An Open Letter to Gordon Ramsay - Page 2

abefroman · #16 06-24-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnybones

I think you all hit on valid points What it really comes down to is "****'s Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares" bring in ratings. I watch those shows purely for the entertainment value. I'm new to the industry (6 years) and I don't see that kind of behaivor in any kitchen that I've been in. I work in a steakhouse with an open kitchen where guest are free to come up and talk to the cooks. At least once a night I hear comarisons being made between "****'s Kitchen" and my kitchen. It's kind of embarassing even though I truely respect Gordon Ramsay and his accomplishments.

By the way, this was my first post. Hello everyone

He||'s Kitchen may suck, but I think Kitchen Nightmares is better, especially the business aspect of it if you are planning to open a restaurant.

And if you haven't watch any of the He||'s Kitchen's next week will be good, they last 2 design their own menus and also decorate their side of the restaurant.

Ishbel · #17 06-25-2008, 03:26 AM

A new TV programme is being trailered at the moment - due to air soon - it's MCP finding the Best of British produce and killing it, cooking it and eataing it!

I can't remember the name, but I'll definitely be looking out for it.

RAS1187 · #18 06-25-2008, 03:49 AM

I guess I'm part of the minority that really doesn't get too bothered over HK. Its entertainment, people watch it knowing what it is. If you don't like it change the channel.

When you sign up to do that show, you know very well what you are getting into. If you can't take it don't sign up.

BombayBen · #19 06-26-2008, 12:45 AM

Bottom line is that GR and MPW are THUGS! forget their talent and their accomplishments - they are down and out BULLIES and THUGS - they should be ignored and booted off our TV screens. GR's book is nothing but self-praise and 'I AM'. Our society has become so degraded that people call this kind of drivel 'entertainment' - I do not find it mildly entertaining!

I strongly agree with everything in the letter and also Joe's comments above. Each of us leaves a lasting impression on the people we interact with and yes I do remember people's unkindnesses towards me and how they made me feel.

eatwell · #20 06-27-2008, 03:15 PM

Just saw GR on the Graham Norton show (BBC America)...blah. Gotta say I can get sucked into Kitchen Nightmares every once in a while, but after working (way back when) for people like him I can only take so much.

Ran into this guy in Australia, though he lives here in the states now. He's the anti-GR:

the whole 9 .com blogs getforked

Hello!

Mapiva · #21 06-28-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombayBen

Bottom line is that GR and MPW are THUGS! forget their talent and their accomplishments - they are down and out BULLIES and THUGS - they should be ignored and booted off our TV screens. GR's book is nothing but self-praise and 'I AM'. Our society has become so degraded that people call this kind of drivel 'entertainment' - I do not find it mildly entertaining!

I strongly agree with everything in the letter and also Joe's comments above. Each of us leaves a lasting impression on the people we interact with and yes I do remember people's unkindnesses towards me and how they made me feel.

Have you ever eaten in Gordon's restaurants? I urge you to and THEN make a judgement on him. Anyone that can inspire their staff to cook dishes that are that delicious and create immaculate service can't be all that scary. It's just a show and I'm pretty sure your television has an off button.

boar_d_laze · #22 06-28-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapiva

Have you ever eaten in Gordon's restaurants? I urge you to and THEN make a judgement on him. Anyone that can inspire their staff to cook dishes that are that delicious and create immaculate service can't be all that scary. It's just a show and I'm pretty sure your television has an off button.

Good points.

