Hell's Kitchen, U.S. Season 1

[C_Ruark]

I'd also really like to know what the customers were expecting at HK.

All that said, I'm hooked; can't wait until next week.

Any early favorites to win this thing?

=R=

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Would be nice to see HK's target menu for each episode (flash it at the beginning, post it on-line, whatever) so that we can get a sense for how everyone's performing.

As far as faves... can't make a call yet. I hardly saw blue brigade's plating, cooking, mess-ups, etc.

- CSR

[bleachboy]

I thought it was maybe kind of telling that when they gave the contestants 45 minutes early on to prepare a "signature dish", the two that made me kind of chuckle -- the turkey tacos and the chicken parmesan -- were both done by the home cooks and Gordon actually liked both of them (well, he criticized the plating of the turkey tacos but said the flavor was pretty good).

[merrybaker]

I laughed more during that show than at any so-called comedy this year. What fun!

BTW, I have a relative who sees him often as a customer in a restaurant where she works, and she says he's a nice guy outside the kitchen.

[BCinBC]

Watched it. Once again a reality show showing little reality...

The winner of the show is going to get their own kitchen. Okay, you think that these the home cooks, the financial advisor, or even the "freelance executive chef" will be able to run the resto, even after 13 weeks or whatever under Gordon Ramsey's tutilage? Most can't plate a dish right now, let alone coordinate everyone else on their team to plate simultaneously. Maybe in 5 or 10 years they'll develop the right stuff, but not 13 weeks.

Having said that, if there has to be a winner then I think the mother of 6 is the best candidate. Discipline, timing, budget consciousness, control in a chaotic environment are all ingrained. Anyway I may or may not continue watching it - there are much better cooking shows out there, but the thing is, I still like Gordo!

[bourdain]

I thought it was good, clean fun. Largely--and strenuously manufactured--but funny--and surprisingly (given the genre) entertaining (and even a little bit enlightening). Gordon was a complete pussycat here--laying off the obviously lame, halt and weak, encouraging the motivated but clueless--and saving his ramped up-for TV scorn for the dipshits who think they actually know something. (ie: the "executive chef"). He made a good choice in his first sacking (as did the team leader). She stood there like a lox--and had a bad attitude. Not giving the terminally useless Dewberry the boot was pure mercy.

Most of the above comments are true--particularly that this is all one big stage set--and a TV show--and NOT a real restaurant. And it shouldn't be mistaken for one.But it's fun watching Gordon play--even if he's playing nice.

It was instructive to watch the "customers"--particularly the recipients of the "Get back to plastic surgery" remark. An exercise in pure "I wanna be on TV" masochism. These two nitwits were practically wetting themselves with glee being "abused" by the master--even going back for more....Noone understands this better than Ramsay.

It's pure candy--a guilty pleasure. Buy some cheap beer, some beef jerky, sit back on the couch in some cut-off sweat pants--and stop taking it seriously. I'm enjoying it...

Edited May 31, 2005 by bourdain (log)

[weinoo]

What a piece of shite.

What would really be great would be if the big guy (forgot his name) kicked Ramsey's ass but good - now that would be REALITY!

[Paula Jonvik]

GORDON GO HOME... and take your foul ways with you!

I can not believe that this show, or man, serves any positive purpose in the culinary arts.

Entertaining some say? I find it horribly unprofessional, no mater what side of the pond you are from.

I would NEVER dine at a Ramsay property even if it were free. I myself have no drive or ambition to dine upon the anger, fear, and foulness of such a person or his wannabe clones.

The real problem with a show like this is that it gives sick and wrong thoughts and ideas in the heads of people- that it is stylish and o.k. to act like this- to treat people like this.

Is there no one else who finds this type of treatment highly offensive? Is it not boardering on illegal?

...and don't give me that "It's only a show for the cameras" line. This guy is out of control. What has happened to society, when a guy like this is given the green light?

Disgusting.

Paula Jonvik

[bilrus]

It's pure candy--a guilty pleasure. Buy some cheap beer, some beef jerky, sit back on the couch in some cut-off sweat pants--and stop taking it seriously.  I'm enjoying it...

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Were you spying on me last night?

[Genny]

I hated GR on Beyond Boiling Point but was somewhat interested in last night's program. It wasn't all bad. Really I think that GR is like Coyote Ugly for foodies.

[JohnL]

GORDON GO HOME... and take your foul ways with you!

I can not believe that this show, or man, serves any positive purpose in the culinary arts.

