We already brought you part one of our list of 15 things you probably did not know about Hell’s Kitchen, and now we’re back with part two! Check out eight more fascinating facts about the popular cooking show that you definitely (probably) did not know below. You might be surprised by what you find out!
Number Eight: Most Contestants Have Breakdowns. Though only some breakdowns end up on air, most contestants on the show experience a breakdown or extreme self-doubt at some point. Head chef Gordon Ramsay always offers contestants the option to leave the show if they feel they are psychologically unprepared for it.
Number Seven: The Contestants Don’t Get a Salary. However, they do get a stipend. Though contestants earn relevance by being on television and are given the opportunity to win a lot of money, it’s by no means a glamorous experience.
Number Six: The Only Cooking Skill Requirements Are Basic Knife Skills. It’s true! We already mentioned that the producers look for passion in contestants, but they also know that the most experienced chefs in the industry aren’t always right for the show. The contestants only need to have basic knife skills to get on the show.
Number Five: Contestants Are Evaluated by a Psychiatrist After Leaving the Show. Most likely for legal reasons, contestants that leave the show or quit must undergo a psychiatric evaluation to make sure they don’t have suicidal tendencies. They also go to a nice house to be pampered before they return home.
Number Four: The Personalities on the Show Aren’t Exaggerated. You might think that the show’s producers exaggerate the personalities of the contestants to make the show more interesting, but that’s where you’d be wrong. Most of the contestants have big personalities, and the show’s circumstances allow their personalities to really show.
Number Three: The Diners Get the Full Experience. If you’ve ever watched the show, then you’re familiar with the challenges in which the contestants cook for diners who can see into the kitchen. Well, those diners really do see – and hear – everything that goes on in the kitchen. One contestant described the process like “dinner theater.”
Number Two: The Kitchen Isn’t in a Real Restaurant. Though diners truly do get the full experience, the kitchen and dining room featured on the show are not part of a real restaurant. In fact, it’s part of a sound stage.
Number One: Diners Get Free Booze. If you ever decide you want to be a diner on an episode of Hell’s Kitchen, make sure you take advantage of the open bar! Because filming can take up to three hours and food service can be delayed, diners have access to free beer and wine throughout the evening. We hope you enjoyed our list of 15 things you didn’t know about Hell’s Kitchen!