Season 17 - Episode Guide

It's an all-new season and for the first time ever in HELL'S KITCHEN history, Chef Ramsay invites 16 All-Stars back to the kitchen for a second chance to prove they have what it takes. Old rivalries are renewed and new alliances are formed, but in the end, only one of these all-stars will claim the grand prize – a head chef position at the brand-new Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen Restaurant at Caesars Palace Las Vegas and $250,000. During the premiere episode, Chef Ramsay surprises the 16 former Black Jacket chefs with a twist on the infamous Signature Dish Challenge. The winning team will enjoy the ride of their lives at Skyslide in downtown Los Angeles, followed by a dinner with Chef Ramsay and special guest Wolfgang Puck at his restaurant, WP24. Meanwhile, the losing team will stay behind to clean up and prep both kitchens for the upcoming dinner service. The next day, Ramsay gathers the chefs in the newly redesigned dining room for a huge announcement that will leave them stunned. Find out which all-star makes the biggest first impression.

The 16 chefs are given 40 minutes to execute their first individual challenge – the Bar Menu Challenge. Then, the chefs prep for the season's first dinner service, as they adapt to an all-new menu. For the first time ever, the restaurant will host Chef Tables on opening night with special VIP guests – singer Jordin Sparks, actor Joe Montegna, actor French Stewart, R&B singer Keith Sweat and singer Kirstin Maldonado from Pentatonix. One team struggles to bounce back after a rocky start, while the other team hits its stride and finishes strong. And after a disappointing dinner service, Chef Ramsay makes a shocking decision during elimination.

Chef Ramsay challenges the remaining chefs to complete a four-tiered shellfish tower with "fast hands." Each team is divided into four teams of two, with each pair completing one tier at a time. The first team to finish all four tiers wins and is rewarded with a glamorous day in Malibu. Meanwhile, the losing team must prep for a massive fish delivery. Then, the dinner service begins with a rocky start, as Chef Ramsay sends multiple entrees back to the kitchen and temporarily kicks out one of the All-Stars. In the end, one team manages to improve its performance, while the other fails to impress. During an intense elimination, another contestant is sent home for showing a lack of commitment.

The remaining chefs must face off in a "game of chance" to divvy up their ingredients and create their own unique dishes. During this challenge, each chef has 45 minutes to create a dish, combining a protein of their choice with all the ingredients selected from the game of chance. After Chef Ramsay judges each dish, the winners are chosen and rewarded with a private jet whisking them away for an exclusive stay at the Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, CA. During dinner service, the contestants are determined to impress Chef Ramsay and the VIP Guests: Mixed martial artist Paige VanZant and actress/model Shannon Tweed. After mistakes are made in the kitchen, Chef Ramsay decides to shake things up.

After a shocking change, many are left unhappy and the tension in the dorms is at an all-time high. The next day, the chefs are challenged to work in pairs and cook different types of fish on cedar and hickory wood planks. Special guest judge Chef Ben Ford helps Chef Ramsay decide which team delivered the best and most consistent dishes. Later that evening during dinner service, the chefs aim to impress special guest diner actor Shaun Brown. Chef Ramsay has had enough with one contestant and makes a drastic decision.

The remaining chefs meet at DeSano Pizzeria and learn about their next challenge, for which they will be given 30 minutes to create a pizza inspired by their assigned country. Marino, the owner of the pizzeria and HELL'S KITCHEN'S Maître D', joins Chef Ramsay and special guest judge Steve Samson (Head Chef at Sotto in Los Angeles), to determine the winning team. Later during dinner service, actress Melissa Fumero and Victoria's Secret model Devon Windsor join as special guests, and while both teams struggle, one just can't keep up.

Chef Ramsay decides to give the 12 remaining contestants a tutorial on how to best prepare six of the most popular HELL'S KITCHEN dishes. Following the lesson, Ramsay informs them of their next challenge - each team will have 25 minutes to recreate all six dishes. But what the contestants don't know is that every three minutes, each team will have to select one chef to kick out of the kitchen, thus leaving more work for the remaining chefs and intensifying the "Last Man Standing" challenge. Later, the contestants receive a big surprise when they find out that in lieu of a Dinner Service, they will compete in this week's "Fight For Your Life" Challenge -- during which the three weakest chefs from each team will be tasked to recreate Gordon's signature dish, Tagliatelle with Oysters. The chef with the worst dish will be immediately eliminated.

