise tried to pin the blame oh her. But...
    • Enemy Mine: Come episode 11, she made an alliance with Elise. It did not last long as the next episode was the Black Jackets challenge, and Jennifer decided to ally with Robyn to get Elise out once and for all.
  • Bittersweet Ending: Did not get a black jacket this time, but at least got to see her mortal nemesis Elise get eliminated before her.
  • Epic Fail: Scored 0 out of 4 in the Blind Taste Challenge.
  • Graceful Loser: Left in high spirits and was extremely happy to see Elise go home before her this time. This is especially notable when you remember how bitter she was (and not without justification) during her elimination in Season 9.
  • Only Sane Woman: Shares this with Dana and Michelle.
  • Out of Focus: She hasn't been focused as much as the rest of her team. This isn't surprising given that Elise is on her team.
  • Tempting Fate: She was really hoping that Elise wouldn't come back. She didn't get her wish.
  • This Is Gonna Suck: Her reaction to Elise's breakdown means that things for the red team might be going downhill.
  • Worthy Opponent: At the end of the Black Jackets Challenge, she considered Robyn to be this. She even told Robyn to win after she was eliminated.
Placement: 6th
Jennifer's Elimination Comment - "I did not expect myself to be going home right now, I wish I had did a little bit more to make it to that black jacket, but you know what, I definitely think Robyn deserves black jacket. She beat me out today fair and square, and... I still beat Elise!"
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - No comment.

Elise Harris

Previous Season: 9 (3rd Place)
"This is the new Elise. No more playing nice now!"
Occupation: Line Cook
Age: 32
Hometown: Stafford, VA
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/elise_all_star.jpg

