****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Usually I would write a novel on the show but I will try to get my point across without giving anything away. This season has several noticeable differences. I would not say they are earth shattering, but they are enough to make it even more fun. Instead of 20 chefs they are starting with 18 and as I am sure you guessed it, woman against the men in the signature dish competition. The opener is different, personalities are certainly colorful but they did cut down on the "over the top drama". The ages I noticed are a bit younger as a whole then as of late. Which is good. It makes it harder to identify the final six before episode five hits. Many in the 20's, a few in the 30's, and one man named Sterling who I think is funny, he is 40 years old. So right there, you know at some point without even watching it weekly, that he will not make it. Nobody has ever made it being 40 years of age or older. Chef Lou Petrozza from season 4, runner up was the closest person to win the coveted title of Hell's Kitchen winner who was about 40 years of age at the time. I will also say this season, there are maybe two or three chefs that look really good but nobody that really stands out that would make you think you have the winner picked from the start. So I enjoyed the beginning, the decor, the way they did the opening was different and fun. They made some renovations to the restaurant and it looks great. They also changed the menu around and the food looks amazing. One treat they gave, at least for me was a star guest Scott Grimes who played Archie from the 15 year Drama Tv show "ER".The winner gets the title of head chef at Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill at Caesar's in Atlantic City New Jersey. There are some twists and turns in this two hour event, but I don't want to tell you. I want you to experience it all for the first time as I did. Wolf Gang Puck makes an appearance and he is always a fun guest to have. The punishments are new, and in once scene look for one of Gordon's Sous chef's, and what he or she is holding in their hand during one of the punishments. That is all I will say on that. I thought is was just hysterical. One disappointment was JP was not there for the opener. I am hoping they bring him back at some point. For me, the team of Ramsay and JP just works well together and just makes the show that much better. Overall if you are a fan you will love it. You just cant. I did notice although Gordon is still cursing up a storm, and giving out new nicknames, the F' bombs were not being thrown around like Gordon's Meat dishes into a wall. But I am sure they will get them going as well. It is still the same format, same fun, and yes, the same Gordon Ramsay we all have loved to watch now for it's 13th season. I can not believe that many seasons have gone by. I hope they go to 20 seasons before they even think about retiring the show. I am surely addicted to this show as I know so many others are. No show is on this long without great numbers and an audience that just gets it and has a great sense of humor. I loved the opener and I enjoyed the changes they made. Give it a chance if you are a fan, or new to the show. You just cant go wrong. You just cant take your eyes off the Tv. I wish I could have given you more specifics. But If I had, it would have ruined it for you. So enjoy the show and then when your hooked, enjoy the season!
