Get ready, Gordon Ramsay's back and this time he's taking his culinary boot camp on the road. This spring, when Hell's Kitchen returns to FOX, we'll find Ramsay helping out restaurants in crisis. Dubbed "Kitchen Nightmares," the show will feature Ramsay whipping kitchens all over America in to shape. In this new format (which is actually based on a show he did in the UK), there's no room for lazy chefs, temperamental wait staffs, or unhappy diners.
Now, I actually never saw Hell's Kitchen, but I did end up catching some of Ramsay's F Word. From what I have seen of his personality, I would be completely terrified if he came into my restaurant and tried to clean house. However, if you know someone with a restaurant who would go crazy over the idea, then be sure to have them download the application. Who knows, maybe we'll see him or her get yelled at this spring.
His original "Kitchen Nightmares" show ran on BBC America last year (and maybe the year before?) for a spell, and is actually what endeared me to Gordon Ramsay forever. He is extremely no nonsense to the point of verbal brutality, but his passion for excellence and his knowledge about the entire business of running a successful restaurant is so clear, it's hard not to warm up to him even when he's dressing someone down in their own kitchen!
It will be interesting to see how an American version does. I always think of him as almost American-like in his aggressiveness, which feels far more shocking when he's dealing with polite Brits! American contestants in general seem more likely to turn around and yell back and then - sadly - you just have a garden variety reality show.