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RSS'Hell's Kitchen': Gordon Ramsay cookware fails to provide immunity
I think that Hell's Kitchen has done something truly amazing this season -- they've actually managed to go out and get a couple of good chefs. Oh sure, heading into tonight's episode Ben and Andrea were still there too, but Danny and Paula? They seem legit. Also, let's not forget, we all knew that either Ben or Andrea was going home tonight, which would only increase the percentage of real contenders left.
Ben or Andrea... Andrea or Ben. One of them had to be leaving tonight, the only question was which would make the bigger mistake and lose their jacket for it.
In the "taste it, now make it" challenge (they had to turn around and make the fish dish Ramsay just made for them), Ben definitely put the wrong foot forward. He opted to hide from everyone else the liquor he had chosen to put in his version of the dish. Ramsay caught him and wasn't amused, but Ben's liquor (he was the only one to use it) was the right one for the recipe.
I'm not sure what Ben thought he was doing -- I fully believe that Ramsay would have done that sort of thing given the chance, but that doesn't mean he wanted to see someone else use such a tactic. I'm not sure it was technically cheating, but it certainly didn't win him any friends and he ought to have been smart enough to figure out that he wasn't going to end up looking good hiding the liquor.
Even so, it was Andrea who was eliminated from the challenge first (she used the wrong scallops). Oh, Ben didn't win -- he was eliminated next -- but he did last fractionally longer than Andrea. For the record, Danny ended up winning the challenge, but we're only focusing on the losers this week.
Heading into the service, it was Andrea who had the worst attitude, but Lacey lasted for weeks and weeks with an even worse attitude, so I wasn't convinced that meant she was on her way out. I actually thought that Ben, seeing Andrea's attitude, might have gotten a little too cocky.
During service it was in fact Ben who blew it first... and second. First he messed up repeating an order and then put spaghetti into water that wasn't boiling. Later he even asked about whether tuna should go into a plain, green, vegetarian salad. He still sent it up to the pass with croutons and I'm happy to report that croutons in Hell's Kitchen aren't green, it was just Ben messing up again. Imagine if they were green... disgusting. Ben was close to leaving the competition before tonight even began, but after the service it was unimaginable that he wouldn't be eliminated.
Making matters worse for Ben, Andrea didn't do badly on the meat station during service. She actually did make a mistake with some Wellington, and, rather than trying to hide it, she copped to her mistake and Ramsay helped her out. Amazing! I don't recall ever seeing either truth-telling or a helping hand on the show before. It's true that Andrea came up short two Wellingtons at the end of the night, but even that wasn't a big enough mistake to get her sent home.
The chefs couldn't decide on only one nominee tonight, so they put up... wait for it... wait for it... wait for it... Ben and Andrea! Didn't see that coming, did you?
Ben was the guy who made more mistakes though tonight and so it was Ben who lost his jacket. I'm guessing next week it'll be Andrea who goes though.
Quick bites:
- I think it would have been great for Ramsay to refuse to put the engagement ring in the dessert. Wouldn't that have been fun to watch?
- If you were Ramsay would you have sent Ben home tonight? Would Andrea have disappeared instead?
- Do you think the chefs were honestly thrilled with the Gordon Ramsay cookware they were given or were they just well aware the cameras were on them?
The TV and Film Guy's Reviews - home of the green crouton.
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The cookware was great stuff whether they were acting for the cameras or not. Of course the reason GR does this show in the first place is self-promotion, so it wasn't really unexpected or out of place. I'd take them!
"Real" restaurants and chefs occasionally goof up. It happens, and the maitre d' must then go to the customer/s affected and explain the problem, perhaps offering an appetizer or wine to keep them busy while the meal cooks. Andrea either miscounted or -- as someone in our household suggested -- another contender, maybe someone whose name starts with a B, tried to submarine her by chucking the two missing Wellies. Who knows?
Ben was perfectly right to hide his "secret" ingredient. But the way he did it was asinine. He should have poured the Pernod into a cup and replaced the bottle, not put the bottle on his station covered with a towel. Dolt!
