Summary

Ariel Contreras-Fox turned down the executive chef position at Hell's Kitchen Restaurant, opting to work closer to home instead.
Ariel's post-Hell's Kitchen career thrived as she became the VP of Dos Caminos and Del Friscos, showcasing her culinary talent.
Ariel's personal life flourished as well, with a wedding in Tulum, Mexico and the birth of her daughter Charlotte Grace.

After winning Hell's Kitchen season 18, Ariel Contreras-Fox has paved the way for her to succeed as a chef. As a show veteran, Ariel entered Hell's Kitchen season 18 to triumph over her competitors. After doing that, Ariel thrived in her professional and personal life. With one of the least traditional post-Hell's Kitchen experiences, there's much to know about Ariel's journey after reality TV. As the winner of one of the best reality TV shows, Ariel's life can be revisited.

After winning Hell's Kitchen season 18, Ariel was offered the grand prize of working as the executive chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Shockingly, Ariel turned down the coveted position. Ariel is only the second winner of the series to turn down the final prize, the first being season 1 winner, Michael Wray. Instead of working in Las Vegas, Ariel decided to work closer to home. Although Ariel originated from Santa Cruz, California, when entering Hell's Kitchen season six in 2009, the victorious chef honed her craft in Brooklyn, New York. Before returning for Hell's Kitchen season 18, Ariel began working as an executive chef at Dos Caminos, a popular Mexican restaurant in New York, during the summer of 2017.

Ariel Contreras-Fox Won Hell's Kitchen Season 18

Following her experience on Hell's Kitchen season 18, chef ArielHell's Kitchen season 18, she continued her work at Dos Caminos. On January 1, 2020, Ariel announced on her Facebook page that she would act as Vice President of Del Frisco's Double Eagle, Del Frisco's Grille, and Dos Caminos. At Dos Caminos, Ariel is determined to cultivate modern cuisine that is authentic to local Mexican food.

Ariel Returned To Hell's Kitchen Season 20

Ariel also maintained a presence on reality television as she recently appeared on the first episode of Hell's Kitchen's season 20 alongside season 17 winner Michelle Tribble. Ariel has also appeared as a guest judge on Food Network series like Beat Bobby Flay. Additionally, in August 2020, Ariel released a children's book that was half-memoir, half-cookbook called Freckle-Faced Foodie: Journey of a Young Chef. The book focused on Ariel's family background and culture and was co-authored by the Hell's Kitchen winner's mother, Marlin Adams.

In addition to writing books with her mother after joining the legacy of winning Hell's Kitchen chefs, Ariel advanced her relationships with her husband and children. On March 1, 2020, Ariel married Alexander Mangual in Tulum, Mexico. Ariel and Alexander's daughter, Charlotte Grace, was born in October 2018, as Hell's Kitchen season 18 was airing.

Along with Charlotte, Ariel also has a nine-year-old daughter. Ariel's Instagram, @chefarielfox, hosts many sentimental posts dedicated to her growing children and devoted marriage. With over 75,000 followers and over 1,700 posts, Ariel is active on her social media. For Ariel's fans desperate to see the chef return to television, the reality star's Instagram also promotes her appearances on shows like Good Morning America.

Since conquering Gordon Ramsey's infernal cooking competition, Ariel has thrived. As the VP of Dos Caminos and Del Friscos and a wife and mother to a growing family, it appears as though all of Ariel's dreams have come true since her experience cooking on reality TV. Ariel will be remembered as one of the most successful Hell's Kitchen chefs on and off the show.