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'Hell's Kitchen' has a model evening
All the contestants spent weeks on end complaining about Matt and his incompetence on Hell's Kitchen. Oh, it was well deserved, the man couldn't cook, and was actually a little scary by the end of his time on the show, but everyone got there wish and he's gone now. I was terribly curious to find out whether, without Matt there to mess things up, the rest of the chefs would seem different this week, or whether they would continue to be unimpressive.
After watching, I'm going to have to go with unimpressive. Less unimpressive than before, but unimpressive.
Maybe that's because Jen is still around, and while she may be a better cook than Matt, she is just as volatile. She actually cheated on the challenge this week. She didn't get in trouble for it, but she did cheat.
What the chefs had to do was teach some "housewives" how to make spaghetti with lobster. The chefs weren't allowed to do any of the cooking (Jen did, repeatedly), they were supposed to have their trainees do it. And, as for those housewives, they looked a little like… well… a little like plants. I'm not saying they were, I'm just saying that some of them were awfully dressed up and with more than a completely made up face. I would not be surprised to find out that the women were actresses or models or in some similar line of work.
In the end, despite Jen's cheating, her housewife was a failure in the kitchen. Both Christina and Corey's housewives did a solid job, and it came down to them, with Christina's housewife edging out Corey's.
I actually felt a little bad for the losers. I think that there are some people who are probably beyond help in the kitchen and it's possible that the women involved in the challenge were. Just because the best dish was put forward by Christina's housewife, that doesn't mean that Christina was the best teacher, she may just have had the least distance to travel with her housewife.
Later, heading into the dinner service, everyone was perturbed with Christina as she was acting all hoity-toity after having some famous chefs to teach her how to cook (her reward for winning the challenge). If she wasn't high on my list of people I'd almost like to see win, I might agree with Christina's fellow chefs. As Christina is near the top of the people I think would be the least bad choices though, I'm going to let her attitude slide as having been semi-deserved, but only semi. Plus, she quickly got her comeuppance, mishearing her first appetizer order during the service.
The best part of the dinner service, hands down, was not Christina getting her comeuppance, but Jen looking foolish once more. Granted, it was mostly due to the cutting of the show, but it was still great. When Bobby messed up on the meat station we were instantly treated to Jen saying how she would never make such horrible mistakes cooking food. The show then cut to Jen bringing raw fish to the pass and then overcooked fish, one right after the other (I'm sure she'd argue that both dishes were cooked perfectly and that Ramsay was crazy). Ah, stupidity, how I love you in reality television.
Bobby was still doing far worse than Jen tonight, but he at least was messing up with a smile. Jen was, as usual, on the edge of ripping Ramsay's head off. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Petrozza got Jen into some unnecessary trouble tonight, bringing stuff to the pass that he shouldn't have, but Jen was still too close to the edge with Ramsay. I really think there will come a day when she will just unload verbally on Gordon, I just hope we get to see it.
Then, there was the special 12-top table, composed entirely of Hawaiian Tropic models (why I don't know, but they were there). The chefs did seem to do a good job getting the appetizers out at the same time for the big table, but things fell down during the entrees with Ramsay having to step in himself to make sure the food got out. It may not have been pretty, but food did get served to the models and to every other table tonight as well.
Somehow, despite messing up the order at the beginning, Christina was still deemed the Best of the Worst tonight. Before the nominations were announced, Jen was pretty certainly that she would be sent home (and, as you know, I was pulling for her to be right). Christina helped push things in that direction by nominating her, along with Bobby, tonight.
In my opinion, Bobby did a little too much sucking up to Ramsay after being nominated, but he definitely deserved to stay more than Jen. After removing Bobby's nose from his backside, Ramsay asked Christina whom she wanted to boot tonight, and Christina gave the honest, and right, answer of Jen.
Ramsay though went in a different direction, he eliminated Bobby. He explained that he "kept waiting for him [Bobby] to emerge," but that Bobby didn't ever really step forward. I can accept that, I just can't imagine that he's still waiting for anything solid, save anger, from Jen.
Odds and ends:
- I love that Jean-Philippe. First, he bumps his head into a glass door, making himself look quite silly. Then, he redeems himself by trying to have his waiters steer customers to ordering dishes that would be better prepared. The work of the maitre'd is never done.
