the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Joe Tartamella, executive chef at Ridgewood’s acclaimed Felina restaurant ( 54 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450-3808) , is turning up the heat as a contestant on the latest season of Hell’s Kitchen. The fiery cooking competition, led by the notoriously tough Gordon Ramsay, features Tartamella among 18 head chefs battling it out in Season 23, which premiered on September 26 on Fox.
Tartamella, 35, has been head chef at Felina since 2023, bringing his culinary expertise to the elite Bergen County restaurant. This season of Hell’s Kitchen, dubbed “Head Chefs Only,” features an all-star cast of experienced executive chefs, a shift from prior seasons that included line cooks and aspiring chefs. Ramsay made it clear from the start that this is the most accomplished group the show has seen, promising even tougher standards for the competitors.
Tartamella’s Journey to Hell’s Kitchen
Originally from Staten Island and now residing in East Rutherford, Tartamella has built an impressive culinary career. Before joining Felina, he served as the chef at Allegory inside Montclair’s MC Hotel and worked with Harvest Restaurant Group at several New Jersey establishments. His current role at Felina, known for its contemporary twist on Italian and American classics, has already earned him accolades, including being named runner-up for Best Chef in 201 Magazine’s Best of Bergen Readers’ Poll for 2024.
Tartamella is a first-generation Sicilian American and has made his mark on the New Jersey culinary scene. In Hell’s Kitchen, he shows both his skills and fiery side. In a teaser trailer, Tartamella is seen clashing with fellow chefs and grappling with the high-pressure environment, calling it “the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” Even Ramsay acknowledges his talent, telling Tartamella, “You’re a [expletive] good cook. Compose yourself.”
Competing for the Top Prize
The stakes are high in this season of Hell’s Kitchen. The winner will be crowned head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s newest restaurant at Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut, which opened this summer. In addition to the prestigious role, the champion will also take home a $250,000 prize.
As Tartamella competes, he’s balancing his duties as executive chef not only at Felina in Ridgewood but also at Felina Steak in Jersey City and Felina at the Albion in Summit. Interestingly, Tartamella isn’t the only Felina chef competing this season—chef Whitney Thomas, who heads Felina Summit, is also in the running. Their friendly rivalry adds a unique twist to the competition.
New Jersey Talent Shines
Tartamella isn’t the only chef representing New Jersey on Hell’s Kitchen. Two other head chefs from the Garden State are competing as well. Uri Elbaum, 27, from Long Branch, serves as executive chef at several kosher restaurants in the Deal area, while Kyle Timpson, 29, originally from Cape May County, now works in Philadelphia’s culinary scene. Together, these talented chefs showcase New Jersey’s vibrant food culture on a national stage.
For Tartamella, winning Hell’s Kitchen would be a “life-changing” experience. As he said on the show, it would make his wife and daughters “real proud.” With his passion, skill, and determination, all eyes are on him as he vies for the top prize and culinary glory.
HAWAIIAN PIZZA? FUHGETTABOUTIT!
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Over rated, nothing unique and NYC prices, atmosphere and service are good
awful acoustics