The Extreme Conditions Hell's Kitchen Contestants Have To Deal With During Filming

If you're like me, you live for reality TV drama. Many of these addictive episodes — especially competition shows — highlight the day-to-day tribulations of those being filmed, and that's certainly the case for the ever-popular "Hell's Kitchen." However, much of the hardship contestants face on this binge-worthy series is not captured by cameras. "Hell's Kitchen" contestants have lived in grueling conditions — even more so than scuffling with host Gordon Ramsay.

"Hell's Kitchen" has been on air since 2005, and despite differing themes and challenges, each season's daily filming schedule has been largely consistent. Former contestants from season 21 gave the Akron Beacon Journal an inside look at the schedule after competing in the "Battle of the Ages" episode. Contestants began their day early by filming morning confessionals, where they would vent directly to the cameras. Contestants then participated in the daily food challenge with a reward or punishment that followed. This lasted for the majority of the day, from roughly 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. After dinner service, eliminations and evening confessionals ended the night, allowing contestants to sleep an inadequate — and approximate — five hours. 

Aside from a demanding schedule, contestants were ostracized from the outside world. Season 3 contestant Jen Yemola claimed in an interview that before filming, she spent three to four days straight in her hotel room. "They took all my books, my CDs, my phone, any newspapers. I was allowed to leave the room only with an escort. It was like I was in prison." While many of the conditions contestants face aren't captured by cameras, what viewers actually do see may not be what it seems. "Hell's Kitchen" is not exempt from reality TV deception.

"Hell's Kitchen" is considered to be a hybrid show, consisting of authentic cooking challenges mixed with fabricated drama and production. This is all done with the intention of fortifying viewer entertainment, and viewers tune in to see rigorous, skillful cooking along with interpersonal drama. Producers likely think of the dramatic elements as equally important as the quality of cooking displayed, and with each season, they intentionally cast chefs with fiery personalities to create memorable television moments. 

Season 6 contestant Tek Moore told the New York Post that producers snuck into the kitchens and purposefully undermined the chefs, ultimately leading to explosive reactions from chef Gordon Ramsay. While Ramsay's lively reactions to mistakes were genuine most of the time, several contestants attest that he is much kinder than how the show portrays him. Season 21 contestant Cheyenne Nichols states: "He would push me, but not in a horrible way, in a meaningful way. I love it. He was actually invested in me."

Perhaps the most surprising "Hell's Kitchen" fact is that the show wasn't actually filmed in a real restaurant for most of its run. Instead, the "restaurant" seen on the show's earlier seasons was a produced soundstage in Culver City, California. However, more recent seasons have been filmed in actual Hell's Kitchen restaurants — notably the Las Vegas Hell's Kitchen and, most recently, the Connecticut Hell's Kitchen. Another untold surprise is that many of the people filmed eating are not real diners. Most are family and friends of crew members. However, viewers can apply to be in the audience during a "Hell's Kitchen" filming, though they must sign a waiver stating they recognize they are not guaranteed to eat anything.