Hell’s Kitchen Season 16 Finale Recap: A Fun End to an Okay Season

Ryan and Heather battle it out to be the head chef at “Yardbird” in the finale of “Hell’s Kitchen’s” sixteenth season.

This episode started with the sous chefs bringing the finalists breakfast and offering advice for their menus. After that, Ramsay sent the finalists to get a makeover and to see a new musical at the “Saban Theater.”

If you’ve watched this show long enough, you know that stuff like this is basically a way to get the finalists onto a stage for the final challenge. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened. At least they got to meet actor Rob Morrow.

Once again, Ramsay decided to do something different. He brought back other Season 16 chefs and whoever got the point in each round chose first. Basically, choose a chef each round to make things go faster. That’s a neat idea that should stay. As usual, each finalist had 60 minutes to cook four dishes (one hot app, one beef entrée, one chicken entrée and one fish entrée.) The guest judges were, in order of appearance, Chef/Owner of “Republique” Walter Manzke, Chef/Co-owner of “Providence” Michael Cimarusti, Chef/Co-owner of “Border Grill” Susan Feniger and CEO/Founder of “Yardbird” John Kunkel.

Heather won three out of four (Ryan only won fish.) Her team was Andrew, Kimberly, Shaina and Devin. Ryan had Heidi, Paulie, Koop and Wendy.

This first half, like almost every episode this season, went by quick. At least this episode had some entertaining moments. The second half showcased how little skill this season’s chefs had. At least the dining room had Danny Trejo and Naomi Grossman.

Heather thought it was a good idea to do two four tops at the same time. In theory, it is, but in practice, it’s a disaster. Ramsay did convince her to change plans. Paulie brought up cold meatballs. Yes, an Italian brought up cold meatballs. Later, Shaina’s sea bass was under and Kimberly overcooked two steaks. She later would overcook another. This was all due to Heather being a weak leader. Ramsay had to bring her to the back room for a chat and, sure enough, her performance improved. Wendy overcooked two salmon.

Both chefs had to force people on their brigade to switch station. Ryan forced Wendy to switch with Koop because Wendy had trouble with fish and Heather had to switch Kimberly because of her steaks.

Now we see why Ryan and Heather were in the final two. These chefs were the only competent ones.

With that, it was time for Ramsay to read the customer comment cards and make his decision. Then came the time for both chefs to go into Ramsay’s office, him giving his talk and both chefs standing in front of the doors. When all was said and done, it was Ryan’s door that opened, making her the winner.

Ryan deserved to win. She was the most consistent chef from beginning to end. As for the season, it was OK. Not that a lot of entertaining or big prizes, but the ones that were there had some value to them. Not to mention this was the worst Blue Team in this show’s history. They were an embarrassment. Until next season.