Hell's Kitchen - 7/9/07 - Day 6 **spoilers**

[Sadara]

Bye Bye mop head!! I'm so glad Melissa is gone.

By the way, Rock's meltdown was entertaining and understandable all at the same time!!

I'm starting to think the only two people who have a chance of winning are Rock and Jen. I love Julia, but I don't know if she's going to be able to keep up, she's at a point now that it appears her lack of knowledge is holding her back quite a bit. I do think that Jen did a very good job of explaining things to her!!

[Gunnyman]

I think Rock's temper is gonna get the better of him.
One F you to Ramsaya nd he's gone.
I say at this point that Jen takes it all.

[newsposter]

are there smaller customer bases later in the show? We started with (12?) people , now down to 6. Then obviously this will lessen. So how in the world can a staff of 12 not serve the entire meal and yet when we get down to 4, inevitably they serve wonderfully and completely?

[goblue97]

It would be tough to see Jen win when she was on camera taking pasta out of the trash and trying to reuse it. Assuming that Fox knows who wins, I would think they would have edited out the part where she went to the trash.

[Sadara]

It would be tough to see Jen win when she was on camera taking pasta out of the trash and trying to reuse it. Assuming that Fox knows who wins, I would think they would have edited out the part where she went to the trash.

That part still bothers me.... which is why, dispite Rock's temper, I think he has a better chance of winning.

[MasterOfPuppets]

I think showing Rock's tantrum is foreshadowing his eventual demise in the game, despite him being the only competent male at this time.
I'm leaning towards Jen at this time.
I'm wishing that Bonnie was still running around in booty shorts as well.

[coolpenguin]

I really wish Julia had more knowledge because I adore her! I agree that I can't get past Jen taking the pasta out of the garbage but she is really stepping up. The guys pretty much suck-Rock has potential but I think he's way too arrogant. yes, many chefs have that reputation, but he takes it to the next level. Bonnie and her not wanting to kill the lobster got to me. The thing with Julia is that she seems to pick technique and knowledge up quickly. What's the time span between winning the show and actually opening the restaurant? Wouldn't Julia have time to get an indepth schooling from some culinary school or other top chefs?

[GoHalos]

I'm really not sure about who I think will win this thing...

Jen - I too cannot see her winning after wanting to serve trash
Bonnie - To me it doesn't seem like she has the confidence to win
Julia - Does seem to quickly pick up the skills, but I'm not sure about her originality in creating dishes/menus
Rock - might have the best chance to win, if he doesn't completely blow his stack in front of Ramsay
Josh - can't seem to put it together
Brad - might be a dark horse

[pantherman007]

[QUOTE=coolpenguin]Rock has potential but I think he's way too arrogant. yes, many chefs have that reputation, but he takes it to the next level.QUOTE]

I'm normally a fan of the Ramsey/Simon Cowell personality, but IMHO he crossed the line on this episode. Roc was justified in getting pissed off over Ramsey's winning pick in the challenge - if the competition was that close, Ramsey should have picked the team that was more creative and took more of a risk. Then after complimenting everyone, he sends the blue team to dig through trash for hours? And then to rub salt in the wound, has Roc come witness the champagne photo shoot? Below the belt.

The only saving grace for Ramsey's actions here is if it turns out he's specifically testing Roc to see how he operates under stress/pressure.

[anom]

It seems to me that if I'm Ramsey and I have the choice between spending the day with three young ladies or three guys and Melissa, I know which way I'm leaning if the contest is even a little close.

That said, it seems like Rock has the best chance of winning if he can keep his mouth shut.

[anom]

The only saving grace for Ramsey's actions here is if it turns out he's specifically testing Roc to see how he operates under stress/pressure.
That's exactly what I thought he was doing. Why else would he single him out from everyone on the team?

[TonyTheTiger]

My money's on Rock - as said, if he can keep his cool. There's no way Jen should still be there after what she did, but I keep having to remind myself that this is TV and there's a LOT going on that we don't see. The camera can highlight certain things in certain ways as to make them appear different to what really happened, although it's hard to see how in this case.