- I liked Bobby. I'm sad to see him go, but can't really fault Ramsay for the elimination (except in that Jen needed to go more). What do you think? Bobby or Jen? And, now that we're down to four, whom do you think is taking home the prize?
It certainly won't be (at least in cooking), the guy from The TV and Film Guy's Reviews. He is a solid cook, but he'd totally burn the lamb wellington every time.
Oh God, was it this bad last season at this point? I think the only reason I still watch is to be there when Jen finally gets eliminated. I'm sure that's how FOX sees it too, or else why the hell is she still there?
JEN MUST GO! And Petrozza is too much of a slob for Ramsay, so my pics for final 2 are Corey and Christina. I was reluctant at first to root for Christina as a finalist, but she's been pulling it together lately. And remember, she'll be a chef but not THE chef at the London-LA, unlike Rock who got to be THE chef at Green Valley Ranch. I also didn't like Corey very much at first, her "fling" with Louross was obviously faked by the producers, but she ends up being best of the worst.
That dog with the housewife was probably also faked, I say "probably" because it's LA so you never know. I know that special guest or not, no animals that aren't food are to set foot in my kitchen if I had a restaurant. (And yes I loved "Ratatouille".)
Finally, I hate how all the cheftestants bitch about doing prep and cleanup work. How can you expect to run your own restaurant if you're not willing to scrub pans and drain fryers? What spoiled brats! The restaurant business is as much about management as it is about cooking, if they can't understand that then go back to working the line.
Ugh, I still say the British version of any Gordon Ramsay TV show is much better than the donkey crap served on FOX.
Diner | Jun 10, 2008 9:29:56 PM | #I don't why everyone's complaining about Jen.
She cooks everything perfectly. She's got the best culinary skills of anyone in the competition. Just ask her, she'll tell you. She may have a few minor disagreements with her fellow contestants, but she's not there to make friends, remember. She's the perfect pick to be Ramsay's chef in his new restaurant. I don't know why he hasn't already ended the show and given her the head chef's hat. She does everythng perfectly. Why can't everyone see that?
Once again, Jen proves to be one of the most obnoxious reality contestants in a long while. Loved how she cheated during the challenge, claimed she won, but when she didn't, blamed the "housewife." I just could not imagine Ramsey placing such a poison in his own restaurant. Next week, I predict she goes.
Cynic | Jun 11, 2008 4:29:21 AM | #Jen is one of those people who, if she gets humiliated enough now (at 24), may turn out to be a great chef and decent person in later years. If she stays as self-centered and "perfect" as she is now, she'll always be a failure who blames everyone else for her mistakes. I hope her loss on this show actually helps her, as she seems to have some real potential (that's why Chef Ramsey is keeping her around).
Reggie | Jun 11, 2008 6:21:04 AM | #I know i am in the minority on this, but I don't dislike Jen - everyone is all "her attitude sucks" (and it does) and so she'll be a lousy chef - umm have we met Ramsay? Not to say she has his talent, but all of the others left, including Cory, admitted that Jen is a great cook. Frankly, I find Christina and Cory far too fake and manipulative - I mean they went from seeming BFFs to last night where Cory "hated" Christina. On talent, I say Jen; on temperment + some talent, I would go with Christina.
Michael | Jun 11, 2008 7:21:19 AM | #Sorry, what a self-centered B***H Jen is....ridiculous! She is not even close to justifying her rants that she is a good cook - i wouldn't let her feed my dog!
I hope she not only gets the boot, I hope Ramsey puts it there himself!
To MGC - Jen doesn't cook perfectly. It's inconsistent; also, she's neither a team member or an emerging leader.
What bothers me about these chefs the last two season is that they forget the clientele - they rather do each other in than put aside their petty differences and cook good dish after another, working together to make good food. That's what it is about.
Samuel | Jun 11, 2008 9:22:17 AM | #Samuel, I do believe MGC was being sarcastic.
Beth | Jun 11, 2008 10:17:42 AM | #Thanks, Beth. I was.
Following up on Samuel's point, though, unlike some reality shows where contestants have gotten better as the seasons went on, I think the "Hell's Kitchen" people have gotten worse. It's either that or I've stopped caring or paying as much attention as I did in the earlier seasons.
MGC | Jun 11, 2008 11:16:28 AM | #LOL! Thanks Beth!
Samuel | Jun 11, 2008 12:18:29 PM | #What I cannot understand is how these "chefs" can continuously either undercook (i.e. RAW!) or overcook meat and fish. I am no expert but I hardly ever do that.