  • And There Was Much Rejoicing: Jennifer and Robyn were practically jumping for joy when Elise was eliminated, even if Jennifer herself was eliminated soon afterwards. And when Michelle learned Elise was gone, she was cheering as well.
  • Arch-Enemy: Subverted, at least initially. While it was expected that she would resume her rivalry with Jennifer from Season 9, Robyn was actually the first person who she had a major argument with, and it's clear that the two do not like each other in the slightest (which subsequently became a non issue after Robyn is transferred to the Blue Team). Then after Michelle chose Elise to cook for her life in Episode 7, Elise chose her for her new enemy, declaring she was going all-out to get rid of her and prove herself better.
  • Big "NO!": She let one out when it was announced Josh would be moving to the red team.
  • Book Ends: She started off her signature dish challenge with a lobster dish, which Ramsay gave it the high possible score. Her last dish that got her eliminated ended up being a lobster dish.
  • The Bully: The other chefs label her one repeatedly. Elise denies it, but it is entirely true. One of the only good things many of the fellow competitors and fans think Josh did this season was call her a bully to her face. One example of her bullying was calling Barbie crazy and then making cuckoo clock noises to Barbie's face.
  • Butt-Monkey: In a strange case, Elise had way more bad things happen to her in this season than Season 9. A lot of her efforts were never appreciated (although it's mainly because her attitude was awful), she was treated as an outcast (again, for her attitude), and even her attempts at trying to out argue her fellow competitors usually end in a standstill, or even worse, she argues with Nick, who very easily throws her insults back in her face and makes her look stupid. That's not even to mention her awful performance that resulted in her elimination.
  • Catchphrase: She's started using the phrase "Boop!" as a way of shutting down other contestants. The other chefs in turn often use it against her.
  • Crippling Overspecialization: She is easily one of the strongest performers in the challengers, but her attitude prevents her from doing as well in the services. One episode humorously highlights this by fast forwarding through the service showing Elise doing practically nothing compared to her teammates, especially her old enemy Jennifer.
  • Enemy Mine: Surprisingly, she agreed to an alliance with her old nemesis Jennifer.
  • Epic Fail:
    • Was directly responsible for costing the red team any chance of redemption by incorrectly guessing her food in the Blind Taste challenge.
    • She blew any chance she had in the second challenge for black jackets when she forgot to remove the digestive tract from her lobster. A disgusted Ramsay drew everyone's attention to it as he took it out himself, then refused to even taste the dish.
  • Everyone Has Standards: After Manda delivered a "The Reason You Suck" Speech to Josh after condescending to her, Elise would repeat Manda's words in a high-pitched voice...before saying that she had her back and admitting she wouldn't put up with it either.
  • The Friend Nobody Likes: Quickly became one on the first punishment when she refused to help the red team carry the risers, and then screwed up big-time during the first service. Barbie was the only person who liked her, but their disagreements came more often. This may be why Michelle chose to have Elise cook for her life in Episode 7.
  • Hated by All: Nobody was excited to see her, especially Jennifer (her mortal nemesis).
  • Humiliation Conga: The Black Jackets Challenge was a big one for Elise. Round 1: she failed to all but the fish protein correctly in the Taste It Now Make It Challenge, and struggled to describe her dish to Ramsay. Round 2: her lobster dish contained the shit sack still attached, leading Ramsay to refuse to even taste it after pointing it out. Round 3: her filet mignon was not the medium rare temperature she wanted and the potatoes tasted off due to her decision to blend them in the Vitamix. End result: she gets eliminated over Jennifer (her sworn enemy) and Robyn (one of the inconsistent chefs of the season).
  • Hypocrite: After designating Michelle her new enemy, Elise rants constantly about how she coasts through service not pulling her weight, talks a lot but can't back it up, and walks around with her nose in the air thinking she's the best chef in the competition. Projecting much?
  • I'm Not Here to Make Friends: Hand in hand with The Friend Nobody Likes, Elise knows the rest of the Red Team hates her and doesn't care because of this trope. At least she says she doesn't care, but during the season it is obvious it bothers her. Especially when Michelle keeps getting attention she feels she deserves...
  • Insult Backfire: At one point during the season, Elise would start saying "boop" to prove a point she has and to silence anyone else. It didn't take long for people to start using it against her. Of course, special mention goes to whenever Nick does it, with this moment being his most notable.
    Nick: Bye! Check the scoreboard, girls’ team is losing, bye Felicia!
    Elise: Yeah, girls’ team is losing but my scores aren’t!!
    Nick: Oh yeah, well, guess what, you're still on their team, honey! BOOP BOOP BOOP BOOP!
  • It's All About Me: Once again, throughout the series. In the final moments of the finale, there's a cut to her in the Confession Cam crying.
    Elise: I didn't come here not to win.
  • Jerkass: Eight years off from the show did nothing to dispel her bad attitude. Apparently Ramsay's advice to her last time did not stick. She seems to have only gotten more arrogant and crazy in her off time.
