Gordon Ramsay Names the Final Five Chefs in HELL’S KITCHEN

Chef Gordon Ramsay cranks up the heat in HELL’S KITCHEN as the competition is narrowed down to the final five contestants: Jillian Flathers from Pagosa Springs, CO; Russell Kook II from Chicago, IL; Trev McGrath from Chicago, IL; Gail Novenario from Wantagh, NY; and Nona Sivley from Loganville, GA. With only a few challenges remaining, pressure mounts and tempers flare as each chef strives for perfection in hopes of surviving elimination.

On Wednesday, Nov. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the Top 5 chefs bring the heat of HELL’S KITCHEN to the streets of downtown Los Angeles where Chef Ramsay challenges the contestants to prepare and serve their signature dishes from food trucks for the business lunch crowd. The chef with the most popular dish earns a Beverly Hills makeover by celebrity hairstylist José Eber and fashion guru Steven Cojocaru, while the rest of the contestants are left behind to scrub down their food trucks and prepare HELL’S KITCHEN for dinner service.

In order to earn a coveted spot in the next round of competition, each chef must prove that they have the palate, poise and passion worthy of the grand prize of a head chef position at LA Market at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE and the opportunity to be the official spokesperson for Rosemount Estate Wines.

The Top 5 finalists reveal their favorite HELL’S KITCHEN moments and team challenges in the competition:

Name: Jillian Flathers

Age: 28

Occupation: Sous Chef

Currently Resides: Pagosa Springs, CO

Hometown: Pagosa Springs, CO

Favorite Moment in HELL’S KITCHEN: “My favorite moment was after a busy dinner service Chef Ramsay called me and Sabrina out and said that we did a great job. I was so happy because I sort of felt like the rest of the team looked at us as the underdogs, and to get Chef’s approval in front of everyone made me super-excited.”

Favorite Challenge So Far: “My favorite

challenge thus far in HELL’S KITCHEN has to be the sushi challenge. I had never touched sushi in my life, and yet could roll better sushi rolls than anyone on my team.”


Name: Russell Kook II

Age: 29

Occupation: Sous Chef

Currently Resides: Chicago, IL

Hometown: Madison, WI

Favorite Moment in HELL’S KITCHEN: “My favorite moment was the prom dinner service because it was when I first came out of my shell. Chef Ramsay said I was the only chef with a voice; it was such a great moment of validation of my abilities as a chef and a leader.”

Favorite Challenge So Far: “My favorite competition so far has been the ‘shop for four proteins’ challenge. It was such a great experience because it allowed me to be creative and cost-effective at the same time. I knew I could make chicken better than anyone on the Red Team, and when I won, it gave me great satisfaction.”


Name: Trev McGrath

Age: 30

Occupation: Line Cook / Bartender

Currently Resides: Chicago, IL

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Favorite Moment in HELL’S KITCHEN: “My favorite moment by far was when I was the last man standing in the kitchen. Everyone on my team had just gotten sent upstairs, and I was sure I was next to go, but sous chef Scott and I hit it hard and finished service by ourselves!”

Favorite Challenge So Far: “My favorite so far has definitely been the salad challenge. I was complimented by Sarah Tenaglia (Bon Appétit magazine) for the combinations of flavors she was sure wouldn’t work. Strawberries and pork? According to Chef Ramsay, it was a bold move – and one that worked!”


Name: Gail Novenario

Age: 28

Occupation: Executive Chef

Currently Resides: Wantagh, NY

Hometown: Wantagh, NY

Favorite Moment in HELL’S KITCHEN: “My favorite HELL’S KITCHEN moment so far in the competition was winning the EMT breakfast challenge. The Red Team hadn’t won a challenge, and we finally pulled together to complete it, and we had to go over to the Blue Team to help them finish their challenge. That was a great feeling.”

Favorite Challenge So Far: “My favorite challenge was when we went to a specialty food store to create a dinner entrée on a budget. We were able to use our creativity by creating our own dish, as well as trying to present something that looked expensive for pennies on the plate.”


Name: Nona Sivley

Age: 29

Occupation: Sous Chef

Currently Resides: Loganville, GA

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Favorite Moment in HELL’S KITCHEN: “My favorite moment was probably also the scariest. It was when Chef Ramsay called me back in the kitchen after lineup. He told me I was the ‘jewel in the crown,’ and it was a turning point for me. I really felt that he believed in me and wanted me to do well.”

Favorite Challenge So Far: “My favorite challenge was the blind taste test. It was the breakthrough moment for me. I won it for my team, and it was such a great feeling!”


HELL’S KITCHEN is produced by ITV Studios America in association with A. Smith & Co. Productions. Arthur Smith and Kent Weed serve as executive producers.

LA Market, created by celebrity chef Kerry Simon, features New American cuisine sourced from organic, sustainable and local sources and is located on the lobby level of the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE. Find out more at www.lalivemarriott.com.

Rosemount’s unwavering commitment to quality has led to the creation of an outstanding range of award-winning wines renowned for their rich and balanced, food-friendly style. Distinctive and complex, Rosemount wines have been lauded around the world by wine lovers, critics and judges alike. Rosemount’s mission is to match soil and climate conditions to create fruit-forward wines that express defining characteristics of Australia’s premier wine growing regions. With a superb range of wines and a celebrated history of international success, it’s little wonder that Rosemount Estate is the “Prestige Wine of Australia.”

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