Hell's Kitchen, U.S. Season 1

[YoChefGregg]

The casting interviews for the restaurant dinners must have been interesting.

4-bimbos, check, 3-ignorante nerds, check, etc, etc, etc,,,,,,,,

And how about the casting for the , cooks???

There is not a dynamic personality amongst them.

[jeffperez62]

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.

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The "self proclaimed" Executive chef is in fact a chef that runs a very busy restaurant in lower Fairfield County Connecticut

[Busboy]

Caught half the first episode and all the second last night. Didn't think GR was so mean -- about the same level as a 70s era high school coach. I've worked for much bigger assholes: manipulative paranoids and insecure screamers. In a kitchen full of rookie cooks trying to feed cranky diners as the tickets pile up, a little abuse from the chef is probably the thing I'd be least worry about.

I'm a little mystified that anyone would expect anything else than what they saw. I suppose if you're a contestant you have to take it seriously, but nobody else should. The chef was hired to play a prick, the contestants were chosen to be incompetent, the diners were chosen to be shallow -- hilarity ensues!

[Daniel]

God forbid someone told a women i was with to shut the f' up.. Chef or not i would have jumped over the counter and punched guy in the throat.. I cant believe he treated some random person that way, even if they werent paying, which i assume.. I could see him hazing a contestant, but to belittle a women like that really shows what a piece of shit coward he is.. I will watch the show because it is entertaining at times, but what a loser Ramsey is.. I wonder if his hatred of women and his obsession with the kitchen are all some sort of mommy issue little Gordy needs to deal with professionally..

Edited June 7, 2005 by Daniel (log)

[SKinCA]

P.S. ( Edit) I did like when the young kid came up to complain to Ramsey and he told him off. The best part is the French host escorted him back to the table with a wave of the arm.    No way I make it past another episode unless I make some hash brownies.

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Hey! If you get right on it you can make those brownies and mail me a few out here in CA!

As for the show, I think they did show another side of Ramsay during dinner. Of course, it's all scripted, but I'm willing to go along for the ride.

And one point to make - a nice boss that makes everyone feel great is ideal, of course. If I had to choose between Ramsay and Anti-Ramsay, I'd work for Anti-Ramsay, natch. But at least Ramsay is WSIWYG. Most bosses I've worked for - not in a kitchen, mind, but in the computer industry, were asshole passive-aggressive wankers (feeling the Ramsay vibe on the slang today!).

Nothing like slaving away for someone who doesn't teach you anything, doesn't get your back and doesn't know what they want. I don't know if I've been miraculously unlucky in bosses, but there you have my 20 years of working experience in a nutshell.

And if we're talking long bets, I'm keeping my eye on Ralph as a dark horse. He seems quiet and competent. And I'm not sure Jeff didn't deserve the boot instead of Dewberry. Granted he had a meltdown, but he also learned to clean squid, made a decent spaghetti and, in the end, did the right thing by staying. He also took his "firing" really well.

And in re-reading this - note to self - holy shit - must get a life!

[little ms foodie]

God forbid someone told a women i was with to shut the f' up.. Chef or not i would have jumped over the counter and punched guy in the throat..  I cant believe he treated some random person that way, even if they werent paying, which i  assume.. I could see him hazing a contestant, but to belittle a women like that really shows what a piece of shit coward he is..  I will watch the show because it is entertaining at times, but what a loser Ramsey is..  I wonder if his hatred of women and his obsession with the kitchen are all some sort of mommy issue little Gordy needs to deal with professionally..

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Daniel normally I would totally agree with you but those 'customers' know it is a tv show and a reality one at that! I think they are looking for it. Why else would they go up and complain to the chef about a wait for food? On that track, who would wait 2 hours for food??? These people know what is going on and are obviously willing to play the game (IMO). I actually think Ramsey likes women, you can tell by the way he treats Elisa or whatever the turkey taco women's name is.

The show scares me!

[touaregsand]

I know two people who auditioned for the show. One of them made it into the final round for consideration.

