‘Hell’s Kitchen 22’ episode 12 recap: Who was eliminated in ‘A Hell’s Kitchen Special Delivery’? [LIVE BLOG]

Tonight on “Hell’s Kitchen,” it is time for Gordon Ramsay to hand out the legendary black jackets. Determined to win the coveted black jacket, the chefs play a high stakes game of craps to determine the dishes they will be making for this week’s first challenge. It will take three challenges to determine which chefs are ultimately worthy of standing amongst the greats in the all-new “A Hell’s Kitchen Special Delivery” episode of “Hell’s Kitchen” airing Thursday, January 4 (8:00 PM – 9:00 PM) on FOX.

Season 22 started with 18 contestants competing for the $250,000 grand prize and a head chef position at Hell’s Kitchen Las Vegas. Below are the current team breakdowns. View the complete gallery of this season’s contestants and their elimination order above.

Red Team: Carmen, Leigh, Sammi

Blue Team: Dahmere, Jason, Johnathan, Ryan

SEE ‘Hell’s Kitchen 22’ cast: Meet the 18 chefs competing in ‘The American Dream’ [PHOTOS]

8:00 p.m. — “Previously on ‘Hell’s Kitchen’!” In episode 11, the infamous blind food taste test returned with a new out-of-this-world challenge. During dinner service, problems with scallops and soufflés revealed the differences between leaders and losers. Following dinner service, Gordon decided to eliminate Donya from the Red Team, remarking about the 28-year old from New York, “Donya had the drive, voice and was a great cook. But, I’m not looking for a great cook, I need a great chef.” Who will be eliminated next?

8:05 p.m. — Back up in the dorms, Johnathan is furious that Jason brought up his name during elimination. “Deal with it, it’s a competition,” Jason screams. After Johnathan goes to his room and slams the door, Jason follows him to talk it out. More screaming ensues as Johnathan yells, “There’s no f***ing way you’re going to run [Gordon’s] kitchen.”

8:10 p.m. — The next morning the chefs return to the kitchen and meet Gordon. The contestants gasp as drones fly into the kitchen with a special delivery — a black jacket. It’s black jacket day and only five chefs will receive them. Two will be eliminated. For the first challenge they’ll play a high stakes game of craps to determine the dishes they will be making. There will be eight ingredients selected by the chefs after Gordon picks halibut for the protein. The other ingredients rolled are spinach, miso, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, prosciutto and truffle. They have 45 minutes to cook their dish and the clock starts now!

8:20 p.m. — Dahmere is up first. The fish is cooked beautifully, but under-seasoned. Carmen’s is smooth, delicious and creamy but Gordon can’t taste the truffle. Leigh’s needs more seasoning, but the miso is “beautifully done.” Jason’s is “plump and moist,” but it looks a little clumpy. Johnathan’s is “glistening” and Gordon calls it “utter perfection.” Gordon wastes no time and gives Johnathan a black jacket before he even finishes tasting the others. Next up is Sammi, who nailed her halibut. Last is Ryan’s, which is cooked beautifully, but Gordon warns him to be careful with the crust. The second black jacket in this round goes to Sammi.

8:30 p.m. — The second challenge will be determined by a slot machine. Inside each slot is an ingredient. After the first pull, chefs race to the machine and grab which protein they want. There were only five options, so the fastest contestant, Dahmere, got his top choice of sea bass. While they continue cooking, Gordon pulls the slot machine throughout, revealing more ingredients and making the chef-testants race time and time again. In the end they will each have five ingredients in this challenge that lasts a total of 45 minutes.

8:40 p.m. — Time has elapsed and Ryan is furious with himself. He calls his lobster the worst he’s done in the competition. Gordon says it needs more acid. Carmen’s scallops have a great sear, but need more heat. Dahmere’s sea bass is “spot on” and “delicious.” Jason’s steak and eggs is not cooked evenly, but the sauce is delicious. Leigh’s rib cap and elote has “rustic charm” but needs more meat. The next chef to receive a black jacket is Dahmere. The second black jacket handed out this round is for Carmen.

8:45 p.m. — Just one black jacket remains with Jason, Ryan and Leigh left in the kitchen. For their final challenge they have complete freedom to make anything they want. He encourages each chef to play to their strengths, cook from their hearts and blow him away. They have 45 minutes. Jason hopes to redeem his first dish of the season by upping his lobster game. Ryan is making his own pasta. Leigh is cooking up a lamb rack with mushy peas, a nod to her husband’s British heritage.

9:00 p.m. — Leigh is up first. Her lamb chop with mushy peas is “cooked beautifully.” Jason’s lobster with coconut milk chili is “clean” and “elegant.” The sauce needs more seasoning, but the lobster is the hero. Last up is Ryan. His sweet potato pasta has no protein. Gordon calls it “visually beautiful” and it’s “fragrant.” These are three completely different dishes. Gordon decides to eliminate Jason. Next, he tells Leigh and Ryan this is the hardest decision he’s had to make. The chef he hands the final black jacket to is Leigh. As Ryan stands there devastated, Gordon surprises him and says, “I have a black jacket for you as well, young man.” The chef breaks down in tears hearing that his American dream hasn’t ended. The six remaining chefs celebrate with champaign as Gordon tells them they’ve made history. It’s the first time in 10 years he’s handed out six black jackets.