  • Jerkass Has a Point: While she was the same old jerk back in Season 9, she had more than a good points about how Josh was easily their weakest chef, and most of the time, Josh was the one instigating the arguments while Elise wasn't even addressing him.
    • The best example of this was when the Red Team were calling out Josh for putting cold coals on a hot fire (causing the fire to be smothered and contribute to their loss), and after Elise says that cold coals wouldn't help the fire, Josh's immediate response is to call her a bully even though she didn't say anything rude to him.
  • Karma Houdini:
    • Subverted. She tried to get out of punishment by only drinking the broth of their disgusting meal, but was caught by Sous Chef Christina.
    • More subverted in this season than in Season 9 because she actually got eliminated before the black jackets.
  • Laser-Guided Karma: After Michelle forced Elise to cook for her life, Elise declared Michelle her new enemy. Cut to the finale, where not only is Elise forced to cook on Michelle's team, but breaks down in tears as she watches Michelle win.
  • Lazy Bum: Doesn't help her teammates during the first punishment. In the 4th service, her teammates (especially Dana, who worked with her at the meat station) complained that she is just doing the bare minimum in order to pass the service until Josh is kicked out. She tried to avert this during the 5th service (as she working on the table side), where her only successful attempt to avoid being this is when she helped Manda tasted her pasta, the rest came off as being unnecessary and only annoyed the other women.
  • Muscles Are Meaningless: Despite showing that she has gain muscles since Season 9, she refused to help out on the risers during punishment.
  • Narcissist: Elise has an overinflated opinion of herself, is incapable of seeing her own faults and mistakes and blames everyone else, plays the victim when someone calls her out on her behavior, particularly her bullying, and most tellingly of all, she has her own name tattooed on her chest.
  • Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Never got along with Michelle, even declaring war on her. So naturally, she was an argumentative asshole to Michelle during the final dinner service. However, this may have actually helped Michelle, because as Milly pointed out being able to work with Elise showed what a great leader Michelle was. This is especially highlighted because Benjamin was more lenient with his problem child (Robyn) than Michelle was with Elise. Whoops.
  • Never My Fault: Pretty much her default mood like in Season 9. Poor performance on the meat station opening night? Nope, all Robyn's fault. Made a lackluster fish dish due to having few ingredients based on her pickiness? She deemed it a disadvantage. Almost all of her sea bass got burned during the Charity Night Service? Her team sabotaged her. A poor performance of a black jacket that got her eliminated? Having an off day.
  • Know When to Fold 'Em: Despite all of her attitude problems, she once again knows better than disrespect Gordon Ramsay. And she elected to return for the finale, and only complains in confession cam rather than to Ramsey's face.
  • Picked Last: Well second-last, but Michelle decided to pick Elise as her last member of the team (not surprising given the two's animosity this season).
  • Small Name, Big Ego: Repeatedly and openly declares herself the best chef in the red team, and anytime someone speaks against her she deflects it by insisting they just dislike her because she's a threat. Despite this she's yet to prove herself as a standout competitor and does little to justify her high opinion of her own skills.
  • Sore Loser:
    • She left Hell's Kitchen not in the best of moods and argued that she had an off day.
    • Her poor attitude continued when she came back for the finale, clearly not wanting to be back and had a heated argument with her teammates before service began. She was even seen tearing up as she did not win the competition near the end.
  • The Rival: To Barbie, Dana, and Michelle.
  • Took a Level in Jerkass: Episode 7 saw a "Cook for your Life" challenge where some chefs had to cook the same dish and the worst of them was eliminated. Elise was nominated by Michelle, and came out of the competition even worse than before, ranting about Michelle constantly and loudly, annoying everyone on both teams with her antics, proudly proclaiming she's only in it for herself, and refusing to listen to anyone else.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: While kindness is a massive stretch. For one episode at least, she seemed to be pretty much on the same page as everyone else after Josh was transferred to their team, and even during that one episode, she didn't really instigate anything.
  • Villainous Breakdown:
    • Being picked by Michelle to cook for her life in Episode 7 brought the worst of her in terms of crying & jerkassery, thus even while she's safe she ended up waging war against Michelle & possibly destroying the teamwork the red team had built for the last 3 episodes.
    • She got a bigger one in Episode 12 when she failed miserably on the first two challenges and then, had the weakest dish compared to Robyn and Jennifer.
    • Then in the finale, she teared up when she saw her arch enemy Michelle win this season.
  • What Were You Thinking?: Jennifer and Michelle's reactions to her putting potatoes in a blender during the last opportunity for black jackets.
Placement: 7th
Elise's Elimination Comment - "I'm absolutely better than those three dishes I put up today, and I'm definitely embarrassed by my performance. Mentally I was cooked, and I should've gotten that black jacket, but I guess you could say I- the pressure got to me a bit today."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - No comment.

