FOX's HELL'S KITCH Names Season 12 Winner

The 12th season of HELL'S KITCHEN came to an exciting close as host and Head Chef Gordon Ramsay announced Scott Commings the winner during tonight's Season Finale on FOX. Commings, 36, an Executive Chef from Woodstock, IL, earned himself a Head Chef position at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a total prize value of $250,000.

"HELL'S KITCHEN was truly the best and most rewarding experience of my life," said Commings. "I feel so blessed to have been given this incredible and most difficult opportunity. What I have been able to take from this experience will be with me the rest of my life, and I will use every bit of this education to continue to pursue my passion for food. I am truly thankful."

"Scott is a tremendous leader and is never afraid to take risks," said Ramsay. "Throughout HELL'S KITCHEN, he showed incredible determination and became a stronger chef even as the competition became fiercer, proving that he has what it takes to make a mark on the culinary world."

In a season filled with surprises and shocking exits, Commings made a name for himself as "The Biggest Comeback Chef in the history of HELL'S KITCHEN," by taking bold risks and out-competing the other 19 chefs. In the end, he went head-to-head with Jason Zepaltas, a Sous Chef from Chicago, who got a second chance to compete for the HELL'S KITCHEN title after an illness took him out of the competition early in Season Nine. For the final challenge, both contestants created their own menus, and were able to select and lead a team of their past competitors through the most important dinner service of their lives. After a grueling final dinner service, Chef Ramsay praised Zepaltas for a strong performance, as well as his consistency, drive and undeniable passion. However, it was Commings' leadership, artistic and beautifully-executed menu and unwavering determination in The Kitchen that earned him the victory. His menu items included:

Appetizers:

Baby Romaine Salad with Niçoise Olive Tapenade, White Anchovy and Parmesan Tuile
Duck Confit Ravioli with Braised Pork Belly, Butternut Squash, Walnut Arugula Pesto, Brown Butter and Balsamic Beets
Butter-Poached King Crab with Butternut Squash Purée, Arugula Salad, Toasted Pine Nuts and Charred Corn
Seared Scallop with Baby Mâche Salad, Watercress Purée, Lardon and Sherry Vinegar Caramel

Entrees:

Pan-Roasted Halibut with Roasted Fingerling, Saffron Broth, Baby Carrot, Heirloom Tomato and Micro Arugula
Mediterranean Sea Bass with Piquillo Pepper Purée, Potato Hash, Haricot Vert, Black Kale and Lemon
Half Roasted Organic Chicken with Caramelized Fennel, Confit Tomato, Creamy Polenta and Pan Jus
Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Celeriac Remoulade, Frites and Tamarind Sweet and Sour Sauce

Desserts:

Pear Tart Tatin with Spiced Pear Sorbet, Vanilla Gelato and Marcona Crumble
Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Coffee Butter Cream, Salted Caramel and Almond Gelato

HELL'S KITCHEN ranks among this summer's Top 5 broadcast entertainment programs among Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54, and Men 18-34, placing among the Top 10 in Adults 18-49, Men 18-49, Men 25-54 and all Women. HELL'S KITCHEN has also ranked as a Top 5 Primetime broadcast show in the core demographic for nine out of the past 10 summers and dominates its summer Thursday 8:00 PM time period among all Adults and their male and female components.

HELL'S KITCHEN is produced by ITV Studios America in association with A. Smith & Co. Productions. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Gordon Ramsay serve as executive producers. "Like" HELL'S KITCHEN on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/hellskitchen and follow the series on Twitter at @hellskitchenfox and Gordon Ramsay at @GordonRamsay. Join the discussion using #hellskitchen.

About ITV Studios America:

ITV Studios America, the U.S. based production entity of ITV Studios in the U.K., is one of the largest producers in the U.S. and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing reality and scripted programming for U.S. networks. ITV Studios America has a slate of series in production with major networks and syndicators, including "Texas Rising," "The Good Witch," HELL'S KITCHEN, "Kitchen Nightmares," "The First 48," "After The First 48," "#RichKids of Beverly Hills," "Cesar 911," "The Chase," "Four Weddings," "Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters," "The Car Chasers" and "The Bill Cunningham Show."

ITV Studios is a world leader in television production and distribution. It has international production centers in the U.K., Germany, France, the Nordics and Australia, as well as America. The distribution business, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, is a distributor of programs to all regions worldwide. For further information visit:http://www.itvstudios.com/us.

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 2,000 hours of award-winning programming. Current productions include such hits as HELL'S KITCHEN, "Kitchen Nightmares," "American Ninja Warrior," "Ellen's Design Challenge," "Unsung," "Full Throttle Saloon," "Celebrity Crime Files," "Conspiracy Theory with

Jesse Ventura," "Too Young to Marry?," "Save Our Business," "UFC Countdown," "Joe Rogan Questions Everything," "Divorce Hotel" and many others. A. Smith & Co.'s library of programming includes hit shows such as "Paradise Hotel," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," "The Swan," "Trading Spaces," "Pros vs. Joes" and "Skating with Celebrities." A. Smith & Co. has developed and produced the No. 1 show in America 25 times and a Top 10 show more than 200 times, producing programs with budgets totaling approximately one billion dollars for more than 42 broadcast and cable networks.

About Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill

Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace made history on the famed Las Vegas Strip when Ramsay opened Pub & Grill and Gordon Ramsay's BurGR at Planet Hollywood in December 2012, making him the first chef to open two restaurants within one week. The 290-seat restaurant offers the U.K. chef's take on an authentic English pub experience - a lively and friendly setting, featuring elevated British pub food, 24 beers served on tap and 63 bottled beers, including a selection of large format varieties. Chef Ramsay currently operates three restaurants in Las Vegas, including the very popular Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas. For more information on the restaurant please visit www.gordonramsay.com.

About Caesars Palace

World-renowned Las Vegas hotel and casino, Caesars Palace features 3,960 hotel guest rooms and suites, including the brand new 181-room Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace and Forbes Star Award-winning The Laurel Collection by Caesars Palace. The 85-acre resort offers 25 diverse dining options, including celebrity chef-branded restaurants by Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa and Guy Savoy, the award-winning Bacchanal Buffet, nearly 130,000 square-feet of casino space, a five-acre Garden of the Gods pool oasis and the luxurious Qua Baths & Spa. The Forum Shops at Caesars showcases more than 160 boutiques and restaurants and the 4,300-seat Colosseum spotlights world-class entertainers such as Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Shania Twain and Jerry Seinfeld. For more information, please visit www.caesarspalace.com or caesars.thedigitalcenter.com to access media materials and request high-resolution images. Find Caesars Palace on Facebook and follow onTwitter.

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