Kitchen Nightmares actually came before Hell's Kitchen, which is the hyper-adrenalized and infinitely less interesting version (IMHO). Most of the shows occur in England, I've seen one episode take place in Spain and another also in Spain, but I'm not sure--the show with the ditzy blonde woman/trust fund baby. In later seasons the show takes place in the US, but those versions seem to have been dumbed down for American audiences, unfortunately.

KN went a long way in building my attitudes toward food, the craft and responsibility of cooking, and the responsibility between a restrauteur and his patrons. Thanks to KN, I'm no longer shy about sending back a plate of substandard or incorrectly prepared food, for example.

Chef Ramsay is not for everyone. Lots of people see him as a raging, egomaniacal asshole, but I think that's the wrong view of him. The asshole part I'll grant, but no one gets to be a top chef by being a doormat, indecisive, passive or shy. Doing what he does requires an extremely strong personality, the yelling and cursing are merely freebies. :)>

Look at world class chefs Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Emeril, Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Alice Waters, Jean Georges Vongerichten, Nancy Silverton, Wylie DuFresne--all have diffferent styles of leadership yet all know precisely what they want, when they want it, and how they want it, and their crew had best align themselves to that uncompromising standard or find other employ.

Hi Ken,

Thanks for all the info on KN. I definitely wasn't aware that it came before HK.

I am sure those seeking his help with their restaurants understand and respect him for his expertise in the field. I think they are willing to feel the heat of his rage at times because they know he is successful. Everyone has their own style and I must say there is never a dull moment with him.

I wonder whether this is just Ramsey's professional personality and this temperment doesn't flow into his off the set side.

I agree with you about becoming more aware of food preparation and what to expect when it gets to your table.

Since we're on the subject of restaurant, have you seen the British series called Last Restaurant Standing, another interesting show on the struggles of opening up and maintaining a restaurant.

You are correct. Most of Kitchen Nightmares takes place in 2004-2005 and some into 2006. One episode was in Spain, and one episode was in France - remember the chick who sat at the table smoking a cigarette while her restaurant was closing - coming late to the meeting and being rude to both her father and Gordon and then getting up and walking out on them, and this was after Gordon got her a crackerjack chef? Yeah, I hated that woman, and if I didn't think she'd already slept herself to death from sheer laziness, I would have gone over there and finished the job for her.

I had a tough time with Gordon in the beginning because of the reputation I knew he had from futbol, so Kitchen Nightmares was a struggle.

And, Sheila, I was so disappointed in the outcome of LRS, as I wanted the twins to win. Still, it was not my choice.

Now that I've stuck my 2p in there, I'll go now.

Hi Msgrant

Thanks for your input. LRS was pretty good and it was all in the hands o the judges and they were pretty strict. I have to admit that I didn't pay too much attention to the year of the episodes for LRS but I knew it was interesting to see how each couple was going to do. I didn't watch it consistently to pick out a favorite.

I'll admit it. I never watched his shows until this season. Like many folks out there, I saw the commercials and thought this guy has got to be bi-polar!

Then a few friends of mine started talking about the season premiere of HK and I thought I'd check it out. I've been hooked every since.

Now I have caught up on some of the shows from KN (Fox.com shows quite a few of them) and now not only am I impressed with his culinary skill, but his head for business. Amazing.

Yes he yells, screams, curses a serious blue streak (heard he's the nicest guy in person!), but to see him full circle with the combination of his series', has definitely made a good impression on me. And that in itself is no easy feat!

O, thank God, I thought msgrant [edited to correct name] would never leave. ;)> She follows me, you know--insists I am the Last Prince of the Romanovs, Andreyev, of the last tsar of Russia, tsar Nicholas II. She says if I marry her and she produces a male heir, the throne will stay in our family.

It's a nice fantasy but clearly the woman's crackers. LOL! How could I be a Russian prince when I'm actually the Last Prince of the Tsurugi Clan of Imperial Nippon, and rightful Emperor of all Japan?!

Hi Ken,

I'm confused, whose Maggie? LOL