Dana Cohen

Previous Season: 10 (3rd Place)
"Pretty much five times a day, I say that Barbie sucks. I'm going for number six: Barbie sucks!"
Occupation: Chef Instructor
Age: 32
Hometown: Emerson, NJ
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dana_all_star.jpg

  • And There Was Much Rejoicing: Was extremely happy to see Barbie gone.
  • Arch-Enemy: With Barbie from Season 10, though there are no minor arguments between them for now.
  • Epic Fail:
    • Scored 0 out of 4 in the Blind Taste Challenge.
    • In Episode 11, she had a miserable night on the meat station, scorching beef wellington's (not burning them, scorching them) and sent two poor Wellingtons on the red team's last ticket, causing them to get kicked out. After that, Ramsay eliminated her. Ramsay lampshaded this during her exit speech; this was the first time in two runs on the show that Dana was nominated, and it was also her last.
  • History Repeats: Was eliminated right after Barbie's own elimination once again.
  • Irony: Was the only returning chef that was never nominated once before. Here, she got eliminated on her first, and only time being nominated.
  • No Indoor Voice: Inverted. Back in Season 10, she was arguably the loudest contestant that season, and hamming it up in Confession Cams. This time around, she is more muted and not as hammy.
  • Non-Answer: When Ramsay and Barbie were discussing the latter's constant nominations from Season 10, Barbie believes it was because the red team was fearful of her abilities. Dana argues that wasn't the case, but when Ramsay asked her what the real reason was, Dana failed to give a proper answer.
  • Only Sane Woman: She's the only one in the red team that isn't arguing with her teammates. In fact, she was typically very calm save for the occasional complaining about Barbie and/or Elise.
  • The Rival: To Barbie and Elise.
  • This Is Gonna Suck: Was not thrilled with the Blind Taste Test as she knew how hard that challenge could be.
  • We Used to Be Friends: Played with. In regards with Christina, Dana mentions it will be hard to be friends with her right now given the situation (Dana's a contestant while Christina's the red team's sous chef).
Placement: 8th
Dana's Elimination Comment - "I mean, let's face it, the red team's a disaster. Elise should be standing here. Elise wants to say she's not a bully, but I think she uses that façade to push people around, when really she's insecure about herself. I came into this kitchen everyday, and gave it my all, so... To know that that wasn't good enough, that hurts."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "In two seasons, this was Dana's first time ever being nominated. Unfortunately for her, it was also her last."

Barbra "Barbie" Marshall

Previous Season: 10 (4th Place)
"HOW 'BOUT I GET THAT SPINACH, MICHELLE??!"
Occupation: Catering Chef
Age: 39
Hometown: Strasburg, PA
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/barbie_all_star.jpg

  • Arch-Enemy: To Dana and Robyn. Robyn and her get back to their arguing during the second dinner service. Episode 9 added Elise to her list.
  • Dude Where Is My Respect: Had this belief that the red team kept nominating her out of spite, even though her attitude was growing sour near the end, and, unlike Season 10 where the Kimmie-Tiffany-Robyn trio were nominating her out of hatred, there were legitimate reasons why the red team nominated her. In the final service however, Benjamin treated her more as an equal, and she even said that he gave her more respect than what she got from the red team all season.
  • Eye Take: Barbie certainly had some...unique facial expressions throughout the season.
  • Only Friend: Was this to Elise as she was the only one besides her to try and put Robyn up for elimination. Until Episode 9 which added her to her shit list. Justifiably so, because Elise spent most of the episode shouting that Barbie was crazy to her face.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: Her real name is Barbara, but she went by Barbie during the show like in Season 10.
  • Picked Last: The last pick of the Benjamin's brigade, but to be fair, besides being slow on hot appetizers, her performance was not as bad as Robyn's was.
  • Sassy Black Woman: Near the end of her time in the competition, her personality devolved into this. Her exiting speech reeked of this trope because she was clearly not happy.
  • Sore Loser: She was not happy about being eliminated and is the first All-Star so far not to take their elimination with grace (even some of the other ones were not that bitter like she was).
  • The Rival: To Dana, Elise, and Michelle.
  • Took a Level in Jerkass: A mild example, and for the most part it's only been directed at Robyn, who she already disliked, but she's way snappier this time around. But then came Episode 9 where she deliberately dumped her punishment on the floor and argued loudly with Elise. It continued in the next episode with her aggressive leadership on her meat entrée round had her yelling at Michelle for the garnishes, but it soon became Laser-Guided Karma for her as Ramsay eliminated her because of that.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: She was in better spirits when she came back for the finale, probably because being away cooled her down. Or that she was not on Michelle's team and there was no way of her and Elise continuing to argue like last time.
Placement: 9th
Barbie's Elimination Comment - "Chef says that I'm not ready. Am I the worst chef in Hell's Kitchen? No. Was I the worst chef on the red team? No. But it is what it fucking is. So now, what it is, is, ME, ready to go the fuck home!"
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Barbie's performance at charity night was a disaster. So, I performed a charity act for her team by sending her home."

