Jump to content
  • Welcome to the eG Forums, a service of the eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters. The Society is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the culinary arts. These advertising-free forums are provided free of charge through donations from Society members. Anyone may read the forums, but to post you must create a free account.

Recommended Posts

Posted

I remember an early episode of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (UK edition) in which the proprietor was literally working himself to death: 

Ramsay: "When did you last take a day off?"
Proprietor: (looks questioningly at his GF/business partner)

Girlfriend: "Well, you took three days off after your heart attack last year..."
Ramsay: (eyes widen in sheer, incredulous panic)

 

So, with a man's life literally hanging on the outcome, he threw away the run-of-the-mill sauces the restaurant had been using, and ginned up a tongue-in-cheek "Campaign For Real Gravy" to promote the restaurant and give it a way to differentiate itself from competitors in the area. 

I don't know how well that played out in the long term, but they had fun with it and the diners seemed to enjoy the food (for what that's worth). 

“Who loves a garden, loves a greenhouse too.” - William Cowper, The Task, Book Three

 

"Not knowing the scope of your own ignorance is part of the human condition...The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger club is you don’t know you’re a member of the Dunning-Kruger club.” - psychologist David Dunning

 

"My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world and exiles me from it." Ursula K. Le Guin

Posted (edited)

I remember that and had it in mind. The Fenwick Arms. They sold it shortly afterwards.

 

 

Edited by liuzhou (log)

...your dancing child with his Chinese suit.

 

"No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot"
Mark Twain
 

The Kitchen Scale Manifesto

Posted
1 hour ago, liuzhou said:

I remember that and had it in mind. The Fenwick Arms. They sold it shortly afterwards.

 

 

Probably a good call, cashing out while they had the visibility thanks to Ramsay. I've often wondered how they made out, but never thought about it while I was at a computer to look them up. That episode really stood out for me because of the look in Ramsay's eye as he realized that his show had just acquired life-or-death stakes. I can't help but wonder if he gently encouraged the proprietor to sell while the selling was good. 

I had to explain to many of my friends here about the Campaign For Real Ale, and why I'd laughed so hard over the Real Gravy thing. 

“Who loves a garden, loves a greenhouse too.” - William Cowper, The Task, Book Three

 

"Not knowing the scope of your own ignorance is part of the human condition...The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger club is you don’t know you’re a member of the Dunning-Kruger club.” - psychologist David Dunning

 

"My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world and exiles me from it." Ursula K. Le Guin

Posted (edited)

Huh. Made a point of reading a few followups, since a) I was reminded; and b) am sitting in front of my computer at this very moment. It seems things were not that straightforward, and that the couple never really accepted Ramsay's "take" on how their business should run. In fairness to them, while reviews of the food and service are mixed, it seems that they're genuinely popular and successful in their current pub. 

Edited by chromedome (log)

“Who loves a garden, loves a greenhouse too.” - William Cowper, The Task, Book Three

 

"Not knowing the scope of your own ignorance is part of the human condition...The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger club is you don’t know you’re a member of the Dunning-Kruger club.” - psychologist David Dunning

 

"My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world and exiles me from it." Ursula K. Le Guin

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...