A Reality Check With ... Jen Yemola (FOX's "Hell's Kitchen")

On last night's Hell's Kitchen, Chef Gordon Ramsay got rid of Jen Yemola, leaving her out of the finals. Now, Bonnie Muirhead and Rock Harper are left to battle it out. A 26-year-old pastry chef from Pennsylvania, Jen became infamous for pulling pasta out of the garbage to serve to patrons during one dinner service. She bounced back and made it to the final 3. Jen is here with RealityCheckByGina to talk about her time in Hell.

RC: Have you always had an interest in cooking?
Jen: Oh my God, yeah! I started washing dishes when I was 14. I loved the excitement & I just moved up from there.

RC: What is your formal training?
Jen: I went to culinary school for 2 years & took some courses in pastry.

RC: Did you always want to be on Hell's Kitchen or is this something you did on a whim?
Jen: It's so weird. I wasn't anything in high school but I always knew I was going to be something someday. I watched Hell's Kitchen last season & just knew I belonged there. I had to be there. I feel so blessed, I had a goal & I accomplished it.

RC: What was the hardest part of being on a reality show?
Jen: The schedule! I had no idea how grueling it would be. You don't get any sleep, you're not eating properly and I just wasn't used to it.

RC: Did Chef Ramsay intimated you with his screaming & swearing?

Jen: No, it's just words. I was never worried. It was just motivation to keep going.

RC: Are you surprised Bonnie & Rock are the final 2?

Jen: I'm not gonna lie, I am surprised. They have their reasons for choosing them though. Maybe I didn't have something they were looking for.

RC: Chef Ramsay was extremely complimentary to both you & Julia when you were eliminated. That had to feel good to go out that way.

Jen: He was so good to me! There were times I felt like he hated me. He knew I had a love for food. He was great.

RC: What was your proudest moment on the show?
Jen: Last night's episode when I won the challenge unanimously. I was so nervous! Last night was my favorite episode.

RC: You got a nice shopping spree as a prize for winning that challenge. Did you go nuts in the store?
Jen: I did! They didn't show it but the first thing I did was buy Bonnie & Rock a set of knives each. I bought tons of cake pans. I had so much fun!

RC: Do you think you'll get away from being "the girl who picked pasta out of the trash to serve"?

Jen: You know, I think I have. I was really remorseful for that. A lot of people didn't recognize their mistakes when they were on the show. I felt huge pressure, he wanted it now, but I'm not going to make excuses. I don't want people to associate bad food with me. I still feel crappy about it.

RC: What was the most shocking elimination to you?
Jen: I think when Brad got voted off. I was shocked, he was really good. I love Bonnie but I was really shocked.

RC: What's next for Jen?
Jen: I want to start my own business doing cake design for weddings & events. I still have a lot to accomplish. I have goals, dreams, and aspirations.

Watch the final two battle it out on Hell's Kitchen next Monday at 9pm EST on FOX

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