Gordon Ramsay: There’s Serious Hell in His Kitchen

Looks like the Hell’s Kitchen winners aren’t the only ones getting stiffed by Gordon Ramsay.

Ramsay’s latest debacle: A New Zealand promotions company, Duco Ltd., is suing the “Hell’s Kitchen” star for a whopping £1.6 million. And why? Because he didn’t follow through with his legal commitment to appear at two Auckland charity dinners in New Zealand. Ramsay claimed a week before the commitment that he couldn’t make it because his mother had suffered a heart attack. But his mother was discharged from the hospital a week before the event – with no signs of the alleged heart attack. And even worse, when they rescheduled the event for October, Ramsay cancelled again. Really Ramsay?

Apparently, Gordon Ramsay is also getting sued by Daniello Carting Co. because he neglected to pay them for several months of work in 2009, carting trash from his W. 54th St. restaurant, Gordon Ramsay at The London. According to court records, the carting company is suing Ramsay for $25,000.

And last, but definitely not least: A $3 million wrongful termination lawsuit — filed by Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson. The suit arose after Ramsay fired his wife’s father who had been the celebrity chef’s business partner for 12 years. In a public letter regarding Gordo’s daddy-in-law, Ramsay states: “His role as CEO of Gordon Ramsay Holdings in the end felt like he was running the business as a dictator.” I guess it takes one to know one.

Getting sued by three different people, reneging on your Hell’s Kitchen prize commitments… Gordon Ramsay, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU??? I think this is a clear case of God-Complexism (yes, I said ism).

It looks like Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares isn’t just about the restaurant anymore. According to The Daily Mirror, the Kitchen Nightmares’ star and executive producer has added a number of irrelevant questions to the Kitchen Nightmares contestant application. How much a contestant weighs, as well as their height, eye and hair color are just a few of the questions that have been added. But my favorites of all of them are these:

• Have you ever had a restraining order filed against you?
• Does your family have a history of depression?
• Are you easily upset?

Actually, the one regarding a history of depression seems to be fair.

A friend of mine had filled out an application for Chef Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen (as a joke) and told me that they had similar questions on the application he filled out, which he thought was strange. Considering that Kitchen Nightmare’s is supposed to be focused on the restaurants and not the contestants, asking such personal questions doesn’t seem right.

Moreover, Chef Gordon Ramsay should be focused more on cleaning up his muddied image instead of adding to his laundry list of drama and evil doings.

Are those questions even legal? But then again, does he really care?

More on Gordon Ramsay and Hell's Kitchen:

New! Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares: ISO Hot Restaurateurs

Gordon Ramsay Sued for $2 Million

The Sharks that Gordon Ramsay Killed: The Movie (warning: video contains graphic violence)

Gordon Ramsay Tossed to the Sharks (Warning: Contains graphic photo)

Kitchen Nightmare's Gordon Ramsay Explains His Puffy Face

Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait is Worth the Watch

Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay Should Be Shark Bait

Hell’s Kitchen Winner, Holli Ugalde, Rejected By Gordon Ramsay Again? Media Claims Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Head is Melting…
Gordon Ramsay Became ‘Shark Bait’ after being Held at Gun-Point
Gordon Ramsay may Melt in Hell’s Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay's Cookbook May Be Fatty, But Fatty Ain't Bad

Atlanta Chef, Nona Sivley is the winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 8!

The Savoy Grill May Be Gordon Ramsay’s Saving Grace

Gordon Ramsay: There’s Serious Hell in His Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of an Embarrassment

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of a Let Down

A Real Kitchen Nightmare... For Gordon Ramsay

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of an Embarrassment

Holli Ugalde isn’t standing alone in Purgatory. Other Hell’s Kitchen winners have gotten the short end of the stick instead of the high-profiled prize they thought they had won.

