You remember Season 11. It was the one where the Blue Team was basically a walking disaster, losing nearly every challenge, while the Red Team felt like a shark tank. In the middle of that chaos was Amanda Giblin. If you’re a die-hard fan of the show, you know that Amanda from Hell’s Kitchen wasn't just another body in the kitchen; she was one of those rare contestants who actually seemed to have a head on her shoulders.
Gordon Ramsay is known for spotting talent through the screams, and for a while, it looked like Amanda might actually go the distance. She had this quiet confidence. She didn't get bogged down in the petty drama that usually defines the early episodes of a season. But then, as it always does in Ramsay’s kitchen, the pressure cooked her.
Most people forget that Amanda was actually a pantry chef from Orange County, New York, before she stepped onto the soundstage. She wasn't some high-rolling executive chef with twenty years of ego backing her up. She was young, hungry, and—honestly—a bit overwhelmed by the sheer toxicity of her teammates.
The Rise and Fall of Amanda Giblin in Season 11
The thing about Amanda from Hell's Kitchen is that her trajectory was almost perfect until it suddenly wasn't. She survived nine grueling services. That’s no small feat when you consider that Season 11 is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding seasons in the show's history, mainly because the contestants spent half their time doing "punishments" that involved manual labor.
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She was consistent. That was her brand. While others were burning scallops or serving raw chicken, Amanda was usually the one keeping her station tight.
That Fateful Dinner Service
It happened in Episode 10. The wheels didn't just fall off; they exploded. Amanda was struggling on the fish station. Now, if you know anything about Hell’s Kitchen, you know the fish station is where dreams go to die. It’s the hardest station to time with the meat, and Ramsay has zero patience for a rubbery sea bass.
Amanda’s exit was heartbreaking because it wasn't about a lack of skill. It was about communication. She got quiet. When you go silent in Ramsay’s kitchen, he assumes you’ve given up. He eliminated her right there in the middle of the service—a "mid-service elimination" that remains one of the more jarring moments of that year.
"Give me your jacket," he said. It’s the phrase every chef dreams of never hearing. And just like that, the journey of Amanda from Hell's Kitchen ended on national television.
Life After the Screaming: Where is Amanda Now?
A lot of fans think that once the cameras stop rolling, these chefs just vanish into the ether or go back to flipping burgers. That wasn't the case here. Amanda Giblin didn't let a mid-service firing define her career.
Actually, she did something pretty impressive. She leaned into the culinary world with even more intensity. She didn't hide. She used the exposure to level up.
- Executive Chef Roles: She moved into high-level positions in New York, proving that her "pantry chef" roots were long gone.
- The Gluten-Free Movement: One of the coolest things she did was become a bit of an expert in gluten-free cooking, which, back in 2013-2014, was just starting to hit the mainstream in a big way.
- Culinary Consulting: She transitioned into the business side of things, helping restaurants refine their menus and operations.
Honestly, it’s a better career path than most winners get. Winners get a one-year contract at a casino restaurant where they usually aren't even the head chef. Amanda built her own brand.
Why Fans Still Talk About Her
People still search for Amanda from Hell's Kitchen because she felt relatable. She wasn't a "villain." In a show that thrives on casting people who are borderline unhinged, she felt like a real person trying to do a real job.
There's a specific segment of the fanbase that thinks Ramsay was too hard on her. If you go back and watch the footage, she was definitely struggling that night, but compared to some of the other contestants who stayed longer (looking at you, Dan), her mistakes felt fixable.
The "Red Team" Curse
The Season 11 Red Team was legendary for its infighting. You had personalities like Nedra and Mary constantly clashing. Amanda was often the one caught in the crossfire, trying to act as the voice of reason. It’s hard to cook a perfect risotto when someone is screaming three inches from your ear about who did the prep work.
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The Reality of the "Hell's Kitchen" Contract
When we talk about the legacy of someone like Amanda, we have to acknowledge how the show actually works. Most viewers don't realize that the contestants are under massive NDAs. They can't talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff for years.
But Amanda has been relatively open about the fact that the show is an "experience" rather than a true culinary school. It’s about stamina. She showed she had the stamina, even if her final night was a mess.
Today, she’s active on social media and still deeply involved in the food scene. She’s proof that you don't need the crown to win the career.
Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Chefs (and Fans)
If you're watching Amanda from Hell's Kitchen and wondering how to apply her journey to your own life or career, here’s the reality of the situation. It’s not about the moment you fail; it’s about the pivot you make afterward.
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Don't let a public failure stop the grind. Amanda was fired on TV in front of millions. Most people would change their name and move to a different country. She stayed in the industry and became an Executive Chef.
Master the "Soft Skills" of the Kitchen. Her downfall was communication, not cooking. If you're in a high-pressure environment, talk. Even if you're failing, talk. Silence is the enemy of a functioning team.
Diversify your expertise. Amanda didn't just stick to line cooking. She explored specialized diets and consulting. In the modern economy, being "just a chef" isn't enough. You have to be a brand, a consultant, and an expert.
Follow her current journey. If you want to see what she's up to lately, she’s frequently sharing insights into the New York food scene. She remains a great example of how to handle the "post-reality TV" slump with grace.
The story of Amanda Giblin is a reminder that the edit doesn't always show the whole person. She was a talent that got overwhelmed by a specific format, but the professional world saw what the cameras missed: a dedicated, skilled chef who knew how to lead.