Vincent "Van" Hurd

Previous Season: 6 (6th Place)
"Ratchet! Ratchet girls."
Occupation: Fish Cook
Age: 34
Hometown: South Glastonbury, CT
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/van_all_star.jpg

  • Berserk Button: He got angry at Josh when he found out the latter works as a private chef with a 3 hour a day limit, compared to himself working 16 hours a day (as with probably the other blue team members). What didn't help Josh's standing with Van is Josh didn't deliver in service and was more dramatic than useful.
  • Crazy Enough to Work: In the cedar challenge, he decided to boil eggs on the fire pit for his dish. Despite Jocky's concern, it came out very well.
  • Dude, Not Funny!: He got called out by Ramsay for smiling during the 6th service when the meat section was struggling. Van admits that he shouldn't have done it, and smiling is a coping mechanism for him.
  • Graceful Loser: Played with. While he was understandably upset for getting eliminated, he still had no ill regards towards Ramsay and wanted to keep making people happy with his food.
  • History Repeats:
    • Receives favourable reviews on his signature dish, earning the first 5 for his team. For bonus points, both of his dishes were seafood related.
    • In the two times he got eliminated, his last dinner service had him on the fish station.
  • Large Ham: 11 seasons later, he still has it. Dana even called him the "Male Robyn".
  • The Quiet One: Surprisingly he was silent in the eighth service which caused a slow down in the blue kitchen and led to his elimination. Even Ramsay lampshaded it in his elimination statement.
    Ramsay: Van's always had one of the loudest voices here. Tonight, not only did he lose his voice but also his dream of becoming my next head chef.
  • Race Fetish: Flirts with Barbie by calling her a Nubian princess.
  • Old Shame (In-Universe): His infamous argument with Jean-Philippe., though mostly Played for Laughs.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: His real name is Vincent, but he went by Van during the show like in Season 6.
  • Shocking Elimination (In-Universe): The other contestants' jaws were dropped at his elimination. Nobody saw it coming.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: It's clear that while Van was still as loud as ever, he had far more of a level head this time around. The only arguments he really got into were with Josh, and everyone else he was relatively cordial with. Even most of his jokes about others are light hearted ribbing, and they all are shown reacting positively.
Placement: 10th
Van's Elimination Comment - "Hell no, I'm not the weakest chef on the Blue Team! But I'm not gonna sit here and argue about it. I definitely came here this time and let my cooking speak for itself, but it didn't work out, move on to the next one. I just want to make people happy with food."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Van's always had one of the loudest voices here. Tonight, not only did he lose his voice but also his dream of becoming my next head chef."

Amanda "Manda" Palomino

Previous Season: 15 (5th Place)
"Is this a Season 15 reunion? Did I bring my yearbook? Should I go get my cheerleading uniform?"
Occupation: Sous Chef
Age: 32
Hometown: Atlantic City, NJ
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/manda_all_star.jpg

  • Beware the Nice Ones: She is one of the nicer female chefs, but she ripped into Josh's condescending attitude during the red team's punishment in Episode 5. And later in Episode 6 got angry at Michelle when the latter wrongly tasted how cooked the pasta is twice (as she's allergic to gluten).
  • Dodge the Bullet: Really dropped the ball on the fish station in the first episode, and would almost certainly have been the first person eliminated — Elise was the first person nominated, but the chances of Ramsay actually getting rid of her were probably pretty minimal — if not for Ramsay choosing to kick out Ben despite his being on the winning team.
  • Failed a Spot Check: She missed an order of pork for one table which caused any momentum in the red kitchen to halt. That blunder was so bad, Ramsay decided to eliminate her instead of Barbie who constantly sent up raw meat.
  • Fan Girl: Was on cloud nine when she saw Ben Ford (Harrison Ford's son) guest judge for the cedar challenge. The production crew even added a lightsaber for her confessional.
  • History Repeats: Just like in Season 15, she scored a 3 out of 5 on her signature dish.
  • The Load: Was the weakest member of the red team and only survived as long as she did due to some lucky breaks. However, the sixth service was when she let things slip up and that time, there was nowhere to hide.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: Her real name is Amanda, but she went by Manda during the show like in Season 15.
  • "The Reason You Suck" Speech: She delivered a pretty epic one to Josh after he started to seriously piss her off with his condescending attitude.
Placement: 11th
Manda's Elimination Comment - "This did not end the way I thought it would end. I weeded our kitchen, and I'm pissed as hell about it. At the end of the day, like I want a better life for my babies. I hope that they know that I'm better because of this, but I'm mostly better because of them. So, I can't- I just can't wait to go see them."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Manda said she never heard the ticket that sunk her team. Sadly, she's not going to hear her name being called as the winner of Hell's Kitchen either."

