The season began with 18 chefs split into the Blue Team (men) and the Red Team (women). Kimberly-Ann Ryan

Kimberly-Ann "Ryan" Ryan from Traverse City, Michigan. Runner-Up: Heather Williams from Easton, Pennsylvania.

Season 16 of the American competitive reality series Hell’s Kitchen premiered on September 23, 2016 , and concluded on February 2, 2017 , with 18 contestants vying for a prestigious culinary prize. This season was unique as it was the first since Season 13 to feature episode titles other than the standard format.