Last Friday, we posted an article on Hell’s Kitchen’s lack of follow through on the prize they publicly committed to for season 7: Executive Chef of The Savoy in London. Gordon Ramsay submitted a statement stating that Holli Ugalde’s visa had been rejected. But Ramsay and show producers have not been forthcoming with the reason for the rejection of Ugalde’s alleged visa application submission (when submitting an application for a visa, the person the visa is for has to sign the paper work themselves. Ugalde claims she never received any visa documents.)

Whatever our personal feelings are about whether each contestant was worthy of the prize they were competing for isn’t a factor. Gordon Ramsay and the Producers get to make that decision and had decided that the winning contestants were worthy.

** The issue at hand is that Ramsay and the Hell’s Kitchen producers publicly announced a Prize at the beginning of each episode and failed to deliver on 6 out of 7 seasons. And, aside from the cash bonus some of them received, the restaurant positions that were actually handed out weren’t much of a step up from where the winners were prior to competing.

Here’s a recap on the winners and their prize-status by season:

Season one, Michael Wray
- Promised Prize: The winner’s very own restaurant
- Did he get it? No, but it was his choice.


Season two, Heather West
- Promised Prize: Multi-million dollar restaurant in the billion dollar Red Rock resort in Las Vegas
- Did she get it? No. Heather was named senior chef (not executive chef, as was promised)


Season three, Rahman "Rock" Harper- Promised Prize: The winner will run a Multi-million dollar restaurant in the Green Valley Ranch Resort
- Did he get it? Yes – and he fulfilled his contract.

Season four, Christina Machamer- Promised Prize: The executive chef for Ramsay’s own restaurant, London West Hollywood in Los Angeles w/a salary of $250k

- Did she get it? No. But she got part of it. Christina was installed as a "senior sous chef" (not executive chef, as was promised in show-related publicity and press releases throughout the season) with a $250,000 salary.

Season five, Danny Veltri- Promised Prize: Head chef at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City
- Did he get it? No. Veltri was employed as a sous chef under Stephen Kalt at Italian restaurant Fornelletto at the Borgata. However, they at least gave him a cash prize of $250k.


Season six, Dave Levey
- Promised Prize: Head Chef at Araxi Restaurant and Bar in Whistler, British Columbia
- Did he get it? No. He got the title “Head Chef”, but was treated like a line-cook, working under Executive Chef James Walt. This is a step down from the Executive Chef title he held prior to competing in Hell’s Kitchen. According to sources, Levey resigned from Araxi just a few weeks after.

Season seven, Holli Ugalde

- Promised Prize: Executive Chef at The Savoy in London

- Did she get it? We wouldn’t be writing this article if she had… They did give her a cash prize of an undisclosed amount. Unrelated, Ugalde has been recruited by B Ocean Fort Lauderdale to be their Signature Chef for the new restaurant they’re opening.

What we’re trying to figure out is the following: Why publicly commit to a prize and then reneg when it’s time to hand that prize over? Does integrity mean nothing to these people? Why not just offer a cash prize and some sort of bonus? Bravo TV’s Top Chef does this and it’s worked out spectacularly for them.

I don’t know about you, but I think Gordon Ramsay and the producers of Hell’s Kitchen should feel nothing but embarrassment and humiliation for their actions. If you can't live up to public promises, you shouldn't be running a reality TV show. Ramsay, take off your jacket and go.

It looks like Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares isn’t just about the restaurant anymore. According to The Daily Mirror, the Kitchen Nightmares’ star and executive producer has added a number of irrelevant questions to the Kitchen Nightmares contestant application. How much a contestant weighs, as well as their height, eye and hair color are just a few of the questions that have been added. But my favorites of all of them are these:

• Have you ever had a restraining order filed against you?
• Does your family have a history of depression?
• Are you easily upset?

Actually, the one regarding a history of depression seems to be fair.

