MovieChat Forums > Kitchen Nightmares (2007) Discussion > Miraculous turnarounds for the chefs

Miraculous turnarounds for the chefs

posted 10 years ago by GraceFromSoCal
12 replies | jump to latest

Something that always strikes me is this: how does someone, like Melissa (Handlebar), for example, go from being a lousy cook to a talented, imaginative chef? Melissa herself said that she was not very creative, and further admitted that she wasn't even qualified for the job when she applied for it, and says she's not a chef. She couldn't even crank out awful food in a reliable manner prior to the overhaul. But when Ramsay comes back for the followup visit, she produces a "martini marinated filet" for Gordon to try, and he loves it. Similarly the cooks/chefs at Giuseppe's, Finn McCool's, and many others are awful cooks, barely competent to put out microwaved food, but then turn into finessed chefs after Ramsay has been there. How?!

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Nature photography on jigsaw puzzles:
http://tinyurl.com/ocxtgct

[–] dmrmlr-1 10 years ago

You're not alone, Grace, I've also wondered how horrible chefs miraculously turn around in a matter of days. It took me years of practice and schooling to become a good cook, how on earth is that accomplished in such a short amount of time?!

[–] GraceFromSoCal 10 years ago

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's wondered!

Of course I realize that we're not seeing *EVERY* single thing that happens, so it's possible that the cook/chef perhaps takes lessons, or has one of Gordon's sous chefs stay and work with them off-camera. But from what we're given, it certainly seems like they just miraculously become great chefs!

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Nature photography on jigsaw puzzles:
http://tinyurl.com/ocxtgct

[–] falconefans 10 years ago

I think it differs depending on the restaurant.

In some episodes we see that the problems are the owners' fault. The have huge menus that the chefs can't possibly cook within their time/space limitations. When Gordon revamps the menu to make it easier it helps the chefs. Also they let the chefs get creative and come up with specials.

In some episodes it's the chef's fault and many times that chef leaves or is fired once Gordon sees what's going on. Or Gordon opens the owners' eyes to the problems and gets them to take responsibility and become the leader/boss.

There have been a few instances where the restaurant has equipment that isn't working... no oven, half the burners not working, fridge is leaking, etc. Gordon remodels/renovates and gets them the tools they need. Sometimes he just decluters the place and gets rid of the microwaves.

And i recall a few times when he's brought in a chef or a couple of his staff to get the restaurant staff up to speed on the new menu.

Fraaaank. FRANK! Get my jean bin. Susie wants my jeans.
No she doesnt.

[–] GraceFromSoCal 10 years ago

Excellent points, falconefans. And I think you're probably spot-on for a lot of the cooks/chefs. But what about someone like Melissa (from Handlebar)? She wasn't by ANY stretch of the imagination a cook, let alone a chef! In her case, SHE was the problem, since she didn't even have experience as a cook. I'd love to know how the metamorphosis played out that turned her into a creative chef.

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Nature photography on jigsaw puzzles:
http://tinyurl.com/ocxtgct

[–] falconefans 10 years ago

You are right about Melissa. It's been a while since i've seen that episode so i don't remember exactly what she said about her skill level. I do remember she said something like she wasn't cut out to be a chef and didnt deserve the job.

But was she completely inexperienced? I seem to remember she had worked as a line cook or something like that... just not a trained head chef.

Did Gordon give her any training?

There was an episode in the UK show where he took an inexperienced (but very hardworking) chef from a failing restaurant and sent her to a culinary school when the owner walked away from the restaurant and closed it down.

Maybe he either sent Melissa for some training or left one of his staff there for some time to train her.

Next time it's on tv, i'll have to watch it again and pay better attention. It's not one of my favorite episodes, so i usually don't watch the rerun when it's on.

Fraaaank. FRANK! Get my jean bin. Susie wants my jeans.
No she doesnt.

[–] GraceFromSoCal 10 years ago

Handlebar isn't one of my favorites either, so I rarely re-watch it. But, as I recall, the thing with Melissa was something like she had no experience when she applied for the job, but needed a job so thought what the hell, and they hired her thinking she was a chef. When confronted with this [during filming], Billy says something like he wouldn't have hired her if he had known.

The UK episode you're referring to is Piccolo Teatro, the vegetarian restaurant in France. The young, but promising, chef Gordon found, India, was given a job in one of Gordon's UK kitchens after Piccolo closed abruptly.

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Nature photography on jigsaw puzzles:
http://tinyurl.com/ocxtgct

[–] falconefans 10 years ago

That episode of KN with the veg restaurant really made me mad watching it. That woman was one incredibly lazy spoiled brat. She didn't deserve to have a restaurant (or any business) especially when you see how many really dedicated people try to start a business and fail for one reason or another.

I really really disliked her and wanted her restaurant to close and for her to fail miserably because of her laziness. And her father... what was wrong with him. He dumped all this money into this restaurant for her and barely looked annoyed when she was letting it all fall apart.

So glad Gordon recognized the talent and work ethic of the chef. I really wanted the recipe for that eggplant.

Fraaaank. FRANK! Get my jean bin. Susie wants my jeans.
No she doesnt.

[–] SkiesAreBlue 9 years ago

I couldn't believe this person either. She was a spoilt brat and her friend as well. Look at the looney chef she had hired. Because her father was treated like a bottomless ATM of course she had no commitment. At the end when asked about selling the place she said a whole weight was lifted off her shoulders. WTF? Her father was footing the bill for her debts and she walks away. I'd love to know what she is doing now. When Gordon sees potential he would not let it go. Lucky (and hard work) saw India right.

SkiesAreBlue

[–] GraceFromSoCal 9 years ago

I'd love to know what she is doing now.

Oh, you're going to love this! Rumor had it (a while back) that she was now...um...how can I word this in a tasteful manner?...SELLING HERSELF to men! 

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http://www.CaliforniaDreamsPhotography.com

[–] SkiesAreBlue 9 years ago

At least she doesn't have to get out of bed for that gig 😏

SkiesAreBlue

[–] GraceFromSoCal 9 years ago

At least she doesn't have to get out of bed for that gig 😏

And she can smoke cigarettes like crazy, too.

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http://www.CaliforniaDreamsPhotography.com

[–] silverred999 9 years ago

You just needed Ramsay. He can turn a toddler into a head chef in 13 hours! Why 13? Well the kid needs 8 hours of sleep.