Rockville Centre chef is out of the frying pan, and into 'Hell's Kitchen'

Fran Klier is a self-taught chef from Rockville Centre. She runs a modest-sized catering business that she started when she left her former position as executive chef at Temple B’nai Sholom.

After some pressure from her family, she decided to attend an open casting call for the reality show “Hell’s Kitchen” that was being held in New York City in October 2008. “So I’m lined up on the street in the middle of October,” said Klier, “and the next thing I know, my life is just turned inside-out.”

Klier was selected to be a contestant on the seventh season of the popular show, which brings in chefs from all over to work in the kitchen of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The ultimate prize of the show is a chance for the winner to work in the kitchen of a famous chef.

At 44 years old, Klier was the oldest woman to ever compete on “Hell’s Kitchen.” And the experience was something that made a lasting impact on her.

“I lost 18 pounds in Hell’s Kitchen,” she said. “I learned how to drink Red Bull and have Hot Pockets as my meal of the day.”

After being accepted at the casting call in New York, Klier was flown out to California for more interviews with producers. According to Klier, all of the possible contestants were asked to keep to themselves.

“We couldn’t talk to a soul that’s there,” she said. “If you spoke to each other, you were sent home and that was it.”

Klier grew up working under her father, who was also a chef. He taught her the craft, and she perfected it over the years. Klier said the producers seemed to like that aspect about her, and asked her about it often.

After she was accepted by the producers, Klier had to undergo a barrage of tests, including a physical examination, a background check and an interview with a police officer. Then she was flown back to New York to wait. The call that she would be a contestant came before Christmas, and starting in February, Klier spent six weeks in “Hell’s Kitchen.”

“It was an experience of a lifetime,” she said. “I’m glad I did it.”

The show premiers on June 1, and to celebrate, Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails on N. Park Avenue is hosting a viewing of the episode. They’ll have a special menu and drink specials, as well as hors d’oeuvres. The kitchen will also be open for the night.

“From 8-10 p.m. is the viewing of the first episode of Hell’s Kitchen, so that will be on all 30 plasma TVs,” said Kasey’s co-owner Anthony Geraci. “When the show’s over, we’re going to put some music on [and have fun].”

For Klier, working under the notorious Chef Ramsay, who is known to berate and yell at the contestants of “Hell’s Kitchen,” was an honor. As much as he may anger his contestants, Klier came away with a lot of respect for him.

“He is relentless. But, he does it for perfection, which I understand,” she said. “Because I’m very, very picky in a kitchen. So I always did understand why he is the way he is.”

Klier said she’s looking forward to the screening (she, of course, already knows what happens), but she’s nervous, as well.

“I’ve been scared of the first episode. I always have been,” she said. “It’s going to be an experience, that’s for sure.”

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