Giovanni Filippone

Previous Season: 5 (6th Place)
"No. No, no. You're gonna get both of us in trouble, man. Stop flipping it. Just leave it."
Occupation: Executive Chef
Age: 46
Hometown: Santa Rosa Beach, FL
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/giovanni_all_star.jpg

  • Big Damn Heroes: He got called up by Ramsay to help the red team (especially Elise) on the meat station in the opening service. With his help, they got entrees out nicely, until Manda's problem on the fish station kicked the red team out of the kitchen.
  • Failed a Spot Check:
    • During the pizza challenge, the blue team decides to choose Giovanni's dish over Benjamin's (as they had one extra member) due to the top side looking better. Come judging, however, the bottom had burnt marks on it, and Giovanni didn't check before the decision.
    • Became a game ending mistake in the "Cook For Your Life Challenge" when he placed too much pasta on his oysters and did not place enough sauce on them either. He got eliminated because of those mistakes.
  • Graceful Loser: Played with. During the pizza challenge, he tried to also blame his team for not checking the pizza, which is justifiable to a degree. Earlier in the season when Josh tried to save himself by defending his risotto making, Giovanni was livid at the mere idea of being nominated instead of Josh. Although, despite being disappointed in losing the "Cook for your life challenge" he had no regrets coming back and says he'll be looking forward to seeing his daughters again. His second elimination was heartwarming this time as Ramsay told him that he was happy to bring him back and wished him and his family good luck.
  • History Repeats:
    • Ben's elimination wasn't the first time Giovanni had to see one of his teammates get eliminated from the winning team (last time it was Carol).
    • When Josh was eliminated during service, it was also the third time Giovanni saw it happen to someone on the other team (J and Lacey on back-to-back services).
  • Old Shame (In-Universe): He still remembers the infamous "dick face" argument from Season 5.
  • Papa Wolf: Reveals to Ramsay that his new motivation for this season is his daughter as she has medical problems (she's epileptic and autistic).
Placement: 12th
Giovanni's Elimination Comment - "Chef made a decision, that's final. I mean, maybe at my age and my experience, I should've done a better job, but I'm holding my head up high and I'mma go home, and I get hugged by two beautiful kids. Nothin' to be ashamed of. Its an opportunity of a lifetime, so yeah I'm glad I came back, glad I gave it a shot. Came up short."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Giovanni may have age and experience, but his attention to detail in this critical challenge was a big disappointment. Arrivederci, Giovanni."

Jared Bobkin

Previous Season: 15 (4th Place)
"You know how I feel about ties, it's like kissing your sister. You don't win, you don't lose, it's just fucking awkward."
Occupation: Line Cook
Age: 31
Hometown: Troy, MI
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jared_all_star.jpg

