'Hell's Kitchen' to Have Lots of Drama, Local Contestant Says

Parkland High School graduate Jessica Lewis told foxnews.com that viewers can expect "lots of big personalities and, as always, lots of drama" on Tuesday's two-hour premiere of "Hell's Kitchen" on FOX.

The Cetronia native is among 20 contestants who will compete in season 11 of the hot reality show for $250,000 and a position as head chef at Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant in Las Vegas.

Among the challenges: Lewis has to prepare her signature dish (pan-seared wahoo with spring vegetable succotash and lemon thyme vinaigrette) in front of a live audience.

"We had no idea we were going to be in front of a live audience," she told foxnews.com.

"I think it went pretty well, but you'll have to wait and see," she added.

Of the hotheaded Ramsay's notorious temper, Lewis said, "He will yell at you, but his remarks sometimes, you don't know whether to laugh or to cry or to hide."

Among the surpises on Tuesday's premiere: The contestants will compete against a puppet and face some "outside-the-kitchen" challenges, which the foxnews.com video suggests include some grueling physical fitness tests.

Lewis said Ramsay considers not only cooking skills, but good communication and leadership ability.

Lewis graduated from Parkland in 2004 and the University of Virginia in 2008 with a degree in economics. She worked in finance before switching careers to pursue her love of cooking. 

Lewis works at the trendy French restaurant Bagatelle in New York's meatpacking district. Her parents, Cheryl and Scott Lewis, and brother, Matt, still live in Cetronia.

“Hell's Kitchen” airs Tuesday, March 12, 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

You can stay up-to-date with Lewis on her Facebook site, Chef Jessica Lewis, and on Twitter @chefjessicalew and Instagram at chefjessicaa.