Enredo

Twelve aspiring restaurateurs compete before chef Gordon Ramsay as he works to open a world-class restaurant in Los Angeles and discover the country's next culinary star.

The twelve aspiring chefs arrive at Hell's Kitchen, where they are introduced to Maître D' Jean-Philippe and Gordon Ramsay's Sous Chefs Mary Ann and Scott. They are immediately tasked with with their first challenge.

Signature Dishes: The 12 chefs had 45 minutes to cook Ramsay their signature dish. Carolann's chicken parmesan received praise, while Elsie's turkey tacos were deemed "not bad", but the remaining dishes were poorly received. Ramsay called Andrew's "Absolute Penne" "absolute dogshit", found Mary Ellen's endive dish boring, Wendy's fried rice unimpressive, Jimmy's stuffed chicken overcooked outside and raw inside, and hated Ralph's tuna. Dewberry's baked spaghetti was overcooked, Chris' salmon was raw, Jeff's steak was overcooked despite having good sauce, Jessica's shelled crabs were too hot, and Ramsay found Michael's scallops "disgusting

After the challenge, the chefs were divided into two teams; the blue team (Andrew, Jessica, Mary Ellen, Michael, Ralph, and Wendy) and the red team (Carolann, Chris, Dewberry, Elsie, Jeff, and Jimmy). The chefs then prepared for their first dinner service.

Service: Ramsay assigned Jeff and Ralph as waiters and would work with Jean-Philippe in the dining room. In the red kitchen, despite Elsie being strong on appetizers after initially overcooking risotto, Chris overcooked salmon, Jimmy served poor lamb and burnt his hand, Carolann stood at the dessert station instead of helping, Jeff struggled as a waiter, and Dewberry was slow. In the blue team, although Ralph received positive feedback as a waiter, Ramsay scolded Andrew for asking questions instead of serving his dessert, Wendy ran out of potatoes, and Michael nearly ran out of lobster for the spaghetti. Ramsay shut both kitchens down after customers began walking out. Ramsay named the red team losers, but made it clear to the blue team that they did not win, but were simply safe. Elsie was named best of the worst for the red team and told to nominate two chefs for elimination.

Elimination: Elsie nominated Carolann and Dewberry. Ramsay told Jimmy and Jeff they had dodged a bullet, then eliminated Carolann for her lack of teamwork during service and lack of experience.

Carolann's exit comment: "I am very angry because when you're presented with an opportunity to do something great, and then you see that disappear, it's . . . very disappointing."

Ramsay's comment: "Some can handle it, some can't. I'm not interested in the ones that can't."