Bad, Bad Kitchen

There is a new reality project in the works called, Kitchen Nightmares (Fox) starring 'celebrity' chef Gordon Ramsay. Right, the guy who turns 3 shades of red when he yells expletives at aspiring 'chef-testants' on the show Hell's Kitchen - it is possible one could easily conclude the guy needs some serious anger management therapy.

Ah, but wait there's more...

The U.S. version, inspired by the hit show airing in the U.K. on BBC, not only will most likely involve 'colorful' language, but will also feature Ramsey going to failing restaurants all over the country (aka California) to revamp their menu and business practices within a week.

Surprisingly, I do not know much about the 'Food' industry, other than one of my great past-time activities happens to be dining out. I have been apprised by a number of friends that it is a very tough business. Something like, "90% of new restaurants fail within the first year". The odds are somewhat daunting, however, what new business does not face the constant and looming brink of disaster?

Hell hath no fury, like a kitchen scorned

The rule is that when visiting a restaurant, if there are not any people they must either be A) Not very good, or B) Going out of business.

Now, I am really particular about food - I like things to be simple and not too overwhelming. I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants in the world and some wonderful, small family owned places with not much fanfare. The point being, good food is good food and if you do not have good food - you 'got' nothing, babe.

So, what do you do?

Enter Chef Ramsay...The Troubleshooter

If you have watched Hell's Kitchen, you are more than aware of how utterly 'charming' Chef Gordon can be...NOT. I believe they call explosive volatility, temperamental tantrums, tyrannical rage and obsessive compulsion, "Passion" - are we acting like grown-ups now?

According to Fox: There’s no time for polite small talk as Ramsay embarks on his mission to turn things around. If the wine waiter’s service isn’t up to par, he’ll be out the door before he can say “Merlot.” If the head chef doesn’t match up to Ramsay’s expectations, Ramsay will hammer him into shape, and if he can’t stand the heat, he may quit the kitchen.

Restaurant 911

The above endearing statement is a polite warning of things to come. The show will be disgusting, nerve-racking and most likely hilarious...Unless you are the owner of said restaurant in question.

I am fairly certain that if you were the owner of a restaurant and you did not have any customers, you would probably have a few ideas as what could be the reason. You know, basic things such as making sure that you do not have spoiled meat or shoddy chairs in your establishment, those will be the obvious catastrophic foibles.

However, what if you passed department inspections, had nice decor, and a decent menu - what else could be it be? BAD WAIT STAFF. Restaurant owners/managers do not realize that bad wait staff can break a restaurant, regardless of the above. Believe me if you have a bad experience with a restaurant, you have told others, and others have told others.

Today's Specials

The good news is that Chef Gordon is on a mission (or tirade depending on how you look at it) to turn these failing eateries around in record time and will get to the bottom of the disaster. Aside from the apparent, it will be inspiring(-?) to see the "Makeover" process in general, as very few of us have never seen how a restaurant becomes a sought after venue, in as little as a week.

The show is scheduled to premiere this September on Fox.