A friend of mine had filled out an application for Chef Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen (as a joke) and told me that they had similar questions on the application he filled out, which he thought was strange. Considering that Kitchen Nightmare’s is supposed to be focused on the restaurants and not the contestants, asking such personal questions doesn’t seem right.

Moreover, Chef Gordon Ramsay should be focused more on cleaning up his muddied image instead of adding to his laundry list of drama and evil doings.

Are those questions even legal? But then again, does he really care?

More on Gordon Ramsay and Hell's Kitchen:

New! Hell’s Kitchen Winners: Where Are They Now? (09/20/2011)
New! Hell’s Kitchen Season 9 Finale Recap: “4 chefs compete; One Winner Chosen.”
Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares: ISO Hot Restaurateurs

Gordon Ramsay Sued for $2 Million

The Sharks that Gordon Ramsay Killed: The Movie (warning: video contains graphic violence)

Gordon Ramsay Tossed to the Sharks (Warning: Contains graphic photo)

Kitchen Nightmare's Gordon Ramsay Explains His Puffy Face

Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait is Worth the Watch

Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay Should Be Shark Bait

Hell’s Kitchen Winner, Holli Ugalde, Rejected By Gordon Ramsay Again? Media Claims Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Head is Melting…
Gordon Ramsay Became ‘Shark Bait’ after being Held at Gun-Point
Gordon Ramsay may Melt in Hell’s Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay's Cookbook May Be Fatty, But Fatty Ain't Bad

Atlanta Chef, Nona Sivley is the winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 8!

The Savoy Grill May Be Gordon Ramsay’s Saving Grace

Gordon Ramsay: There’s Serious Hell in His Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of an Embarrassment

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of a Let Down

A Real Kitchen Nightmare... For Gordon Ramsay

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of a Let Down

Becoming a head chef is a great reward for winning “Hell’s Kitchen” and surviving the ever-so-abrasive Gordon Ramsay. Holli Ugalde, the Season 7 winner of the reality cooking-show, was ecstatic over winning the Hell’s Kitchen grand prize: to step in as head chef for the newly-remolded Savoy Grill in London.

However, that excitement quickly turned when Ugalde was told by Hell’s Kitchen representatives that she wasn’t going to London and the promised position at the Savoy was being rescinded. Gordon Ramsay put out several press releases last week announcing that Andy Cook will be stepping in as the new head chef at Savoy and that Ugalde’s visa was denied. But what doesn’t make sense: The producers have had over two years to get the visa in approved.

And the reason for the alleged visa rejection has yet to be provided. Holli Ugalde has no criminal record and has proven her unique skill-set by winning the Hell’s Kitchen competition. The HK producers claim they submitted the visa application, but Holli says that she never received paper work for the visa or heard a word from Ramsay in regards to the promised position falling through. Doesn’t something seem to be a bit off about this story?

When competing on a reality show, the winner (and audience) expects the producers to actually deliver on the publicly declared prize. What shouldn’t be expected: Producers and the world-famous chef to renege on that prize. Ramsay didn’t even bother to tell contact Ugalde himself - she only heard about her visa rejection through the public media channels. The publicity gave her all sorts of opportunities that she had to turn down because of the work she was promised. Ugalde said, "I've had my life on hold for almost two years, because I was committed to going to London."

You would think Gordon Ramsay would be outraged and find a way to ensure Holli Ugalde is fairly compensated. He has the power and the vocal capacity to fight – and the motivation. After all, Ramsay’s reputation is on the line as well. And while acting like a verbally-abusive asshole generates viewers (Gordon’s signature trait), loss of integrity is guaranteed to lose them. But I guess if any reality TV show is going to fall through on its promises, it would be Hell’s Kitchen.

It looks like Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares isn’t just about the restaurant anymore. According to The Daily Mirror, the Kitchen Nightmares’ star and executive producer has added a number of irrelevant questions to the Kitchen Nightmares contestant application. How much a contestant weighs, as well as their height, eye and hair color are just a few of the questions that have been added. But my favorites of all of them are these:

• Have you ever had a restraining order filed against you?
• Does your family have a history of depression?
• Are you easily upset?

