Hell's Kitchen Finale Party at Araxi
bySpoiler alert: The following post mentions the winner of the sixth season of Hell’s Kitchen
This afternoon we rented a car and drove the lovely Sea to Sky Highway in order to attend the Hell’s Kitchen finale screening party at Araxi in Whistler.
Araxi this summer
John and I had the pleasure of dining at Araxi this summer and have been waiting for our chance to make it back. Thanks to the hard working team at Top Table, we got an invitation for tonight’s one-of-a-kind event and I was even able to give away two tickets on my site to a lucky contest winner.
Party goers entered the restaurant flanked by spotlights and each had a chance to get their photo with the four finalists on the red carpet before entering.
Once inside, the menu of light canapes were delicious as expected and served to a standing-room only crowd (which almost formed a hungry mosh pit each time delectable new items were brought out). The entire restaurant was transformed with big screen TVs in every corner so everyone could catch the episode while the final four Kevin, Dave, Tenille, and Ariel) mingled with excited guests.
It was a two-hour season finale for the reality cooking series but time passed quickly between stops at the oyster bar and the wine table. I had the chance to chat very briefly with the final two contestants, Kevin and Dave, before the the winner was announced by Chef Gordon Ramsey on the 48″ LCD screen behind me.
Dave Levey, who had been working most of the season with a broken wrist, was named the winner and Araxi roared with excitement. Cameras flocked to his location and Executive Chef James Walt (Dave’s new boss) officially welcomed him to the team… with a crab.
John did a fantastic job of capturing many moments this evening and also following me around so I could chat with the contestants who were all so charming. I was also able to see Chef Walt again as he was joined by Chef Levey.
They were all pretty busy but at the end of the night we at least got to tell Dave to check out Vancouver and recommend the surfer from San Diego take up snowboarding this winter, which I’m certain was already on his list anyway. We’re looking forward to coming on back this winter to see how Dave’s made an impact on the place as I’m curious to see how it could possibly get even better.
8 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I didn’t catch much of the season this year, but the episodes I did Dave appeared to be one of the only ones who had his head straight.
I’m glad Dave won but I don’t know if he should take up boarding he wouldn’t want to break his arm 😀
I can almost see the smile on John’s face as he takes shots with his new Nikon!
@Jenny maybe his arm won’t be as fragile as yours when you kept breaking it for a few years 😛
@Duane he’s pretty giddy
Yay it looks like you guys had an awesome time! I love the photo of you with all the finalists…
I’m soooo happy Dave won. He’s so “Whistler” already.
Question for you, who was the crowd at Araxi cheering for the most? 🙂
Thanks for posting this. I faithfully watched every episode this season and thanks to John and you these pics are the final garnish to round out another F’ing exciting season of Hell’s Kitchen. ;~)
Great post Rebecca- We had a great time at Araxi – it was my first Red Carpet Event! I can’t wait to go back =)
Too bad that the job didn’t work out for Dave. Maybe if James Watt’s ego wasn’t so badly bruised by the newcomer’s presence then Dave might have had a chance instead of having received the “bum’s rush” after the end of the Olympic Season.