RealityFOX

The Worst Episodes of Hell's Kitchen

Every episode of Hell's Kitchen ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Hell's Kitchen!

Worst episode
S24E12 Battle for Black Jackets
6.079 votes
Best episode
S22E12 A Hell's Kitchen Special Delivery
8.392 votes
Top season
Season 22
7.9avg
Binge time
11d 9h
385 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons25

All12345678910111213141516171819202122232425

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Hell's Kitchen Season 24 Episode 12 - Battle for Black Jackets
    6.0/10(79 votes)

    S24:E12

    The last 7 chefs go head to head while fighting for one of the 5 coveted black jackets needed to advance in the competition. Three WWE champions give the chefs their first task of the day of creating a dish that best represents their home state. Those who do not advance will put their own twist on pizza while the last 3 chefs are tasked with a challenge that taps into their imagination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Hell's Kitchen Season 23 Episode 16 - Hell's Finish Line
    6.1/10(92 votes)

    S23:E16

    It is the season finale of 'Hell's Kitchen: Head Chef's Only', and it is down to the finale two head chefs. With the help of some old friends, the finalists will compete in a final dinner service with their very own custom menu tailored to their unique tastes and signature dishes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Hell's Kitchen Season 24 Episode 16 - The Last State Standing Is...
    6.1/10(66 votes)

    S24:E16

    The final two must overcome shortcomings and take control of their respective teams to come out on top and prove to chef Ramsay they have what it takes to win; in the end, the door can only open for one chef.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Hell's Kitchen Season 17 Episode 9 - Catch Of The Day
    6.4/10(107 votes)

    S17:E9

    Special guest judge and fish-cooking expert Chef Michael Cimarusti joins Chef Ramsay, as the remaining contestants compete in a special challenge involving creatures of the sea. Then, during dinner service, the chefs aim to impress a host of VIP guests, including actor Aleks Paunovic, rapper E-40, professional dancer Cheryl Burke and actor Dan Bucatinsky. With two chefs fighting bitterly for authority and another struggling to communicate, Chef Ramsay is less than pleased. Find out who doesn't make the cut.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Hell's Kitchen Season 20 Episode 16 - Two Young Guns Shoot It Out
    6.5/10(99 votes)

    S20:E16

    The final two chefs compete in their final dinner service

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Hell's Kitchen Season 17 Episode 6 - A Little Slice of Hell
    6.6/10(104 votes)

    S17:E6

    The chefs must create a pizza inspired by their assigned country; Marino and special guest judge Steve Samson determine the winner; a dinner service and elimination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Hell's Kitchen

    READ
  7. Hell's Kitchen Season 16 Episode 3 - The Yolks on Them
    6.6/10(93 votes)

    S16:E3

    Tensions run high in the house as the teams face their next challenge, which is to make eight unique dishes using a selection of ostrich cuts. While the winners get to go to Big Bear for a zip-lining excursion, the losing chefs have to pluck pine nuts out of pinecones.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 5 - Day 5
    6.7/10(161 votes)

    S5:E5

    After sending the chefs to an Asian market, Chef Ramsay challenges them to create three Asian-fusion dishes utilizing poultry, seafood and beef. The teams then present their dishes for judging by Chef Ramsay and Tanya Steel, Editor-in-Chief of Epicurious.com. The following night, the teams go head-to-head at dinner service, and tensions run high as chefs from both teams crack under pressure. Chef Ramsay throws in a last-minute twist before sending the losing chef home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 6 - Day 6
    6.7/10(145 votes)

    S5:E6

    The remaining 11 chefs are challenged to cook variations of the three favorite foods of the honoree for his Bar Mitzvah. The dinner service seems to go well, but not for one contestant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 11 - Day 11
    6.7/10(144 votes)

    S5:E11

    Chef Ramsay sends the remaining chefs off to New Jersey to dine in the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, where one of them will be running a restaurant. When the chefs return, they are asked to create their signature dish which they would serve in their restaurant should they win.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 14 - Day 14 (1)
    6.7/10(140 votes)

    S5:E14

    The final two chefs prepare for their ultimate challenge. They must design their restaurants as well as create a winning menu. But they won't be there to oversee the renovations- Chef Ramsay flies them back to the Borgata where they compete to wow the Hotel's CEO with their signature dish.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Hell's Kitchen Season 12 Episode 1 - 20 Chefs Compete
    6.7/10(134 votes)

    S12:E1

    Twenty aspiring restaurateurs hoping to impress Ramsay present their signature dishes; after the opening night dinner service, contestants face elimination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Hell's Kitchen Season 13 Episode 5 - 14 Chefs Compete
    6.7/10(98 votes)

