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« Hell's Kitchen
Episode Recap: Family-Style Chicken
Hi, guys! I'm Adam Bryant, and I will be posting weekly recaps of Hell's Kitchen for the remainder of the season. Sorry for missing the first two episodes, but there was a changing of the guard so to speak. (Believe me, I could have written pages on Chef Ramsay's terrible prosthetics and the vomit-inducing signature dishes!) But now we're cooking with gas, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts each week as well as reading your comments. So let's get to it.
The episode kicked off with the girls' team still reeling from Corey's "vindictive and hateful" nominations. Although Chef Ramsay overruled Corey's nominations, a new tone was already set in the girls' side of the house, as both Christina and Jen became very defensive and even vowed revenge. I don't blame Corey for looking out for herself (it is a competition, after all), but perhaps she should have waited a couple more dinner services before getting personal. In truth, she's really only placed a bigger target on her own back, so we'll see how she handles the pressure and if, as Petrozza said, Corey's move has left "scars on the girls' team that will not heal."
But Corey's strategy didn't end there. She decided to "use her body" to lure the boys to the hot tub. Although Ben saw right through her, Jason stripped down and jumped right in. He immediately started spilling his guts on the guys' team, much to the dismay of Ben and his fellow teammates. As Corey said, she's clearly not here "to make friends" and has quickly made a whole host of enemies.
The wannabe chefs were awakened again in the early morning, this time by the crowing of roosters. After chasing down their personalized chickens, the gang gathered in the kitchen for a would-be slaughter. However, Ramsay was just working the chefs up to teach them a lesson about respecting the product they use in the kitchen. The chickens were spared (though some of their cousins were not so lucky), and, at least for now, the chefs (and the people at PETA) can rest easy.
When the chefs finally did hack into the (dead) chickens, it was a girls vs. guys challenge to see which team could properly prep the eight parts of the bird. The girls performed very well, with three of their members achieving perfect scores. The guys, however faltered early, with Craig (still obeying Ramsay's demand to leave his goofy hat in the dorms) only carving up two pieces correctly. The hole Craig put his team in was impossible to overcome, thus handing a victory to the ladies. The guys were punished by picking peppers in the heat all day (though the worst part of the punishment was the ridiculous outfits), while the ladies had lunch with Chef Ramsay at the Saddle Ranch. Even though they were treated to a visit from Aaron (the crying machine from last season), I think the boys day on the yacht last week was a much nicer prize.
As for the dinner service, it was once again a failure. With the exception of Craig's slow bacon, both teams did well serving appetizers (they've had two night's practice, after all). However, entrees became a huge problem. Vanessa had trouble preparing her steaks to the correct temperature, a problem shared by Ben with his salmon. When tickets began to run long, Bobby, "the black Gordon Ramsay" improvised and served his tableside-prepared chicken entrée family style. Additionally Rosann charred four steaks (and the pan) when her flame got out of control. The only thing hotter than that fire was Chef Ramsay, who let Rosann have it when she wouldn't move out of his way with the flaming pan. Other highlights for me were when Gordon called Louross a smurf and berated Bobby for waving to his customers while exiting the kitchen.
But entrees weren't the only problem. Jason had trouble getting his soufflés to rise. (Not to mention he almost forfeited when he couldn't name t he desserts when put on the spot by Chef Ramsay. His incompetence had Ramsay banging his head against the wall. Ok, so it was a table — big deal!
After shutting down service, Christina and Petrozza (who each earned Chef Ramsay's compliments) nominated a member from each of their teams. Christina (wisely choosing not to go for vengeance against Corey…yet) chose Vanessa for her poor grilling. Petrozza singled out Jason and his disastrous desserts for dragging the team down. Ultimately, Jason's willingness to almost give up earlier in the evening cost him, as Gordon sent him packing. (Funny that he mentioned how he wouldn't cry to stay in the game, but he has done more than his share of whining since Day 1.)
So were you happy to see Jason go? Who is your early favorite to win? Who would you like to see go next week? Tell me what you're thinking, and be sure to check back next week for more!
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Apr 16, 2008 12:09 AM
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Well I for one am glad that Jason is gone. I remember in the first episode when he took time out for a smoke break during dinner. I wonder why he is even a chef. He thinks some parts of cooking is womens work. But oh well so glad that he is gone.
I also laughed at when Ramsey called Louross a smurf and when he yelled at Bobby for waving at the customers. What an idiot.
Did anyone else notice that one guys eyebrows...I forgot his name but he was pitching the weirdest fit after the men lost a challenge.
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Apr 16, 2008 4:35 AM
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Ok I looked it up the guy with the weird looking eyebrows who pitched a fit about Craig is Matt. He is also the one who cooked that disgusting meal with the raw scallops, cavier and shredded white chocolate.
