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Gordon Ramsay's BBC show "Kitchen Nightmares" is a classic; permanent proof that Ramsay is one of the best chef-lebrities working and cooking on television. The UK version of "Kitchen Nightmares" might be old news, but it's good news to certain hack writers bedeviled with pestilence. So, if you're ever marooned on a couch because of the flu, re-watch any of the episodes of this show on BBC America On Demand. Ramsay is combustible, passionate, and a man clearly in control of his talents. He's the rare personality on air: a guy who obviously knows what he's doing, and is not afraid of showing that fact off. Rarely do we see experts on television who literally look like they can easily walk the talk.
Chef Ramsay is a pretty controversial figure. He's got a filthy mouth, but curse words are the poetry of the professional kitchen. This transgression should be forgiven. The past couple of years have been tough on the guy. His empire of upscale restaurants has had financial problems, calling his Midas touch into question. An affair surfaced, tarnishing his public image as a family man. To some, his hit FOX Show "Hell's Kitchen" is an obnoxious circus where cooks with cafeteria skills and Michelin star dreams emote, sweat, and bray like Ramsay's trademark insult. Donkeys! "Hell's Kitchen" is like a Bizarro-world version of Bravo's precious cooking competition "Top Chef." Whereas Bravo's hip, culinary Olympics features serious-minded kitchen warriors looking for a bragging rights and a fast break into a hyper-competitive industry, "Hell's Kitchen" presents a gaggle of wannabes, professional amateurs, and short-order cooks. Of course, one is becoming hilariously pretentious and self-important -- it's "Top Chef," not "Top Virtuoso Violinist," or "Top Neurosurgeon." "Hell's Kitchen" will always be about Ramsay losing his cool and bellowing at some incompetent reality television jester.
Ramsay's newest show, The "F" Word, is punch-drunk on its own hipness. It's an occasionally amusing, if smug, little affair. But I don't fault Ramsay -- his passion for cooking still comes through.
But then there's "Kitchen Nightmares." The BBC original, not the American remake.
The American version of Ramsay's show seems more about cheap dramatics and the restaurant makeover. This reflects American tastes, at least at the moment in time when that show was being filmed. We wanted to be given something, rather than earn it. So Ramsay was more of a foul-mouthed Scottish Fairy Godmother for the US incarnation of a show that was originally about a world class chef on a crusade. His mission was to preach the virtues of simple, not simplistic, food prepared with fresh, local ingredients and with passion. This philosophy can be applied to almost any vocation, as he reminds his charges that "overcomplicated" isn't another word for "sophistication."
If you've never seen the original "Kitchen Nightmares," do it. In each episode, Ramsay arrives at a restaurant on the verge of abject failure. Running a restaurant is not a job for the meek, faint-of-heart, or those with low metabolisms. It's a risky venture; just ask anyone who has ever started a restaurant. The pubs, eateries, and fine dining establishments featured in Ramsay's show are all asking for help, and so Ramsay rolls in. He critiques the food, which is usually less than spectacular. In some cases, the food looks like horror movie special effects. A cleanliness check frequently reveals roaches, rotting food, and gunk caking places that gunk shouldn't cake. Ramsay tears the restaurant down, and then rebuilds it and the staff. Introduces a new menu. Renovates old fashioned décor. Makes sure there's a hierarchy in place that helps the business runs efficiently. Generally, there's a happy ending.
But the trick that Ramsay pulls is the way he gleefully deflates egos. He does it to fun effect in the American "Kitchen Nightmares," but I don't get the feeling he spends as much time with the US kitchens as he does with the UK ones. His bluster and swagger comes off as the pinnacle of arrogant behavior. And it is. Oh, the sweet irony. The man has earned the right to preen. The best part of this show is the way he, from his lofty perch of accomplishments, prods, mocks, and confronts failing chefs and owners and forces them to turn their pride inside out. To look at pride as a reward, not an entitlement. Watching Ramsay break down, the rebuild such a collection of egos is compelling television. "Kitchen Nightmares" is a celebration of a job done well, not to mention humbly.
"Kitchen Nightmares" is fantastic cooking show, be you in the pink of health, drugged-out, or battling the plague in your Snuggie.
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1-13-2010 @2:13PM J Cel said... Seen 'em. Ramsey's awesome. Colorful, verbose, knowledgeable. Good T.V. Looks authentic reality type T.V. His over the top personality is entertaining. Hard to not like him.
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1-13-2010 @2:24PM Blackgal44 said... I agree with you J Cel., he is a wonderful character to watch.
1-13-2010 @2:33PM Bambi Slayer said... The British Retard has failed at everything he has ever done. All his Restaurants have folded costing investor's Millions, Every TV show has failed at some point costing investors Millions, Every marriage he has had has failed thanks to his people skills costing him Millions, and all his friendships have failed saving tens from being friends to an azz.
