Philadelphia foodies and fans of reality TV, do we have some juicy gossip for you. On Monday, March, 30, two contestants from FOX’s cooking reality show “Hell’s Kitchen,” Philly-native Christine Hazel and Dallas’ Michelle Tribble, spent time enjoying the culinary culture of the city. The two chefs were in town for a viewing party of the show at Chickie’s and Pete’s in South Philadelphia, where five current contestants, a handful of past contestants, and fans would watch the show’s latest episode.

Hazel graduated from the Culinary School of the Art Institute of Philadelphia with a Bachelors degree in culinary management. She’s also worked for Jose Garces, Farm and Fisherman in Cherry Hill, The Masters golf tournament in Augusta as sous chef, and is currently the Chef Advisor for all Chickie’s and Pete’s restaurants in the Philadelphia area. Tribble has three Associate degrees from El Centro College in baking, pastries, and culinary management, is currently attending Texas Women’s University in Denton for her Bachelors in culinary science, and has been working for 560 by Wolfgang Puck for four years. Both chefs have plenty of education and working experience, but admit that being on Hell’s Kitchen has been an interesting experience.

“It’s been crazy,” Hazel said of her experience on the hit show. “It’s great experience, and I’ve definitely learned a lot. It’s interesting to be in the kitchen with Chef [Gordon] Ramsay. He has a contagious energy about him and we feed off of it.”

It was Tribble’s first time in the City of Brotherly Love, so Hazel had been showing her roommate on the show around different local sites and eateries. They visited Geno’s Steaks after landing at Philadelphia International, where Tribble ordered her first steak (correctly) American wit’.

When The Spirit met up with the two, they were seated at Heritage (914-22 North 2nd Street), a new jazz bar that is officially opening today in Northern Liberties. Terrance Leach is the bar’s owner, and Heritage is his sixth restaurant (Time, Vintage, Bar, Garage, Growlers) with Jason Evenchik. Along with jazz and drinks, Heritage also features a roof garden that’s tended to with the help of a full-time gardener. Leach hopes to have one component of every dish take a component from the roof garden.

Leach’s owning multiple restaurants combined with the opening of Heritage speak to the culinary boom Philadelphia is experiencing, especially in neighborhoods like Northern Liberties. The uptick has lots of people excited, as Leach says, “It’s beyond up and coming, it’s here and a good time. So far our soft weekend has been all locals and families. I’m excited to open up the front door, get outside area going, and spring.”

This is a sentiment that Hazel can agree with:

“Right now in Philly there’s such a variety of foods available. There are so many-up-and-coming neighborhoods that are trying to promote the small plates and tapas but there are so many different types of cuisine that you can get. Philly is up there, and able to compete with the big cities like New York and LA. I’m really excited about it and excited to show Michelle that over the next fews days.”