Entertaining some say? I find it horribly unprofessional, no mater what side of the pond you are from.

I would NEVER dine at a Ramsay property even if it were free. I myself have no drive or ambition to dine upon the anger, fear, and foulness of such a person or his wannabe clones.

The real problem with a show like this is that it gives sick and wrong thoughts and ideas in the heads of people- that it is stylish and o.k. to act like this- to treat people like this.

Is there no one else who finds this type of treatment highly offensive? Is it not boardering on illegal?

...and don't give me that "It's only a show for the cameras" line. This guy is out of control. What has happened to society, when a guy like this is given the green light?

Disgusting.

Paula Jonvik

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It's just a TV show! Pure entertainment. Ever notice how characters in a Shakespeare play are "treated"?

I believe that all the participants on screen were "consenting adults!" and that no contestants were harmed during the making....

[eJulia]

I must plead guilty for finding the show hilarious and interesting. I've never worked in a professional kitchen, and that appears to be one of the common threads in those that enjoyed the show. (Bourdain being the obvious exception!)

If you don't expect cooking tips or instruction, and just take the show for what it is - cheap humor, it might be one you'll look forward to - I know I will for the next few shows.

[Paula Jonvik]

"It's just a TV show! Pure entertainment. Ever notice how characters in a Shakespeare play are "treated"?

I believe that all the participants on screen were "consenting adults!" and that no contestants were harmed during the making...."

Yes. THIS example is a TV show. But in reality, there are people who worked for him and his that have... for example... Overdosed on drugs and went nuts and was found dead; a scholarship recipient who gave back his prize and wanted nothing more to do with him or it; workers who are bringing suit against his group in courts of law... real people. Not reality TV entertainment.

I'm sure these things are daily happenings in every kithcen worldwide, but why glorify it? Before GR is a TV celebrity, he is a businessman. His style (?) is, shall we say, imho *^#%$&*)! Everybody has a gimmick. I just find his highly offensive.

Nice man outside the kitchen? Perhaps? Not someone I would want to hang with though.

Paula

[Gifted Gourmet]

THIS example is a TV show. But in reality, there are people who worked for him and his that have... for example... Overdosed on drugs and went nuts and was found dead; a scholarship recipient who gave back his prize and wanted nothing more to do with him or it; workers who are bringing suit against his group in courts of law... real people. Not reality TV entertainment.

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Wait a moment, Paula, are we blaming him for all of these things? Many people have horrific jobs for demonic chefs and don't do the things you have elaborated here ... and were some employees perhaps even better off financially for working for/with him? Would believe that adding the line "employed by Gordon Ramsay restaurant ______" would give someone a chance for a better job actually ...

He cooks, he entertains ... remember the song from Gypsy? "You gotta have a gimmick" (if you want to get applause) ... his gimmick is acerbic hostility with a soupçon of verbal abuse rendered at high decibels ...

[Paula Jonvik]

No GG. I am not blaming him for all of these things. I am simply pointing out that because of his prominance these points are brought to light more so than usual.

My point is that his gimmick has been deemed acceptable in the first place. I find the whole Ramsay thing unpalatable.

As for entertaining- no. Not in the least. At least we agree to disagree!:)

[Gifted Gourmet]

Entertainment is, as with many things, often in the eye of the beholder.

I am no fan of wrestling nor of crashing drag race cars but acknowledge that there is an audience for many things I avoid scrupulously!

Moi? Give me PBS television, a fine wine, and Mozart ...

[divalasvegas]

"It's just a TV show! Pure entertainment. Ever notice how characters in a Shakespeare play are "treated"?

I believe that all the participants on screen were "consenting adults!" and that no contestants were harmed during the making...."

Yes. THIS example is a TV show. But in reality, there are people who worked for him and his that have... for example... Overdosed on drugs and went nuts and was found dead; a scholarship recipient who gave back his prize and wanted nothing more to do with him or it; workers who are bringing suit against his group in courts of law... real people. Not reality TV entertainment.

I'm sure these things are daily happenings in every kithcen worldwide, but why glorify it? Before GR is a TV celebrity, he is a businessman. His style (?) is, shall we say, imho *^#%$&*)! Everybody has a gimmick. I just find his highly offensive.

Nice man outside the kitchen? Perhaps? Not someone I would want to hang with though.

Paula

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Thanks for your comments, Paula.