Would a kitchen of that standard REALLY have rancid crab in the fridge?

I think the two sous chefs help a lot more in the later rounds.

[GoHalos]

I'm normally a fan of the Ramsey/Simon Cowell personality, but IMHO he crossed the line on this episode. Roc was justified in getting pissed off over Ramsey's winning pick in the challenge - if the competition was that close, Ramsey should have picked the team that was more creative and took more of a risk. Then after complimenting everyone, he sends the blue team to dig through trash for hours? And then to rub salt in the wound, has Roc come witness the champagne photo shoot? Below the belt.

The only saving grace for Ramsey's actions here is if it turns out he's specifically testing Roc to see how he operates under stress/pressure.

At first I thought that Ramsay was calling Rock to the photo shoot because he had received a report of Rock's tantrum and wanted to yell at him for his antics.

I was a bit surprised at Ramsay's decision based on the looks of the dishes and his comments, but I can see why it made sense to pick the red team, due to the glamour factor of the prize.

[GoHalos]

Would a kitchen of that standard REALLY have rancid crab in the fridge?


Food spoils at the same rate in a fancy kitchen as it does in a greasy spoon, assuming that the refrigerators/walk-ins are properly working. It all comes down to proper rotation and ordering.

[TonyTheTiger]

Food spoils at the same rate in a fancy kitchen as it does in a greasy spoon, assuming that the refrigerators/walk-ins are properly working. It all comes down to proper rotation and ordering.

I know that, but this is NOT a fancy kitchen in the normal sense. With TV chefs (and I'm sure there's an army of them behind the scenes) and a kitchen that is stocked for a few days, there is no reason for anything to have time to go off unless it was planted, which is what I suspect.

[Langree]

I know that, but this is NOT a fancy kitchen in the normal sense. With TV chefs (and I'm sure there's an army of them behind the scenes) and a kitchen that is stocked for a few days, there is no reason for anything to have time to go off unless it was planted, which is what I suspect.

Which makes sense, will any of the chefs recognize spoiled foods if they see it/smell it?

It happens in real life, in fact just last friday a group i was with ordered mussels and they were "off", one had died in the delivery batch and spoiled the whole lot.

[GoHalos]

I know that, but this is NOT a fancy kitchen in the normal sense. With TV chefs (and I'm sure there's an army of them behind the scenes) and a kitchen that is stocked for a few days, there is no reason for anything to have time to go off unless it was planted, which is what I suspect.

It could have been planted. I hadn’t thought of that.

Since Chef Ramsay caught it before it went out, he might have known about it and knew that it would never get out, dangerous as it was. With as much yelling as he does (sometimes on the other side of the kitchen), I'd hope that if it was planted, that someone other than Chef Ramsay was making sure that it never went out.

Crab doesn’t keep a real long time though, so I could see it going south quickly.

[TAsunder]

What happened to the knife in the brain technique? Chef R mentioned it then they just boiled them live anyway.

[Langree]

What happened to the knife in the brain technique? Chef R mentioned it then they just boiled them live anyway.

The probably edited the knifing of the live crab out, peta and other groups here woulda pitched a fit.

[GoHalos]

The probably edited the knifing of the live crab out, peta and other groups here woulda pitched a fit.


That raises an interesting question...

Would the PETA people rather have lobsters killed (if they have to be killed) by a knife through the head or boiling them alive? I would guess the former, but I could be wrong.

Also I thought that I saw Alton Brown on Good Eats kill the lobsters in the freezer (quickly -- not near enough time to freeze them) before cooking them.

[ironchef]

The guys pretty much suck-Rock has potential but I think he's way too arrogant. yes, many chefs have that reputation, but he takes it to the next level.

You get arrogant because you're good, you don't get good because you're arrogant.

The thing with Julia is that she seems to pick technique and knowledge up quickly. What's the time span between winning the show and actually opening the restaurant? Wouldn't Julia have time to get an indepth schooling from some culinary school or other top chefs?

