After weeks of grueling competition, successful and disastrous dinner services, and a ton of drama, it’s official. Gordon Ramsay has his two chefs who will compete in the season 19 finale of Hell’s Kitchen.
On one side we have Kori, the single mother who wants to make a better life for her and her son. On the other, Mary Lou, the underdog who beat the much more seasoned Declan in the final challenge to claim her spot in the finale.
As a result, if we’re being honest, the finale won’t be filled with as much suspense and tension as Hell’s Kitchen viewers are used to. Because by all accounts, the win and the job are Kori’s to lose. All she has to do is create a stunning menu and manage her brigade of chefs and she should get the win easily.
I’ve already gone on record that I feel Mary Lou doesn’t deserve to be in the finale. Sending Cody home two weeks ago was a mistake by Chef Ramsay, one of many he made this season when it came to evaluating the talent of the chefs on the show. And nothing Mary Lou cooked in the final challenge changed my mind.
Kori should win Hell’s Kitchen easily as long as there aren’t any disasters.
The TENSION here is palpable. 😳 #HellsKitchen pic.twitter.com/6RpAXMldmH
— Hell's Kitchen (@HellsKitchenFOX) April 16, 2021
While Kori is not the most talented chef to be on Season 19 of Hell’s Kitchen, she played the game the best. She flew under the radar most of the season, not doing anything to garner overt attention and keeping her mistakes to a minimum. She impressed Chef Ramsay when she had to and was a key part of keeping the Red Team in the win column without standing out.
Mary Lou, on the other hand, had to play the game the opposite. She had to make sure to get noticed any way she could. I’ve said before that she is an outstanding chef, there is no question. But is she really good enough or ready at her age to run a brand new Hell’s Kitchen over Kori?
The answer is no.
Kori’s biggest problem going into the final dinner service will probably be keeping Marc in line and focused. He is a huge liability, which is why he was picked last of the returning chefs. While on paper Mary Lou’s brigade might seem stronger, consisting of Cody, Amber, Niki, and Lauren, the one with the better menu will win.
Taste always trumps everything. The diners will be more than willing to wait a few extra minutes if the food is really good. And Kori has shown over and over her palette and style are superior to Mary Lou’s.
Put your money off the door opening for Kori on the Hell’s Kitchen finale folks. The job is her’s for the taking.
What do you think Guilty Eats Nation? Do you agree that Kori is the odds on favorite to win it all? Or do you think Mary Lou has a shot? Leave a comment below and let us know. Join the converation on our Twitter or Facebook page.