The seventh season of the American competitive reality television series Hell's Kitchen premiered on Fox on June 1, 2010, and concluded on August 10, 2010. Gordon Ramsay returned as host and head chef, while Scott Leibfried returned as the Blue Team's sous-chef and Andi Van Willigan debuted as the Red Team's sous-chef, replacing Heather West. Jean-Philippe Susilovic returned as maître d'. The season was won by banquet chef Holli Ugalde, with executive chef Jason "Jay" Santos finishing second. Ugalde was promised the head chef position at the prize restaurant. Filming had concluded in February 2009, 16 months prior to the premiere of this season, when the hotel reopened in 2010; however, she was not given the job. Ramsay stated that the American Ugalde could not work in London due to visa problems, but the latter called that explanation an excuse, saying, "I don't know if they even applied for my visa". She was later awarded an undisclosed amount of money in compensation and retained her title as the winner of season seven. Fourth-place finisher Autumn Lewis received seven nominations for elimination, breaking the record previously held by season two runner-up Virginia Dalbeck of six.

Contestants

Sixteen chefs competed in season seven.

Contestant progress

Episodes