Some sample questions:

CD (Casting director): "Have you ever worked with a chef who had a wild temper?"

MF (My friend *cough*) "Yes in France he yelled and screamed all the time at everyone, except me"

CD: "Why not you?"

MF: "Why do you think?" with a look in his eyes like I would have smashed the guy.

CD: Ha ha ha ha!!!

CD: "Have you ever gotten into a physical fight with someone you worked with in the kitchen?"

MF: "Yes, in England with an Irish line cook. The guy was always getting in my face and one day he he tried pushed me."

CD: "What happened next?"

MF: "He put his hands on my shoulder, I kicked his legs out from under him, as he was losing balance I slapped his face down and he crashed to the floor. End of fight. He never bothered me again."

CD: laughing, "You SLAPPED him?"

MF: "Yes, I slapped him. He wasn't man enough for me to punch. He almost cried."

CD: "You're fantastic. You're career, you're story, fascinatin!"

After that he started to make stuff up because he didn't really have anymore examples of arguing with co-workers. He's not really the type to argue. So they told him he would get a call back in a week or two. He received a call the next day, "The casting directors love you, please fill out this 30 page (something like that) application and a final decision will be made within a few days. He wasn't chosen which is a good thing. He was thinking that maybe he was overqualified, it looks like he's correct. It also looks like he's not neurotic enough. But man that 2 million dollar restaurant as a prize was a bit tempting. I have a feeling that's fake too.

Anyway, they posted on craigslist.org for people to 'play' customers "attractive 30's-40's with upscale wardrobe" something like that. The customers on the show are not "real."

EDIT: Most of the questions during his audition were related to arguing and fighting.

Edited June 7, 2005 by touaregsand (log)

[touaregsand]

God forbid someone told a women i was with to shut the f' up.. Chef or not i would have jumped over the counter and punched guy in the throat..  I cant believe he treated some random person that way, even if they werent paying, which i  assume.. I could see him hazing a contestant, but to belittle a women like that really shows what a piece of shit coward he is..  I will watch the show because it is entertaining at times, but what a loser Ramsey is..  I wonder if his hatred of women and his obsession with the kitchen are all some sort of mommy issue little Gordy needs to deal with professionally..

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Daniel normally I would totally agree with you but those 'customers' know it is a tv show and a reality one at that! I think they are looking for it. Why else would they go up and complain to the chef about a wait for food? On that track, who would wait 2 hours for food??? These people know what is going on and are obviously willing to play the game (IMO). I actually think Ramsey likes women, you can tell by the way he treats Elisa or whatever the turkey taco women's name is.

The show scares me!

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I thought the "go back and get more plastic surgery" comment was hilarious!

Otherwise the show is a disaster. It's way too over the top for me. But then again I'm not a fan of these types of shows and I barely watch TV.

Elisa (AKA taco woman) was on the verge of tears or fainting most of the time. The contestants are just too fookin weird. Basket cases. They always look scared.

[Daniel]

God forbid someone told a women i was with to shut the f' up.. Chef or not i would have jumped over the counter and punched guy in the throat..  I cant believe he treated some random person that way, even if they werent paying, which i  assume.. I could see him hazing a contestant, but to belittle a women like that really shows what a piece of shit coward he is..  I will watch the show because it is entertaining at times, but what a loser Ramsey is..  I wonder if his hatred of women and his obsession with the kitchen are all some sort of mommy issue little Gordy needs to deal with professionally..

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Daniel normally I would totally agree with you but those 'customers' know it is a tv show and a reality one at that! I think they are looking for it. Why else would they go up and complain to the chef about a wait for food? On that track, who would wait 2 hours for food??? These people know what is going on and are obviously willing to play the game (IMO). I actually think Ramsey likes women, you can tell by the way he treats Elisa or whatever the turkey taco women's name is.

The show scares me!

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Show or not, I was taught not to speak to a woman that way..And even if they knew they were in a show, i am sure they werent looking for such a disrespect.. However disgusting i thought the treatment of the four blonds was, the one that got me the most upset was when he cursed at the women and man standing there.. They seemed like really normal people not looking for face time..

