Rock Harper has begun to reap his reward for putting up with foul-mouthed culinary king Gordon Ramsay.

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The 30-year-old Hell's Kitchen third-season champ from Spotsylvania, VA has packed up and moved to Las Vegas to assume the position of head chef at Terra Verde, a new Italian restaurant at the Sin City's Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino.

"This is the most exciting time of my career," said Harper, who has more than a decade of culinary experience.  "Winning Hell's Kitchen was such a great accomplishment for me, but I am even more excited about being the head chef at Terra Verde and taking my career to the next level."

Harper, who graduated with a culinary arts degree from Johnson and Wales University, had previously worked at Embassy Suites, Bagel Bakery, It's About Thyme, Planet Hollywood, BET on Jazz Restaurant and B. Smith's Restaurant. 

Now he finds himself at Terra Verde -- Green Valley Ranch Resort's newest restaurant that serves authentic Italian dishes -- where he's making a $250,000 salary.  Harper began his new job yesterday, according to the resort.

Green Valley Ranch Resort is the sister-luxury property of the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa property that includes T-Bones Chophouse & Lounge restaurant, the resturant where Hell's Kitchen 2 winner Heather West was supposed to become executive chef.  However for reasons unexplained by Fox, West apparently never received that position and instead became senior chef at Terra Rossa restaurant, another Red Rock Casino restaurant.

Fox has already ordered a fourth season of Hell's Kitchen for broadcast in 2008, with casting currently underway.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
Christopher Rocchio is an entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and has covered the reality TV genre for several years.