Be sure to tune in to Gordon Ramsay’s "Hell’s Kitchen" tonight at 8/7c on FOX as the popular culinary competition celebrates its milestone 25th season.
Gordon launched the series in May 2005, and now he says this season is “one of the hungriest yet.” The contestants, all 25 or younger, have grown up watching Gordon and are eager to prove their culinary skills, compete for the grand prize, and earn a head chef position at his restaurant. This special season also looks back at former winners, unforgettable challenges, and some of the notable culinary experts who have appeared on the show over the years. Congratulations to Gordon and the entire Hell’s Kitchen team on 25 incredible seasons!
Enjoy these photos.
The show is filmed at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Gordon and I both have restaurants there – I hope you’ve visited. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
Gordon hosts the unscripted show, putting the contestants through a series of cooking challenges. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
The season started with two main teams – one team of women and one team of men, and all of them between 18 and 25 years old. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
Key participants come from all over the US, one from Haiti, and one from Argentina. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
The contestants also come from a wide range of backgrounds with different experiences. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
Gordon says “Hell’s Kitchen” is about professional chefs, so he holds every contestant to the highest standards. His toughness is part of the show’s competitive format and appeal. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
Every competing chef works hard showing their best culinary skills. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
At the end of each show, one contestant is eliminated, narrowing the group each week until the winner is announced. It’s suspenseful until the end. (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
To celebrate this landmark 25th season, the show sent out cooking gift sets to various culinary celebrities.
The set includes elements to create one’s own fun and fiery dishes.
Here are three cooking ingredients – Krude Chilli Oil, Momofuku Chili Oil, and Mike’s Hot Honey.
There is also a roasting pan and rack.
Congratulations to my friend Gordon on his 25th season! And be sure to tune in tonight for another exciting episode! (Photo provided by FOX Entertainment)
Here at my farm, the trees continue to put on a spectacular display of fall color.
At this time of year, changes in temperature and daylight cause leaves to slow and eventually stop their food-making process. As the chlorophyll breaks down, the green color fades, revealing the beautiful hues of autumn - gorgeous shades of orange, yellow, brown, red, and evergreen.
Enjoy these photos.
Fall foliage has not quite hit full peak here at my farm, but the changing leaves are gorgeous.
There are leaves everywhere this time of year. Some trees change and drop early, others late – usually from mid-October to mid-November here in the Northeast.
Autumn leaf color is a phenomenon that affects the green leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs. Deciduous refers to those specimens that lose their leaves every year.
This is always a popular viewpoint – in every season. It is the carriage road leading to my woodland and hay fields.
And what a difference a couple of weeks make. A short time ago, there was still a lot of green in the trees – now many have changed to shades of yellow, burnt orange, and red.
The colors change daily – warm, sunny days and cool nights produce the most spectacular hues.
At the edge of the back hayfield is the giant sycamore tree – the symbol of my farm. The foliage of American sycamore trees is a vast crown of large leaves. In autumn, sycamore tree leaves turn shades of yellow and brown.
Here is a look through the woodland – so beautiful with its changing color palette.
Linden tree leaves turn a spectacular bright yellow color in fall. Lindens, Tilia, are also known as basswoods, and have sturdy, straight trunks and profuse foliage. This allée of lindens runs from the chicken coops up to my allée of boxwood and then again from the boxwood to my long pergola.
And I planted all these lindens. In fact, I’ve planted most of the trees on the property except the very tall towering trees that are original to the farm.
I extended this linden tree allée in 2017. When mature, lindens reach 50 to 80 feet in height with a spread of 35 to 50 feet. Every single one has developed so beautifully.
I’ve also planted many different types of trees in hopes that they would shade, provide climate control, and change color at different times, in different ways. Here is some of the autumn color seen across one of my paddocks.
I get many compliments on the fencing – it is antique spruce fencing I bought in Canada, and it surrounds all my paddocks for the horses, pony, and donkeys.
Just a week ago, this beautiful Nyssa sylvatica, or black tupelo, was still predominantly dark green, but now its foliage is turning bright red, purple, yellow, and orange – all colors that may appear on the same branch.
