[Rhubarb Crumble]

I'm not a professional pastry chef. But, I have never heard of cooking rhubarb first ! Think it would definitely add to the mush factor - yech!!

But, I also have never baked rhubarb without some other main ingredient, usually strawberries or peach. Here in the country, I just pick it fresh (in season) wash, strip any loose outside pieces, chop and toss into whatever recipe I'm preparing. I like to keep things simple. Family and friends always love it.

[Snacking while eGulleting...(Part 1)]

Wow, what a diverse menu! represented here! It makes good reading for menu planning. Just think, if more restaurant's offered the food we really want to eat, instead of what they think is dirreguer (sp?).

Anyway, I digress here - just finished a medium 1/2 decaf, 1/2 vanilla cappuccino with a blonde choc.chip brownie from the corner store.

(I tried to say no! - but sooo good!)

I'll have a tomato, fresh from the garden with my homemade chicken salad for lunch.

["The Restaurant" Reality Show Season 1]

many don't consider his remarks "sexist/racist"... a lot of people talk/act just like he does, including me, and i've very rarely been labeled "sexist/racist . again, if people are going to pass judgment based on some sound-bites from a "reality" show, then perhaps they're predisposed to hearing what they want to hear. ..."

Well, at the risk of ruffling some feathers of established members, I must respond to Tommy's defense of Rocco's behavior. That's the sort of behavior that helps perpetuate a lack of professionalism in the restauarant industry! Hopefully, you don't "talk/act " that way with customers and staff? (Would love to get on my high horse and give a moral/ethical dissertation here, but sense this isn't the place.)

I'd like to think that most people don't get their "reality" from TV, but I don't know. Yes, The Restaurant can come off as lighthearted, foolish, "irritainment" (love that) to many. But, you know there's a good portion of people out there, who will think it's so, 'cause they saw Rocco do it or say it on TV!

I can relate with Rocco on some issues. I can empathize with him. I've made some of the same mistakes (just not on national TV). But I have to say in the end he came off looking like a buffoon - lacking in people skills, financial management (even with AM/EX) and most of all professionalism.

"The Restaurant" - A sorry representation of an industry that deserves more respect and credibility.

Ever optimistic, I say maybe he'll redeem himself in part ll?

["The Restaurant" Reality Show Season 1]

Wow, this board gets some pretty good discussions going. I just joined, 'though I've been reading it for a few weeks now.

Just to add my two cents - I watched every show, most of the way through. In general I found it pretty entertaining, but far from a docudrama. There were certainly some good (and some not so good) parallells to my experiences in starting and running restaurants.

Hope you won't think it too naive of me to say, however, that in my experience the restaurant industry has become much more professional in recent years than what was depicted at Rocco's. (Anthony Bordain's Kitchen Confidential not withstanding - great book, but parts of it made me cringe. You just can't do some of that stuff anymore, thankfully.)

Think that's what a lot of you other restaurant pros out there are complaining about - that too many people outside of the industry will take this over-characterization too seriously?.

Definitely agree with the post that said this would make good tape for HR training in what not to do!

A couple of comments: Going back to the pay issue - seems to me it wasn't necessarily for lack of funds, rather that the proper payroll procedures were not in place. Definitely not right to expect employees to wait for corporate glitches to be corrected, but it does happen.

Opening under pressure, when not quite ready - in my experience this is often the case, especially with independents. At crunch time the decision has to be made whether to go ahead unfinished and start the cash flow, or to finish off the last detail while time's awasting. We did a major renovation a few years ago, and were literally setting tables, restocking the coolers and vacuuming up sawdust within hours before opening. I can relate.

Rocco??? What were you thinking with those sexual inuendos and what some have interpreted sexist/racist remarks? You know we save those for after hours or at least off camera. Can't blame the editing for that - unless they scripted it for you. You should know better! I thought Mama raised a gentleman!

Well, thanks for letting me have my say. This is fun. Love seeing everyone's reactions and comments!