Edited June 7, 2005 by Daniel (log)

[slbunge]

Anyway, they posted on craigslist.org for people to 'play' customers "attractive 30's-40's with upscale wardrobe" something like that. The customers on the show are not "real."

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That is certainly what it seemed like when I was watching. Everything just too dramatic to have these be real paying customers at a luxe restaurant.

[touaregsand]

Anyway, they posted on craigslist.org for people to 'play' customers "attractive 30's-40's with upscale wardrobe" something like that. The customers on the show are not "real."

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That is certainly what it seemed like when I was watching. Everything just too dramatic to have these be real paying customers at a luxe restaurant.

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The type of people who would respond to an ad like that on craigslist are probably working as extras on other projects. The ads were posted in the "TV/Film/Video Jobs". Chance to be on camera, paid with food. Typical LA way to 'break' into the biz.

[WHT]

by the way, turning off the air conditioning? What working kitchen has air conditioning?

The bloddy fans pull the cool air out. It cost tens of thousands to put a air conditioning unit that functions.

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Almost any place I worked had A/C for the kitchen. Only the stalls on the boardwalk of Seside did not.

[touaregsand]

Caught half the first episode and all the second last night.  Didn't think GR was so mean -- about the same level as a 70s era high school coach.  I've worked for much bigger assholes: manipulative paranoids and insecure screamers.  In a kitchen full of rookie cooks trying to feed cranky diners as the tickets pile up, a little abuse from the chef is probably the thing I'd be least worry about. 

I'm a little mystified that anyone would expect anything else than what they saw.  I suppose if you're a contestant you have to take it seriously, but nobody else should.  The chef was hired to play a prick, the contestants were chosen to be incompetent, the diners were chosen to be shallow -- hilarity ensues!

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I had trouble staying focused on the show so I probably missed a few subtle details. I kept wondering "where's the sous chef? who's leading the kitchen? where is the kitchen line?"

My husband and I trained an entire rookie line over a two week period, their shining moment came on Valentine's day. 80 covers, two turns, 6 courses out of a tiny kitchen. None of them could really cook. We pulled off the night succesfully with a menu designed around that but with customer 'perceived value' in mind. It was all in the mise and then teaching them how to put everything together as the orders came in. Even a novice can be taught to stand in front of his/her station and do just a few things really well.

[VeryApe77]

God forbid someone told a women i was with to shut the f' up.. Chef or not i would have jumped over the counter and punched guy in the throat..  I cant believe he treated some random person that way, even if they werent paying, which i  assume.. I could see him hazing a contestant, but to belittle a women like that really shows what a piece of shit coward he is..  I will watch the show because it is entertaining at times, but what a loser Ramsey is..  I wonder if his hatred of women and his obsession with the kitchen are all some sort of mommy issue little Gordy needs to deal with professionally..

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In "real life" (which this show certainly is not) Ramsay is actually quite well known for being a good mentor to up-and-coming female chefs, Angela Hartnett being a good example. I heard an interview with him recently where he talked about how he would love to see more women in the kitchens of fine dining restaurants.

Edited June 7, 2005 by VeryApe77 (log)

[Jeffy Boy]

In last night's episode, I was sadly disappointed that "Mr pizza-eating PhD customer, think I'll poke the maitre d' in the chest" didn't get a taste of Ramsey justice. That guy was a major dickwad. I was hoping to see Ramsey jump over the counter and play soccer hooligan on him.

[Daniel]

Yeh that guy was a complete tool.. "I have a PHD in Music, so i am more educated then you." Haha.. So educated infact, he had to resort to poking because he forgot how to use his grown up words..

Edited June 7, 2005 by Daniel (log)

[little ms foodie]

Yeh that guy was a complete tool.. "I have a PHD in Music, so i am more educated then you." Haha.. So educated infact, he had to resort to poking because he forgot how to use his grown up words..

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he was a PLANK!

