[ChefTalk.com]

An open letter to Chef Ramsay from another chef.


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*These articles are brought to you each month from ChefTalk.com.

[shipscook]

thank you,

Nan

[Mezzaluna]

The young chefs and wannabees have copied Emeril; now I'm not surprised some are following GR's hateful path. Lord help us!

[teamfat]

I finally watched ****'s Kitchen a week or two ago. Well, I watched part of it. Now I remember why I hardly ever watch television. What pathetically lame "entertainment"

mjb.

[renhoek]

Has anyone here worked in a Ramsay-like kitchen?

The way Ramsay and Marco Pierre White talk about professional kitchens, it's like they are SAS training camps full of degenerates who need to be kicked into shape (sometimes literally)....and the only way a chef can ensure a good team is to push everyone past breaking point and see if they can take the heat.

[BombayBen]

I really don't know why they make us watch such drivel!! and here in UK we have to pay through our noses for the privelige!! Such thugs and Hooligans lIke GR and MPW should be IGNORED instead of being encouraged to make c****p shows like that. Shows like that tell youngsters that it is OK to behave like complete B*****s - when it clearly is NOT!!!

[RPMcMurphy]

It's "entertainment" and it gets ratings.....that is ALL FOX cares about, FOX and ****'s Kitchen aren't in the business of educating people on being a chef, they are in the business of making money, and driving ratings(you can trust me on this one ) .....I wouldn't give it another thought really.....as none of us really think it's in any shape or form "reality"

Also, it's not just like this for Chefs, it's like this across ANY industry where a television show has been made. For instance, one of my other hobbies, is custom motorcycles, and American Chopper, contrary to the shows popularity, is looked at just as you guys are looking at ****'s Kitchen by the custom motorcycle enthusiast. I have friends that are world renowned tattoo artists, that have the same gripes with the tattoo shows out there. (One, ironically, is even working for the tattoo shop in one of those shows now) But....the public who isn't a chef, bike builder, or tattoo artist, doesn't care about what is "real" and what is not....they just want to be entertained. If you look on the bright side, a lot of people are at least "introduced" to cooking, bike building, and tattooing through these shows, but after a quick investigation learn what it is REALLY about,and get even more into it....thus introducing pretty good talent to the pool. I don't think we are breeding chefs simply from watching ****'s Kitchen, or who think that is the way it is....ok, you may find an exception, but 99.9% not.

I see Gordon Ramsay as fitting into the same "entertainment" mold as The Tuetels, Jesse James.....and you can trust me on THIS one, for these guys TV and 'real life' are COMPLETELY different.....

I guess what I'm trying to say is I bet many of you watch American Chopper or Monster Garage and think that is what bike building is about, but could care less, because you're just watching for entertainment purposes......well the folks who don't want to be chefs, just watch HK for the same reason.....but for ALL those shows, the folks really interested in the trade, know what's up...so no worries.

I have this female friend who absolutely LOVES HK, but hates top chef.....said she gets turned on by an angry brit..............haha.

[RPMcMurphy]

Also, FOX is DEFINITELY not in the business of making "Quality" shows....if it happens it, happens, but FOX is definitely in the business of making ones that make money, same goes with movies, FOX movies are pretty horrible, but they make money, they know they are horrible, but they know they will make money. Some of them turn out "ok" and every 20 years they get a "titanic"...but in general, fox isn't looking at quality.

If you look at any business Rupert runs, you will see, they all know how to make money, but many are questionable as far as quality/integrity/etc. goes.....New York Post? FOX News?

and yes, I'm bitter as **** that they will most likely ruin The Day the Earth Stood Still and Marley and Me.....

[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

[lola35]

It is a TV SHOW!!!
These so called chefs( none of which is worth being a line cook let alone a sous chef in Gordon's place) deserve to be yelled at. Working the line is hard for anyone with any experience. They are messing up basic stuff. They went into the show KNOWING they would get yelled at..ITS FRIGGING Gordon Ramsey for Pete's sake...not their mummy!!!

When i went to school at the CIA in the early 90's , we got yelled at...ALOT. For no reasons sometimes. But we also were taught by some of the best CMC in the world. One takes that into account and you can stand a bit of yelling. These chefs had and have more experience than any of us there. Some chefs didn't yell but would give you a look that felt like you were getting yelled at and it would have been better to have gotten yelled at.

That is just the way of this business. Some chefs are yellers. So what?
Gordon Ramsey has obtain more respect from his peers and employees( a reported 85% retention rate among his staff...) What do i care if he makes a fool out of himself by yelling at incompetent ppl. Thats his shtick...not mine.

Anyone that believes that chefs behave like Gordon or any of the top chef chefs..in real life are idiots. Chefs ARE hotheaded...but it is how we handle the stress that sets us apart. Some ppl need to be yelled at during a rush so that they snap out of their weeds they have built. While during the prep or down town a firm guided hand is better. Different situations call for different techniques. None of us is perfect as a chef.



