Black Jackets Challenge

The Black Jackets Challenge is a recurring challenge where Ramsay has the remaining chefs compete in a series of challenges for a chance to earn a black jacket.

Overview[]

Introduced in Season 12, this individual challenge was used to test the chefs in who deserved the first Black Jacket of the season. When Ramsay brought back the challenge in Season 16, it was changed to a three phase elimination challenge. All the chefs would compete in a gauntlet of challenges to earn a black jacket until one, or two in some seasons, would be eliminated.

History[]

Season 12[]

In episode 15, this challenge happened for the first time, with 7 chefs remaining. Ramsay announced in a press conference they would compete in an individual challenge to get the first black jacket. He gave them 45 minutes to create a dish of their choice. Season 3 winner Rock, Season 9 winner Paul, and Season 10 contestant Dana were invited as guest judges. Each judge gave a point based on a 1-5 scale.

In the end, Joy won the challenge with a total of 19 points and was rewarded with the first black jacket of the season. Also, she received immunity for the following service, a spot in the brand-new Hell's Kitchen Calendar, and lunch with the judges. The remaining chefs had to make the lunch.^[1][2]

Season 16[]

In episode 13, 6 chefs competed in this challenge. This was the season that introduced the three phase elimination challenge.

During the first challenge, the chefs had to create a dish using ingredients from domes Ramsay gave them in 30 minutes. In the end, Heidi and Heather won the challenge and were rewarded with a black jacket each, and spending the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. During the second challenge, the remaining chefs had to create a dish using the same six ingredients given to them. Ryan and Paulie won the round, and got the same reward, leaving Andrew and Kimberly. For their final challenge, they had three minutes to gather ingredients from a food market and create two small dishes in 30 minutes. After, Ramsay asked the black jacket chefs to do a blind taste judging, which resulted in a tie at 2. In the end, Ramsay broke the tiebreaker in favor of Kimberly, giving her the last black jacket of the season, and automatically eliminating Andrew.^[3]

Season 17[]

In episode 12, 7 chefs competed in this challenge. The same process as the previous season was used.

The first challenge was a Taste It Now Make It Challenge, where the chefs had to taste Ramsay's dish and recreate it in 40 minutes. In the end, Milly and Nick were the closest to Ramsay's original dish, and they were rewarded with a black jacket each and spending the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. The second challenge was the Dome Challenge, where the chefs had to grab one ingredient each from a tray Ramsay laid out, and each time he rang the bell, they would have to grab another ingredient from the tray. They had to cook their own dishes using the ingredients they grabbed. Michelle and Benjamin won the round, and got the same reward, leaving Elise, Jennifer, and Robyn. For their final challenge, the three chefs had 30 minutes to cook any dish they wanted, using an assortment of ingredients on the workspace. After judging their dishes himself, Ramsay eliminated Elise. After having Sous Chef Jocky and Christina taste their dishes, Robyn was rewarded with the last black jacket, and Jennifer was automatically eliminated.^[4]

Season 18[]

In episode 12, 6 chefs competed in this challenge. As with the previous two seasons, the same three challenge process was used.

For the first challenge, the chefs had to punch a fake wall to collect ingredients to cook their own dishes in 45 minutes. Ariel and Mia won the round, and they were rewarded with a black jacket each and spending the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. During the second challenge, each chef had to spin a wheel to land on an ingredient the remaining four chefs had to cook with which included quail, eggplant, baby leeks, and cauliflower. They then had 45 minutes to cook their dishes. Bret and Motto won the round, and got the same reward, leaving Heather and Kanae. For their final challenge, they had to create their own surf and turf dish in 45 minutes. In the end, Heather won the final black jacket, and Kanae was automatically eliminated.^[5]

Season 19[]

In episode 12, 6 chefs competed in this challenge. As with the previous three seasons, the same three challenge process was used.

The first challenge was a Taste It Now Make It Challenge, where the chefs had to taste Ramsay's dish and recreate it in 40 minutes. In the end, Mary Lou and Declan were the closest to Ramsay's original dish, and they were rewarded with a black jacket each and spending the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. During the second challenge, the chefs had to pick a security guard to open a briefcase that would reveal what ingredients they would be cooking with. They then had 40 minutes to cook a dish using the ingredients they picked. Cody and Kori won the round, and got the same reward, leaving Amber and Nikki. For their final challenge, they had to cook a dish that was inspired from their life story in 40 minutes. In the end, Amber won the final black jacket, and Nikki was automatically eliminated.^[6]

Season 20[]

In episode 12, 7 chefs competed in this challenge. As with the previous four seasons, the same three challenge process was used.