    S13:E5

    The teams must identify proteins and match them to their dishes, with the winners getting a day at the beach with water polo players Genai Kerr, Shea Buckner and Tumua Anae; family night dinner service.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Hell's Kitchen Season 15 Episode 16 - Winner Chosen
    6.7/10(93 votes)

    S15:E16

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Hell's Kitchen Season 13 Episode 7 - 12 Chefs Compete
    6.7/10(91 votes)

    S13:E7

    The teams compete to create the best Italian opera-inspired dishes, with the winning team getting a shopping trip and a VIP dinner; the teams provide dinner service for guests, including members of the Italian Consulate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Hell's Kitchen Season 15 Episode 10 - 9 Chefs Compete
    6.7/10(90 votes)

    S15:E10

    The nine remaining chefs take part in a breakfast challenge, during which their team must make a vegetarian, meat, seafood and sweet dish for surprise judges Suzanne Tracht and David LeFebve. While the winners ride all-terrain vehicles in Palm Springs, the losers prepare fresh-squeezed Orange Juice for a special brunch service featuring celebrity diners Flo Rida and Jeff Dunham.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Hell's Kitchen Season 13 Episode 14 - 5 Chefs Compete
    6.7/10(88 votes)

    S13:E14

    The finals five battle it out to try and secure a place in the next phase of the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Hell's Kitchen Season 16 Episode 7 - Don't Tell My Fiancé
    6.7/10(87 votes)

    S16:E7

    The remaining contestants are tasked with cooking their own version of a Southern staple, which will be judged by chef Chris Hastings. Later, there's a feeling of determination to impress VIP guests J.J. Redick, Blake Lewis, Mircea Monroe and Adrienne Maloof at dinner service. However, stress levels rise and Ramsay makes a shocking decision.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Hell's Kitchen Season 3 Episode 6 - Day 6
    6.8/10(162 votes)

    S3:E6

    With Melissa saved from elimination, she now must join the men's team and compete against the women to see which team can prepare the best lobster dish. At that evening's dinner service, one team turns in a performance to remembered.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 3 - Day 3
    6.8/10(160 votes)

    S5:E3

    The contestants go to a meat locker to learn different cuts of beef. The teams race to impress chef Ramsay when they are asked to put their new found knowledge to the test.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Hell's Kitchen Season 4 Episode 5 - 11 Chefs Compete
    6.8/10(150 votes)

    S4:E5

    The chefs receive their first challenge, create a gourmet pizza. The winning team will head to Santa Barbara for a gourmet meal, while the losers will be sentenced to taking pizza orders during dinner service and then deliver them, at which one contestant is rushed to the hospital after suffering an accident.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Hell's Kitchen Season 3 Episode 9 - Day 9
    6.8/10(149 votes)

    S3:E9

    Chef Ramsay starts the challenge by having his mother present her own mac 'n cheese and then producing his own more elegant version. Each of the five remaining contestants must take a randomly selected comfort food dish and re-create it as a gourmet version. A new surprise team of judges brings the contestants to tears.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Hell's Kitchen Season 4 Episode 9 - 7 Chefs Compete
    6.8/10(149 votes)

    S4:E9

    A relay race puts both teams to the test, with a sunny reward on the line. To up the stakes, the losing team faces a top-to-bottom complete restaurant cleaning. At the evening's dinner service, the teams are required to serve items from menus that they each created. One chef is called out for serving a disgusting extra ingredient in the food -- their own sweat. Chef Ramsay makes an unprecedented move at the evening's elimination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 9 - Day 9
    6.8/10(148 votes)

    S5:E9

    Each team member is asked to create a dish using King Crab, but only one dish can be selected to represent them in front of Chef Ramsay. Both teams have a chance to show off the creativity in the kitchen when they get to create their own menus for dinner service, but internal conflicts cause chaos in the kitchens.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Hell's Kitchen Season 4 Episode 8 - 8 Chefs Compete
    6.8/10(146 votes)

    S4:E8

    The group dynamics are drastically changed when Chef Ramsey asks for a volunteer to switch sides. This week's challenge consists of creating 4 new dishes from 20 ingredients. One chef requires a medic after injuring himself during the challenge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Battle for Black Jackets" is the worst rated episode of Hell's Kitchen. It scored 6.0/10 from 79 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on January 1, 2026. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Hell's Finish Line".

Keep going

Browse Hell's Kitchen by season

If you like Hell's Kitchen