Actually, the one regarding a history of depression seems to be fair.

A friend of mine had filled out an application for Chef Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen (as a joke) and told me that they had similar questions on the application he filled out, which he thought was strange. Considering that Kitchen Nightmare’s is supposed to be focused on the restaurants and not the contestants, asking such personal questions doesn’t seem right.

Moreover, Chef Gordon Ramsay should be focused more on cleaning up his muddied image instead of adding to his laundry list of drama and evil doings.

Are those questions even legal? But then again, does he really care?

More on Gordon Ramsay and Hell's Kitchen:

New! Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares: ISO Hot Restaurateurs

Gordon Ramsay Sued for $2 Million

The Sharks that Gordon Ramsay Killed: The Movie (warning: video contains graphic violence)

Gordon Ramsay Tossed to the Sharks (Warning: Contains graphic photo)

Kitchen Nightmare's Gordon Ramsay Explains His Puffy Face

Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait is Worth the Watch

Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay Should Be Shark Bait

Hell’s Kitchen Winner, Holli Ugalde, Rejected By Gordon Ramsay Again? Media Claims Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Head is Melting…
Gordon Ramsay Became ‘Shark Bait’ after being Held at Gun-Point
Gordon Ramsay may Melt in Hell’s Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay's Cookbook May Be Fatty, But Fatty Ain't Bad

Atlanta Chef, Nona Sivley is the winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 8!

The Savoy Grill May Be Gordon Ramsay’s Saving Grace

Gordon Ramsay: There’s Serious Hell in His Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of an Embarrassment

Hell’s Kitchen: A Hell of a Let Down

A Real Kitchen Nightmare... For Gordon Ramsay

McRib Hoopla

Can someone explain to me what the fascination is with McDonald’s McRib Sandwich? Processed pork and an abundance of synthetic ingredients? Sounds delish…

…Not really. What it does sound like:

- A heart-attack-in-the-box
- Cancer waiting to happen
- A really bad hangover
- Mc Mystery Meat

Moreover, the marketing tactics that McDonalds has used to promote McRib sales are so blunt, I’m surprised it’s actually worked. Just google “mcrib” + “artificial scarcity” and you’ll see what I mean.

The image on the left is how McDonald's advertizes their McNasty sandwich. The image on the right is what they really give you for your McDollars:

****

I’ve listed the McRib Nutrition Facts below. Here's my advice: If you can’t pronounce it, DON’T EAT IT!!

McRib Nutritional Info: 500 calories, 240 calories from fat, 26 g fat, 10 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 1040 mb sodium, 44 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 24 g protein, 11 g sugars.

McRib Pork Patty

Pork, water, salt, dextrose, BHA and BHT and propyl gallate and citric acid (preservatives).

McRib Bun

Enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, high fructose corn syrup, contains 2% or less of the following: salt, corn meal, wheat gluten, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oils, dextrose, sugar, malted barley flour, cultured wheat flour, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, soy flour, dough conditioners (sodium stearoyl lactylate, datem, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, mono- and diglycerides, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, monocalcium phosphate, enzymes, guar gum, calcium peroxide), calcium propionate (preservative), soy lecithin.

CONTAINS: WHEAT AND SOY

McRib Sauce

Water, high fructose corn syrup, tomato paste, distilled vinegar, molasses, natural smoke flavor (plant source), food starch-modified, salt, sugar, spices, soybean oil, xanthan gum, onion powder, garlic powder, chili pepper, sodium benzoate (preservative), caramel color, beet powder.

Pickle Slices

Cucumbers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, alum, potassium sorbate (preservative), natural flavors (plant source), polysorbate 80, extractives of turmeric (color).
Slivered Onions

Allergens: Wheat, Soybean Food Sensitivities: Gluten

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Food Porn Goes South

Do any of you struggle with a certain addiction? Just the thought of it makes your mouth water? Yes, we’re talking about… “The Food Network”.

