etee's Blog

Hell's Kitchen
Apr 30, 2009

This week... in HELL'S KITCHEN:

Follow up:

I actually missed the beginning of the show, as I was at another event. However, I got back just after it started, so I didn't miss too much. It seems I was somewhat correct, in that the "big surprise" promised last week was a visit to the Final Three by members of their family. However, the family did not get to judge the next Challenge: that honor was reserved for like 100 of LA's chefs, as the contestants were required to prepare 100 portions of an upscale dish. In 90 minutes. Andrea struggles a bit under the pressure, but manages to get things complete on time: Danny and Paula have no such problem. It's then on to the tasting and judgment, where Chef Ramsay announces that 76% of the chefs considered the worst dish to be that of... Danny! By almost the same margin, they rated Paula's the best, so she gets the reward: a two-parter, consisting of a makeover, followed the next day by a television appearance on the morning news of the local FOX affiliate. For Danny and Andrea, it's another day of scrubbing, polishing, and mopping at HELL'S KITCHEN. Making sure that they are cleaning the flat-screen TV as Paula and Chef Ramsay's TV segment begins. After all, it's important to stir up the Green-Eyed Monster, isn't it? However, things seem friendly enough, with little of the back-biting that characterized previous episodes. Danny, especially, takes the time to reflect on his performance, and he resolves to do better.

Finally, it is time for HELL'S KITCHEN to open. Before the doors open, however, Chef Ramsay has one more surprise (for anyone who hasn't watched the previous seasons): tonight, the contestants will each get their turn at the pass. Complete with "tests", courtesy of sous chefs Scott and Gloria, as well as maitre-d' Jean Philippe.

First up: Paula. She misses the first test, and her voice is a bit shaky at the start, however she does catch the second 'test' and Chef Ramsay seems satisfied.

Next up: Danny. For a man who has run a pass, his voice is real shaky to start. He also misses the first test, in which Jean-Philippe hands in a ticket with 5 covers, but only 4 orders. However, he also recovers, and ends up doing pretty well.

Last one up: Andrea. Like the others, she gets off to a shaky start, and misses the first test. Determined not to screw up again, however, she ends up sending everything back to the kitchen that Scott sends up, prompting him to start dreaming of his new hit single, titled "50 Ways To Kill Your Head Chef". Or something like that.

HELL'S KITCHEN is finally running as a proper kitchen should, and there is remarkably little **** commentary from Chef Ramsay this night: neither ****, nor ****, and especially not *******. After the last guest is served, Chef Ramsay calls the three up, and congratulates them on their success. Then he lets the other shoe go, and reminds them that, for one of them, this is their last service in HELL'S KITCHEN. Who will it be? If I were a betting man, I would bet that Scott is hoping for Andrea to leave. The three are sent to the dorm, and when they come back they will each tell Chef Ramsay who they think should NOT remain.

Danny thinks Andrea should go. Andrea, of course, thinks Danny should go. Both of them tell Chef Ramsay this. So, it is (sort of) down to Paula, who struggles with her decision. Finally, she chooses... to set aside friendship, and says that she thinks Andrea should go. Chef Ramsay offers Danny and Andrea one final opportunity to beg for their lives plead their case, then he agrees with Paula, and sends Andrea packing. The newly 86'd contestant hands over her jacket, and Chef Ramsay has some encouraging words for her before she walks out.

So, it is down to the Final Two: Paula, and Danny. Their Biggest Challenge lies ahead, as they will get to plan, design, open, and run their own little piece of HELL'S KITCHEN. They will have an airplane ride, design issues, and one of them will have a special challenge to deal with, as they seek to staff and run their restaurant to Chef Ramsay's satisfaction. Who will manage to grab the brass ring, and who will get "locked out" at the end? Will they even use that method of announcing the winner this season? Will we have a one-part finale, or will they stretch it into two? Tune in and find out, next week... in HELL'S KITCHEN.