BDL

cuisinier · #23 06-28-2008, 04:20 PM

You're still not getting it...it's not about the show...it's not about how good his food is...it's not about if it's "real or not"...it's about the message he gives to the public...and yes, my television does have an off button and a remote...I find that I use it a lot when I see GR on the screen.

tessa · #24 06-29-2008, 01:09 AM

i know somebody who worked for GR holdings in england and he was just the same in real life , i dont think he has the best manners in the world but boy oh boy hes an absolute master at what he does with food. He is so passionate about cooking and food and doesnt suffer fools gladly. TV programs always edit the **** out of everything , so you never ever see any of the good stuff that might actually happen you only get to see what the tv producers want to show you. I have seen him in interviews on tv over here and he comes across as a real pussycat. Anybody that works underneath him gets trained really well and has a good work ethic

BombayBen · #25 06-29-2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapiva

Have you ever eaten in Gordon's restaurants? I urge you to and THEN make a judgement on him. Anyone that can inspire their staff to cook dishes that are that delicious and create immaculate service can't be all that scary. It's just a show and I'm pretty sure your television has an off button.

No I haven't eaten at any of his restaurants and I am not going to . As I said before - TV show or not, our young people of today take everything on TV as 'real' - so they are being led to believe that behaving like GR and MPW is perfectly acceptable in society - well it is NOT! - thugs and bullies should be ignored not encouraged!

And yes I too have an off button but I merely use my channel changer to watch something similar - done in a light hearted manner and absolutely hilarious - 'CHEF' - they are showing repeats again to everybody's delight!

Bazza · #26 06-29-2008, 03:16 AM

GR is an extremely talented businessman, he has marketed himself as... "The bad tempered foul mouthed Chef" or whatever. This has been far more successful than any restaurant he has ever owned and made him more money than he could ever have dreamed of. Can you blame him for milking it?

I agree, young people are impressed by our TV screens but shouldn't parents be guiding them a little and explaining that these are not real kitchen situations, or even real people, they are just shows and actors.

Have you ever seen GR interviewed by Johnathan Ross? Ramsay is shy, modest and very funny, not what we are used to seeing from this over marketed monster.

cuisinier · #27 06-29-2008, 07:53 AM

Yes, I blame him...money and fame is not everything...especially when he's sending such a bad message.

And the kid's parents are most likely watching the show with them.

Mapiva · #28 06-29-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuisinier

You're still not getting it...it's not about the show...it's not about how good his food is...it's not about if it's "real or not"...it's about the message he gives to the public...and yes, my television does have an off button and a remote...I find that I use it a lot when I see GR on the screen.

If it's not about the show, or how good his food is, or if it's real or not, then I don't see your point.

What's the bad message that he gives to the public? That you have to work smart, prepare good local ingredients simply, and put effort into what you do? I do not disagree with this image. There are more important things to worry about in life than tv bullies. There are bigger problems that call for our attention than the "misconception of chefs." If you're not willing to go see for yourself how immaculately Gordon's restaurants run and how delicious the food is then your view is a little.... small and irrelevant.

Jonah523 · #29 06-29-2008, 09:28 AM

We can argue till the cows come home about the moral uprightedness of the people who advertise and run these types of shows. The bottom line is that Gordon Ramsay is completely within his rights to act the way he does and run his show however he darn well pleases. While I personally think it's important to consider the impact ones actions have on another human being, it certainly is not my place, or anybody elses for that matter, to impose such a philosophy on anybody else. That said,
I do think that shows like ****'s Kitchen, and "reality" TV in general are some of the lowest forms of entertainment. They often exploit people's fascination with train wrecks, and an interest in watching others get torn down... It's sad, and I think it reflects a disturbing aspect of our society as a whole, but certainly not a new one... We have not come very far from Gladiators and Bear-Baiting...
If kids watch this show, it's not the job of Gordon Ramsay to include a disclaimer saying "now kids, it's really not nice to treat people like this in real life, so please take everything here with a grain of salt". It's the job of the parents and the job of his or her teachers. I think it's folly to rely or expect TV to educate people. It rarely happens.

shel · #30 06-29-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonah523

I do think that shows like ****'s Kitchen, and "reality" TV in general are some of the lowest forms of entertainment. They often exploit people's fascination with train wrecks, and an interest in watching others get torn down... It's sad, and I think it reflects a disturbing aspect of our society as a whole, but certainly not a new one... We have not come very far from Gladiators and Bear-Baiting...

Do you think that Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star fall into this catagory?

scb