History was made on Hell’s Kitchen as Kyle Timpson became the first openly gay male winner of the long-running culinary competition.
Timpson, an executive chef, triumphed in the 23rd season of the hit Fox series, which featured 18 highly skilled contestants, all holding head or executive chef titles. Navigating the intense, high-pressure challenges of the show, Timpson impressed the notoriously tough Gordon Ramsay with his culinary skills, leadership, and charisma.
The finale came down to Timpson and fellow finalist Hannah Flora, a country club executive chef. In the show’s dramatic tradition, the two finalists stood with their hands on the door to Ramsay’s office, anxiously waiting to see whose door would open—signifying the winner.
In the end, Timpson’s door unlocked, cementing his place in Hell’s Kitchen history and securing him the grand prize: the position of head chef at Hell’s Kitchen Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, where the season was filmed. However, according to Philly Voice, he has not yet confirmed whether he will accept the role.
Following his victory, Timpson was met with thunderous cheers from the audience, including his mother and aunt, who passionately chanted his name.
“I knew I would do well, but I didn’t know I would win,” he admitted. “I’m so happy my mom gets to see me accomplish this. Who needs moisturizer when you have tears of joy?”
Originally from Dennis, New Jersey, Timpson honed his culinary skills at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College. His early career saw him working in seasonal restaurants along the southern Jersey Shore before he moved to Philadelphia in 2021 to further refine his craft.
With a strong reputation for both his culinary expertise and presentation, Timpson has held various prestigious roles, including sous chef at Beach Plum Farm in New Jersey and, most recently, Chef de Cuisine at Fearless Restaurants, a well-known collection of dining establishments in the Philadelphia area and Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
As the first openly gay male winner of Hell’s Kitchen, Timpson’s victory is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in reality television.
