20 The Living Quarters Are Ridiculously Small
On most reality TV shows, the living quarters for the cast are lavish apartments or even full-scale houses. HK is more like an army barracks. What can be seen on the show is just a taste of how small they indeed are.
At the start, up to five people can share a room, which makes it quite awkward meeting strangers. Throw in the constant cameras, and stressful situations, and the show feels more like a military stint.
19 There's Secret "Ninja Staff" Ready As Backup
More than once on the show, Ramsay finally loses it over the chefs' incompetence and shuts the Kitchen down. So what happens to all that food? Do the diners just go home hungry? As former contestant Kevin Cottle revealed to Mashed, there's a "secret ninja" staff ready as a backup.
They take what food is left to make something for waiting diners and then clean up afterward. Just because the chefs go home early doesn't mean the patrons do.
18 The Contestants Truly Have No Idea What's Coming
It's true that many "reality" shows are scripted, and contestants are told what's to come. HK isn't like that as Ramsay and the producers relish in keeping the chefs on their toes. A famous case is when contestants went to the BLT Steakhouse expecting to be guests only to learn they'd have to cook in evening-wear.
Ariel Malone added how producers would unexpectedly move up wake-up times and other tricks. So it's safe to assume that any surprises we see on the show are legitimate.
17 The Diners Get Free Booze While They Wait
While the focus is on the chefs, the diners in actual "restaurants" have their own challenges. Filming can take hours on end so they have to wait. According to TV Guide, it's not uncommon for some diners to never get past the appetizer depending on how well the chefs work.
On the plus side, the patrons are provided free drinks to pass the time while waiting for Ramsay to finish screaming at the contestants.
16 The Best Way To Get Some Privacy Is By ... Singing?
The contestants have to learn to handle cameras being on them 24/7 and impossible to get any alone time. Yet, according to Mashed, several contestants have found a way to keep the cameras off them: Sing a famous song.
Music rights are expensive and Fox can't just shell out more cash for a Taylor Swift tune popping up. No matter the voice, belting out a song is the best way to get the camera off you.
15 They Want Real Cooks, Not Posers
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ramsay summed up how he despises supposed "chefs" whose experience is limited to "they think they can cook because they hosted a dinner party." He also hates those who lie about how much cooking skill they have before making meals.
It's why the interview process is intense as the producers want folks with real cooking skills and knowledge, not just looking to get on TV. Ramsay has made it clear that only the truly serious chefs are right for his Kitchen.
14 Bodyguards Are Everywhere
A man like Gordon Ramsay isn't just your average TV host. He's a chef who also appears on food-based TV shows, has 18 open restaurants, 16 Michelin stars, and has made over $60-million in 2015. The man took his passion for cursing and cooking and rolled with it, becoming one of the most popular chefs in the world.
So when I hear something like Gordon having a slew of bodyguards around him, I'm not surprised. He's a wanted man.
As many viewers of the show know, Gordon pushes these contestants' buttons, and at times, they get sick of being yelled at and can get a little physical. This is where the bodyguards come in, not just to protect Ramsay, but because Fox isn't down to see blood on screen.
13 Contestants Are Paid To Be On The Show
I don't know if many people know this, but there are a ton of reality TV shows where contestant's aren't paid for being on the show. Sometimes the only person that sees the money is whoever wins the competition. They essentially quit their jobs and all their experience for one opportunity that they think they can win. (Those competing on The Bachelor do not get paid — nor are they stipend for all those damn gowns they have to buy.)
On the contrary, according to The Richest, contestants on Hell's Kitchen are paid for leaving their life's work while being on the show. They're paid a modest salary throughout the show, which is kind of touching since so many shows are cheap in that way. When you think about all the single parents who show up on Hell's Kitchen, it's nice knowing they're not completely left dry from this experience.
12 The Interview Process To Be On The Show Is LONG
When I think if interviewing to be on a reality TV show, I think of recording myself, telling the camera my life story and why I want to be on the show. I would probably expect an arranged meeting and then that would be it. However, according to Sous Chef Ariel Malone—who appeared on the show in 2016—the application process is quite long.
"During the on-camera interview, the questions were more situational, like, 'if you're in the kitchen and somebody burns you, how do you respond?' They want a sense of your personality—or if you're a dead fish with no personality at all."
Malone went on to add that entire process took 2-3 months of interviews until production figured she was right for the show. This, of course, means that the same time was spent on other contestants as well.
11 Ramsay Isn't As Cruel As He Appears
When we're watching Gordon on one of his TV shows (Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, and Hotel Hell), it's easy to see the man is passionate about food. Not only food, but the entire food industry. He loves what he does and respects what he does. His passion, however, comes with a heated hot-head and a whole lot of curse words. If you're messing up — gordon isn't going to sugarcoat things, he's gonna give it to ya straight. But is he really always a bad guy?
Former contestant Ariel Malone begs to differ. "Honestly, he's a really nice guy. I like the mentorship he gives. It's a no bull[expletive], 'I expect the best from you' style, and he's actually really genuine and nurturing." WHO would have thought!?
