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ATLANTIC CITY - And the new Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa chef is … Danny Veltri. The self-proclaimed "hick" not only earned celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's praise and title of "Hell's Kitchen" Season 5 winner, but Veltri also earned a chef's job at Borgata.

But what does that exactly mean?

Well, Veltri, 28, will be in the kitchen of Borgata's brand new concept: Fornelletto Cucina Italiano. And Veltri isn't done working for a well-known chef.

It turns out the executive chef from Edgewater, Fla., will be working under the tutelage of Stephen Kalt, a highly touted chef best known for his appearances on "Martha Stewart Living" and as executive chef of Corsa Cucina, a gourmet Mediterranean and Italian restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas.

"It's going to be an Italian restaurant," said Kalt, a New York native whose Borgata restaurant will be located in the former Ombra location, which is currently receiving an overhaul. "It will be a mix of traditional, continental and modern cuisine. But most importantly, it's going to be fun. The food, of course, is going to be great, but why shouldn't it also be a fun, memorable experience."

Veltri, who rocked the final challenge as he reunited with previously eliminated "Hell's Kitchen" contestants, narrowly edged fellow Floridian Paula DaSilva because of Veltri's "level of growth," Ramsay said on the show. "He has the talent and maturity to become a great chef. Borgata should consider itself lucky. I know I would."

The new Borgata chef was introduced at an invitation-only viewing party of the Fox series season finale at the Music Box Thursday, where Kalt was also present.

"I am so proud," Veltri said in tears. "I am so happy. It's really an unbelievable experience."

Veltri was joined by other Season 5 contestants Andrea Heinly, Ben Walanka, Charlie McKay, Seth Levine, Ji-Hyun Cha, Colleen Cleek, fan favorite Robert Hesse and four Season 4 contestants, including winner Christina Machamer. They were given the red-carpet treatment before the viewing party, ate at Wolfgang Puck American Grille and answered questions from the audience of 900. DaSilva was not present since she hosted her own viewing party in Florida.

What did the audience learn? Pretty much that Ramsay is a much nicer guy off screen than on screen, that Hesse lost 45 pounds and is OK after being admitted to Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point during filming in 2007 and that the audience really doesn't care very much for Cleek, who was as annoying at Borgata as she was on the show.

Veltri said he doesn't know whether working for Kalt will be easier than working for Ramsay, who is known for throwing around enough foul language to make Chris Rock blush.

"There is always profanity in the kitchen," Veltri said. "But as far as being easier … I don't know. I have to wait to see him in the kitchen."

Borgata estimated the casino received millions of dollars worth of marketing play from the show tie-in, and Kalt said he was happy with Ramsay's choice.

"He is going to be a sous chef at the restaurant," Kalt said. "He is an amazing, energetic talent who has accomplished a great deal and has certainly be in the spotlight because of this show, but he needs some training and experience. But he has incredible spirit and work ethic. He's a work in progress, but we all were at one point."

Veltri wasn't surprised he wouldn't be the main man overseeing a whole restaurant like the show promised.

"I really couldn't expect them to hand me the full reins," Veltri said. "It's a TV show."

Veltri, who spent most of the season in a bandanna hiding his long hair and expressing that his dream restaurant would include mounted fish and deer heads, will be the most well-paid sous chef in the country. By winning "Hell's Kitchen," he is guaranteed $250,000, and could walk away without working a day.

"I'm going to stick around," Veltri said. "But it's going to take some adjustment. I'm a Florida boy. But I think if I can get near a beach, I will be OK."

Kalt also believed Veltri will stick with the job, but that Fornelletto won't have animals hanging on the wall.

"Not yet," Kalt laughed "But I wouldn't really mind antlers on the wall."

Although Veltri is certainly a minor celebrity chef compared to the likes of Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, Michael Schulson and Bobby Flay, all whom have restaurants at the casino-hotel, Veltri thinks fans of Hell's Kitchen" will come to see what he has to offer.

"I am looking forward to staying here and working my (rear) off," Veltri said.

E-mail Scott Cronick:

SCronick@pressofac.com

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