Robert Irvine versus Gordon Ramsay

[DC Sunshine]

Originally Posted by Mezzaluna

As for the shouting, isn't that normal when you're the chef trying to keep track of multiple stations? I'd think so.

Mezz I agree. Was reading thru this thread and was surprised to see that no-one had made such a comment yet. Yelling and impatience can and always will be a part of the trade - I've only a small experience of it but am convinced it goes hand in hand unless you're in a very exceptional situation.

I like both Irvine and Ramsay, for differing reasons. I dislike probably more things about Ramsay than Irvine, but both shows have different bents - no doubt influenced by producers/financiers, and exageration of the individual situation/basis of the show comes into it.

My 2 cents worth.....

[Someday]

Ummmm....I mean, I suppose that Ramsey can come off as a complete jerk on TV, but remember that he has some of the most loyal staff at his restaurants, (you can't run multiple units in multiple countries without loyal staff), and has worked in some of the best restaurants in England and France, and for some of the most respected chefs in the biz.

Don't know too much about Irvine, though I have seen the show a couple times. Seems OK. A good task manager and motivator, good at pumping volume. His food seems good, not great. Of course, I know I'm not seeing him at his best with unlimited ingredients, time, etc.

But, I mean, Ramsey is one of the top chefs in the world, no real argument.

[Cat Man]

A lawsuit filed in New York last month charged Gordon Ramsey, star of the upcoming reality show "Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares," with faking scenes, including hiring actors to pose as customers. The parties were ordered to go to arbitration by a Manhattan judge.

[Cat Man]

KY and I have battled before...
Remember that you have thick skin (as any kitchen requires), get over it and move on

Cat Man

[Bazza]

Ok I just had to Google Robert Irvine coz I'd never heard of him either! Seems he is a top pedigree chef started out in the Royal Navy at 15 yrs old and was swiftly recognised as a culinary talent. Promoted to Royal yacht Brittania he travelled all over the world cooking for anyone Royal, posh and important, lucky man! As for Ramsey, don't pay attention to all that effing and blinding, its just TV. Gordon Ramsey is one of the greatest chefs ever and you'd better believe it. You don't get all those michelin stars for nothing.

[bluezebra]

I want to bring another perspective to this party. I like what I see of both on t.v. but that means nothing as Mezza aptly pointed out.

But I work in advertising and marketing. One of the key rules of publicity and specifically free water-cooler-discussion-worthy word of mouth buzz which is what everyone yearns for is that you must do something worthy of discussing. I call it "controlled outrageousness". And it means sometimes you stage things. It makes for absolutely through the roof notariety but isn't so smashing for the unsuspecting audience who feel like they have been duped at times if it gets out.

Gordon Ramsay is pretty awesome at getting and brainstorming these types of situations. I honestly think he's pretty darn smart about it. He's obviously successful with a lot of it. Sometimes he will get bitten on the arse so to speak by it. But again in my opinion, if more restauranteurs were more savvy about this and about advertising/marketing there would be fewer restaurants going under.

The old addage of "if you build it they will come" is pure non-sense. You have to tell or show people why they need or MUST come to your establishment. Then once you have them there you must be brilliantly consistent and deliver the "experience".

So I think Gordon does that. Robert Irvine looks similarly brilliant from a chef perspective and leadership perspective but I don't know if he is as masterful in publicity as Ramsay.

Don't know if this opinion or view helps or not...but d-r-a-m-a sells!

[shel]

Originally Posted by bluezebra

Robert Irvine looks similarly brilliant from a chef perspective and leadership perspective but I don't know if he is as masterful in publicity as Ramsay.

Almost anyone can get good publicity if they want it. Maybe Irvine doesn't want, or need, it for what he's doing. Is he running a bunch of restaurants that can benefit from such publicity?

Shel

[DC Sunshine]

This adds nothing to the discussion....but there's a Dinner Impossible marathon here on the idiot box today - so am sitting down to watch it to form an opinion. I do think Robert Irvine is a great organiser and lateral thinker. He's managed some really impossible situations.

[OahuAmateurChef]

More about Chef Irvine.

[Ishbel]

Thanks for the info, OahuAC.

According to that article and his qualifications and awards, it seems that Mr Irvine has spent much of his career in the USA... and, as I do not move in the same social circles as the British Royal Family, no wonder I'd never heard of him!!

[Coregonus]

Here is an update I picked from yesterday's news. I hope it helps.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tom Colicchio of "Top Chef" fame lost a Michelin star at his New York restaurant Craft, while British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay gained a rare two stars for his first U.S. venture.

Ramsay's year-old restaurant, Gordon Ramsay at The London, won praise for "consistency in cuisine and service," Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret told Reuters on Monday.
"Gordon Ramsay deserved two stars, not because of his name and TV fame, but because of the consistency of the multiple visits by inspectors throughout the year," Naret said.

[abefroman]

Originally Posted by Cat Man

A lawsuit filed in New York last month charged Gordon Ramsey, star of the upcoming reality show "Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares," with faking scenes, including hiring actors to pose as customers. The parties were ordered to go to arbitration by a Manhattan judge.

Uh, is it illegal to have actors on a TV show? It seems expected that some of the scence are at least somewhat scripted.

[Blueicus]

A similar lawsuit was filed against him in the British version... he won that one.

[Ishbel]

That's interesting news, Coregonus, thank you....

[shakeandbake]

I usually hate shows that have been repurposed for American television from hit BBC shows. Kitchen Nightmares is the exception (and The Office).

The producers have done a great job a keeping with the original feel of the BBC series. The biggest difference is that the US version has more money to kick in when they renovate and make improvements to the failing business.

Ramsey's style is no-bull management, like it or leave it. He gets results and based on what I can see, he is usually spot on when he is calling someone out on their bullshat.

As far as staging/recruiting patrons or using actors for a show, it is pretty much a given. Do you really think that a previously failing restaurant fills up on the opening night, after a quick paint job and a menu change...heck no. I'm sure local patrons are used and actors/background are brought in to fill the place up as needed. That's showbiz, grammys, MTV Music awards, Oscars...even concerts are "papered" to make the venue appear almost sold out. It doesn't change the outcome of the show, so no harm, no foul.

Oh, and I like Dinner Impossible as well.