Dave (R) celebrates his victory with Chef Ramsay (C) and runner-up Kevin (L) on the season finale episode of HELL'S KITCHEN which aired Tuesday, October 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Patrick Wymore/FOX.

Dave squeaked out a win in what was the closest competition ever on Hell’s Kitchen Tuesday night.

With an arm injury, Indian cuisine and a simple final dinner as his handicap, Dave still rallied his troops, took the leadership well in hand and elevated his status to the top of the heap.

It was a long journey that he explains started years ago in his dreams…literally.  Now with the win and the coveted job as chef of Araxi Restaurant in Whistler, British Columbia a reality, the newly anointed food guru is still digesting his good fortune.

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s confidence in him has Dave pinching himself repeatedly because it wasn’t that long ago that the doubts did plague him a bit.

Click onto the two media bar for all the reasons why Dave is still counting his blessings after winning Hell’s Kitchen.