There were plenty of talented chefs who walked into Hell's Kitchen and didn't come away with the grand prize. Ever since the reality show premiered in 2005, each season has had its share of chefs who many thought would go all the way but fell short in the end.
As it is in every season, Chef Gordon Ramsey has the final word on who didn't meet the criteria needed to lead their own kitchen. Still, that doesn't give any comfort to viewers who thought that certain contestants should have gone all the way and are perplexed that those contestants fell short in the end. Here are just a sample of the contenders fans believed should have won the grand prize.
Trevor "Trev" Mcgrath (Season 8)
He was combative and hard-to-get-along with, but if there was one thing that Trevor "Trev" Mcgrath could do, is that he could cook. In season 8, he earned a coveted Black Jacket but wound up on the losing side of the final two.
Ramsey said that Mcgrath wasn't ready to be his next head chef at LA Market (that season's prized restaurant), but was in awe with his fight and determination - two things that should have carried him all the way.
Mary Poehnelt (Season 11)
Mary Poehnelt was the woman with the silent voice, which grew louder as the season went on. Toward the middle of season 11, it was clear that she should have been one of the top contenders to win, and she ended up in the final two.
Although Mary clearly had the better dinner service over Ja'Nel Witt, she walked out of Hell's Kitchen the runner-up, which upset fans. Her positive attitude and leadership abilities should have opened the door for her.
Benjamin Knack (Season 17)
Not only did he earn a black jacket in season 7 but Benjamin Knack did it again when he came back for their all-star season of Season 17. While Michelle Tribble earned her win that season, Knack had the maturity and experience that should have carried him through to the finish line.
However, he just fell short again when. If Hell's Kitchen has another all-star season, maybe the third time will be a charm for Knack.
Kevin Cottle (Season 6)
From the first episode on, many viewers knew that Kevin Cottle was going to be a force to be reckoned with in season 6. As expected, Cottle got all the way to the final two, but his doorknob didn't turn at the end of the season, David Levey's did.
Granted, Levey deserved the win as he was doing damage on one arm throughout the season, but Cottle was a consistent performer during dinner services and was extremely talented.
Jillian Flathers (Season 8)
To this very day, there are many who say Jillian Flathers got robbed of a shot to win Hell's Kitchen. Flathers was a dominant force in both the dinner services and the challenges, and by the time Ramsey handed out the black jackets, Flathers was clearly a favorite.
However, her time ended too early, in third place, and fans were not happy about Ramsey's decision to pick Nona Sivley and Russell Kook II. She was, by far, capable of knocking out both to become champion.
Ralph Pagano (Season 1)
Pagano was consistent and great in the kitchen. However, in the end, it was Wray's high standards that led to him walking through the door a winner, and Pagano and fans feeling a bit perturbed by the choice.
Jason Zepaltas (Season 9)
How Jason Zepaltas didn't wind up as the winner of season 9 still leaves question marks that fans are struggling to answer.
Jason was boisterous and had an outgoing personality, but he was a consistent performer in the kitchen and showed that he had the tools to be a head chef. In the end, though, he fell short, which still hurts to this day.
Tommy Stevens (Season 9)
Who could ever forget Tommy Stevens? He was one of the more interesting characters ever to walk into Hell's Kitchen, and his tremendous and free spirit certainly made up for his shortcomings in dinner services.
While he started off the season shaky, he did wind up with a black jacket and made huge improvements over the season. However, fans were shocked by Stevens' end - he was the first to go of the black jackets.
Joy Parham-Thomas (Season 12)
When Joy Parham-Thomas walked out of dinner service in the 18th episode, it left many fans aghast. Parham-Thomas let the pressure get to her, and it caused her to do a hasty decision that she regretted immediately afterward.
It was a shame that she made that choice, as many saw her as a favorite to at least make it to the final two of the season with her strong performance and leadership qualities.
Louis Petrozza (Season 4)
Many fans may not remember, but Petrozza didn't start off so well in season 5. However, once he found his groove, he grew to become a strong favorite to win.
In the end, he lost out to Christina Machamer, who Ramsey praised for her large improvements. Nevertheless, fans felt that Petrozza was the better option as they had good quality control and was well-liked by fans.