Casino to welcome reality show winner

Top prize on 'Hell's Kitchen' will be a job at Green Valley Ranch

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The Las Vegas-Hollywood connection continues to mature as Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" returned for its third season on Monday.

The culinary boot camp features chefs from around the nation competing under the direction of world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay for a grand prize and the much-coveted head chef position with lavish eateries such as Red Rock Resort's Terra Rossa restaurant.

This season's champion will be awarded a position at Green Valley Ranch's new Italian eatery and become part owner.

"Coming off of the success of the second series, we've been able to build a really good partnership with the network," said Lori Nelson, Station Casinos director of corporate communications. "It's an exciting show, and it's a favorable partnership for everyone."

Last season's winner, Heather West, has not only been cooking up some tasty dishes since her victory in 2006, but also has become a major draw for eatery patrons and fans of the show.

"Since Heather won, we have received, on average, about 1,000 e-mails a day," Nelson said. "Viewers love the show and want to know how they can meet her. She has generated a lot of good publicity for our restaurants and the casinos."

The show's executive producer, Arthur Smith, believes that the choice of a Vegas restaurant as a grand prize position makes all the sense in the world.

"Las Vegas has become a culinary capital," Smith said. "We love the culture there. There are great chefs and great dining in the city. Our contestants are from all over the country, and Vegas is a city with an eclectic mix. We felt that it would be a great place for any one of our contestants to move should they be the winner."

The grueling 11-week competition will feature challenges for the 12 hopefuls and regular berating from Ramsey.

"These are real chefs who are being challenged to be the best that they can be," Smith said. "The stakes are high here because it's the opportunity of a lifetime."

"Hell's Kitchen" will air on Fox at 7 p.m. Monday.