Although he never intended to audition for a spot as a contestant on Season 9 of the popular reality cooking show “Hell’s Kitchen,” Chicago native Jason Zepaltas thought, “Why the hell not?”

“I actually went to support a friend of mine who was going to try out,” Zepaltas, 29, told EXTRA during an exclusive interview. “It turned out I kind of knew what I was doing in the kitchen and they picked me.”

Originally from Lake Zurich, Zepaltas moved to Chicago five years ago to pursue a career in culinary arts. While in the Windy City, he earned his bachelor’s in culinary arts from Kendall College. Zepaltas is now one of 18 contestants heating up the kitchen with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay on the new season, which debut Monday.

During our interview, Zepaltas talked about which family member inspired him to try cooking as a profession and what food he couldn’t live without.

“Hell’s Kitchen” airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on Fox.

EXTRA: What was your first job in a kitchen?

Jason Zepaltas: I started doing banquets at Fulton’s on the River. I did everything there. When you’re doing a banquet for 2,000 people you learn everything right from the get-go. We would do three different parties a night. There was so much planning involved.

What is it about cooking you love so much?

I just love the kitchen. I love having all that pressure on you. It’s just one of those jobs where you feel fully rewarded.

Was there someone in your life who introduced you to culinary arts?

Well, in high school I was actually studying to be a mechanic. My grandmother is the one who motivated me to get out of the garage and do something ...