Each chef has a style..Gordon is the PT Barium of the culinary world.


btw..Marco Pierre White is a far Superior chef than his protégé GR. His version of ****'s Kitchen..which aired this past fall was amazing. While he was still stern and VERY VERY vocal, you got the sense he loved what he did and loved "taking ppl by the hand" and teaching him which i have heard is his style. Marco's reputation was his love of tossing ppl out of the resturants...which he did several times. And you have to respect a man who gives back his Michelin stars because he is no longer working in his
restaurants. Marco is also the reason I love Mario Batali...those two rocked it out in London!!!!(there is more to it than that...)


But anyway...I still don't understand why ppl even go on that show. They know they will be yelled at. I think we as a nation(USA) have some sort of sick obsession with watching ppl get humilated..why else would the ratings be threw the roof. We tune into to see Gordon go ape ****..even if he is a brilliant chef.


Though i rather be working for Gordon than Bobby or Rocco....ewwww

[boar_d_laze]

Yes and No.

Ramsay used to be a much bigger SOB in reality than he is now. In fact, for a number of reasons, including being outed as a right b@$tard by a bunch of English media, he's gone positively all warm and fuzzy. Even at his most abusive he was always incredibly loyal and managed to inspire the same with most of his staff.

He's clearly got a few problems and just as clearly is working hard to overcome them. At least partially. At least outside of HK. You can see how much he's mellowed in the more recent Kitchen Nightmares. On the other hand (there's always one of those isn't there?), the big pric% image is publicity and that's what ****'s Kitchen is based on the publicity and Ramsay's image.

Recognize that the image is marketable, that Ramsay is an entrepreneur. In addition to being a chef and restaurateur he is also a television personality. He's all about the money and will not pass up an opportunity even if it means caricaturing himself and his flaws.

Ramsay is particularly objectionable on his HK show -- no question about it. But I've worked with people almost as bad in real employment settings and nothing was ever said about the "basic-training" type of abuse. BTW, if you've ever been through Basic you know what he's doing. Having been through the real thing and several "lite" versions connected with jobs, I would never subject myself to it again. And in any situation other than the service -- if anyone laid hands on me once, they wouldn't do it a second time without a physical response. Before law school anyway. I'm hardly unique, there are a lot of guys like that; perhaps most of us. I'd guess the HK contestants are given all sorts of warnings and sign all sorts of agreements and waivers.

The author of the letter questions the way Ramsay misleads the general public about what life is like in today's real kitchens. But we have to question the audience's enjoyment of the sadism. Personally, I have more problems with the audience than with Ramsay. I object to the image that Fox portrays of Americans as people who will accept any level of abuse for money.

I agree that few ****'s Kitchen contestants are worth a darn. Many, I wouldn't let touch my food. There are a few that are okay though -- if not worth the prize which is supposedly offered. The worst ones are quickly segregated. Of the few that have discipline and/or talent, they hold up to the pressure and abuse. Which is the point. If you can handle Ramsay at his worst, you can handle anything. If you watch the show closely you'll see that there are a number of hidden tests besides the pressure and the express contests. For instance, if you're selected to choose who goes on the block, will you give an honest answer or try to advance yourself by putting a competitor on the bubble instead of the weakest team member.

BDL

[JackBlack]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Joe George and I am the author of the article. I just wanted to say how pleased I am that there have been so many spirited comments…thanks for posting them.

The article reflects my personal opinions on not just the show, Hells Kitchen, but our industry in general…and Nicko was kind enough to allow me to post them on his site.

My main points are these:

• I really do feel that no one should treat another person the way Gordon Ramsay treats people on his show, whether it is acting, real-life, a TV show or whatever.

• I do not feel that it is necessary to treat people like this to train them, develop a strong staff, or run an efficient kitchen.

• I realize that this is a TV show and that most realize it is just fantasy, but I also think that this type of show and Ramsay’s actions will perpetuate the myth of a hot headed chef.

(This comment is directed to a particular commenter on this site, lola35: How very inappropriate of you to discuss such a personal matter in such a public forum. Your views are not only presumptuous but highly inaccurate. We CHOSE to close the restaurant for highly personal reasons which shall not be disclosed here. If you have the burning desire to know the truth, feel free to contact me via telephone, or go to the author’s page and send me an email directly.)

Thanks again everyone, I’m enjoying the comments. All of these comments demonstrates our love of our profession and how serious we are about it.

Peace,

Joe

[renhoek]

Has anyone else noticed that the kitchen staff in Ramsay's real-life restaurants are all quite SMALL? In shows like Ramsay's Boiling Point, I don't think I saw one cook who was bigger than 150lbs.

Perhaps Ramsay doesn't feel comfortable hiring anyone with physical size? Typical bully...it's much easier to push around and intimidate the little guy

[RPMcMurphy]

Originally Posted by boar_d_laze

I object to the image that Fox portrays of Americans as people who will accept any level of abuse for money.

You haven't seen any Japanese gameshows have you?!

The fact is, many americans will accept any level of abuse for money....and the rest of us (majority) enjoy watching. The ratings prove that.

Believe you me, I hate Rupert Murdoch more than ANYONE on this board....(THAT I can guarantee).....but you can't argue with his success of turning crap into dollars.

[mslynnie]

If you find yourself not being a chef anymore.............Please consider writing!!! Amazing and very well written...... It was a meaninful letter that I hope Chef Ramsey does see. Thank you!!