Private chef and Fort Liberty spouse Lee Orleans is the first to admit he was a “loser” on the latest season of the hit TV show “Hell's Kitchen,” which aired from September to the end of January.
Mr. Orleans, 28, was among 18 contestants on Thursday who competed for a $250,000 prize and the job of head chef at “Hell's Kitchen” host Gordon Ramsay's newest hotel and casino in New Jersey. He said that he had the least experience in cooking.
Orleans, a Virginia native, had just graduated from culinary school in Savannah, Georgia, when she flew to Los Angeles, California, to film the show in 2022.
Still, she said she managed to overcome the odds by winning four challenges and three serves in the reality cooking competition, placing sixth overall.
Plus, the Cameron resident got the coveted black jacket. This is a chef's coat given to the last handful of contestants each season, symbolizing the end of the team's challenge and the beginning of competition with other contestants.
“It's a great honor,” she said. “I'm really proud of myself for not giving in to the heat in the kitchen.”
Since then, she said, her career has taken off. Orlins said the show's credibility has helped her get jobs cooking for clients at high-end wellness retreats and private dining, she said.
“I'm really grateful,” she said. “I can say I cooked on TV and I have proof that Gordon Ramsay said my cooking was great.”
Orleans said the three weeks of sleep-deprived filming were the toughest of her life, but said she was open to appearing on another show. Meanwhile, she is putting some coals on the fire.
Let's take a look at what's next for this up-and-coming chef.
Launch a new business in a luxury gourmet hideaway
With his Chapel Hill business partner Martin Roche, Orlins plans to start a luxury vacation company focused on food and wine.
She and Roche are calling the venture ORO. They may suggest trips to the clients they work with to design dream gastronomic-based vacations. Includes transportation, meals, tours, and activities.
She has already planned several trips to Europe, and the business is expected to officially launch in late summer.
Master's degree in Wine and Beverages
Mr. Orleans said he is taking his private dining service to the next level through wine pairing and education. This summer, she will graduate from the Culinary Institute of America's online master's program in wine and beverages. The school has produced famous chiefs such as the late Anthony Bourdain and Roy Choi.
“Private dining is such a unique experience, so we want it to be fun, complete with wine pairing and conversation,” she said.
What's next for Orleans?
Orlins said she could envision publishing a cookbook in the future, but that might be several years away.
Within the next five years, she said she hopes to have a brick-and-mortar space in the Tar Heel State where she can host events and pop-up dinners.
Follow her work on Instagram @chefleigh, TikTok @chef.leigh, and her website Chefleigh.me.
Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.
