The newest crop of Hell's Kitchen hopefuls meet the "HK" bus in Los Angeles - but instead of being transported to Hell's Kitchen, they return to the airport to take another plane heading to Las Vegas.

In Sin City the Hell's Kitchen crew arrive at a theater packed with a live audience. Gordon Ramsay enters to cheers from the crowd and welcomes the contestants. He then introduces Chef Andi, who will oversee the women's team, and a new addition to the staff, Chef James, who will work with the men's team.

The winner of this year's competition will be awarded the position of head chef at the brand-new Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grille at Caesars Palace, with a salary of $250,000. And for the first time ever in the history of the show, the signature dish challenge will take place in front of a live audience.

Contestants have 45 minutes to come up with something stunning that represents them on a plate. The cooks retreat to the kitchen to begin their first challenge. Forty-five minutes later, the two teams emerge in the theater to present their dishes to Chef Ramsay and an audience of 2,500.

First up are Danielle from Atlanta and Barret from Long Island. Barret presents a pork loin roulade, but it has too much garlic for Chef Ramsay's taste. Danielle's chicken breast is burnt on the bottom. Neither cook gets a point.

Nedra from Detroit and Sebastian from Brooklyn approach. She presents rosemary-glazed lamb, which Gordon says is cooked perfectly. Sebastian's shrimp and salmon corn dogs are not as successful. The women's team gets a point.

When Jeremy from Los Angeles fails to identify the kind of steak he used, Chef Ramsay is unimpressed. Susan from Whittier, California, makes raw lamb, prompting Gordon to ask, "Are you seriously trying to kill me?" No points are awarded.

Next up are Ja'Nel from Houston and Ray from Boston. She nails her prawns, and his veal cutlet is "cooked to perfection." Chef Ramsay gives the point to both teams.

Gina from the Bronx makes a penne pasta that is bland and undercooked, while Dan from Westchester, New York, presents a disappointing eggs Benedict. Once again, neither team gets a point.

Amanda from Orange County, New York, and Jon from York, Pennsylvania, both get points after impressing Chef Ramsay. Cyndi from Queens faces off against Michael from Plains, Pennsylvania. Both dishes get good reviews, but Michael wins the point, leaving the score tied at three.

Jessica from New York City presents a pan-seared wahoo, which is seasoned beautifully. But Anthony from New Orleans makes a disgusting scallop po' boy. The women take the lead.

Mary from Belchertown, Massachusetts, gives Gordon an undercooked duck breast. Christian from Boston makes a pasta that has "flavor, heart and passion" and wins the men's team a point, tying the score again.

In the final round, Zack from Philadelphia prepares a pork chop that is tasty but slightly dry. Jacqueline from Florence, New Jersey, makes a duck breast, which is seasoned beautifully. Though it's a tough choice, Gordon awards the win to the women's team.

As a reward, the Red Team is treated to a VIP night at Caesars Palace, including a Celine Dion concert, while the men have an eight-hour school bus ride back to Los Angeles.

Back in the dorms that night, everyone focuses on studying the menu, except Gina, who is playing with her annoying chef puppet. The next morning, as the contestants prepare for the grand reopening, Gina is sick in bed. Once down in the kitchen, she calls for a medic.

Find out how Gina and the rest of the contestants will fare with the competition's first dinner service in part two of the Season 11 premiere.