I watched this show and felt overall, pretty disgusted. The man is a pig. No one's food is worth putting up with his crap. One thing that no one has yet addressed is: if he's like this in real life in his restaurant (as has been said upthread), if he is this loud, abusive and obnoxious, do his customers actually have to listen to that crap during dinner AND pay for it? I know I wouldn't.

Abuse as entertainment sells. I get it. I just have never found it entertaining. I have never been a fan of American Idol, The Apprentice, America's Next Vacuous Top Model or whatever, so, consequently I don't think I'll become a diehard fan of this piece of crap. I have to qualify my statements with the fact that part of what I do for a living is work that deals with battered women so I generally cringe at verbal abuse since I do believe that it is actually harmful. Yes, I know it's just a tv show and I also know that the manufactured tv abuse against the clueless customers or moronic contestants isn't real. Just like that very popular video game out there which has customers getting a prostitute for the evening, killing her, and taking her money is just a video game and doesn't create violence against prostitutes. I'm just so tired of celebrating abusiveness, greed, self-centeredness and humiliation as entertainment.

By the way: only in LA. If he's all that, why doesn't he do it for real in, I don't know, maybe in Anacostia in Washington, DC or stay on the West coast and do the real deal in Compton, where he actually stands a chance of someone he "shoves" kicking the living shit out of him. Now, I would pay to see that.

[Gifted Gourmet]

I'm just so tired of celebrating abusiveness, greed, self-centeredness and humiliation as entertainment.

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That is basically the premise behind much, not all, reality television ...

My only question is simply "when can we expect a change to something less reality based??" Soon, I would hope .. to everything there is a season, as the Good Book says ...

[chuckyoufarley]

The show is just tragically ridiculous.

I was hoping for a group of chefs that could have been packaged as slightly competent.

I mean lets get real here. Which one of those "chef" contenders is going to be able to captain that albatross they call a restaurant when they win the big prize?

Ridiculous.

That said , I cant wait to see it unfold each week before my horrified eyes.

Edited May 31, 2005 by chuckyoufarley (log)

[Ling]

I only caught the last 40 minutes of the show, so I guess I missed out on the introduction to the contestants, etc.

At no time did I actually think "Hell's Kitchen" was an actual restaurant, or that the people waiting 2 hours for their dinners were paying customers. I just took the show for what it is--an hour of cheap entertainment with little educational value (based on the first show), peppered with Ramsey's infamous tirades. The show was fun, and I enjoyed it. I don't think every show on TV needs to be informative, "real", or PC. Sometimes, I just want to see someone being lambasted as an "overgrown muffin".

[rancho_gordo]

I don't think every show on TV needs to be informative, "real", or PC.

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At this point, it might be refreshing to see any show that was informative, "real", or PC on a major network, or Food TV for that matter.

[chuckyoufarley]

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I watched this show and felt overall, pretty disgusted.  The man is a pig.  No one's food is worth putting up with his crap.  One thing that no one has yet addressed is:  if he's like this in real life in his restaurant (as has been said upthread), if he is this loud, abusive and obnoxious, do his customers actually have to listen to that crap during dinner AND pay for it?  I know I wouldn't.

Abuse as entertainment sells.  I get it.  I just have never found it entertaining.  I have never been a fan of American Idol, The Apprentice, America's Next Vacuous Top Model or whatever, so, consequently I don't think I'll become a diehard fan of this piece of crap.  I have to qualify my statements with the fact that part of what I do for a living is work that deals with battered women so I generally cringe at verbal abuse since I do believe that it is actually harmful.  Yes, I know it's just a tv show and I also know that the manufactured tv abuse against the clueless customers or moronic contestants isn't real.  Just like that very popular video game out there which has customers getting a prostitute for the evening, killing her, and taking her money is just a video game and doesn't create violence against prostitutes.  I'm just so tired of celebrating abusiveness, greed, self-centeredness and humiliation as entertainment.

By the way: only in LA.  If he's all that, why doesn't he do it for real in, I don't know, maybe in Anacostia in Washington, DC or stay on the West coast and do the real deal in Compton, where he actually stands a chance of someone he "shoves" kicking the living shit out of him.  Now, I would pay to see that.

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Ramsay may be a pig but he's serious about his craft and doesn’t suffer fools, ever.

I do agree with a large portion of the posters that the abuse Ramsay dishes out seems a bit contrived at points. The thing is that the abuse he's ditching out is not uncommon at all in a real kitchen of his caliber. Personally I think that all the contestants on this show are way out of their league and Ramsay is still trying to keep some shred of quality that with unqualified cooks amplifies the abuse.