For the first challenge, the chefs had to use a giant slot machine to determine their ingredients to cook for 45 minutes. The winners of the first challenge will also earn a prize of family vacation in Sunseeker Resorts. Trenton and Brynn won the round, and they were rewarded with a black jacket each and spending the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. The second challenge was the Craps Challenge, where each chef had to rolls a 20 sided giant dice, containing different letters, onto a board. They have 10 seconds to name an ingredient starting with the letter they landed on, and repeats are not allowed. The chefs will all cook with the same ingredients they have named: Bluefin tuna, rice, pepper, turnips, heirloom tomatoes, lemons and black truffles. They then had 45 minutes to cook a dish using the ingredients they picked. Megan and Kiya won the round, and got the same reward, leaving Antonio, Emily, and Steve. For their final challenge, they had to cook a dish that was inspired from their life story in 45 minutes. In the end, Ramsay eliminated Emily first, then Steve won the final black jacket, which then led to Antonio's elimination.^[7]

Season 21[]

In episode 12, 7 chefs competed in this challenge. As with the previous five seasons, the same three challenge process was used.

For the first part of the challenge, the chefs had 45 minutes to cook a dish inspired by a loved one. Sommer and Dafne won the round and they were rewarded with a black jacket each and spending the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. The second challenge had the five remaining chefs cook an interpretation of Ramsay's signature dishes from his flagship restaurants in 45 minutes. Alejandro won his jacket right after his turn, and then, Alex won the fourth after the judging concluded. This left Cheyenne, Sakari, and Tara to compete in the final challenge, cooking a pork chop dish in 45 minutes. After cooking their dishes, Ramsay sent the three to his office and had the black jacket chefs do a blind vote. After the votes were tallied, Ramsay eliminated Sakari first, then gave Cheyenne the final black jacket, which led to Tara's elimination.^[8]

Season 22[]

In episode 12, 7 chefs competed in this challenge. As with the previous six seasons, the same three challenge process was used.

For the first challenge, which was the Craps Challenge, each chef rolled a 20 sided dice, containing different letters, onto a board. After picking the ingredients, the chefs had 45 minutes to cook a dish with all eight ingredients: halibut, spinach, miso, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, prosciutto and truffle. Johnathan won his black jacket right after his turn, while Sammi won hers after the judging concluded. They spent the rest of the day at the Black Jacket Lounge. For the second challenge, the five remaining chefs had 45 minutes to create a dish by gathering ingredients that came out of a giant slot machine. Dahmere and Carmen won the round and received the same reward. That left Jason, Ryan, and Leigh to compete in the final challenge, where Ramsay allowed them 45 minutes to cook a dish of their choice. After tasting their dishes, Ramsay eliminated Jason and gave Leigh the fifth black jacket. However, Ramsay surprised Ryan by giving him the final black jacket as both his and Leigh's dishes were equally good enough for both to move on.^[9]

Season 23[]

In episode 12, 6 chefs competed in this challenge. As with the previous seven seasons, the same three challenge process was used.

For the first challenge, the chefs had to open the footlocker to collect all seven ingredients to cook their dish for 45 minutes, which included veal chop, celery root, mushroom, bourbon, panchetta, kale, and dried figs. Hannah won her black jacket after her turn, while Brandon won his after the judging concluded. They spent the rest of the day in the Black Jacket Lounge. For the second challenge, Ramsay allowed the four remaining chefs 23 minutes to cook a dish of their choice. Whit and Kyle won the round and received the same reward. That left Amanda and Egypt to compete in the final challenge, cooking a dish inspired by their mentor in 45 minutes. In the end, Egypt won the final black jacket, which led to Amanda's elimination.^[10]

Trivia[]

• Season 12 is the only season where nobody was eliminated by this challenge.^[1][2]
• Andrew (Season 16) was the first contestant to be eliminated by this challenge.^[3]
• Elise (Season 17) was the first female contestant to be eliminated by this challenge.^[4]
• Heather (Seasons 16 and 18) was the first contestant to participate in this challenge in two different seasons.^[3][5]
• Seasons 17, 20, and 21 are the only seasons where this challenge resulted in a double elimination.^[4][7][8]
• Season 18 is the only season in which the Black Jackets Challenge was completely accurate to the contestants' final rankings in the season.
• Season 22 is the first season where 6 contestants were given a black jacket after competing in the black jackets challenge.^[9]
• Alejandro (Season 21) was the first contestant to receive a black jacket before Ramsay finished his judging.^[8]
• Since Season 16, this challenge has used previous challenges as part of the process. The only season not to do so was Season 21.^[8]
  • Seasons 16 and 17 used the Dome Challenge.^[3][4]
  • Seasons 16 and 18 used the Ingredient Number Challenge.^[3][5]
  • Seasons 17 and 19 used the Taste It Now Make It Challenge.^[4][6]
  • Seasons 20 and 22 used the Craps Challenge.^[7][9]

