By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, March 2, 2015
Fox's "Hell's Kitchen," like many aging reality competition shows, has a recipe and sticks to it because it works.
The primary course is the fiery, demanding, bleep-filled judge and jury Gordon Ramsay. His side dishes are the contestants each season vying to work for one of his many restaurants. The casting company sprinkles in great cooks amid a goulash of tasty personalities with bad attitudes and even cruddier cooking skills.
"Shut it down!" Ramsay will inevitably thunder partway through a problematic dinner service, leaving Hell's Kitchen customers wishing they had hit the drive thru on the way in.
Season 14 is no different. Atlanta line cook Torrece "T" Gregoire is cast for both her cooking and her spicy persona. Based on the first episode alone, it's clear she'll be around awhile. Here's a quick preview:
Why "T"? "Ever since I was in elementary school, kids would mispronounce my name so I started just going by 'T.' It's easier, especially in a kitchen with new people. They don't have to say , 'Hey you!' "
Hometown: New York City
Age: 31
Occupation: Line cook
Signature dish: coffee-crusted flank steak
Why she moved to Atlanta from NYC: She needed a change of scenery after some traumatic personal issues. "It was a rejuvenation coming down here for me."
Why "Hell's Kitchen"? "I was in a rut. I needed something to put the fire back in me. I applied and had no idea this would be a life-defining moment for me."
On a contestant of the first episode who used canned spaghetti sauce for her signature dish: "If you want to represent yourself as Chef Boyardee, by all means!"
On Ramsay: "Thanks to him, I will never look at food the same way again. I have nothing but awe and respect for him. He never compromises on the integrity of the food."
TV preview
"Hell's Kitchen," 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Fox, 14th season debut, March 3
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