In a kitchen like Ramsay's and others of his caliber, his cooks are expected to be able to re-produce and act as the hands of the Chef (Ramsay) whose name is on the restaurant. If you have defined yourself in the realm of Ramsay, Ducasse, Trotter, Keller, etc, you have a standard to live up to that allows no deviation from perfect.

The thing that a lot of people don’t understand is that cooking great food to its highest level is laden with hundreds if not thousands of variables that with the slightest loss of concentration go very very wrong. Compound that by having 15 cooks cranking out dishes the odds are a given that a lot will go wrong.

That in itself merits extreme micro management. Most great chefs live by the idea that if Im not doing it myself most assuredly someone will F it up.

When you are manic about doing your best in a kitchen the stress can create an environment that allows abuse to stay on track. I seriously doubt any chef on this site would argue that they haven’t been the focus of some chef’s depraved pursuit of quality.

Chefs that decide to work for the likes of these great Chefs understand that the "motivation" is their path to pushing themselves beyond what they perceive is their best.

The comforting thing for folks worried about these "monsters" abusing people is that if you suck as a chef you dont usually take a lot of abuse because you either quit or get fired.

Chefs I think are fine for the most part with the ranting of the likes of Ramsay.

They are possessed with being the best they can and they should be allowed a little wiggle room when it comes to dishing out the verbal tirades.

Bottom line is this...

You act in a professional manner, take your craft seriously, and don’t mess up what the chef is trying to produce; you don’t take any abuse at all.

[BuzzDraft]

Anyone want to wager a guess as to what Rocco's reaction would have been to the enhanced women coming up to the pass-through?  I'm guessing he would have run out of the kitchen, gone to their tables and rubbed their shoulders. 

Ramsey told them to F*ck Off.

A nice change of pace.

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And he was right in doing it!... at least in theory, though I probably wouldn't yell at an actual paying guest like that . Maitre d's are there for a reason.

- CSR

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Actually, he called for the Maitre D' to "Escort these two women back to their plastic surgeon", or something like that. At that point, I think I "Got it" - and that was the funniest moment of the show to me. The two knew what they were going to get when they went back for seconds, they just wanted some time on camera. As a matter of fact, all the contestants knew going in that they're going to be abused, but what did they expect in their quest for the big prize? They couldn't expect an easy time of it.

I think what we saw last night was the series' "Stinger", where they're introducing the characters and setting the stage for the personalities. Naturally, it was over the top to establish that Ramsay is the screaming maniac chef. I noted that he seemed to have a sliding scale of abuse in direct proportion to the expectations of each contestant based on their background - he let up on the two home cooks (dare I say he showed a more gentle side to them?) and dropped the hammer on the self-proclaimed Executive Chef and others who more would be expected of. I think we'll see more training scenes in the future, and once in a while maybe even the softer side of Ramsay, which likely is still pretty rough.

Try turkey tacos, BTW. I love them - I first made them while trying to figure out what to do with leftovers from a 24 pound roast turkey.

I'd love to eat at one of Ramsay's restaurants, too, so long as he isn't serving up the bodies of the kitchen staff he's slaughtering in the kitchen...

... unless it was seasoned to my liking.

[C_Ruark]

My point is that his gimmick has been deemed acceptable in the first place. I find the whole Ramsay thing unpalatable.

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Not to get too bent around the axle on GR's bright-sparkly personality and the show's concept; if nobody's happy and buying, the restaurant (and ultimate you) won't get paid.

This lot lacked speed doing anything. So what if GR gets to play "Drill Instuctor" for a bit! It's nothing personal, never is when you're payed to sling food.

They weren't asked to think... just be a robots; listen to what's called, crank it out, a repeat. All they had to do was read a card to learn how to cook a dish, look at the pretty picture to see how it's plated, produce something close, and go on to the next order.

Plain and simple.

-CSR

[seanw]

Paula,

Rather than allude to the possiblity that GR had something to do with the unfortunate death of one of his chef's perhaps you should stick to topics you have knowledge of- like Le Gavroche(ad nauseum)

HK is fine, perhaps it provides a more realistic representation of the demands of fine dining than many other food shows, not an easy job is it!

[Minister of Drink]

I must plead guilty for finding the show hilarious and interesting. 

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I plead guilty as well!!! I am totally entertained and can't wait to watch next week. However, no one should take the content too seriously -- after all, it's just a TV show.