Chef Gordon Ramsay hosts “Hell’s Kitchen”

Don't dare think that Gordon Ramsay has gone soft on us.

The Scottish chef is probably the most recognizable culinary celebrity on TV today, and he sure didn't get that way by being Mr. Nice Guy. "MasterChef" and its spinoff "MasterChef Junior" have been showing off his nicer side (he actually hugs people and compliments them when they're eliminated from competition!), but there's no need to worry: underneath that fuzzy exterior, the red-faced, yelling and screaming side that made Ramsay famous is still very much alive and kicking.

And what could be a more fitting way to show off that side than with the 13th season of "Hell's Kitchen?" The show is premiering the unluckily numbered season Wednesday, Sept. 10, on Fox, with a special two-hour episode, and I'd say that it's a pretty safe bet we'll see some of Ramsay's signature explosions.

Thirteen seasons sure is a lot, and clearly there's more going on here than just Ramsay being Ramsay. The truth is, "Hell's Kitchen" is great because, while it may be heavily edited and blown up beyond belief, it's real. It's real chefs competing against each other in a real kitchen, and they all want the same very real prize: the chance to work with the man who is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest and most accomplished chefs. The $250,000 prize that goes along with the head chef position probably doesn't hurt, either.

The frequent cameos by celebrities are another "Hell's Kitchen" pleasure. Eating dinner in the show's dining room is a sought-after experience, and this star-studded season will find talk show host Wendy Williams, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix, Vegas illusionist and TV personality Penn Jillette and actor Lou Diamond Phillips all taking a seat and enjoying a meal.

It's all part of the reality TV empire that Gordon Ramsay has built for himself on Fox. Although he recently announced that he wouldn't be continuing with "Kitchen Nightmares," the show that put him on the map in America, "MasterChef," "MasterChef Junior" and "Hotel Hell" are still going strong.

Perhaps there just wasn't enough Gordon Ramsay to go around. Whatever the reasoning behind "Kitchen Nightmares'" ending, Ramsay's gruffer side will live on in "Hell's Kitchen's" 13th season, premiering Wednesday, Sept. 10, on Fox.