Hell's Kitchen returns to ITV without Ramsay or celebs

by Sam Matthews,, Brand Republic 17-Feb-05, 11:44

LONDON – ITV is bringing back 'Hell's Kitchen' for a second outing but is replacing Gordon Ramsay with two new chefs and is removing the celebrity element.

Jean-Christophe Novelli and Marcus Wareing have been lined up to replace Ramsay.

In common with the US version of 'Hell's Kitchen', which is airing on Fox TV, the second UK series will feature members of the public who think they can make it as professional cooks.

The amateur chefs will be put into two teams headed by Novelli and Wareing and will go head-to-head each night to produce the best food.

The overall winner of the series will be given a restaurant.

As in the original 'Hell's Kitchen', viewers will be able to phone or text to vote for the most deserving chef. Those with the least votes will leave the restauarant.

'Hell's Kitchen' was a ratings success for ITV when it debuted last year, attracting 8m viewers at its peak. Minor stars, such as former 'Coronation Street' actress Amanda Barrie and 'Brookside' babe Jennifer Ellison, learned how to cook in a real restaurant.

The show cemented Ramsay's reputation as a foul-mouthed, bad-tempered but very watchable TV star.

Unfortunately for ITV, Ramsay signed a golden handcuffs deal with Channel 4 to make more episodes of 'Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares'.

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