In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Hell's Kitchen
Episode Recap: Sweet 16 Party
Despite a couple of bumps, the chefs were still able to complete their second consecutive dinner service with minimal outbursts from Gordon. But of course, it wouldn't be Hell's Kitchen without a few tongue lashings from Chef Ramsay, and tonight's recipients were definitely deserving.
The episode kicked with each of the team's bad-mouthing their perceived weak (or at least most disliked) links: Christina from the red team and Matt from the blue. Ben admitted that he and Bobby have formed a bit of an alliance, while Matt maintains that Ben is simply hiding behind Bobby. Meanwhile, Christina and Corey continue their verbal catfight, which ultimately ends in Christina accepting the fact that she is the outcast who will probably continue to be nominated for the chopping block.
For the first challenge, the teams visit the farmer's market to buy food and prepare the menu for their real challenge — cooking for HK's first-ever Sweet 16 party. Although both teams went a bit too gourmet in my opinion for a teenagers party, at least the guys resisted Matt's idea for a sushi pizza on a torilla. And he wonders why no one listens to him? I couldn't stop cracking up when he repeatedly (seriously again and again) mentioned a small store in the back his teammates were overlooking. Whether or not that hurt the guys we'll never know, but it was good for a few laughs.
Each team made an appetizer and two entrees. In Round 1, Bobby's stuffed chicken wings easily beat the girl's "sassy shrimp scampi," mainly because Melissa, the birthday girl, had never eaten shrimp. Similarly, the guy's second dish (which featured shrimp) fell to the girl's halibut with mango salsa dish. The tie-breaker was Corey's flank steak and fries versus Petrozza's surf and turf, featuring a filet mignon. Although the daughter was perhaps influenced by her mother (to both Gordon and Jen's chagrin), she ultimately chose the guy's dish, giving them the victory and cause for their uproarious celebration.
With perhaps the worst "prize" this season, the guys get to remember being a teenager by riding go karts and eating cotton candy and other sweets. Of course, Matt found a home in the railing around the track (shocker, I know!) If the guys hadn't gotten to spend some time with Gordon, this would have been utterly worthless, in my opinion.
The ladies' punishment wasn't nearly as bad as shoveling manure. Although they did have to endure what Jen called "the orange flame" Francisco, who as the party planner was hoping to make the room "sparkle-icious" and "sweeter than the sweetest desert." Bad went to worse when (again dubbed by Jen) the "wicked witch" mother showed up and asked for lots of the planning to be changed. Shayna stepped in with some of her party planning knowledge, which Corey had problems with considering the show is a cooking competition.
Though I am tired of Corey stripping down, I have to bring it up, only because of how awkward her exchange with Louross was. Additionally, I loved how she played it off because of the height difference and the fact that she has a boyfriend. Where has that nugget of info been during all her previous hot tub incidents?
During prep, Ben is super cocky following the guy's first win in weeks, particularly toward Shayna and her "elementary" mango salsa which he says would turn into guacamole if stirred to aggressively. Shayna also took heat from her own team for her slow performance during prep time, something that followed her into dinner service, causing headaches for Gordon.
But she wasn't the only chef to struggle. Christina got off to a rocky start on the hot appetizers station, forgetting the parmesan and mushrooms in the risotto. But she eventually got the station together allowing most of Gordon's attention to be focused on Rosann and Matt, who had the biggest mistakes. Rosann served the guest of honor an undercooked piece of beef, while Matt served the mother dry halibut and mushy rice, prompting Bobby to push Matt off the fish station and "singley-handedly" (again, I'm blown away by the brains in these chefs heads) take over the kitchen. Of course, the best was Matt's attempt to defend himself when Gordon asked him why he was hiding behind Bobby — which quickly turned into Gordon yelling at him for continuing to argue once the matter had been settled.
But more embarrassing than Matt giving up his station was Gordon pushing Rosann off her station to prepare the birthday girl's beef. What's more is that Rosann wasn't smart enough to stay out of his way, prompting even more fireworks from Gordon. Bad for her, good for us!
Although the girl's edged out the boys by one percent in terms of customer satisfaction, Gordon again did not pick a losing team, choosing instead for each team to nominate one of their own to possibly leave. For the boys, it was a no-brainer to nominate Matt, but the girls again gave Rosann a pass and nominated slow Shayna.
Gordon, of course, had the final word, and decided not to let Rosann get by unscathed. While both the ladies didn't really give compelling reasons to stay (sure, you're trying to win money for your kids, but what have you done in the kitchen?) Matt finally stood up, saying he was being ignored an bullied, and that he would prefer to cook for the ladies' team. Although Gordon said he should throw his weight around (literally commenting on his 250 pounds) and stand up for himself (let's not forget the comparison of his, ahem, "anatomy" to Louross') he did save him another week, and grant his wish to be moved to the other side.
In perhaps the nicest castoff of the season, Gordon took Shayna's jacket and with a "goodbye my darling" sent her back to her three-month-old baby, citing her slowness and the fact that her head was more focused on "changing diapers."
I was very disappointed that last week's promo was utterly ignored in this week's episode, and without any explanation! Was Matt switching side the big twist? Or did the producers just make a huge mistake in airing that promo last week? Perhaps I missed something completely.
What did you think of tonight's episode? Should Shayna have been the one to go? How ill Matt fare on the girls' team? Share your thoughts and check back next week for more!
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 6, 2008 11:30 PM
|
|
It was kinda surprising that Shayna was the one to go. Ramsay didn't even seem to think she should have been nominated at first. At the end of the day, I bet he sent her out due to her infant baby. He probably felt that her winning was slim and so he should send her home now. That's probably why he was so nice to her when he kicked her out. Notice how he had to "make up for it" by bad mouthing her in the closing voice over. Next week's ep looks like FUN!
|
|
May 7, 2008 12:19 AM
|
Gah! At first I really hated that teenager. Now she doesn't seem as bad as her mom.
