USC Hospitality chef enters Hell’s Kitchen

The demands of hungry college students may seem like a breeze after Chef Joshua Trovato faces Gordon Ramsay.

Trovato, an assistant kitchen manager at USC’s Parkside Residential Dining facility, is one of the 18 aspiring chefs competing in Season 14 of Hell’s Kitchen, Fox’s popular reality cooking competition. The season premiere aired on March 3.

Once again, chefs from across the country will be tested like never before as Ramsay puts them through a series of grueling challenges and dinner services to prove they have what it takes to win a life-changing grand prize.

Trovato is a lead culinarian at Parkside, which serves trend-current international cuisine in an exhibition-style format served buffet style. Along with a 25-person culinary, Trovato serves over 3,000 meals a day to college students.

We take great pride in hiring top talent and Josh is a perfect example of that.

Erik Russell

“Josh’s participation in the upcoming season of Hell’s Kitchen is a wonderful opportunity for him personally, as well as an opportunity for the university to showcase the continued evolution in our hospitality program,” USC Hospitality Associate Director Erik Russell said. “We take great pride in hiring top talent and Josh is a perfect example of that. We are looking to change the perception of what universities can do with hospitality, and Josh’s participation in Hell’s Kitchen is another step forward for him and our program.”

Throughout the season, each episode will be shown in all residential dining venues.