  • Badass Decay: Personal opinions about the chefs from Season 15 aside, making it to black jackets and 4th place on top of that is an impressive feat. In this season, however, Jared seemed to have lost a lot of his skills. He was passable at best in service, seemed to have lost his voice in the kitchen even when it wasn't hoarse, and did abysmal to passable in challenges. One particular example is when he presented a dish in a challenge, saying in the confession cam he was super proud of it and it came out perfect... and then Gordon gave him a 1. This is all ignoring his infamous lying about a cut to get out of service idea that backfired on him spectacularly.
  • Blatant Lies: Tried to claim that he had a cut that was bleeding a lot. The medic found no evidence of it. Even when he was outside of Hell's Kitchen, eliminated, he still tried to say he had a cut.
  • Friendly Rivalry: Was this with Ashley. He was pretty angry to see her get eliminated.
  • Hero-Worshipper: Was excited to find out that James "Jockey" Petrie will be the blue team's sous chef. Also one to Wolfgang Puck.
  • History Repeats:
    • Just like in Season 15, he scored a 4 out of 5 on his signature dish.
    • Ben's elimination wasn't the first time Jared had to see one of his teammates get eliminated from the winning team (last time it was Joe).
    • An odd and definitely unintentional example, but in Season 15 his mom came in to do a challenge where he coaches her to cook a dish while he's restrained. His mother accidentally cuts herself a little bit a few times, with Jared saying he doesn't care and she DOES go see the medic. Then Jared in this season says he got cut to get out of his crashing and burning, sees the medic... and the medic can't find anything.
  • Just Friends: States he is this with Ashley when asked by Ramsay.
  • Squick: Between the seasons, he picked up a catch phrase that discussed kissing your sister. "You don't win, you don't lose, it's just fucking awkward." He also continued his oddly sexual comments about food in confessionals from his previous season.
  • Too Dumb to Live: Lying about a cut to Ramsay certainly counts as it got him eliminated.
Placement: 13th
Jared's Elimination Comment - "Chef Ramsay definitely made a mistake by sending me home tonight, it should be Robyn. She's a mess, She didn't really cook shit tonight. I have a legitimate cut, there's blood! There's visible blood, I'm not gonna cook food with fucking blood on my hand. Its not sanitary."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Medic? More like pathetic. While Jared's cut was imaginary, now he knows what it really is like to get cut."

Joshua "Josh" Trovato

Previous Season: 14 (6th Place)
"I would not be surprised if Gordon would call me back again."
Occupation: Chef de Cuisine
Age: 28
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/josh_all_star.jpg

  • And There Was Much Rejoicing: Josh was such a weak link on both the Blue and Red Teams that everyone was relieved when they learned that Ramsay had eliminated him in the middle of the service!
  • Arch-Enemy: To Milly and Nick from Season 14. Although he did warmly say hi to Nick when they reunited. He seems to have also gained one in the form of Van as of Episode 4.
  • Berserk Button: He finds a new one of Ramsay's when he tries to use a stopwatch to time his risotto. Ramsay (and everyone else on the Blue Team, for that matter) was incredulous that he needed a timepiece to cook, and Ramsay demanded it from him only to chuck it into the pizza oven.
  • Deadpan Snarker: He only delves into this when the Red Team start to insult him.
  • Epic Fail:
    • In Episode 4 he keeps cooking excellent risottos. The problem is he keeps cooking too much compared to how many were ordered, resulting in delicious food that Ramsay doesn't need so he was basically wasting food. He seemed to not consider this a fail, however, and defended this up until he got moved to the Red Team.
    • Come next service, he had a disaster on the garnish station, and was even caught carrying the garnishes with his bare hands while the cooked protein was up on the hot plate! Naturally, Ramsay kicked him out of service, but then Josh decided to try and fight his way back into service. This led to Ramsay eliminating him mid-service.
  • Expy: Considering his weight gain, being Hated by All and his Taking A Level In Dumbass, he could easily be compared to Raj only he doesn't stick his head in the freezer when stressed.
  • Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: He has gone bald in comparison to Season 14.
  • Hated by All: Somehow, he managed to overthrow Elise in terms of being the most hated chef on both teams. By the end of his run, everyone was tired of his mistakes and attitude that no one missed him when he got eliminated mid-service. Humorously, Michelle demanded he get out when he tried to come back after he got kicked out of service.
  • History Repeats: Just like in Season 14, Josh is switched over to the Red Team. Milly tries to say this of Josh during Episode 4 when Josh tried to defend his mistakes by insulting everyone while failing to deliver.
  • Ship Tease: Gets one when Ramsay orders him to sit at the chef's table with VIP guest Paige Van Zant to finish the excess risotto and Paige feeds him the risotto with a spoon.
    Van: C'mon man, that ain't no punishment. He's just there like (makes smooching noises)...
  • The Load: Was deemed by everyone from the Blue Team as their weakest link during elimination which shocked Ramsay. The Red Team even viewed Josh as this as well during his very short stint on the team, and you can even see sighs of relief on their faces when he got kicked out. Another humorous example is when Elise shouts "No!" when Ramsay said Josh was going to the Red Team.
  • Never My Fault: Refused to accept blame that his poor performance on appetizers was the reason the Blue Team lost the 3rd service, even though he cooked too many portions for two tables.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: His real name is Joshua, but he went by Josh during the show like in Season 14.
  • Too Dumb to Live: Trying to return to the service after being kicked out obviously wasn't going to end well.
  • Took a Level in Dumbass: Whatever smarts or skills he might have had in Season 14 seems to have disintegrated during the off seasons. The only thing he competently seemed to do this season is stir up drama with other chefs. Examples include his trying to argue and belittle the Blue Team in Episode 4, and calling Elise a bully in Episode 5 (although to be fair, this is very true). He left the competition idiotically believing he'd potentially get called again for a third season despite how pathetic his departure was.
  • Unishment: Josh is given the traditional "eat the food you screwed up" punishment, except in this case, this amounts to flirting with and being spoonfed at the chef's table by VIP guest Paige Van Zant. This was quickly noticed by Van and Ramsay, who very quickly tells Josh to get back to work.
Placement: 14th (Eliminated mid-service)
Josh's Elimination Comment - "You don't ever want to let Chef Ramsay down, but he knows I'm resilient, he knows I'm a fighter, he knows I have a big heart, and I gave it my all. Although it didn't work out, I know that Chef Ramsay still appreciates me. I wouldn't be surprised if he called me up again! You know, not many people in this world get second chances, but if anybody's gonna get a third chance, it would be me! Right?"
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - No comment.