My simple technique is to make a small cut and look at the color, just before I think the food should be done. Is this something these guys are forbidden to do?
Are they supposed to only consider temperature and time, in order to "know" when the items are rare, medium, or well done? If so, that is a true skill acquired by a lot of experience.
Fran | Jun 11, 2008 1:51:51 PM | #i just read this show recap cause the reality is this season's chefs are the worst i have ever seen. how ramsey can turn any restaurant over to and partner with any of them is beyond my concept. i keep waiting for him and top chef to scream 'APRIL FOOL'S.'
renee | Jun 11, 2008 7:29:01 PM | #You really have no idea what goes on, Fox shows you what they want you to see and edits it so everyone has a hero and a villan.
Jen is the best cook (not chef). They are doing something right we all are talking about it!!
I feel like everybody is going to be surprised and some may even be diappointed when Jen becomes the chef that Ramsey is looking for!!!
Ms. Tia | Jun 12, 2008 6:09:25 AM | #Why all the hate for Jen - she's no more obnoxious than Chris or Corey IMO. She is the best cook there, if that means anything among this sorry group.
If I were Ramsay - I'd look into the camera and yell 'do over,' As none of these contestants really fits the bill to be an EC in any restaurant right now.
daf | Jun 12, 2008 11:37:39 AM | #I agree that Jen is obnoxious, but not much worse than Corey and even Christina. Petrozza can't win this because of the dirty factor. I thought Jen should have gotten booted, but for once Ramsey analysis made sense. Bobby just didn't step up during the 10 services.
But think of this when you watch the opening credits. Bobby was really the first chef to be booted that had SOME skills. Look at the prior 10 from the credits? Craig, Matt, Rosann, Sharon, Domicic, Ben, Shayna, slob Jason. They are all horrible.
Belmont | Jun 12, 2008 12:06:04 PM | #Forgot Louross and Vanessa. That makes 10 awful contestants.
Belmont | Jun 12, 2008 12:07:04 PM | #The show is a Guilty Pleasure..but i think the reason it ultimately fails each season (especially this season) ..the people are just so dang nasty..no one to really root for (ok Christina a bit)..Jen is just repulsive..she's good tv..in that she's a trainwreck..this woman should be forced to eat some humble pie ..and then forced to clean the dish.... - her lack of any wrongdoing is a terrible quality...after this show..she'll be lucky if she gets a job at Dunkin Donuts! ... - Peace Out ,.,,
MSW
Bobby deserved to go home. From what I can remember he has only cooked one dish that Gordon has praised while Jen, even with her sour/poor attitude, has cooked a number of dishes that have been praised by Ramsey. In the end it is their cooking that matters and Jen has shown herself to be a better chef than Bobby has showed himself to be.
VeandersChild | Jun 17, 2008 10:25:47 AM | #I expect Jen to leave next. she can't cook to save her life without cheating. She is do demanding of others. They better cook perfectly or else. And yet she doesn't cook perfectly. Hypocrite! Besides having no cooking skills, and having a awful looking face she is such a mean person. I did not like it when she called Louross short. How would she like it if Ramsay called her a fat ugly cow...Oh wait!..he already did. Jen is going to go, but not before Petrozza. Some have called him a slob. He sure is!. Picking food up from the trash and serving it. Christina should win because she looks normal while the other two look like they have a special need of a butt whooping. Arrogant witches! I thought bobby bossed people around too much. He acted as if he was a general. What the show needed was a drill sergeant. I would have liked to see him win. I think he was the best of this very weak bunch of wannabe cooks. Btw, don't be surprised if Ramsay's LA restaurant does not end up hiring the winning contestant from this season. The show has a history of not delivering on its promises. So sad. I keep thinking about the Season 1 winner. He had to sell knives to make money because the job he was promised did exist or that it was something very lame.
jake | Jun 17, 2008 5:46:36 PM | #CHRISTINA, IS GOING TO WIN HELL'S KITCHEN. SHE SMART AND BEAUTIFUL. SHE SHOWED CHIF RAMSAY, (ON LAST NIGTH SHOW) THAT SHE CAN RUN A KITCHEN. GOOD LUCK CHRISTINA! I AM ROOTING FOR YOU! DID I A SAY THAT SHE IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL :)Anthony
ANTHONY | Jun 25, 2008 3:46:24 PM | #
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