Now the mom, the mom seemed pretty sickening. But then again, people who would choose such a public forum for their private celebrations aren't exactly the kind of people I'd like to spend time with.
Thank god their roles were limited in this episode. We saw more than enough of them.
|
|
May 7, 2008 12:28 AM
|
I happen to know the mom and daughter who were on the show, and they are the sweetest women ever! The show made it look like they are something they aren't. That's kind of scary.
Really, Lauri and Melissa are wonderful people in real life!
|
|
May 7, 2008 12:50 AM
|
I was cracking up in the last few minutes of the show. I thought Matt should of been the one to go. This is the same guy who served Ramsey raw scallops, and raw cavier, with shredded white chocolate....and he thinks he is a better chef than the rest of them. Can u imagine if they did listen to him about his sushi pizza, that poor girl would of been throwing up(and so would I). That stuffed chicken wing sounded good. What really cracked me up was when Bobby said that Matt's face looked like he was taking a dump in pants. OMG that was priceless.
I don't think the promos were misleading, just mixed up. Cause I remember promos from a couple of weeks that Louross and Cori had something going on. And then they showed the "newly" so-called relationship on tonights show. And know I think I know who is coming back on next weeks show....Vanessa. Cause for next week's promos they show someone with a bandaged hand hugging Cori(unless they are misleading and mixed up again).
|
|
May 7, 2008 1:39 AM
|
|
My biggest gripe with this service is that Ramsey always crows about "My standards" - yet when a terribly undercooked filet is presented to him for service - he sends it right out to the Birthday girl - then has the audacity to yell at the cook who prepared it. If his "standards" are so high, how could he have let such an obvious mistake get past him? That's his job running the pass to be the final eyes on each plate and to take responsibility if something is wrong.
|
|
May 7, 2008 2:04 AM
|
|
I know this is supposed to be entertainment, but I really wish there was just ONE chef??? in HK that I cared about. I know casting for reality shows rely on individual character and that editing manipulates the audience, but what were the casting directors thinking with this bunch? Not one of them can cook, they're all whiny and mean, and even though I'm from Brooklyn and curse like a sailor, I'm fed up with the inability for any of them to get through a sentance without getting bleeped out. Many years ago I saw a film called "Freaks". The title say it all. This season of HK is liking watching "Freaks in the Kitchen"
|
|
May 7, 2008 7:06 AM
|
I surprised that everyone there smokes.
I personally wouldn't want a smoker running my kitchen.
|
|
May 7, 2008 10:26 AM
|
I was so annoyed, because the entire time I was waiting for them to introduce the "new" chef, and it never happened! UGH! 
I think you made a very good point Keefer. Ramsey should have caught that undercooked beef! But I won't complain about him too much, 'cause I still just love him, curse words and all.
I too have wondered why so many of them smoke. I am a (looong time ago) former smoker and very aware of the effect smoking has to the pallet. Food does not taste the same! I'm sure they aren't allowed to smoke in the kitchen though, so I'm not worried about sanitation problems resulting from it on this show.
I thought Matt should have been the one to go. He is clearly the worst of the rest. I know the girls are horrified that he will be cooking with them next week. That should be verrrrrrry interesting!
|
|
May 7, 2008 11:31 AM
|
Oh, I forgot to mention the mom and daughter. So, they are really nice in person eh? Glad to know it, cause the producers presented them as very pretentious and spoiled. My own 16 year old daughter was totally put off by their behavior.
I was totally shocked that the teenager had never eaten a shrimp! Good grief!! What has she been eating her whole life? McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken? Does anybody not think that really odd?
|
|
May 7, 2008 11:39 AM
|
This episode left me seething! Matt and Rosann should have BOTH been kicked to the curb! Not only are both pretty worthless in the kitchen, Matt is a big crybaby who always walks around with a sour look on his face, and Rosann - she just grates on my nerves. I can't believe we have to endure either one of them for one more week. One should have went last week, with the other leaving this week. And what was up with Corey - why bother stripping in front of Louross - it isn't as if he has any say in whether she stays or goes. She should save her stripping for GR.
I was very disappointed about there being no surpise chef, as promo'ed last week. All in all, this eppy left me with one big "WTH" feeling at the end.
|
|
May 7, 2008 11:55 AM
|
angelcrossing, a great many adults have never eaten shrimp. It isn't kosher.
I was glad to hear that mom & daughter are real people. I was beginning to think that they were actresses. I couldn't imagine that anyone would actually want to have a Sweet 16 party as part of a reality show. Especially if they've ever seen the show before. Interesting.
I can't wait to see how Matt fares on the women's team.
|
|
May 7, 2008 12:44 PM
|
|
Corey flirting with Louross and then making fun of him for being short behind his back was a total bitch move. It's not even like Corey is that attractive. She's a total bitch.
|
|
May 7, 2008 12:45 PM
|
Sheldon...Shrimp isn't kosher? Would you explain that further, otherwise I'm afraid I'm going to jump to the wrong conclusion...but I'll say what I think you mean.. (since I'm typing here anyway)..so do you mean that shrimp isn't kosher because they are Jewish, and it's like eating beef and cheese together? It's not done?
Really, her impression implied that she was about to eat a dead worm rather than a shrimp.
|
|
May 7, 2008 1:15 PM
|
|
er...I meant her expression....
|
|
May 7, 2008 1:27 PM
|
|
|
