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Restaurants filled with cockroaches, badly prepared frozen / super-market food presented as “gourmet”, people who have started a business in this area without having the talent or at least the brains to make it. Failing restauranteurs who need a BIG helping hand from someone who’s done it, failed, done it again and did better. Since I have seen the US version too (enjoyed it of course, since I like Gordon Ramsey), this version is the “true” one. Better stories, less show and more doing so to say. Not to mention he’s also telling the stories, so it adds up to the entertaining value.

This show won’t teach you how to cook. It will though teach you to not settle for mediocre, even if you’re not a restaurant owner. It will teach the value of “keep it simple stupid” ideas and of constant bettering of oneself.

Each episode starts with a presentation. Of a sinisterly badly run restaurant, with horrific food, with bad manager and disgustingly filthy kitchens. And then he enters the show, ripping menus to shreds and making them short and sweet, teaching people to focus on the local produce and stop dreaming of fancy schmancy recipes, when they can’t even boil an egg, throw everything out and restock the pantry and then teaching the owners the lost art of cleaning those stinky floors.

Gordon Ramsey is the same as we know it from Hell’s Kitchen. Says the “f-word” 10 times a minute, curses them, yells, throws a fit. But all within reason. When you’re going bankrupt because you’re an idiot who cannot manage a restaurant and you have someone who’s a Michelin awarded chef, a multi-millionaire who grew his empire with sweat and tears, then you listen and do.

The show  is just amazing as the very down to earth ideas he’s instilling:

• keep the kitchen and pantry CLEAN (of course the rest of the restaurant too)
• don’t cook frozen food. Buy fresh local produce DAILY
• don’t have 300 items on the menu. Keep 20 but make them delicious
• be very organized. Don’t keep clients waiting.
• keep decent prices and try to make it worth for the client
• don’t cook gourmet when you can just cook some locally inspired food that’s super tasty and fresh

And many others.

It’s almost inspirational to see this guy talk with so much passion about his business, giving so many details and hints to the people asking for help. Of course he’s the abusive guy we all know, but he does make a sense. So, even if not too sweet, he means business and teaches it to those who want to listen.

I have enjoyed the series a lot (have seen the US version too, you can also watch it) so I am recommending the show

June 22nd, 2010 | Reality-TV | No Comments »