The prize job at the resort is running the kitchen on a day to day basis. She has the skills needed to learn how to make a dish and do it over and over again. She also has the people skills to work with others and run a kitchen. She is not going to be designing menus, none of the money behind the resort would allow her or any of the others do that.

[coolpenguin]

You get arrogant because you're good, you don't get good because you're arrogant.



The prize job at the resort is running the kitchen on a day to day basis. She has the skills needed to learn how to make a dish and do it over and over again. She also has the people skills to work with others and run a kitchen. She is not going to be designing menus, none of the money behind the resort would allow her or any of the others do that.


Good points! Even more reason why she should win!

[marksman]

[QUOTE=coolpenguin]Rock has potential but I think he's way too arrogant. yes, many chefs have that reputation, but he takes it to the next level.QUOTE]

I'm normally a fan of the Ramsey/Simon Cowell personality, but IMHO he crossed the line on this episode. Roc was justified in getting pissed off over Ramsey's winning pick in the challenge - if the competition was that close, Ramsey should have picked the team that was more creative and took more of a risk. Then after complimenting everyone, he sends the blue team to dig through trash for hours? And then to rub salt in the wound, has Roc come witness the champagne photo shoot? Below the belt.

The only saving grace for Ramsey's actions here is if it turns out he's specifically testing Roc to see how he operates under stress/pressure.

I suspect he picked the winner based on whom he thought would get more out of the reward. I think part of the process is him not necessarily being fair, and seeing how people respond to it.

[JPinAZ]

Also I thought that I saw Alton Brown on Good Eats kill the lobsters in the freezer (quickly -- not near enough time to freeze them) before cooking them.

Nope, it just slowed down their metabolism so they're not moving around a lot when being put into the pot. He did say that they're dead within 5 seconds or so after being put into the pot.

[GoHalos]

Nope, it just slowed down their metabolism so they're not moving around a lot when being put into the pot. He did say that they're dead within 5 seconds or so after being put into the pot.

Ah, OK. I was remembering incorrectly.

I do remember him saying that the lobsters are basically bugs, and that if you kill a bug, you shouldn't worry about killing a lobster.

[vikingguy]

Someone is going to have to step up big or rock is going to win. Rock does not make mistakes he is the only one with out a bad service. Rock will not lose he will have to be beaten the guy is solid.

What worries me about julia and bonnie is can either lead a kitchen if she gets to the final 2. I am not sure if any of them are assertive enough to lead a kitchen.

[vikingguy]

are there smaller customer bases later in the show? We started with (12?) people , now down to 6. Then obviously this will lessen. So how in the world can a staff of 12 not serve the entire meal and yet when we get down to 4, inevitably they serve wonderfully and completely?

Getting rid of the dead weight who kept screwing things up. All it takes is 1 or 2 to screw it up per team.

[cherry ghost]

What happened to the knife in the brain technique? Chef R mentioned it then they just boiled them live anyway.

You don't want the brains oozing out into the boiling water. Rock probably used the knife in brain method for his tempura.

[mrpantstm]

are there smaller customer bases later in the show? We started with (12?) people , now down to 6. Then obviously this will lessen. So how in the world can a staff of 12 not serve the entire meal and yet when we get down to 4, inevitably they serve wonderfully and completely?

To me this is an example of too many cooks in the kitchen. Before with 6 people, inept, nervous people at that, they're bound to to be tripping over each other.

When you're down to 3 you have less people trying to tell you what to do (Melissa) and less people getting in your way.

What I found convenient was the blue team losing and then needing to get lobsters for both teams. The team with the extra person happens to get the extra duty. :rolleyes:

[marksman]

Anyone know how stations are set in the kitchen? Never really thought about it before, but something tells me that they are assigned instead of picked by the contestants. Any evidence to support either way?

I know Ramsey will sometimes move people mid-stream, which makes me believe they are set at the beginning. If not it seems we would see strong people float a bit. Why not have the strongest person on appetizers and then when they are done they can help out with entrees too.

