The ninth season of HELL’S KITCHEN came to an extraordinary close tonight as Gordon Ramsay announced Paul Niedermann the winner during the two-hour season finale on FOX. Niedermann, 26, a junior sous chef from Davie, FL, walked away with a “head chef” position at the legendary BLT Steak in New York City.

Niedermann competed against thousands of hopefuls and was awarded an esteemed spot among the Top 18 finalists. In the end, he went head-to-head with Will Lustberg, a sous chef from Jersey City, NJ. For the final challenge, both contestants created their own menus, and led teams of their past competitors through a heated, intense and, of course, tasty dinner service. But it was Niedermann’s crack team of chefs that helped propel him to victory with an original, creative and delicious menu, which included the following items:

Appetizers:

· Truffle risotto with warm asparagus salad
· Pan-roasted scallop with sweet corn emulsion, crispy leeks and smoked paprika oil
· Poached garlic shrimp with jalapeño lemon and garlic crouton
· Heirloom tomato carpaccio with baby gem Caesar salad, shaved romano and tangerine

Entrees:

· Roasted N.Y. steak with saffron and celery root purée, brussels sprouts and chianti jus
· Grilled swordfish with yellow pepper romanesco, rapini and blue crab-stuffed tomato
· Grilled lamb chops with eggplant caponata, roasted fingerling potatoes and lamb jus
· Filet branzino with preserved lemon, moussoline, pea tendrils, English peas and

tomato compote

Desserts:

· Banana polenta cake with mascarpone, Chantilly cream, pistachios and brûléed bananas
· Strawberry basil Napoleon with orange crème fraiche panna cotta and micro basil
· Maraschino cherry tart

“There are no words to describe how I am feeling right now,” said Niedermann. “I want to thank everyone who supported me and helped me get to where I am today, with an extra thanks to my team, because, without them, I would never have won. So thank you Elise, Carrie, Elizabeth and Jonathon.”

HELL’S KITCHEN Season Nine finished this summer as one of the Top 3 entertainment programs among Adults 18-49, Men 18-49 and Men 18-34.

HELL’S KITCHEN is produced by ITV Studios America in association with A. Smith & Co. Productions. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Gordon Ramsay serve as executive producers. Become a fan of HELL’S KITCHEN on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hellskitchen and follow the series on Twitter at @hellskitchenonfox, and follow Ramsay at @GordonRamsay01.

Owned by Jimmy Haber and Keith Treyball, BLT Steak is overseen by BLT Restaurant Group, a division of parent company ESquared Hospitality. Renowned for its high-quality food and service, BLT Steak first introduced diners to the Modern American steakhouse in 2004 with the flagship BLT Steak in New York City. Since then, 10 additional BLT Steak restaurants have opened in Washington, D.C. (2006); San Juan, PR (2006); White Plains, NY (2007); Los Angeles (2008); Scottsdale, AZ (2008); Atlanta (2009); Miami (2009); Hong Kong (2009); Charlotte, NC (2009); and Waikiki (2009). For more information about BLT Steak, please visit www.e2hospitality.com orwww.esquaredhospitality.com.

THE LAST FOUR CHEFS FACE OFF AND THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION IS REVEALED ON THE TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE OF “HELL’S KITCHEN”

“4 Chefs Compete/Winner Chosen” – The competition intensifies with only four chefs remaining, and each contestant must prove their skill, passion and determination to make it to compete in the final round of competition. Chef Ramsay puts the remaining four chefs to the test but only two chefs will withstand a dramatic dinner service and compete for the grand prize in HELL’S KITCHEN’s final showdown. Later, with the grand prize within reach, the final two chefs take center stage in a heated battle to prove to Chef Ramsay that they deserve the life changing grand prize, a culinary position as Chef de Cuisine at BLT in New York City. After weathering tough challenges and Chef Ramsay’s searing critiques all season long, one door will open a world of opportunity for the winner. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Cast: Chef Gordon Ramsay

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THE REMAINING CHEFS FEEL THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITION

“5 Chefs Compete Again” – With five chefs remaining, the competition intensifies as each chef must prove to Chef Ramsay that they have the sharpest skills, unwavering determination and utmost passion to survive HELL’S KITCHEN. After another intense challenge and grueling dinner service, the chefs face one of the most intense eliminations to date. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Cast: Chef Gordon Ramsay

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THE REMAINING CHEFS FEEL THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITION ON AN ALL-NEW “HELL’S KITCHEN”

“6 Chefs Compete” – With just six chefs remaining, Chef Ramsay pits the red team against the blue team in another intense challenge. The winning team celebrates in high style while the losing team is left behind to fulfill drab duties. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Cast: Chef Gordon Ramsay

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THE REMAINING 9 CHEFS FEEL THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITION ON AN ALL-NEW “HELL’S KITCHEN”

“9 Chefs Compete” – With just nine chefs remaining, Chef Ramsay pits the red team against the blue team in another intense challenge. The winning team celebrates in high style while the losing team is left behind to fulfill drab duties. Tune in to see which contestants are on the chopping block. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Cast: Chef Gordon Ramsay

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THE REMAINING CHEFS FEEL THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITION ON AN ALL-NEW “HELL’S KITCHEN” TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, ON FOX

With just 10 chefs remaining, Chef Ramsay pits the red team against the blue team in another intense challenge. The winning team celebrates in high style while the losing team is left behind to fulfill drab duties. Tune in to see which contestants are on the chopping block in the all-new “10 Chefs Compete” episode of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Tuesday, Aug. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (HK-908) (TV-14 D, L)

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THE REMAINING CHEFS FEEL THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITION ON AN ALL-NEW “HELL’S KITCHEN” MONDAY, AUGUST 8, ON FOX

With just 11 chefs remaining, Chef Ramsay pits the red team against the blue team in another intense challenge. The winning team celebrates in high style while the losing team is left behind to fulfill drab duties. Tune in to see which contestants are on the chopping block in the all-new “11 Chefs Compete” episode of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Monday, Aug. 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (HK-907) (TV-14 D, L)

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THE REMAINING CHEFS FEEL THE HEAT OF THE COMPETITION ON AN ALL-NEW “HELL’S KITCHEN” TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, ON FOX

With just 12 chefs remaining, Chef Ramsay pits the red team against the blue team in another intense challenge. The winning team celebrates in high style while the losing team is left behind to fulfill drab duties. Tune in to see which contestants are on the chopping block in the all-new “12 Chefs Compete” episode of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Tuesday, Aug. 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (HK-906) (TV-14 D, L)

Source: FOX Press Release