[Daddy-A]

In last night's episode, I was sadly disappointed that "Mr pizza-eating PhD customer, think I'll poke the maitre d' in the chest" didn't get a taste of Ramsey justice.  That guy was a major dickwad.  I was hoping to see Ramsey jump over the counter and play soccer hooligan on him.

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That's been my favorite part of the show so far ... the way Ramsey deals with the customers. I EXPECT him to go ape on the contestants ... but the customers? Now that's funny! My favorite was when he told one of the four blondes in the first episode to "go get some more plastic surgery." Brilliant!

A.

[jesteinf]

I think what's interesting (and I don't know if this is a distortion based on the "set-up" of having him yelling at customers), is that no matter how much Ramsey yells at those in the kitchen he will ALWAYS defend them in the face of a rude/complaining customer.

The show gets a bit over the top, but I'm still entertained.

Say what you will about the man, but the results speak for themselves.

[divalasvegas]

God forbid someone told a women i was with to shut the f' up.. Chef or not i would have jumped over the counter and punched guy in the throat..  I cant believe he treated some random person that way, even if they werent paying, which i  assume.. I could see him hazing a contestant, but to belittle a women like that really shows what a piece of shit coward he is..  I will watch the show because it is entertaining at times, but what a loser Ramsey is..  I wonder if his hatred of women and his obsession with the kitchen are all some sort of mommy issue little Gordy needs to deal with professionally..

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Daniel normally I would totally agree with you but those 'customers' know it is a tv show and a reality one at that! I think they are looking for it. Why else would they go up and complain to the chef about a wait for food? On that track, who would wait 2 hours for food??? These people know what is going on and are obviously willing to play the game (IMO). I actually think Ramsey likes women, you can tell by the way he treats Elisa or whatever the turkey taco women's name is.

The show scares me!

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Show or not, I was taught not to speak to a woman that way..And even if they knew they were in a show, i am sure they werent looking for such a disrespect.. However disgusting i thought the treatment of the four blonds was, the one that got me the most upset was when he cursed at the women and man standing there.. They seemed like really normal people not looking for face time..

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Well Daniel, it's men like you that give me hope. As the first episode was the last episode I watched, and I have no intentions of watching anymore, I can only comment on what I read here. So far, it sounds like the show is going as I expected.

While I agree little miss foodie that each person on the show is definitely fake, it is the depiction of disrespect and humiliation as entertainment that I object to. Some of the worst cases of abuse against women that I have encountered involved men who can be "charming." Actually most abusive men are very charming unless they are dealing with the object(s) of their abuse. The way GR treats Elisa is pretty classic abusive male behavior--he's depicting an abusive male who has deemed her worthy of decent treatment. Again, I know it's all fake. No need for more responses to tell me so. Also, I'm not try to tell anyone who loves this type of tv what they should like or dislike.

It just that before people become abusers, they generally have to become comfortable with the idea and acceptability of abuse, that somehow it's okay. It gives me pause that this sort of behavior, though scripted, communicates just that. Television's current comfort level with these depictions is what concerns me.

[chefette]

TIVO'ed it and got to see two episodes in a row. LOVED it! If I had 5 more hours on TIVO I would have stayed up and watched those too. I thought it was great!

Hey - if you have the nerve to compete for your own restaurant then you have to expect to sweat it out. Seems like he is just doing drill sergent boot camp routine that gets the people to get in gear, work together and comprehend the job.

Even the nice chefs I worked for were more than mean enough to make their staffs cry. I worked for one of the 'Genius Chefs' referenced earlier in this thread and it was no different.

Reamed people all the time

threw out huge batches of mise and product

once dumped all the garbage out on the kitchen floor because he saw a silver fork in the barrel - turned out there were several pieces of silver in the trash

Looking forward to more episodes

I thought that Exec Chef Chris really turned out great - he made it possible for his team to function. Same with the (greek?) chef on the blue team.

What would you have made if told you had 45 minutes to make a signature dish for GR?

[WHT]

  I was hoping to see Ramsey jump over the counter and play soccer hooligan on him.

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The fact that Ramsey did play soccer profesionaly may have a bit to do with the 'tude.