Gallery[]

• Season 12
• Season 16
• Season 17
• Season 18
• Season 19
• Season 20
• Season 21
• Season 22
• Season 23

Jason's Black Jacket Dish

Kashia's Black Jacket Dish

Rochelle's Black Jacket Dish

Scott's Black Jacket Dish

Melanie's Black Jacket Dish

Gabriel's Black Jacket Dish

Joy's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Kimberly's Black Jacket Dish

Paulie's Black Jacket Dish

Heidi's Black Jacket Dish

Ryan's Black Jacket Dish

Andrew's Black Jacket Dish

Heather's Black Jacket Dish

Kimberly's Black Jacket Dish

Paulie's Black Jacket Dish

Andrew's Black Jacket Dish

Ryan's Black Jacket Dish

Kimberly's Black Jacket Dish

Andrew's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Michelle's Black Jacket Dish

Jennifer's Black Jacket Dish

Elise's Black Jacket Dish

Benjamin's Black Jacket Dish

Milly's Black Jacket Dish

Robyn's Black Jacket Dish

Nick's Black Jacket Dish

Michelle's Black Jacket Dish

Jennifer's Black Jacket Dish

Elise's Black Jacket Dish

Benjamin's Black Jacket Dish

Robyn's Black Jacket Dish

Robyn's Black Jacket Dish

Jennifer's Black Jacket Dish

Elise's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Heather's Black Jacket Dish

Kanae's Black Jacket Dish

Motto's Black Jacket Dish

Ariel's Black Jacket Dish

Bret's Black Jacket Dish

Mia's Black Jacket Dish

Heather's Black Jacket Dish

Kanae's Black Jacket Dish

Motto's Black Jacket Dish

Bret's Black Jacket Dish

Heather's Black Jacket Dish

Kanae's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Kori's Black Jacket Dish

Mary Lou's Black Jacket Dish

Nikki's Black Jacket Dish

Cody's Black Jacket Dish

Amber's Black Jacket Dish

Declan's Black Jacket Dish

Kori's Black Jacket Dish

Nikki's Black Jacket Dish

Cody's Black Jacket Dish

Amber's Black Jacket Dish

Amber's Black Jacket Dish

Nikki's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Trenton's Black Jacket Dish

Steve's Black Jacket Dish

Kiya's Black Jacket Dish

Megan's Black Jacket Dish

Emily's Black Jacket Dish

Brynn's Black Jacket Dish

Antonio's Black Jacket Dish

Emily's Black Jacket Dish

Kiya's Black Jacket Dish

Steve's Black Jacket Dish

Antonio's Black Jacket Dish

Megan's Black Jacket Dish

Antonio's Black Jacket Dish

Emily's Black Jacket Dish

Steve's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Sommer's Black Jacket Dish

Alex's Black Jacket Dish

Cheyenne's Black Jacket Dish

Alejandro's Black Jacket Dish

Tara's Black Jacket Dish

Dafne's Black Jacket Dish

Sakari's Black Jacket Dish

Tara's Black Jacket Dish

Alex's Black Jacket Dish

Cheyenne's Black Jacket Dish

Alejandro's Black Jacket Dish

Sakari's Black Jacket Dish

Cheyenne, Tara, and Sakari's Black Jacket Dishes

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Dahmere's Black Jacket Dish

Carmen's Black Jacket Dish

Leigh's Black Jacket Dish

Jason's Black Jacket Dish

Johnathan's Black Jacket Dish

Sammi's Black Jacket Dish

Ryan's Black Jacket Dish

Ryan's Black Jacket Dish

Carmen's Black Jacket Dish

Dahmere's Black Jacket Dish

Jason's Black Jacket Dish

Leigh's Black Jacket Dish

Leigh's Black Jacket Dish

Jason's Black Jacket Dish

Ryan's Black Jacket Dish

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Egypt's Black Jacket Dish

Whit's Black Jacket Dish

Kyle's Black Jacket Dish

Amanda's Black Jacket Dish

Brandon's Black Jacket Dish

Hannah's Black Jacket Dish

Egypt's Black Jacket Dish

Amanda's Black Jacket Dish

Kyle's Black Jacket Dish

Amanda's Black Jacket Dish

Amanda's Black Jacket Dish

Egypt's Black Jacket Dish

References[]