This season’s finale of South Park, “Crème Fraiche,” was a ridiculous and sexual-innuendo-filled take on the dynamics of a family trying to cope with a father’s lust for gourmet food. His obsession with the Food Network causes problems in the home and his passion for cooking turns into a longing to be a celebrity chef. Cartman does a very entertaining impersonation of Gordon Ramsay. And Bobby Flay, Jamie Oliver, Mario Batali, Paula Dean, and Giada De Laurentiis make appearances in the “Hell’s Kitchen Nightmares Iron Top Chef Cafeteria Throw Down Ultimate Cook-off Challenge.”

Food Network is taking over mainstream media and making a big impact on how we cook and eat. That’s why we foodies can really relate to this episode. The celebrity chef appearances are a blast, but just a warning: the episode is overflowing with blatant sexual references. If you’re not a prude and you do love food check out the latest episode of South Park.

Creme Fraiche
Tags: SOUTH
PARKRandy Marsh,Sharon Marsh,more...

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Chuck E. Cheese Robbed at Gunpoint

Looks like Chuck E. Cheese is no longer a place where “a kid can be a kid”. On Saturday, just before 10pm, the Chuck E. Cheese, located on Mowry School Road in Newark, CA was raided and ransacked by three masked and armed men, traumatizing children and parents alike. The robbers rounded up families and employees at gunpoint and herded them into a storeroom, while they robbed the (once-was) family-friendly pizzeria.

The victims called 911 while they were locked away, but by the time the 12 officers made it to the crime scene the robbers had already made their escape. And, unfortunately, there’s no evidence that leads to the identity of the 3 pathetic criminals.

And seriously, how sick and pathetic does one have to be to threaten and terrorize a bunch of children?? Whatever happened to the traditional liquor store robbery?

Fortunately, no one was injured, but I doubt the kiddies will beg for pizza night anytime soon.


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Giada "Squashes" Over-Cooked John Mayer Rumors

Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis was rudely accused by iniquitous tabloid Star Magazine of cheating on her loving husband of seven years, Anthropologie fashion designer Todd Thompson, with musician John Mayer.

The Italian beauty has enough on her plate as it is, including mourning the loss of her grandfather, Dino De Laurentiis, without having to deal with ugly accusations of adultery. Giada and Thompson have a romance that has spanned over 20 years and share a young daughter, Jade Marie. She also stars in her own cooking show, “Giada at Home”, plays mentor to contestants on “The Next Food Network Star”, and is a culinary contributor on the "TODAY" Show. This is not a woman who has time to cheat and let alone with the constant-attention-seeking John Mayer.

While both De Laurentiis and Mayer denied any claims of an affair, we have to wonder if one of them did leak the story in order to cause a much-missed media frenzy. It wouldn't be the first time…

Giada’s rep released a statement to US Magazing clearly denying any connection between the food star and the musician: "When the Star reporter approached Giada De Laurentiis on Sunday, while she was co-hosting a children's cancer fundraiser, Giada responded unequivocally that she did not see John Mayer when she was in New York for the Food and Wine Festival. Furthermore, contrary to the claims of an anonymous “source,” at no time did Giada step foot in the Gansevoort Hotel. Giada indeed met John Mayer briefly at a charity event in 2007 but has not seen him since. To be clear, they are not friends and cannot even go so far as to call John Mayer an acquaintance. There is not a sliver of truth to Star magazine's story. It is unfortunate Star would publish these malicious untruths without reporting the fact that Giada was with her husband Todd that weekend in New York, along with their family and friends. Giada De Laurentiis and her family deserve an apology and we demand an immediate retraction.”

I have to agree. It’s pathetic what a cheesy tabloid will come up with to generate viewership.



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