Hell's Kitchen, Season 2 Episode 9, Recap 8/7

7-August-2006 Written by BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Virginia struggles with her confidence (again) but her superior palette helps her win Chef Gordon Ramsay's "mystery dish" challenge. At dinner service, Chef Ramsay tests each chef's leadership skills by allowing them a chance to run the kitchen. Both Keith and Heather give uneven performances, while Virginia shines through as the best leader. Sparks fly at elimination when Keith accuses Chef Ramsay of playing favorites with Virginia and he's sent home.

Recap:

The final three chefs return to their dorms with Virginia racked with guilt over Sara's elimination. Heather and Keith however see Virginia as the inferior cook and are willing to do whatever it takes to send her home.

The next morning the chefs meet in HELLS KITCHEN and Chef Ramsay presents them with a mystery dish. For their next challenge each chef will have 20 minutes to recreate the mystery with only their taste buds to guide them.

The chefs present their dishes to Chef Ramsay who awards the challenge to Virginia, as her puree and sauce matched the mystery dish exactly. For her reward Chef Ramsay gives Virginia pointers on how to expedite and run the cooking line.

As the chefs prep for dinner, Chef Ramsay informs them that tonight they will each get an opportunity to step into his shoes and run the service. HELL'S KITCHEN opens with Keith at the helm but his inability to rein in a flailing Virginia casts doubt on his leadership skills. Keith and Chef Ramsay's conflict of styles soon reaches a head when Keith delivers two undercooked risottos. Ramsay tells Keith to stick his attitude up his a** and threatens to kick him out.

Virginia takes over and the sabotage begins. Both Keith and Heather purposefully ignore Virginia's orders, trying their best to make her look bad. Despite her uncooperative teammates, Virginia takes full control of HELL'S KITCHEN and the chefs manage to complete the service.

Ramsay then instructs each chef to nominate one person for elimination. Keith nominates Virginia, Virginia votes for Keith and Heather, as planned, goes with Virginia. Ramsay then eliminates Keith, who doesn't leave quietly however, accusing Chef Ramsay of "having the hots" for Virginia. Ramsay then says now he knows he made the right decision and tells Keith to leave HELL'S KITCHEN.