The Truth About Emily Hersh From Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns Season 1

Things are heating up in the kitchen this summer with the debut of "Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns." Season 20 of the show debuted on May 31 with an entirely new concept: All 18 new chefs on the show are younger than 24 years old, as Gold Derby reports.

One of the contestants you'll be seeing on this season of the show is 22-year-old Emily Hersh, who hails from San Antonio, Texas. According to her website, Hersh has embraced the plant-based movement and is a graduate of both the Natural Gourmet Institute NYC and the University of Texas at Austin. Hersh specializes in the nutrition and preparation of vegetables and keeps wellness top-of-mind when preparing ingredients for meals. She is currently employed at Jardín at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and has taken to the internet to share her joy of cooking with virtual and in-person classes and demos.

Hersh isn't the only plant-based chef this season

However, it seems there is more to Emily Hersh's love for cooking than just, well, a love to cook. She found the passion after dealing with an eating disorder, according to her website, and enjoys teaching people how to use cooking to help them heal from eating disorders and body image issues.

Hersh won't be the only plant-based chef to be featured on "Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns" this season. According to Live Kindly, there will be another chef vying for the top prize who also specializes in plant-based cooking. Josie Clemens is a 24-year old vegan chef from Michigan who originally cooked with a French flair but has now been experimenting with Eastern ingredients for her meals. 

With both Clemens and Hersh in the competition, it's a battle of the broccoli (okay, and other vegetables!) on "Hell's Kitchen" this season and we are so here for it. 

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).