Apr 26 2009
Hell’s Kitchen–Down To The Final 3! Update!
In case you didn’t know, I’m following the latest season of Hell’s Kitchen . My last blog entry was about it. I really love the show itself, and have even gotten my hubby hooked on it!
But a lot of the drive behind my interest is the head chef, Gordon Ramsay. The man is not only a genius, but puts the chefs in the competition through their paces. I bet some of the most amazing chefs come out of his show, because I think if a person can work under the pressure of having him in their face–they could probably run any kind of kitchen and work under any type of heat.
Since my last blog, the final group had been under some rocky situtions. Last episode there was a closing of Hell’s Kitchen, and the group of 5 got to go to see the Borgatta, where one of them will win a restaurant/top position. They had a blast–except towards the end, when Robert excused himself from an important meal. He had secretly called the medics, and was experiencing chest pain, etc. So he went rushed to the hospital.
The remaining 4 contestants didn’t know anything about his condition till after they returned to H.K., where Robert did show up, but only to tell the group he couldn’t return to the competition. He has some instance of heart disease.
It was tough, because the group really liked him, and none of them seemed happy to see him go–even if it is a competition. That says a lot for his personality, me thinks.
But the show must go on. So the remaining 4 had a challenge–they had a short amount of time to create a signature dish, and whoever’s was best would win immunity from being eliminated at the end of next dinner service.
Ben was overly-cocky, as usual, sure his dish was the bomb. Turns out he was told the “definitly wasn’t safe” and didn’t win, heh. The other 3 had really great dishes. Andrea’s won, though, which I was glad about. So she was safe.
But then that night dinner service was pretty bad, especially for Ben and Andrea. She lost her focus, and screwed up the fish station pretty bad.
Paula got props, and then the 4 of them had to choose who went up on the block. Because she was safe, Andrea couldn’t be nominated–but they wanted to. So she put up Ben and Paula. Chef Ramsay almost immediately put Paula back in line, because she obviously didn’t deserve to be up on the block. Then he called Andrea forward for her crappy service.
In the end, he said she was worse than Ben, but because he was a man of his word, Gordon Ramsay didn’t send her home. And because he wanted a clear conscience–he couldn’t send Ben either. So no one left.
The latest episode saw a really nifty challenge for the 4 remaining contestants of Hell’s Kitchen; Chef Ramsay showed them 3 dishes from his own restaurants, and had them taste them, and decide which one of the three they enjoyed the most. They chose a Fish chowder dish. Then he said ‘ok, you have 30 minutes to recreate this dish’. It was cool. They had no other hints! So in the end, they all had some componants close, but Danny won. Which was nice, since he’s come so close to winnin challenges, but hasn’t really won anything.
He got to go with Chef Ramsay flying in a bi-plane! It looked like a blast, and once again, Gordon showed he’s just a normal guy by enjoying himself and being blown away, heh.
The other 3 had to clean Hell’s Kitchen, polish all the crystal, AND prepare for dinner service that night. Andrea was a bit whiney…
Before dinner service that night, Chef Ramsay gave the 4 contestants free sets of cookware from his own personal line. Stainless steel awesomeness, it looked like to me! I was jealous, heh. They were all happy, and started out the best dinner service the show had seen this season, I believe. Everyone was on point.
Except towards the end–Andrea came up 2 beef wellingtons short, and screwed up some. Also, Ben had made–as usual–some stupid mistakes. Things like putting spaghetti in water that’s not boiling…!
So Gordon was frustrated with that result. In the end, they had to pick one amongst themselves that went up on the block. But the vote was split–guys chose Andrea, girls chose Ben.
In the end, Chef sent Ben home. I was glad. The guy seems ok, but he’s pretty cocky, over-confident, and for some reason–makes stupid mistakes all the time. And once he starts to slip, he screws up bad.
Andrea can screw up too, but I don’t think she’s as cocky as Ben was.
So now it’s down to the final 3! I’m really rooting for Paula. She’s got great character, skill, and hasn’t really screwed up anything major. She’s not alwaze most talkative, but she’s quick, consistant, and a good team player. Danny is good too, but a bit out of it.
So we shall see what happens! I really enjoy Hell’s Kitchen—have I said?!