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Apr 16, 2008 5:17 AM
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I am so glad Jason is gone. His constant sexist remarks annoyed me. I don't normally care when people make remarks like that, but he was not a good chef and couldn't back up his cockiness. I kind of figured out at the beginning of dinner service he was going to go.
I think my favorite to win right now is Smurf, er, I mean Louross. There is just something about him that makes me think he's going to fight as hard as he can to win.
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Apr 16, 2008 8:02 AM
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I am thrilled Jason got kicked this week. This is the worst group I have ever seen in the history of Hell's Kitchen! I don't know that there's a winner in the group! 
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Apr 16, 2008 8:18 AM
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I am thrilled that Jason is gone as well. I was really offended by his continuous sexist remarks and just being an a-hole. I'm glad he went home 3rd because I don't think I could stand hearing talk about being a man and how the women suck any longer. He couldn't even remember the desserts and it's the 3rd dinner service. I agree that nobody is standing out as the clear winner like the first 3 seasons. At least in those, some had talent and leadership skills and you wanted them to do good. I'm guessing that a girl is going to win this year, maybe Christina or Corey who I don't like. I think she drew the personal card way too soon. You kind of want to keep the stronger chefs in the game at the beginning so you're team isn't constantly on the chopping block. I thought the strategy was lame to pick off the guys by getting in their heads. I'm glad Ben saw right through it. I like Ben. So glad this show is back because it's always entertaining and you'd think after the show being on for 3 years, they'd practice how to make things on the menu. I do agree with Corey that Jen is really annoying. It's going to be an interesting season.
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Apr 16, 2008 10:28 AM
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I can't see any clear winners - certainly no one that is REALLY going to be an exec chef and earn $250K. I am betting the winner truly takes a lower position. I am truly amazed at the people that have never worked a line - they have no clue! Jason was an idiot, the guy that threw the fit after losing just weird. I do love the show - I just wish I could be in on the reasons behind the casting! LOL
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Apr 16, 2008 11:07 AM
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globetrotter I am in perfect agreement with you.
Soooooooooooo happy that Jason was sent packing! YAY!
This does seem to be a very disorganized group that lacks any kind of cohesiveness. I really cannot predict at this stage who will win. However, I do have a favorite and that is Ben. Despite his difficulty with the salmon, he does seem to be a lone voice of reason (for the most part) of the entire group...and besides, he is from Charlotte NC and that's where I live.
Naturally, I have to support my homeboy!
Still, I admit that if Jason had been from Charlotte, I STILL would have been happy he was gone!
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Apr 16, 2008 11:17 AM
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H'mm..don't know how the above happened in regard to me saying I agreed with globetrotter. I very clearly typed lostpotterfan21. Weird.
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Apr 16, 2008 11:20 AM
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Good riddance to Jason and his labored faux sexism! That shtick got old fast.
And did the girls lose out on the prize this week or what? Last time, the boys won a trip on a luxury ship with fine dining. Taking a bus to that ranch house up the street and seeing that chump Aaron from last year? Bo-gus.
What's up for next week? They all ride Segways to the park and open up a bucket of fried chicken?
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Apr 16, 2008 12:01 PM
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What's up for next week? They all ride Segways to the park and open up a bucket of fried chicken? Too funny achyfakey.
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Apr 16, 2008 12:54 PM
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Yes, lizzybelle, it's weird about Jason dissing some parts of cooking as women's work. It's a very strange situation. Cooking is traditionally seen as the woman's domain. But then executive chefs have been dominantly men. (So, apparently making MONEY by cooking is when it becomes manly?)
But to go on and on about this cooking task being for women (desserts) is so strange! Obviously this guy doesn't watch Top Chef or any cooking shows featuring male chefs. I've seen men do some hardcore souffles! If he were serious about this profession you'd think he'd know some men in the business who do desserts.
Glad he's gone. I'm going to guess he's not a hit with the ladies...
But I don't know why it mattered the women were trying to get "secrets" out of the guys. What is there to "get?" It really comes down to--if you can't cook you will be nominated to leave. Even if you make friendships and alliances--Ramsey will veto your nomination and put up his own if he does not agree.
There isn't much "game" to be had, I don't think--your team just has to do its best and not lose. What could the women possibly learn? The guys all hate X or Y. B can't cook rice? It just seems like there couldn't be much to learn. This isn't Big Brother or Survivor.
Oh, I think my favorite part was when the one woman, I think Corey, said something like "I don't need other people making me feel more stupid than I am." (Or something close to that.) Umm, durrrrrr.
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Apr 16, 2008 1:37 PM
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It wasn't about getting secrets out of the guys. It was about driving division within their ranks. And it worked!
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Apr 16, 2008 2:08 PM
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Do you have to be a smoker to be on this show? They all seem to have cancer sticks on break time. Maybe that's why they are all bad chefs - they can't taste what they are cooking!
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Apr 16, 2008 3:02 PM
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isn't jen that chick from bad girls club?
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Apr 16, 2008 3:43 PM
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