FRIDAYS HEAT UP WHEN 18 NEW CHEFS ENTER "HELL'S KITCHEN" ON THE SEASON 16 PREMIERE, SEPTEMBER 23, ON FOX

Winner to Receive Head Chef Position at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at The Venetian Las Vegas

Meet the new batch of 18 ambitious chefs willing to face host, executive producer and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay on the Season 16 premiere of HELL'S KITCHEN airing Friday, Sept. 23 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX. These aspiring chefs will leave their pleasantries at the door as they endure Ramsay's hellishly intense culinary academy, including a series of grueling challenges and dinner services, for a chance to win the coveted HELL'S KITCHEN title.

Throughout the season, tensions will rise and emotions will flare as Ramsay puts on the pressure, demanding absolute perfection. Each week, the hopeful chefs will be put through rigorous culinary challenges, keeping only those who possess the right combination of ingredients to run their own restaurant. The last contestant to withstand the pressure of HELL'S KITCHEN will claim the grand prize - a Head Chef position at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at The Venetian Las Vegas.

In the premiere episode, Ramsay shocks the 18 chefs with a detour to a U.S. Army training boot camp, before allowing them to enter HELL'S KITCHEN. After proving their commitment and desire to face the tests that lay ahead, they are then split into two teams - men (blue) vs. women (red) - and tasked with their first challenge: to present their signature dishes. Later, during the dinner service, one team will deliver one of the strongest opening night services in HELL'S KITCHEN history, while the other team struggles with finding momentum.

Below are the 18 chefs competing on this season of HELL'S KITCHEN:

The Red Team (Women) includes:

JESSICA BOYNTON
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Occupation: University Chef
Signature Dish: Risotto and Bacon-Wrapped Chicken

SHAINA HAYDEN
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Occupation: Banquet Chef
Signature Dish: Salmon Wellington

WENDY MENDEZ
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Occupation: Pastry Chef
Signature Dish: Heirloom Tomato Soup

HEIDI PARENT
Hometown: Auburn, ME
Occupation: Executive Chef
Signature Dish: Ricotta Gnocchi

KIMBERLY ROTH
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Occupation: Sushi Chef
Signature Dish: Pappardelle with Clams

KIMBERLY ANN RYAN
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Occupation: Event Chef
Signature Dish: Seared Scallops with Mango Jalape�o Salsa and Spicy Toasted Rice Crispies

HEATHER WILLIAMS
Hometown: Easton, PA
Occupation: Sous Chef
Signature Dish: Dry-Aged Ribeye with Hasselback Potato and Roasted Brussel Sprouts

AZIZA YOUNG
Hometown: Harrisburg, PA
Occupation: Kitchen Manager
Signature Dish: Grilled Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Arugula

RAJEEYAH "GIA" YOUNG
Hometown: Queens, NY
Occupation: Catering Chef
Signature Dish: Shrimp and Grits, NYC Style

The Blue Team (Men) includes:

GENARO DELILLO
Hometown: Lebanon, PA
Occupation: Sous Chef
Signature Dish: Seared Duck Breast

PAULIE GIGANTI
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Executive Chef
Signature Dish: Biscotti-Encrusted Scallops over a Crispy Polenta with a Basil Curry Cream Sauce

MATT HEARN
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Sauté Chef
Signature Dish: Dove Breast Bolognese

JOHNNY McDEVITT
Hometown: Philadelphia
Occupation: Head Chef
Signature Dish: Ribeye and Farro with Green Beans

ANDREW PEARCE
Hometown: Prospect Park, PA
Occupation: Sous Chef
Signature Dish: Pan-Roasted Halibut with Butter-Poached Leaks, Maitake Mushrooms and Shell Fish Broth

DEVIN SIMPSON
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, SC
Occupation: Asst. Restaurant Manager
Signature Dish: Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Parmesan Risotto

AARON SMOCK
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Occupation: Cook
Signature Dish: Pork Schnitzel with Blaukraut

PAT TORTORELLO
Hometown: Belleville, NJ
Occupation: Culinary Instructor
Signature Dish: Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus Risotto, Pistachio Fennel Frond Gremolata and Balsamic Glazed Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes

KOOP WYNKOOP
Hometown: Carey, OH
Occupation: Kitchen Manager
Signature Dish: Surf and Turf

HELL'S KITCHEN is produced by ITV Entertainment in association with A. Smith & Co. Productions. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Gordon Ramsay serve as executive producers.

"Like" HELL'S KITCHEN on Facebook at facebook.com/hellskitchen. Follow the series on Twitter at @hellskitchenfox, and follow Ramsay at @GordonRamsay.

About ITV Entertainment

ITV Entertainment is one of the largest international producers for the U.S. market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing entertainment programming for U.S. networks. ITV Entertainment has a wide slate of series with major networks and syndicators, including HELL'S KITCHEN, "The First 48," "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" and new series "EJNYC."

About A. Smith & Co. Productions

A. Smith & Co. Productions creates some of the most innovative, highly rated, and high-quality programming for the domestic and international television marketplace. The company has produced more than 3,000 hours of award-winning programming - with budgets totaling over one billion dollars across more than 45 broadcast and cable networks. Current productions include "Hell's Kitchen," "American Ninja Warrior," "Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge," "Ellen's Design Challenge," "Unsung," "Inside the Label," "Acting Out," "Full Throttle Saloon," "Team Ninja Warrior," "Container Homes," "Mating Games," "That Awkward Game Show" and "The Dunk King." Past hits include "Kitchen Nightmares," "Wizard Wars," "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura," "UFC Countdown," "Joe Rogan Questions Everything," "Paradise Hotel," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," "The Swan," "Trading Spaces," "Pros vs. Joes," "Skating with Celebrities," and many others. For more information, visit www.asmithco.com.

About Yardbird Southern Table & Bar:

A tribute to the best of the south, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar offers classic down-home cuisine. With locations in Miami Beach, FL, and Las Vegas, NV, inside the Venetian|Palazzo Resort & Casino, Yardbird serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. A crafted cocktail program and extensive bourbon menu round out Yardbird's hospitable atmosphere. Yardbird Miami was named a James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist for "Best New Restaurant South," praised by the New York Times and recognized as one of Bon Appétit's "50 Best New Restaurants."