This week's challenge takes place in the HELL'S KITCHEN "Jungle," where the contestants must create a dish using exotic meats – Boar, Venison and Elk – that were eaten by early humans. Each team will use a spear to hunt for five ingredients to prepare as sides for their dish. Gordon invites special guests Chef Jon Shook and Chef Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun, and Trois Mec restaurants) to help judge the challenge. Later, during the dinner service, Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik is a guest at the chef's table, causing a change in momentum for one team.

Special guest judge and fish-cooking expert Chef Michael Cimarusti joins Chef Ramsay, as the remaining contestants compete in a special challenge involving creatures of the sea. Then, during dinner service, the chefs aim to impress a host of VIP guests, including actor Aleks Paunovic, rapper E-40, professional dancer Cheryl Burke and actor Dan Bucatinsky. With two chefs fighting bitterly for authority and another struggling to communicate, Chef Ramsay is less than pleased. Find out who doesn't make the cut.

The remaining all-stars head to the dining room to be greeted by Gordon and a camel, before diving into the infamous Blind Taste Test Challenge – during which they must decipher spices with the risk of being blasted by mashed potatoes and gravy. Later, during a special dinner service, the restaurant hosts a private charity event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Shane's Inspiration. Each team must prepare a five-course meal for the guests, including actress Mindy Sterling ("Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery") and actor David Koechner ("The Office," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"). Find out who gets cut after Chef Ramsay calls this the worst charity dinner service ever.

This week, the All-Stars get a late night call from Chef Gordon Ramsay with instructions on their next challenge. They're given $20 to purchase ingredients and create three restaurant-quality pasta dishes, to demonstrate their ability to maximize a profit off the ingredients purchased. Gordon invites special guest judges, Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson (James Beard Award Winner) and Bruce Kalman (Chef/Owner of Union Restaurant). Find out whose head will be on the chopping block.

Chef Ramsay reveals to the remaining All-Stars that they will be competing for the coveted black jacket by facing a series of three difficult challenges: "Taste It, Now Make It," in which contestants must use their senses to recreate a dish; "Five Domes," in which contestants have 30 minutes to create a cohesive restaurant quality dish using mystery ingredients hidden under domes; and "Free For All," in which the All-Stars must make a dish of their choice using ingredients picked out by Ramsay.

The remaining All-Stars must instruct athletes Candice Park (WNBA), Jordan Wieber (2012 Olympic Gold Medalist), Ricky Williams (Heisman Trophy Winner, Univ. Of Texas), Shawne Merriman (NFL football linebacker) and Reggie Miller (NBA Hall of Famer) to cook their signature dishes – using only verbal instructions. Later, for the first time ever, the all-star contestants will be cooking in one kitchen during dinner service, with special guests rapper and musician Wyclef Jean and actor Mathew Moy ("2 Broke Girls"). Find out who makes it to the final four.

When the families come to visit, the four remaining All-Stars are feeling extra-motivated to succeed. For this week's challenge, the chefs must choose a gift, each of which contains a secret ingredient on which they must base their dish. They will then anonymously serve their dishes to each family, and whoever gets the most votes, wins a day in Malibu with Chef Ramsay and his/her family. Then, actresses Gabrielle Dennis ("The Game") and Anna Konkle (NEW GIRL) join dinner service, during which each contestant will have the opportunity to run the kitchen, but will be tested, as certain dishes will have the wrong ingredient. Find out who makes it to the final three.

Chef Ramsay informs the remaining three All-Stars that all of them will compete in the finale. As a reward, Ramsay invites the contestants to a pampered retreat at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. However, what the contestants think is a relaxing vacation is soon turned upside-down when Ramsay reveals this will be their last challenge before the finale. The three finalists must cook and perfect their menus and only two will advance. Then, the final two All-Stars pick from the season's past contestants to join them on their team for the final dinner service. With a head chef position at the first ever Hell's Kitchen flagship restaurant at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, and a salary of a quarter of a million dollars on the line it all comes down to this. Find out who is named the winner.

In the season finale, the final two All-Stars pick from the season's past contestants to join them on their team for the final dinner service. And a winner is chosen.