An Eye Opening Series About Running Restaurants

Operating a restaurant is far from easy. Celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay's series, Kitchen Nightmares is most definitely a surprise hit. The show is a really effective expose on how even some really elegant restaurants need better organization to run efficiently. Each week, Mr.Ramsay goes into a different restaurant and observes its staff at work. He analyzes the foods they serve, the cleanliness of the kitchen and the competency of the owners. Having worked as a prep cook as a teenager, I know how crazy kitchens can get. It's pretty cut-throat in the back when the dining room is full and customers are demanding. How the professionals do it, is beyond me. This show is a guilty pleasure, bringing me back to my prep cook and salad preparation days. It allows me to remember how dynamic and team oriented kitchen staff have to be to get the job done professionally.

Mostly filmed in England, the series visits restaurants all around the United Kingdom, to help frustrated owners bring the numbers of their clientele up and make the restaurant a success by bringing in more money. All kinds of establishments are covered, from small places to oceanfront hotels. Mr.Ramsay goes into the place and has them prepare their most representative meal for him. He then analyzes its preparation, the menu and flavor. Then, he goes through the kitchen closely, looking at how food is stored and prepared. His reactions are hilarious, as he lets off a colorful stream of beeped out expletives as he finds things like mold, or other nasty things. Working with the head chef and others, he then goes about correcting the problems he finds, one by one. It can be upsetting to the staff, who are used to being set in their ways, but it seems in the end that it all falls together nicely. Other times, someone may get fired or quit. This show gives you a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of everyday life in the kitchens of restaurants everywhere.

Part of Gordon Ramsay's job is to retrain management to think in terms of quality food, service and profitability together. Many seem to be into the restaurant business for the love of food but aren't as business savvy as they could be. By changing menu items to reflect top notch food using simple ingredients, Ramsay improves profits and helps the business to recruit new customers in different ways. It truly is a must see for anyone who is contemplating having their own restaurant. It's entertaining to see Gordon Ramsay's feisty, take-no-prisoners approach to doing things. He comes in like a ton of bricks and gets it all accomplished. Then, he comes back in a month, to see how the place is running after he'd been there to help. For anyone who loves food, this show is a keeper. Watch one episode, and you'll be hooked. It can be seen on the BBC Channel on cable, but also on Fox Channel via network TV as well. Don't miss it.