From Hell’s Kitchen to Saint Thomas

Nashville native Sterling Wright grew a loyal fanbase when he brought his culinary talent and warm personality to the 13th season of Fox reality show Hell’s Kitchen. Hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, Hell’s Kitchen pits contestants against each other as they cook their way to the grand prizes—$250,000 and the title “head chef” at a restaurant hand-picked by Gordon.

Sterling received flashy job offers from around the country when he left the show. He ultimately chose to apply for and accept a job at Touchpoint, the café at Saint Thomas Midtown. Why would an up-and-coming chef with reality TV experience join a hospital kitchen? Sterling says it was an easy decision—his mother had a heart transplant at Saint Thomas with Dr. Chomsky and Dr. Babu. Sterling is passionate about the hospital’s mission to serve Middle Tennessee and loves getting to use his culinary talents as a member of the Saint Thomas community.

Friday, May 18th, was the one-year anniversary of the heart transplant that saved his mom’s life. Dr. Chomsky and Sterling were reunited in the emotional video below. Sterling wipes his eyes as he thanks Dr. Chomsky for saving his mom’s life and shares that he wants to surprise his mom with this tearful video reunion.