Danny Veltri, a 23-year-old executive chef from Edgewater, FL, was crowned Hell's Kitchen's fifth-season winner during Thursday night's broadcast of Fox reality competition's finale.
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As Hell's Kitchen's fifth-season winner, Danny won $250,000 and a "head chef" position at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
"Danny won Hell's Kitchen because in a very short period of time he grew more than any other chef I've ever seen. He now has the talent and the maturity to become a great head chef," Hell's Kitchen star Gordon Ramsay said about his decision to pick Danny as the season's champion. "The Bogota resort should consider themselves lucky . I would."
"Unbelievable, this is the best I've ever felt man. This is incredible, I can't believe it," a more composed Danny said afterwards. "I did it man, I won. I'm going to be at the Bogota in my own restaurant with a quarter of a million dollars, like holy f--k!"
"It's just the most amazing experience I've ever been through, I love my mom so much and it's just so sad that she had to go before her time," Danny added as he began to tear up. "But I know that she's looking down, crying with me, just saying'You know that's my boy, man. I knew he was going to make something of himself.' And here I am dude, the winner."
Danny defeated Paula Dasilva, a 28-year-old executive sous chef from Coconut Creek, FL, during last night's finale broadcast.
"This has been the most difficult decision I've ever made in Hell's Kitchen," Gordon told both contestants before Danny's win was revealed. "Whatever happens, both of you have got extraordinary, exciting careers ahead of you. And I really mean that."
Paula took the news of her loss well and offered Danny a hug as soon as he stopped his celebratory jumping.
"Danny, congrats man, you deserve this," Paula told the cameras afterwards. "Coming in second place in Hell's Kitchen is definitely not going to stop me. There are so many doors [that are] going to open up. I am not one least bit upset right now, I'm walking out of here a winner."
"Well done, that was hard," Gordon consoled Paula as Danny continued celebrating his victory.
About The Author: Steven Rogers