1-13-2010 @2:49PM Stacy said... I think he's awesome! He's similar to that teacher everyone had in school that pushed you to grow beyond what you thought you could do. He see's the potential and pushes. We didn't like those teachers at first, but in time grew to respect them more than any others. He is just doing the same thing...in a more entertaining way. He's a good teacher for those who choose to learn.
1-13-2010 @2:54PM Cindy Lockerbie said... Totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has a rare talent that most of us can not TRUELY afford to to enjoy. And with that being said....humm..........no room for criticism.
1-13-2010 @2:53PM Carik said... I don't want this misogynist anywhere near my living room. First one I turn off due to verbal abuse, sniping, and foul mouth. You can't see the "genius" for the four letter words. There are many other ways to make your point and encourage people. He's a mess
1-13-2010 @3:22PM jonnysheen said... Bambi licker... you're just a hater. This guys bankability is gold. Whatever "millions" he's supposedly lost he's made millions more. In the UK alone he has his Michelin Star restaurants Ramsay, Petrus, Box Wood, Maze, Maze Grill, Foxtror Oscar, Murano, York and Albany, Nonna's, The Warrington not to mention at least 4 other restaurants here in the US, successful TV shows here in the US and BBC, countless Cook Books and Cooking Schools. I mean maybe there are things you may or may not like about him like him being foul mouthed or confrontational but that's what most others like about him. He kicks ass!
1-13-2010 @4:29PM Miss Polite said... Bambi Lover has some issues....perhaps anger management may be in your future.
Most of his personality is an act for the show...HELLO....oh do you know this man personally? Should not judge. And if you didn't like me judging you then don't do it to others!!!!
1-13-2010 @4:43PM FatboySlim said... Ramsey = Donkey
1-13-2010 @4:45PM FatboySlim said... Correction: Ramsey = Gay Donkey
1-13-2010 @5:33PM jean kawelis said... i watch Ramsey almost every day!
1-17-2010 @2:53PM Linda said... Gordon Ramsey is the greatest chef ever. You need to get your facts straight. The investors that have lost is Gordon and his father in-law. He has invested his own money into his restaurants and tv ventures. He is an amazing chef and he knows what he is talking about. Can you say the same thing or are you just talking out of your ear!!!!!
1-13-2010 @7:42PM Jim H. said... Bambi Slayer, sounds like she may have been a friend, lover or investor with not one word of nicety. That's not fair to anyone.
1-13-2010 @8:13PM Tera Hungler said... I love this show, but I have seen them all. Are there any new episodes coming up.
1-14-2010 @3:00PM Josiah"Blackie"Blackwelder said... The issue people have with Ramsey is that he uses curse words and they allow that fact to overshadow the true genius he posses, which is understandable. The area that I find fault with most peoples interpretation of Ramsey is, If you look at the way in which most people use curse words and compare it to that of Ramsey, Ramsey uses the words in a manner that is not like most others. Ramsey uses the words as though they were a normal part of vocabulary, He was raised in a setting much different than that of many Americans. To Ramsey the use of curse words is another part of vocabulary to convey his point. He uses them both when conveying extreme disgust, but also when extending his praise and congratulations for a job done up to his standards. the vast majority of people use "foul" language only to convey disgust, distaste, or in a manner that contains negative connotations; but the more you examine Ramsey the more it becomes evident that this is not his reason behind using the colorful four letter words that are throughout his vocabulary. I had made mention to Ramsey possessing true genius and this is true, he does not simply contain a vast amount of knowledge that relates to that of the cooking and food. Ramsey, especially in the UK version of KN, imparts practical life lessons that are often overlooked by many of those who watch his show. Pay closer attention to Ramsey next time you watch him teach, or you view one of his many shows, he has a great deal more wisdom to offer than one might originally think.
1-13-2010 @2:17PM hookmrl said... I watched that show for about 5 minutes,if I had a boss curse me out like that I would know his dumb azz out cold what a jerk
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1-21-2010 @8:28AM lEILA said... HOOK SAYS IT ALL.. I AGREE TOTALLY! AND MORE..would'nt go anywhere near him or his restaurants. If someone talked to my dog as this imbecile does to his workers.. afraid he would'nt be around...
1-13-2010 @4:58PM Pizzt said... But on the flip side of this, if I was your boss and leaving a multi-million dollar restaurant that MY name is on in your control and you were being lazy or just plain stupid, you would be told Ramsey style without a doubt! And besides, it's not like these people don't know who Ramsey is and what he does - they are signing up for the show! I can't wait for this new season.
1-13-2010 @5:49PM dugandob said... you would know his dumb ass.....LOL. Can't stop laughing about that. Yea I know his dumb ass too. I actually like watching him, and sometimes I can see why he looses it. Some of the people that try out for his shows are just short order cooks that think they are chefs. Yea I could live with out hearing him use the f bomb so much. I think he's a perfectionest and wants things done the right way.
1-13-2010 @6:09PM joani said... we so glad you know his azz. Thanks for contributing nothing.