PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Hell’s Kitchen’s biggest hell-raiser is Swissvale resident Elise Wims.

But competitive zeal won her the honor of second runner-up.

“I showed what Pittsburgh is about – wanting to be the best and striving to do what you have to do to get to the top,” she said.d

WAMO radio is one of many interviews the freelance caterer is likely to face, but nothing compares with those weeks of 12-hour-a-day taping in Los Angeles. Only the strong survive.

“In my opinion, to be a woman and be successful in this industry which is very male [dominated], you have to be very passionate, you have to be assertive and you have to have a voice,” Wims said.

The chef from Swissvale made the final four.

Long-time viewers know that Chef Ramsey is no cupcake to deal with, but when Elise walked into his kitchen, he may have met his match.

“I think Chef Ramsey felt like he was looking at the female version of him,” Wims said. “I’ve been a fan of his for a long time and I’m glad to have met him and learned a lot of his techniques.”

Elise ultimately assisted the chef who went on to win it all.

“And I think that I’ve inspired a lot of people, whether that may have been good or bad and, you know, just enjoying the ride,” she said.