'Hell's Kitchen' recap: Finally, the final four

By Rene Lynch

July 12, 2013 12 AM PT

There have been too many cooks in the kitchen for several weeks. But finally -- finally -- we’re down to the final four. Dumbo -- er, Susan -- was finally chopped.

Why was she eliminated? Count the ways. She decided to try to make a “healthy” burger during the burger competition. (No one, no matter what they say, wants a healthy burger.) Then, she botched dinner service by firing off entrees before the appetizers had even made their way out of the kitchen.

It made for a -- all together now -- disastrous dinner service.

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But you have to give Susan this much: She absolutely refused to give up the fight, whether she was trying to finally deliver a lamb dish that wasn’t raw, or taking over the reins of the kitchen after chef Gordon Ramsay stormed out in frustration.

Ramsay was impressed enough to say that he might have a job for Susan at some point in the future.

Jon dominated the burger challenge with his Roman burger, which was chosen by nearly 40% of the diners. Not too shabby, especially when you consider that the diners were some of the most prominent restaurant employees in Los Angeles.

Ramsay warned that the next elimination would see two people go home. And not a moment too soon. It seems all but certain that Cyndi and Mary will be the next to go, leaving Jon and Ja’Nel to duke it out for the final spot.

The final four will no doubt have their shot at running the pass next week, when they take turns running the kitchen -- calling out orders and assuring that only the best dishes are served.

Note to self: Leave the room when Mary is at the helm. Not sure my eardrums will hold up under that nails-on-a-chalkboard voice.

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