It was a night of heels, sparkles and talent that can only be found in New York’s nitty gritty Hell’s Kitchen.

The second annual Miss Hell’s Kitchen drag queen pageant wasn’t just an eyeful for audience members who appreciate the city’s finest queens, it’s also a fundraiser for AIDS Lifecycle – a 545-mile bike ride across seven days that raises funds for HIV and AIDS patients.

Contestants competed across several categories including a presentation where they must wear something red to represent HIV awareness, swimsuit, talent and evening gown.

In the end, there could only be one fabulous and talented Miss Hell’s Kitchen. Last year’s reigning queen, Miss Bootsie LeFaris, graciously gave up the crown to this year’s well-deserving winner: Tina Burner.

Believe it or not, this lovely lass grew up on a horse farm before leaving at the tender age of 16 for the bright lights of the city in search of stardom. She appeared in Off-Broadway shows and made cameos as a waiter in NYC’s dining scene until she emerged as a rising star on the drag scene.

Burner is known as the host of “STAR SEARCH” at Barracuda, a long-running drag competition on Thursday nights. Now, she’ll be known as Miss Hell’s Kitchen 2013.

Contributed reporting by Bess Adler.

Follow Cassandra Garrison on Twitter at @CassieAtMetro.

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Things got wild and whacky at the 14th Annual Mr. Lower East Side Pageant Thursday night. Metro went inside the one-of-a-kind event, hosted at Cake Shop on Ludlow Street. The contestants participated in a 1-minute talent competition, a swimsuit competition, evening-wear and question and answer session.

As expected, things got interesting during the competitions for “best male tits”, “congeniality” and “best nutsack” — especially since “any woman or gay man who shows up is automatically a judge,” according to the pageant rules.

In the end, there could one be only lucky gentleman to rule and reign over the Lower East Side. That honor went to a special young man named Johnny Bizarre.

Well done, gents — you’re all winners in Metro’s eyes. World peace for everyone!

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And the winner is… Atlantic City, New Jersey, which will once again host the Miss America pageant.

After seven years in Las Vegas, the annual contest will return in September to the place where it began more than 90 years ago, organizers said on Thursday.

“New Jersey is proud to once again host the Miss America Pageant here in Atlantic City,” New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno said in a statement.

The pageant, which combines beauty and brains, left the oceanside resort now known for its casinos in favor of Las Vegas in 2006. Officials decided it was too expensive to continue producing the show in Atlantic City, where it was launched in 1921 in a bid to extend the summer tourist season beyond early September.

“Miss America is part of the tapestry of this country,” Sam Haskell, the chairman of the Miss America Organization, told Reuters. “Coming back to Atlantic City where it all began is how we hold on to our past yet create a relevant future.”

Its return could be a boon to the beleaguered city, following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in October.

The pageant will bring in at least $30 million, according to the Atlantic City Alliance. Plus, Miss America officials say, the last pageant in Las Vegas in January 2013 generated nearly $30 million worth of publicity for the desert gambling mecca.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and other officials approached the Miss America organization as its contract with Las Vegas was expiring, Haskell said.

No taxpayer money will be used in enticing the pageant to return. The Atlantic City Alliance, which is funded by casinos, will provide unspecified financial incentives, and individual casinos are also contributing, Haskell said.

The Miss America organization also announced a new three-year deal to broadcast the pageant on ABC television, a unit of Walt Disney Co.

Miss America is open to those between the ages of 17 and 24 and awards educational scholarships to winners and contestants. The winner embarks on a year-long national speaking tour promoting an issue that is close to her heart and of relevance to the United States.

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