After a formidable run on "Hell's Kitchen," Marblehead Chowder House sous chef Heather Williams fell short of winning the Fox cooking competition in Thursday's season finale.
Host Gordon Ramsay named her opponent, Kimberly-Ann Ryan of Michigan (who went by "Ryan), as the winner of season 16 of "Hell's Kitchen." Williams, the Easton chef who had surpassed 16 other competitors to make to the final two, just missed the show's grand prize, the job of head chef at Yardbird Southern Table and Bar at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
"I have no regrets," she said after the result was revealed.
For the finale, Williams packed about 100 friends, family, supporters and some former competitors into the Buffalo Wild Wings off Route 248 in Lower Nazareth Township. Many sported red t-shirts featuring Williams' photo and the phrase, "There's Always an Angel in Hell's Kitchen."
As the episode aired, the hometown crowd cheered enthusiastically for Williams throughout, and occasionally yelled obscenities at her opponent on screen.
Monica Fusco, whose son attended preschool with Williams' son Logan, said her friend didn't change her personality onscreen.
"How she is on the show is how she is," Fusco said. "She's a spitfire."
Former competitors Aziza Young of Harrisburg, Pat Tortorello of Belleville, N.J., and Kimberly Roth, who had made it to the final five, were on hand at Buffalo Wild Wings. Roth drove five hours from Rochester, N.Y., to support her one-time adversary.
"She was one of my best friends since we started the show," Roth said.
Williams started the final episode feeling self-assured.
"I'm gonna snap her like a twig," she said of her opponent in the episode's opening minutes. "I don't see Ryan as competition."
In the initial challenge, the two finalists had 60 minutes to prepare an appetizer and three entrees. The winner of each round, determined by a series of high profile chefs, of the challenge got to choose the former "Hell's Kitchen" competitors who would help them in the season's final dinner service. Williams ended up winning three of the four rounds, choosing Roth, Shaina Hayden, Devin Simpson and Andrew Pearce, with whom she'd formed a cuddly relationship throughout the competition.
"I'm really happy I kicked her butt with three of four dishes," Williams said after the episode, adding that she valued the praise from acclaimed chefs.
Williams faced doubt from some corners, though.
"Heather doesn't deserve to be in the finals," said Heidi Parent, who had just missed the finale when she was sent home after making the top three.
When the dining service started, both chefs ran into roadblocks. Williams appeared overambitious by preparing too much food at once.
"Get a grip," Ramsay implored her.
But the team continued to flag. Ramsay took her aside to encourage her to take control of the team, prompting her to switch up the team's assignments.
"I need my team to step it up," Williams said. "They are so much better than the quality and the timing they're giving me."
Ryan faced struggles of her own. But in the end, Williams hit too many snags in dinner service to claim the "Hell's Kitchen" title. Nonetheless, she won praise from Ramsay for her consistency throughout the competition.
Williams said she went into "Hell's Kitchen" as someone who often second-guessed her abilities in the kitchen. But she knew she had to give her all if she was going to leave her young son Logan for several weeks to be on a TV show. Williams resolved not to doubt herself and to approach each challenge with confidence. The new mindset clearly paid off, carrying her from a field of 18 contestants to the show's final two.
Williams proved herself a worthy competitor from the season's first episode, when she wowed Ramsay with a signature dish. Week by week, Williams excelled in challenges, winning several prizes that included a trip to Las Vegas.
Ramsay noticed her growth, remarking when he invited her to the finale that she had only gotten stronger and stronger throughout the competition.
Along with the pressures of competing, Williams encountered some personal drama on "Hell's Kitchen." After Williams got cozy with Pearce, she discovered that he was engaged. Williams insists that she didn't know about Pearce's fiancee when their flirtation started.
If Williams had come out on top, she would have been the second chef from the Lehigh Valley triumph in "Hell's Kitchen," following Phillipsburg resident Christina Wilson's win in season 10.
Despite not landing the ultimate goal, Williams was happy with her experience.
"I made it to the finale," Williams said in the episode. "So I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of the job that I've done."
Andrew Doerfler may be reached at adoerfler@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @adoerfler or on Facebook.