Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 Episode 12: Black jacket pressure boiling point, exclusive clip

With seven chefs remaining, the pressure is on to earn that coveted black jacket on Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 episode 12. As the time away from family and friends lengthens, the chefs are feeling isolated. In this exclusive Battle of the Ages clip, Dafne might be at her breaking point.

Certain moments in Hell’s Kitchen are milestones. Beyond making it past the first dinner service, winning a challenge, or just receiving praise from Gordon Ramsay, the black jacket is the moment where the remaining chefs appreciate that the end is near. As many former Hell’s Kitchen chefs have commented, the culinary competition is full of pressure. With minimal downtime and never being able to have an off night, these chefs are put to the test.

According to FOX, Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 episode 12, “What’s in Hell’s Kitchen?” features the following:

"The final seven chefs will compete in several challenges to earn their coveted black jackets. There are only five black jackets to hand out so two will be eliminated in the all-new “What in Hell’s Kitchen?” episode of Hell’s Kitchen airing Thursday, Jan. 19 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX."

FOX graciously provided this exclusive clip from the upcoming Battle of the Ages episode. For Dafne, the pressure of Hell’s Kitchen is weighing on her emotions.

As Dafne expresses, the chef who wins Hell’s Kitchen is more than the best cook on the line. It is often the person who handles the stress of the competition best. Everyone in that kitchen is a great cook. But, the person who becomes Gordon Ramsay’s executive chef must handle the pressure of the situation. This culinary competition is just one slice of that life.

Since there will be two chefs going home in this episode, it is hard to determine who will earn that black jacket and who will come up short. While the women chefs have been on a winning streak, this competition is not about the best team, it is about the best individual chef. The pressure of executing in the moment is different than completing another dinner service.

It seems likely that Alex and Sakari are good bets to get a black jacket. Even Dafne has impressed during the taco episode with some impressive flavors. If she can keep her emotions in check, she could be on the road to the final five. Then again, nothing is ever certain in Hell’s Kitchen.

Which chefs will make the final five? Be sure to turn into FOX for Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 episode 12, “What in Hell’s Kitchen” on Thursday, January 19 at 8 p.m. ET to see the results.

‘Hell’s Kitchen: Battle of the Ages’ is produced by ITV America’s ITV Entertainment in association with A. Smith & Co. Productions.