Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 premiere: Signature dish gets a shortcut, clip

For many chefs, opening the door to the Hell’s Kitchen winner title is the ultimate culinary dream. In the Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 premiere, one chef uses a questionable ingredient in his signature dish. Is this shortcut a time saver or a choice that is a horrible mistake?

Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 puts the concept of “The American Dream” front and center. Although that idea might have different meanings to each individual, the desire to achieve success within an industry is universally appreciated. Who doesn’t want to be recognized as the best of the best?

In previous Hell’s Kitchen seasons, Gordon Ramsay has pitted younger versus older chefs against each other as well as series rookies versus the veterans. No matter those themes, the idea of achieving that dream position as a member of the Ramsay culinary team was at the heart of the competition.

According to FOX, Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 premiere, “The Dream Begins” features the following:

"The theme of Season 22 of Hell’s Kitchen is “The American Dream” and eighteen diverse contestants have come from all over America to follow their dream to work for Chef Gordon Ramsay. In the season premiere episode, contestants will set out to impress Chef Ramsay in the Signature Dish Challenge after being divided into two teams. After meeting some inspirational American icons including boxer Oscar De La Hoya and country music superstar Martina McBride, the winning team will be rewarded with a private dinner party with Chef Ramsay, while the loosing team is left behind to clean up the filthy kitchens in the all-new “The Dream Begins” season-premiere episode of Hell’s Kitchen airing Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET."

The Signature Dish challenge is a staple on Hell’s Kitchen. In this clip provided to FoodSided by FOX, one chef takes a shortcut with one of his ingredients.

While anyone who has watched Hell’s Kitchen appreciates that speed is required, choosing to use a boxed pasta seems to be a horrible mistake. Although making fresh pasta from scratch might not be easy, the alternative is likely to get harsh criticism from Gordon Ramsay.

Although everyone will have to watch the episode to hear the Ramsay retort, Chef Dahmere might have caused himself an issue with his teammates with this choice. Given that the first challenges are team based, everyone is looking for the scapegoat or target during a losing challenge. Even if Chef Dahmere’s dish was flavorful, that boxed pasta shortcut says something about his cooking style. Will other chefs want to stand beside him in the kitchen?

Overall, the Signature Dish challenge should give some insight into the chefs and their culinary style. Although it can be hard to predict a frontrunner in just one cook, this challenge is far from a throwaway. First impressions matter and these chefs should never disappoint Gordon Ramsay.

Be sure to watch the Hell’s Kitchen Season 22 premiere on Thursday, September 28 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Hulu.