The trailer suggests that Paula has a bad service next week -- I sure hope she doesn't get booted. She and Danny are both very talented, very determined, and keep their heads under pressure -- perfect qualities for a chef. I hope they end up working together at the new resto.
End of program showed Andrea talking about putting on her big-girl panties and taking charge. Hello? Where have those panties been for the past dozen or so weeks?
1. I found the engagement/proposal to be more than a little tacky
2. It really needs to come down to Danny and Paula
3. If Andrea were to win I would stop watching the show all together because I don't find capable of running a resturant
Very nice episode last night. Ben sure can talk a good game, can't he? He had me convinced for the first few weeks that he actually knew what he was doing (there were so many competitors still in the running back then). Once the herd was culled a little, it became obvious that he was "all hat, no cattle". I'm glad to see him gone.
Andrea was able to hide behind the whole "Carole is making me look bad" for quite awhile, too. It's now apparent that she's also in over her head. I loved how Danny asked her what her qualifications for running a kitchen were, and she got all mad and shocked that he'd even ask!
The "taste it - make it" is a great test and brought out the correct two strong ones - Danny + Paula. Ben showed his insecurity by hiding the Pernod - lame move.
Andrea is kidding herself if she thinks she could take over running a kitchen - too inexperienced.
Ben was surprising in stating "I don't work the line" - I agree that head chefs typically don't work the line, but they should be *the* expert at all stations in a kitchen and be able to jump in when necessary. His ego is too big for his skills.
The right person left last night and next up should be Andrea.
Andrea didn't deserve to go home this week. Sure, she griped through the punishment, but it was the usual fatigue complaints that we hear about this time. (And, for the record, she did continue to work unlike some griping contestants in the past.)
More importantly: her one screw up in the kitchen was not counting the right amount of wellingtons during prep. And as soon as it was discovered, there was no trying to hide it -- she immediately apologized and got some help to get them going from Danny and Paula, with little problem other than Ramsay saying that they were holding up the last customers.
Ben, on the other hand, rushed spaghetti, screwed up orders, and couldn't make a plain salad. These were basic items that he should have known. And that's been a consistent problem with him. He blames others' lack of ability but it's his own that shows through.
Ben had to go. He'd been pointed to too many times. Andrea will be next, that's obvious -- she might be good vocally but she's not strong enough in the kitchen yet. It will be Danny vs Paula, and that's where it becomes really "difficult" for Ramsay.
What surprises me is how young Paula and Danny are and yet how capable they are. I mean Danny's 23 and he performs like he's got 10 years worth of experience. Same for Paula. Did they both start like when they were 13 years old? I suppose that may be why the question of experience was so sensitive to Andera and Ben.They were both a bit older and yet seemed to lack the experience of Paula and Danny.
I really think that both Ben and Andrea should've been let go and the real games begin with Paula and Danny. Those two are the real chefs and even though they are young, there are those that have what it takes because that's what they are called to do and actually do it. Some of us take the long road but that doesn't mean we wouldn't have had what it takes back then given the opportunity.
John - I doubt Ramsay would have refused to have ***isted with the proposal. He's shown himself to be a bit of a romantic softy on his UK shows, often encouraging people in long-term relationships to get married.
He even convinced a firefighter to propose to his girlfriend over the phone on the F-Word. It was a bit tacky, but the excitement in the kitchen seemed genuine.
John - I doubt Ramsay would have refused to have ***isted with the proposal. He's shown himself to be a bit of a romantic softy on his UK shows, often encouraging people in long-term relationships to get married.
He even convinced a firefighter to propose to his girlfriend over the phone on the F-Word. It was a bit tacky, but the excitement in the kitchen seemed genuine.
Pete, ITA.
Imo, the best chef, the best boss, manager, or anything else, is one who knows how to do each and every level of the job. They seem to be the ones who are the best at guidance for those struggling cause they know how to advise them, and they seem to show the most respect towards those beneath them, ... hence gaining the most respect as "boss".
I've had managers who were good enough at their positions, but when I would come to them with a problem doing my position, they were clueless because they had NEVER DONE IT. So, they just yell and tell me to improve. Yeah, that really helps. *rolls eyes*.
Ppl, like Ramsey, worked their way up to the top. IMO, those are always the best leaders.