Hells Kitchen Season 9 Where are They Now? Who Won Season 9 of Hells Kitchen?
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Updated Jul 01, 2024
Hells Kitchen Season 9
Hell's Kitchen Season 9 aired from July to September 2011 on Fox. Gordon Ramsay returned as head chef, with Scott Leibfried, Andi van Willigan, and James Lukanik in supporting roles. The season was filmed over six weeks from April to May 2011, returning to a one-season-per-year schedule. It marked a return to filming two seasons consecutively, with Season 10 starting production the following June. Elise Wims tied the record for most nominations in a season, alongside Autumn Lewis and Sabrina Brimhall, with seven nominations each.
Hells Kitchen Season 9 Where are They Now?
Hells Kitchen Season 9 contestants have pursued diverse paths in the culinary world and beyond since their time on Hell's Kitchen Season 9. Here's an update on the contestants from Hell's Kitchen Season 9:
Amanda Colello
Amanda Colello, a Personal Chef from Sun City, California, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 3. She now works as a Private Chef and consultant, previously heading Fiore Steak and Seafood, and has appeared in events like Reality Rally and on Chopped in November 2019.
Brendan Heavey
Brendan Heavey, a Head Chef from Hoboken, New Jersey, was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen Season 9 episode 2 due to poor performance and ego issues. He later became head chef at Irish Exit, then went back to college and earned a Masters of Business Administration.
Carrie Keep
Carrie Keep, a Pantry Chef from Dallas, Texas, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 10 due to her limited experience, though Gordon Ramsay praised her ambition. She later transitioned to become a Pilates instructor after taking a break from the kitchen.
Chino Chang
Chino Chang, an Executive Chef from Hatboro, Pennsylvania, was eliminated in Hell's Kitchen Season 9 episode 4 due to consistently poor performance. After the show, he worked at Redstone American Grill.
Elise Wims
Elise Wims, a Line Cook from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 15. She was praised for her resilience and kept her jacket. After the show, Elise launched The Diva Chef for catering, consultancy, and food demonstrations, along with a fitness prepackaged food company.
Elizabeth Bianchi
Elizabeth Bianchi, a Line Cook from New York City, exited Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 12 because Gordon Ramsay felt she wasn't prepared to lead a kitchen. Since then, she has resumed her career in the kitchen and now serves as a Chef at the Union League Club, making regular appearances on cookery segments for Good Morning New York.
Gina Melcher
Gina Melcher, a Restaurant Consultant from Cape May, New Jersey, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 5 because of declining performance and communication issues. She resumed her role as a restaurant consultant and now works as a chef at Morimoto Maui.
Jamie Gregorich
Jamie Gregorich, a Sous Chef from Bradenton, Florida, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 9 for not showing enough determination to win. After the show, she went back to her former job as a culinary instructor at Manatee Technical College.
Jason Zepaltas
Jason Zepaltas, a Line Cook from Chicago, Illinois, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 1 due to health issues that required hospitalization. After recovering, he resumed working in kitchens at places like Real Kitchen and later returned for another season of Hell's Kitchen.
Jennifer Normant
Jennifer Normant, a Chef de Cuisine from Boston, Massachusetts, exited Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 14 due to declining performance, despite praise from Gordon Ramsay for her determination. Since then, she has served as Executive Chef at Beacon Grille and Kings, and currently holds the position of Executive Chef at Sea Level Oyster Bar.
Jonathon Plumley
Jonathon Plumley, a Head Cook from Memphis, Tennessee, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 8 because of communication issues and performance struggles, and he often avoided taking responsibility. After the show, he worked as a traveling Culinary Consultant until his passing in February 2022 at the age of 45.
Krupa Patel
Krupa Patel, a Private Cook from Queens, New York, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 7 due to declining performance, despite praise for her determination. Since then, she has resumed her career as a Private Chef and now owns Chef Kru Catering.
Monterray Keys
Monterray Keys, a Line Cook from Darby, Pennsylvania, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 6 because of inconsistent performance, though his effort was praised. Since then, he has become a Private Chef and now owns Keys To Catering.
Natalie Blake
Natalie Blake, a Sous Chef from Harrodsburg, Kentucky, exited Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 11 due to declining performance, despite praise for her energy. Since then, she has served as Executive Chef at Adega restaurant after roles at Aramark Refreshment Services and The Jax, which has closed.
Paul Niedermann
Paul Niedermann, a Sous Chef from Davie, Florida, won Hell's Kitchen Season 9 due to his passion and dedication, dedicating the win to his late mother. After the show, he worked at BLT Steak before becoming Executive Chef at Hudson at Waterway East and later at Racks Restaurant Management Group. Currently, he serves as Corporate Executive Chef at SALT7.
Steven Paluba
Steven Paluba, a Chef from Ridge, New York, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 1 due to the poorest performance during service. Since then, he has opened his own restaurant, Tauk at Trails End, which has received excellent reviews, and he operates the Wave Crave food truck.
Tommy Stevens
Tommy Stevens, a Line Cook from Brewster, New York, left Hell's Kitchen Season 9 in episode 15 with praise from Gordon Ramsay for his kitchen passion and energy. Since then, he has worked at Ancient Mariner, appeared on Cutthroat Kitchen, and now owns and serves as Executive Chef at Iron & Wine Restaurant.
Will Lustberg
Will Lustberg, a Sous Chef from Jersey City, New Jersey, was the runner-up in Hell's Kitchen Season 9, graciously accepting defeat to Paul. After the show, he worked at The Waldorf Astoria and The Princeton Club of New York, and now serves as Executive Sous Chef at Highgate Hotels after being a Culinary Specialist at Hudson Table.
Who Won Season 9 of Hells Kitchen?
Paul Niedermann won Season 9 of Hell's Kitchen and earned a head chef job at BLT Steak in New York City with a $250,000 salary. Before the final dinner service, he advised finalists Ariel and Kristin at a hotel in Los Angeles. They had makeovers and a surprise meeting with Gordon Ramsay. Paul got married in March 2021.
Hells Kitchen Season 9 Overview
Specifications | Details |
---|---|
Show Name | Hell's Kitchen |
Season | 9 |
Hosted by | Gordon Ramsay |
No. of contestants | 18 |
Winner | Paul Niedermann |
Runner-up | William "Will" Lustberg |
No. of episodes | 16 |
Original network | Fox |
Original release | July 18 – September 19, 2011 |
Where to Watch Hells Kitchen Season 9?
You can watch Hell's Kitchen Season 9 online on Peacock. It's available for streaming on this platform. Peacock allows viewers to watch the entire season at their convenience.