Written by adam on Jul 19, 2006
Hell's Kitchen, a Review
I have stated in the past that I think Hell's Kitchen is one of the worst food shows on TV, and I stand firm on that opinion. After having watched a third or so of two episodes, I just cannot do it again. I tried watching it to be fair and not cast judgement until I had more information, but it's just to embarrassing and too painful. TVFoodFan.com has a short review on the subject right now, and some news about Gordon Ramsay getting shot in the eye with hot soup. He's OK, which is unfortunate, in my opinion.
If you don't know what this show is, just watch FOX for a while some evening and you'll see a preview of it. Basically, chef Gordon Ramsay oversees two teams of chefs yearning to be the best, all the while yelling at them, calling them names, and making them feel like shit. Each week, someone is voted off (like all reality shows), and the winner will be crowned the champion of Hell's Kitchen and get their own restaurant.
Let me go back to what I said in that last paragraph. The contestants get yelled at, sometimes screamed at. They get food thrown at them. They are made to feel like complete and utter losers and failures at the slightest mistake, and Ramsay calls them names and puts them down the entire show. But all of them stay there, wanting to win and get their restaurant. At numerous times during an episode, the contestants stand in a line in front of chef Ramsay to get denigrated. They all stand there with this terrible look on their faces. One of defeat, humiliation, and shame. Just look at this picture.
After watching the show once, I knew what that look was. I've made that look before back in my fraternity days. It's the look of someone who has been hazed.
Hazing is what Ramsay does. He yells, screams, throws food, and belittles people who want to succeed or be accepted. I hated getting hazed by my fraternity brothers. It was one of the worst times in my life. And I have never seen any application of hazing that makes practical sense in the real world.
I'm embarrassed to watch Hell's Kitchen. I'm embarrassed for the participants. And I feel sad for them.
Responses to "Hell's Kitchen, a Review" ...
Valerie
I just read your little rant about Hells Kitchen and Mr Gordon Ramsey.
If this was something you are so against watching ...why would it take 3 yes 3 shows of watching it to say this is hazing....if the show was that bad I don't understand why you would even write about it....because all you are doing now is making people want to watch it.
I personally think it is a GREAT show and I NEVER miss one....this man is very talented and he has the awards to show for it.
This man is passionate about his food and if he wasn't, Gordon Ramsey would not be a houshold name.....I say keep up the good work GORDON we all love ya.
Jonny
I agree with Valerie. I read your whinge and thought yeah, that's exactly what I like about Gordon, when he's chastiising a gormless wanabe chef. When he says "Are you happy with that? It looks like a dog's bollock to me." or "What are you crying for? Why don't you bleep off to your bleeping mummy?", it's just downright entertaining. Even looking at the picture of the three forlorn cooks makes me wish I could watch it right now. I just don't think you get it. Cooking these days isn't about being nice, it's about being mean, not only to the people in your kitchen, but the people you are cooking for. If the food's good enough as Ramsay's always is, people will always come back for more.
Meghan
All I have to say is Gordon Ramsay is an amazing man, with an amazing talent. Gordon, Keep doing what your doing because your F#@*%!& amazing at it!
Meghan
All I have to say is Gordon Ramsay is an amazing man, with an amazing talent. Gordon, Keep doing what your doing because your F#@*%!& amazing at it!
Since winter of 2004, I have been exploring the world of cooking and helping out my fellow men in their quests to better themselves in the kitchen. My name is Adam Byrd, you can learn more about me and my mission on my