Hell’s Kitchen fans no longer have to wait for rising temperatures to enjoy Gordon Ramsay’s fire - this summer sensation has been bumped up to spring. But before we move on to a whole new crop of competitors, let’s not forget the ones we loved from last summer.

In a recent Access Hollywood interview, Gordon Ramsay gave the dish on the fate of some of our faves and even dropped a few hints about the sizzling new scenes yet to come. Last season’s Julia caught attention early for her determination and heart-wrenching elimination, where Ramsay told her he wanted to send her to culinary school for formal training, an offer not given to any other HK competitor. Ramsay called the former Waffle House chef an “amazing lady, extraordinary talent,” and warns “don’t think you’ve seen the last of this lady.” Julia did in fact go to culinary school, and Ramsay has promised that she’ll be back, though “not too sure where she’s going to pop up.” He still keeps in touch with her, and almost all the contestants of the show.

The three winners of Hell’s Kitchen are still at work in the jobs they received as part of their packages, but this year’s competition promises to be a little different. A restaurant job is still being offered, but this time the location is one of Ramsay’s own hotspots. His West Hollywood establishment needs a new chef, and Gordon says “I’m raising the bar” on the competition. As to Season Four, Ramsay said there’s a lot of “Girl Power,” but “the stakes are higher, the determination is extraordinary and it has been full of tantrums and tears.” Spring just got hot.