Your family, friends or costumers rave over your cooking, but do you have what it takes to with stand the heat in Hell's Kitchen? If you'd like to try your hand at cooking for chef Gordon Ramsay, read on to find out how to become a contestant on Hell's Kitchen.

Despite being a cooking show, prospective contestants do no actual cooking during the casting process. Instead, those interested attend open casting calls across the country or submit an application and video online or through the mail.

In addition to cooking skill, prospective contestants must meet a few requirements to be considered for the show.

1. You must be over the age of 21http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
2. You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and be permitted to work in the United Stateshttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
3. You or your immediate family may not be employed by Upper Ground Enterprises, Inc., A. Smith & Co., Fox Broadcasting Company, affiliates or sponsors within the past two yearshttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
4. You may not have appeared on more than two reality television shows within the past five years or one show within the past yearhttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
5. You must have a clean criminal record, meaning no convictions and no restraining ordershttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
6. You must submit to medical and psychological testing as well as a background investigationhttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf

Paperwork is part of any casting process for legal needs, but the Hell's Kitchen application delves deeper into your background, asking about your experience, personality and life.

1. Download and print the Hell's Kitchen casting application
2. Complete each section, including general information, employment history, personality, epicurean, medical and the legal releasehttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
3. Be sure to answer all questions clearly and honestly
4. Use only blue or black ink and write legiblyhttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf
5. Attach a recent resume and photo and submit the application online or by mail with a video or bring it to an open casting callhttp://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/hk-application.pdf

Producers for the show recommend prospective contestants attend an open casting to assure they have time to see your face. While attending a casting is not mandatory for reaching the show, it is the suggested method.http://www.formspring.com/forms/realitycasting-hk

1. Visit the Hell's Kitchen website to find an open casting in your area
2. Call or e-mail the casting agent that will be operating the casting to let them know to expect youhttp://www.fox.com/blogs/futurefox/2009/10/05/hells-kitchen-season-8-open-call-by-city/
3. Bring your completed application, identification, a recent resume and a photohttp://www.fox.com/blogs/futurefox/2009/10/05/hells-kitchen-season-8-open-call-by-city/
4. Dress comfortably and professionally
5. Arrive early to make sure you are seen in the time available
6. Show you have personality, passion and palate, the three things the judges look for when selecting prospective contestantshttp://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/1826027,4_1_JO15_KITCHEN_S1-091015.article
7. Be memorable and cordial, show them why you stand out from others

If there are no open casting calls in your area, don't fret. Hell's Kitchen accepts applications and videos submitted online or through the mail.

1. Videos must be between five and seven minutes in lengthhttp://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf
2. Videos must be formatted in VHS or mini DVhttp://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf
3. Be sure you are in a well-lit room and check your tape before sending to ensure good-quality picture and soundhttp://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf
4. State your name, occupation and locationhttp://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf
5. Describe your personality, culinary experience and training, why you want to be on the show, why you think you'd win, your strengths as a chef and what you think America would say about you should you be on televisionhttp://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf
6. Clearly label your video and photo with your namehttp://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf
7. Submit your video online or send your tape, completed application, a recent resume and a photo to:

• • HELL’S KITCHEN CASTING
  • Hell’s Kitchen Casting
  • Upper Ground Enterprises, Inc.
  • 9911 West Pico Blvd., Suite 250
  • Los Angeles, CA 90035http://www.theconlincompany.com/nowcasting/HK8_SelfSubmissionGuide.pdf

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