Ashley Nickell

Previous Season: 15 (3rd Place)
"This is complete and utter bullshit!"
Occupation: Chef de Cuisine
Age: 29
Hometown: Orlando, FL
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ashley_all_star.jpg

  • Bystander Syndrome: She didn't contribute much in the second dinner service, being rather distracted & disconnected at times (which later revealed that her grandfather is in critical condition according to her Twitter) which led to her elimination that night.
  • Friendly Rivalry: Is this with Jared.
  • Just Friends: States she is this with Jared when asked by Ramsay.
Placement: 15th
Ashley's Elimination Comment - "I am not happy with the fact that I'm leaving this early. Barbie's running on a thin line, her and Robyn both. They need to check their egos at the door, I can't help it that they're shady bitches. This is Hell's Kitchen, it is literally Hell. Hell, on Earth."
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Ashley spent more time staring at her watch than paying attention to her station. And so, her time here on Hell's Kitchen is done."

Benjamin "Ben" Walanka

Previous Season: 5 (4th Place)
"It's an All-Star season. You've got a lot of real hungry chefs, and I'm clearly not as active as I was, you know, maybe ten years ago."
Occupation: Executive Sous Chef
Age: 36
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ben_all_star.jpg

  • Formerly Fat: Played straight then inverted. When he returned to compete in Season 9, he had a very noticeable weight loss. Here, it seems that he has gained it back.
  • Graceful Loser: He had no regrets getting eliminated, admitting he wasn't able to fight back quicker than he could have last time and saying that Ramsay made the right choice in eliminating him.
  • Kaizo Trap: He was eliminated from the winning team due to his health problems being a hindrance.
  • The Load: He had two instances in the first service where he almost collapsed from diabetic-related problems which hindered his performance greatly. It got to the point where Ramsay decided to eliminate him despite being on the winning team. Slightly subverted in that, other than having to refire a single piece of salmon, Ben made no mistakes that night, making his elimination even more shocking.
  • Mercy Elimination: If you can consider Ramsay doing this to him because of his health problems.
  • Older and Wiser: In his confession, he plans on making a more subtle approach in his attitude compared to Season 5. Alas, his health problems put an early end to his plans.
  • One-Steve Limit: Averted with Ben and Benjamin being on the same team.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: His real name is Benjamin, but he went by Ben during the show like in Season 5.
  • Shocking Elimination (In-Universe): Nobody expected his name to be called up for elimination.
Placement: 16th
Ben's Elimination Comment - "I knew it was gonna be difficult. Y'know, its an All-Star season, you've got a lot of real hungry chefs, and clearly I'm not quite as active as maybe I was, you know, ten years ago. But I gave it everything I had, so no regrets whatsoever. I'm- I think Chef Ramsay made the right decision.'
Ramsay's Elimination Comment - "Big Ben? More like big liability. He clearly wasn't going to be able to keep up, so I had to let him down."

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