[mattack]

Jen - I too cannot see her winning after wanting to serve trash


I haven't read it, but doesn't Kitchen Confidential describe far worse things that happen regularly in restaurants? (and I think someone else mentioned it in this thread..)

...and was it "in the trash", or was it ON TOP of the trash, not actually touching anything yucky? It is a very big distinction... (yes, once again I'll refer to the Seinfeld episode of George eating the pastry "out of the garbage" when it was really on top in its original container...)

[marksman]

I haven't read it, but doesn't Kitchen Confidential describe far worse things that happen regularly in restaurants? (and I think someone else mentioned it in this thread..)

...and was it "in the trash", or was it ON TOP of the trash, not actually touching anything yucky? It is a very big distinction... (yes, once again I'll refer to the Seinfeld episode of George eating the pastry "out of the garbage" when it was really on top in its original container...)

I don't know if it is a big distinction for most people. :) I suspect that very well may cost her in the end, we shall see. Ultimately it is one man's decision. I suspect if someone did that in one of his restaurants they would be fired on the spot. So he may not be inclined to hire them.

[Jesda]

Lobster thing makes Ramsay look like a hack. Or he just wanted to see Hell's Bitches tarted up.

[GoHalos]

...and was it "in the trash", or was it ON TOP of the trash, not actually touching anything yucky? It is a very big distinction... (yes, once again I'll refer to the Seinfeld episode of George eating the pastry "out of the garbage" when it was really on top in its original container...)

You can go with George's "it still had the doily on" if you want, but I'll stick with Jerry's "adjacent to refuse -- is refuse".

Plus, spaghetti doesn't stick together in one "grouping", strands of spaghetti would have been sliding to the sides and probably hitting the sides of the can, where other trash items had been poured, etc. To me, you wouldn't want to take this chance.

I also think that if Ramsay caught her doing that in one of his real kitchens, she would have been fired.

[TonyTheTiger]

I don't know if it is a big distinction for most people. :) I suspect that very well may cost her in the end, we shall see. Ultimately it is one man's decision. I suspect if someone did that in one of his restaurants they would be fired on the spot. So he may not be inclined to hire them.


I very much doubt that it is just one man's decision. I'm sure there are discussions aplenty between Gordon, his sous chefs and the producers before a decision is actually made. He no doubt has a good input, but ultimately, it's a TV show and the decision is made based on what will increase viewership rather than who he wants to boot.


ETA: I watched my first episode of Top Chef last night and it states at the end that the decision is made with discussion with the producers and others so I feel pretty sure that HK would be the same way.

[GoHalos]

I very much doubt that it is just one man's decision. I'm sure there are discussions aplenty between Gordon, his sous chefs and the producers before a decision is actually made. He no doubt has a good input, but ultimately, it's a TV show and the decision is made based on what will increase viewership rather than who he wants to boot.

Also, the restaurant that the winner will ultimately work at isn't even one of Ramsay's, is it?

[TonyTheTiger]

Nope.

He doesn't have any in the States.

Oh wait, there's one in NYC.

http://www.gordonramsay.com/internationalrestaurants/newyork/

[jsmeeker]

[QUOTE=coolpenguin]Rock has potential but I think he's way too arrogant. yes, many chefs have that reputation, but he takes it to the next level.QUOTE]

I'm normally a fan of the Ramsey/Simon Cowell personality, but IMHO he crossed the line on this episode. Roc was justified in getting pissed off over Ramsey's winning pick in the challenge - if the competition was that close, Ramsey should have picked the team that was more creative and took more of a risk. Then after complimenting everyone, he sends the blue team to dig through trash for hours? And then to rub salt in the wound, has Roc come witness the champagne photo shoot? Below the belt.

The only saving grace for Ramsey's actions here is if it turns out he's specifically testing Roc to see how he operates under stress/pressure.


his decision made for some great TV, didn't it? Got to see Rock get super mad and we saw the ladies all dressed up.


I like Bonnie. No way should she win, but I still like her. :)

[SuperZippy]

you know the massage reward was tailor made for the ladies....they were just too lousy at cooking to win it...