“My gran could do better, and she’s dead!” – Chef Gordon Ramsay
There’s something oddly comforting about the Kitchen Nightmares formula. Perhaps it’s similar to genre romance novels in a way: you know how things are going to turn out, you know the major milestones on the way, and the fun is in watching the variables. Still, formulas get old, and this week things got a bit tired and stodgy in following the adventures/nightmares of Fleming, a Danish restaurant in Miami, Florida oddly helmed by non-Danish owners Andy and Suzanne, and Cuban chef Orlando.
Part of the formula is giving a blind eye or two to Chef Gordon Ramsay’s theatrics. For example, Ramsay waltzes into Fleming carrying a Danish-English dictionary so that he can “understand” the Danish-speaking owners. Of course, he knows full well that the owners are English-only Americans, but we play along.
Orlando plays for a colorful variable, particularly with his broken English. Classic lines include: “When you put food in your mouth, it’s like party in your mouth.” And he likes to belch in the kitchen, which is always good times. Also colorful: Cindee the waitress who “likes to make the swans and take them to the people.” She makes enormous swans out of tin foil that contain desserts like tiramisu.
On a relatively uneventful episode, the big crisis was created by Ramsay checking out the cold storage. He finds that the cooked duck is sitting in raw meat juices. I was surprised that he didn’t pull a classic restaurant shutdown move. Instead, he did the arguably more embarrassing move of pulling plates of duck out from under the noses of diners.
Ramsay then polls people on the streets, and not surprisingly finds out people think it’s a) bad and b) for old people. Later, everyone is astounded when Andy finally relents about making changes. Andy has one of the mildest and most non-combative personalities of any head owner we’ve seen on this show, so the conflict usually generated is as bland as the food Fleming serves.
“Easy on the dentures,” as Ramsay says.
To spice things up, Ramsay puts together a swimsuit fashion show… perfect for a Danish restaurant relaunch? Andy also got a makeover, which Suzanne refers to as a “hurricane” of fresh air.
Relaunch night sees the typical chaos and confusion and minor kitchen fire. “My gran could do better, and she’s dead!” Chef Ramsay cries at one point.
Finally, in the typically uplifting final moments, Ramsay gives the restaurant a new Vulcan kitchen set, which makes everyone at Fleming all weepy-like.
From Around the Web: Kitchen Nightmares, “Fleming”
- Miami New Times Blogs: If this episode follows the usual recipe, Ramsay will no doubt try to restore some of Fleming’s authentic Danish charm and give the owners a reality check in the process. They may need a good scolding. At Surme salon next door, proprietor Janilla Khavar says lately the restaurant just hasn’t been up to snuff. “They’re not as busy as they used to be,” she notes. “I’ve always highly recommended it. We go there; our customers go there.”
- Reality TV Magazine: While he shows up with his translator in hand, he is shocked to find the owners are not Danish at all. Thinking maybe the chef is Danish, Gordon is shocked to learn that he is actually Cuban… hmm Gordon is now stumped, why all the Danish food on the menu?
🍽 Want more? Check out Pop Thruster’s Kitchen Nightmares episode reviews (there’s a lot).
Some stats and info about Kitchen Nightmares – “Fleming”
TV SHOW – Kitchen Nightmares
SEASON/EPISODE – Season 3, Episode 11
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – FOX
GENRE – Reality TV, Food TV Shows, Trashtastic TV
STARS – Gordon Ramsay
This review was originally published on TV Geek Army.