[Mnehrling]

I noticed tonite how different GR treats the chefs and owners on Kitchen Nightmares. Is this just editing for different audiences or do you think he actually can lighten up at will?

[chefzadi]

i think the funniest thing about the show is that he is really like that. I know alot and i mean alot of people who have worked for him in england. This is exactly how he is and much much worse. He screams, bullys, and even hits his employees. He sais things like that to guests. Im not saying the show isn't somewhat fake or made to be more dramatic. I think they are just playing of his history of abusiveness.

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Thank you, chop, well said and done.

I saw Ramsey yesterday on 'Charlie Rose' and he really told it like it is.

He's not doing anything to anybody that truly wasn't done to him when he was an apprentice at Robuchon (sp) or anywhere else he trained and he believes (rightfully,imo) that that kind of training turned him into a right old CU.., I mean, a Michelin starred chef.

He told a great story about Robuchon throwing a plate of scallops and it's accompaniments at him and putting him in charge of staff meal the next day for a considerable time.

Said he made the best staff meals ever, the staff loved him for how he made their food as good as he could, because he cared.

He said now that when he gets a NFG he gives them "the trimmings" and if that person turns out something decent, he feels like he's looking at some talent.

He was pretty good at handing out compliments to the people who deserved them, genuinely impressed him who surprisedly WEREN'T any of the cook/chefs in the cast.

The worst thing to do is tell someone like him "I'm an executive chef".

Fucking better cook your ass off then, champ!!!

It's all a bit Survivorish to me too but, I LOVE this guy, as Bourdain said, I think, "he's a chefs chef", and I could watch all of the shows in a row.

My wife and I laughed our asses off, she wants me to try to get on the next season!!!

I've worked for some CRAZY people in my life, could be a laugh.

I kind of miss the screamers, it all has gotten a bit PC now.

In French run kitchens, I've seen people get decked, thrown down, fistfights ( i was in one), and of course, a lot of full bore yelling

Forgive me if someone else posted about the Charlie Rose show, I haven't read the whole thread.

Have to add this: Sorry to say, I watched 'Cooking Under Fire' the other night and was truly offended by it.

I used to depend on PBS for decent cooking shows like 'Great Chefs of...', indeed, that's what got me to consider cooking for a living in the first place, and now, you have three great guys, one of the best food writers on the planet, two more then talented chefs, handing out saute pans and "86ing" these cooks??? For using too much salt or something?

Talk about Survivor!

This is what would make it much more amusing or entertaining to me, would get it on Fox, where it too belongs, and really elevate it to the truly great trashy TV genre that is all of the "hallmark" reality TV shows like 'Big Brother' and the like.

When they're "86ing" the offending cook, light the saute pan up like a gong, Motley Crue style, with a decent cognac, used for deglazing some wonderful lobster dish, something like that, and bang the cook over the head with it!

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I worked under a chef who had worked under Robuchon for 5-6 years if I recall correctly. Patrick was always kind, goes to show that not everyone walks away from similiar experiences with similiar attitudes. Patrick very kindly told the kitchen staff to teach me everything.

True the things described happen in French kitchens, but there is a sensationalistic element to some of the descriptions. As if they are cool and happen more often than they actually do.

What is that saying? Something like the further away from the source a story gets, the taller the story?

When I started at 14 I was a full grown man, 6 feet tall and 185 pounds. I'm skinnier now. No chef ever gave me shit. The attitude I had back then was the same I have now. I tell my students all the time be humble. I see no need to humiliate people into humility with knee jerk reactions and plate throwing. I'm not exactly soft-spoken and passive either with staff and students. I've never found a need to be more that simply stern.

Maybe I'll write a book about it one of these days. If my wife didn't read the boards I have some stories to tell about all the French girlfriends I had. The story of legendary Moors are all true by the way...

[bjgeraci]

by the way, turning off the air conditioning?

I seem to remember in Ramsay's Boiling Point, it seems like the very first night he opened up his own place, the A/C went kaput. So I sensed that it was for GR, "I suffered through this, you can suffer through this too."