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Every season of Hell’s Kitchen introduces viewers to 12 to 20 new chefs. Each one has worked hard to get accepted into the competition and, in theory, wants to work with Gordon Ramsay. However, tensions get high and there have been a number of people who have dropped out of the competition of their own will, shocking fans. Here’s a look at every chef who has quit HK.
Jeff LaPoff – Season 1
Season 1 of Hell’s Kitchen had a number of tense moments, but none like when Jeff LaPoff left the competition. He performed poorly during dinner service and wound up butting heads with Chef Ramsay. After receiving a tongue lashing, he called Ramsay an “assh*le” under his breath. Sous Chef Mary-Ann heard him and asked him to repeat what he said and he called Ramsay the name to his face before handing over his jacket and walking out. At the end of the episode, Ramsay said, “Jeff, well, I had to laugh at the end when he called me an assh*le. I’ve been called far worse than that!”
Vanessa Gunnell – Season 4
For some contestants, Hell’s Kitchen was just too much to handle. That was the case for Vanessa Gunnell. Despite starting out strong with high praise for her signature dish, she decided to leave the competition after suffering from a burn.
“I don’t consider myself a failure. Hell’s Kitchen is an immersion in fire, and it’s too much for me,” she said regarding her choice to leave.
Ji-Hyun Cha – Season 5
Ji-Hyun Cha was one of the unfortunate few who injured themselves in Hell’s Kitchen and it wound up leading to her demise. During prep, she slipped in some oil and sprained her ankle pretty badly. Later that day during service, she powered through. It was between Colleen and Lacey for elimination. However, Ji raised her hand and volunteered to leave. She felt her injury would hold her and her team back. Speaking about Ji’s departure, Ramsay said, “Ji showed great courage. Unfortunately, her injury got in the way of her dream. She had a chance to win this, but sadly we will never, ever know.”
Joseph Tinnelly – Season 6
Joseph Tinnelly’s departure from Hell’s Kitchen was one of the most shocking in the series. After getting an attitude with Chef Ramsay during the second elimination, he wound up aggressively walking toward Ramsay as if he was going to hurt him. He yelled in the chef’s face, calling him a “b*tch.” Ramsay was shocked by his lack of respect, “What an idiot! Total, total shame!”
Andrew Forster – Season 7
Andrew Forster is one of the most talked about former contestants on Hell’s Kitchen. He had a bit of a quirky vibe about him. The chef made waves when he served Ramsay raw meat in the signature challenge. He also talked about enjoying butchering meat a lot, which made him stand out as a little odd.
When all was said and done, he got into it with Chef Ramsay during the second dinner service. Their interaction led Andrew to walk out. While Jean-Phillippe tried to talk him into sticking around, Andrew refused. In his exit interview, he claimed not to care about what Ramsay thought of him.
Gina Aloise – Season 11
Gina Aloise is best remembered for bringing her puppet, Alfredo Al Dente, to HK. She had a rough time getting into the groove of things though. In the third episode of the season, everyone was woken up by loud soldiers. Gina was struggling to wake up and get outside with her team. Before Chef Ramsay had the chance to introduce what the next challenge would be, Gina cut him off and said she’d be leaving. He was shocked, asking her if she really wanted to throw in the towel so soon. She explained she was having some personal issues. Then, she headed back to the dorms, packed her bags, and left.
Joy Parham-Thomas – Season 12
Joy Parham-Thomas made it surprisingly far in the competition to call it quits. She placed 5th in Season 12. Unfortunately, she crumbled under pressure during what would be her final dinner service. After receiving criticism from Chef Ramsay, Joy talked back and gave him an attitude. This led him to tell her not to take her bad mood out on his food. Hearing this, she snapped and said she was “done.” Joy walked out of the kitchen and up to the dorms where Sous Chef Andi tried to plead with her to return. At the end of the day, she felt like she was too beaten down to continue.
Ramsay was surprised, to say the least. Regarding her exit, he said, “Joy’s quitting was one of the most shocking things I’ve ever experienced in Hell’s Kitchen. But her lack of maturity tonight proved that she is not ready to be a head chef because leaders never quit.”
Simone Hammond – Season 12
Joy wasn’t the only person to dip out during Season 12. Simone Hammond also wound up leaving, but Ramsay didn’t seem all that heartbroken about it. Simone was portrayed as someone who was losing their mind under the pressure at Hell’s Kitchen. She was nominated for elimination at the end of the third episode. Following her plea to stay, she wound up telling Ramsay that she wanted to leave. “Wish granted,” he said.
Aaron Lhamon – Season 13
Aaron Lhamon’s departure from Hell’s Kitchen was one of the more shocking exits. Throughout Season 13, he had been put up for elimination a few times. He even made it to the top nine, but after a rocky dinner service, he was put on the chopping block. During his final plea to stay in the competition, he announced to Chef Ramsay that he actually wasn’t interested in sticking around. In fact, he said that he wanted to become a Michelin-star chef and didn’t feel that continuing in the competition would help him reach that goal.
Ramsay was shocked by what Aaron had to say and was disappointed by his decision to bow out. “I found it quite strange that Aaron didn’t even have the will to succeed. He clearly didn’t belong in Hell’s Kitchen,” he said following his departure.
Chris Mendonca – Season 18
Chris Mendonca appeared in the “Veterans vs. Rookies” season of Hell’s Kitchen. He faced some steep criticism early on and it had a profound impact on his mental health. During the sixth episode of the season, he pulled Sous Chef Christina aside to speak with her about his declining mental health. She encouraged him to take care of himself. Learning about this, Chef Ramsay pulled him aside and Chris admitted he was struggling. Ramsay urged him to seek help. He was seen packing his bags and leaving the dorms later in the episode.
Chris Motto – Season 18
Chris Mendonca wasn’t the only Chris to leave during Season 18. Chris Motto decided to exit as well. Chris Motto made it to fourth place before deciding to leave. The final four sat down to discuss who should be up for elimination. Surprisingly, Chris nominated himself. He explained that, while he appreciated the opportunity, he wanted to bring what he learned in the competition back to his home state, Louisiana. Ramsay went on to offer him a job when/if he felt he reached his goals in Baton Rouge and he was permitted to keep his jacket.
Brad Delgado – Season 22
You wouldn’t think there would be a quitter in the “American Dream” season of the cooking competition, but Brad Delgado left due to health concerns. During the blue team’s reward, he got knocked around a bit and it irritated a previous injury. He revealed to his teammates that he had surgery prior to competing in the reality show. After a grueling dinner service, Brad told Chef Ramsay that he was in excruciating pain. Hearing this, Ramsay excused him from the competition. In his exit interview, Brad acknowledged that mentally he could have kept going, but his body gave up on him.
Uri Elbaum – Season 23
In the latest season of Hell’s Kitchen, viewers saw Uri Elbaum choose to exit the competition. Like some of the others on the list, Uri was injured and was not able to continue. He was having some severe back pain and before dinner service, he told Chef Ramsay he didn’t think he could continue. Uri said that being in Hell’s Kitchen was an “honor” that he’d never forget.
Hell’s Kitchen airs on Fox on Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST.
