‘Hell’s Kitchen 23’ Episode 12 recap: Emotions run high as one chef gets cut in ‘Black Jacket Time’

It’s “Black Jacket Time” on Hell’s Kitchen! The pressure is on when Gordon Ramsay announces this week will determine which chefs receive one of the coveted black jackets. The contestants compete in a series of challenges where they must use their creativity and pull out all the stops to stand out from the pack. With so much on the line, emotions are running at an all-time high in the all-new “Black Jacket Time” episode of Hell’s Kitchen: Head Chefs Only airing Thursday, Jan. 9 (8:00 PM – 9:01 PM) on FOX.

Here’s how the teams stacked up:

Blue Team: Brandon, Egypt, Kyle

Red Team: Amanda, Hannah, Whit

The Challenge

Gordon tells the chefs that they’ll be competing for coveted black jackets today. Six contestants remain in the competition, but only five will continue on to become Gordon’s next head chef. They’ll face three challenges in which at least one chef will advance safely back to the Black Jacket Lounge. By the end of the contest, one will sadly be eliminated.

Round 1: Veal chop, celery root, mushrooms, bourbon, pancetta, kale, and dried figs

Each chef has 45 minutes and the same seven ingredients to cook a veal dish. Gordon calls Egypt’s “visually beautiful” with “rustic charm.” His only critique is that the mushrooms are 30 seconds undercooked. Whit’s up next — and Gordon is impressed with her “hearty, punchy” soul food take on the dish. She nailed the cook — Gordon only wishes she had pan fried it rather than placing the veal in a deep fryer. Kyle’s country-fried veal chop dish has “a lot going on,” but the flavor profile is delicious. Amanda’s veal chop is cooked perfectly, her bourbon kale tastes great, and Gordon loves how she did something unique with her celery root. Brandon’s bourbon veal chop is overly complex, but Gordon is complimentary of the chef’s balance of flavors. Hannah’s balsamic and fig-glazed veal chop is cooked to “absolute utter perfection” and the flavors are “mesmerizing.”

Black jacket recipients: Hannah and Brandon

Round 2: 23-minute challenge

The chefs have just 23 minutes to come up with a delicious dish worthy of a black jacket. Whit is triggered by losing the first round and fights back tears as she fumbles around the kitchen, unsure of what to make next. She pushes through before the clock stops. Then, it’s time for Gordon to taste each dish. Egypt’s Baja chicken is warm, sweet and delicious. Gordon also compliments Egypt’s cauliflower and potatoes. Amanda’s New York strip is beautifully cooked and Gordon appreciates the rustic style of the dish, but the Brussels sprouts are a tad greasy. Kyle’s crispy-skinned duck breast in dashi is gorgeous to the eye and cooked “beautifully.” Gordon calls the broth “a really smart move.” Before Gordon tastes Whit’s five-spice seared pork loin, he calls out her sulking throughout the challenge. Again, she fights back tears as Gordon compliments the dish, saying, it’s “packed with flavor.”

Black jacket recipients: Whit and Kyle

Round 3: A dish inspired by their mentor

Prior to arriving at Hell’s Kitchen, all of these head chefs had mentors. Gordon challenges Amanda and Egypt to cook him a dish inspired by their culinary hero in 45 minutes. Both of the chefs get emotional in the kitchen — scared their dreams of working for Gordon are about to come to an end. After pulling it together, it’s time to serve up their best for a black jacket. Amanda’s miso-glazed cod dish is “clean and appealing.” Gordon loves the sweet and sour flavor profile and says the fish is cooked “beautifully.” Egypt’s pan-seared filet mignon topped with a tortilla ravioli is strange, but the cook of the steak is perfect. Gordon calls the execution “simple,” but “delicious.”

Black jacket recipient: Egypt

The Big Winners

Gordon celebrates Hannah, Brandon, Whit, Kyle, and Egypt with a glass of champagne. Next, he gives them each two roundtrip tickets to anywhere Allegiant airlines flies.

The Big Loser

Amanda leaves the competition without a black jacket. The sixth-place finisher states, “I came here to prove to myself that I could hold my own. I’m really proud of myself for being able to accomplish that. This experience helped me find my voice. I don’t know where I go from here, but I think that’s the exciting part of this whole journey. I’m leaving with a lot of confidence and a lot of hope in my heart.”

Next Week

With the final five competing as individuals for the first time, Hell’s Kitchen cooking school is in session. Each of the chefs will partner with a hilarious comedian, guiding them to culinary greatness. Who will get straight A’s? And whose teacher failed them? We’re in for a heaping pile of laughs, trash talking, and frustration.