Here’s a closer look at some of the changing leaves.
The brooks and streams around the farm are also filled with falling foliage, but if one listens closely, one can hear the gentle, flowing babbling sounds.
I tour the farm several times a day when I am home. The best times to view the changing foliage is early morning when colors are softer and there is less sun glare, or later in the afternoon when the colors are rich and vibrant. Clear, calm days produce the brightest shades.
Here is one of my ginkgo trees. These trees show a dramatic change every fall when the bold green leaves turn golden bright yellow.
And do you know… it’s called fall after the older English phrase “fall of the leaf,” which refers to the season when the leaves drop. The word autumn comes from the Old French automne, from the Latin autumnus, and is used more in Britain.
Some of the best places to see the changing fall foliage include New England, Japan’s Kyoto and Hokkaido, Québec and Ontario in Canada, the Blue Ridge Parkway here in the US, Bavaria in Germany, and the Scottish Highlands. I hope you are able to enjoy some of these amazing autumn colors wherever you are.
Consistency and positive reinforcement are essential to successful dog training. Dogs learn best when desirable behaviors are rewarded, which helps them build confidence and develop reliable habits.
Yesterday, Sal Romano, proprietor of Delighted Pets in nearby Brewster, New York, came to my farm to continue training my French Bulldog puppy, Half Moon - this time with her mother, Luna Muna, joining the lesson. The mother-and-daughter duo worked together in a fenced area, practicing both on and off leash. Their session included short periods of exercise, rest, obedience training, and reward-based drills. Training takes patience and repetition, and time, but for now, Half Moon is enjoying the process and "learning something new every day."
Here are some photos, enjoy!
Half Moon is ready for anything. My 11-month old puppy is full of energy and spunk and is adored by everyone at the farm.
Here she is waiting patiently for her trainer, Sal, to arrive, while watching some activity around my kitchen.
The morning started a little chilly, but Half Moon and Luna Muna were eager to work with Sal. First, Sal allows the two to play a little in the pool area to use up some of their energy.
The two are very close and love to play with each other all the time. Sal also thinks it is good to let the dogs play away from the rest of the pack.
Next, Sal puts Luna Muna on a lead to see how she heels and whether Half Moon follows – it goes very well.
Luna is a show dog and already knows how to walk obediently at Sal’s side, but Half Moon wants to explore on her own.
Half Moon is very confident at the farm – and very curious to sniff, which is another vital activity, providing mental stimulation, environmental awareness, and emotional enrichment.
But it doesn’t take long before she comes close to Luna Muna again. And the three walk nicely together around the pool.
A mother dog can model good behavior if she is already trained, but a puppy still needs independent socialization and human-led training for healthy development.
Sal quickens his speed, so the dogs are more attentive and focused, keeping the training fun.
Half Moon’s attention span is short – about 12 to 20 minutes in total, but it can be longer if it is mixed with breaks of play and rest. Sal uses the opportunity to practice recalls back to him and Luna Muna when she is at a distance.
Next, a little rest and work on the command “down,” which is a cue that tells the dog to lie flat on the ground with its belly down and remaining still until released. Don’t confuse it with the command “off,” which is often used to cue the dog to get off furniture, a certain space, or even off a person.
And then “doggie sit-ups” – asking the two to “sit” and then “down,” sit” and then “down.” It is very important for a dog in training to have a consistent group of words to work with, so they are not confused.
Always provide fresh water when working, but give it in small, frequent amounts with breaks between drinks to prevent gulping and reduce risks like bloat.
After the break, Sal gives the dogs another play session, stopping occasionally for a sit or a recall.
When training is fun, dogs are more motivated, engaged, and willing to learn — making it a form of enrichment rather than a chore.
Half Moon is happy to learn and eager to please. Occasionally, Sal offers small treat-rewards to make the drill even more successful, especially amid distractions.
Sal also allows the two to wrestle, which tires them out. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog.
And finally, “down.” Good girl.
Sal, Luna Muna, and Half Moon walk back to my Winter House for a well-deserved nap. Dog training is a gradual process that requires repetition, consistency, trust, and patience. And so far, Half Moon, and Luna Muna, are doing great.
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