Delusional Restaurant Owner Threatens Legal Action! | Kitchen Nightmares

Hampton Maryland a proud Community located just outside of Baltimore and home to Cafe hunt a restaurant whose name is special meaning to the local population and what's your name Han Khan has a term of endearment when you're being friendly that's what you say seihan bomber people love the word han it's their word you know yeah open by entrepreneur Denise Whiting in 1992 Cafe hun quickly became a local Landmark Cafe hun hugs you when you get here it's just food family and fun with her business doing well Denise decided to capitalize on Baltimore's love affair with the word hun she not only trademarked Cafe high but the word hun as well Denise wanted to make money she wanted to sell her mugs her t-shirts her little knick-knack things and a backfire Denise Whiting the owner of Cafe hun and she said she would go after anyone that uses the word han Denise had Baltimore behind her and then she announced that she trade Marcon and that ticked off a big portion of Baltimore this thing gets spun in this crazy way they Lodge a boycott on the restaurant I mean now I'm the villain I'm the bad person since the whole hun controversy there has been a decline in business but it's you know dropped dramatically since all this has started did you need oh come on really what is this supposed to be she can be very harsh I'm surprised that I have anyone left in the kitchen to be honest with you I want you to go downstairs and I want you to give me a roll of paper towels that are perforated there's one way to do it here my way what's this Johnny why is it sitting there is this for something when we have somebody that's not able to lead us we're serving terrible food and it sucks do you want any of my bristles no it's pretty much been Hell she's not helping in the kitchen she doesn't know what she's doing she's going to run us down to the ground and if Chef Ramsay doesn't come in we're screwed we really are I'm done I'm gonna go broke at this rain it's not fair and it's not right that these Anonymous people that are out there trashing your business and people are listening is this what I'm supposed to keep doing am I supposed to keep fighting for what I believe in for what I've spent 20 years of my life just building [Music] after learning of the funds Scandal Chef Ramsay stops by a local radio station hoping to get a better understanding as to why the community has turned its back on this restaurant today's best Music Mix 106.5 have the best day ever we'll see you tomorrow morning it's JoJo Reagan all right that's a wrap likewise um thanks for giving a couple of minutes your valuable time um I'm dying to find out in terms of a reputation Cafe home how is the food Reagan oh I I've only eaten there two or three times but the food is is on the back burner why when you talk about Cafe hun talk about Denise Whiting she trademarked the term hun which is a cultural icon in Baltimore I mean it's it's a term of endearment locally locally it's huge in this community I mean it just represents friendliness this welcoming pun is a word that was in our vocabulary in Baltimore long before it was part of a restaurant name she went to a newspaper and said I own it I own the word locally everyone's happy with the name of the Russian but they just weren't happy with her trying to own something that belonged to the town as opposed to her sure she was threatening businesses with losses the lawsuits I mean it went that far she had had apparently you know thrown out some cease and desist letters to people who were using it she demanded legal fees from somebody that was making tourist stuff with just the word hun on it that didn't say Cafe high oh dear what's the feeling now has the business suffered on the back of that the people who were most offended were the people in that immediate neighborhood yeah I mean she's almost become the anti-hunt yes wow well thank you for the Insight yeah I'm here to help turn that place around let's turn it around yeah but let me say we've got our work cut out already I haven't even been to the restaurant yet I haven't tasted the food yet yes thank you good to see you thank you likewise do you know how to find the restaurant Big Pink Flamingo you can't miss it so they get what like it's a big pink flamingo on the outside like a full-size Flamingo 60 feet or so come on no seriously yes I look for a pink flamingo yeah thank you take care [Music] Russia with the flamingo [Music] holy mackerel look at the size of that thing wow these are you serious look at that wow wow wow wow hey how are you hello hello Chef Ramsey Harris manager Deborah nice to see you what was that creasing I just made a dessert whipped cream whipped cream thank you for that I'm sorry I was just so excited to see him I didn't even think about washing that whipped cream off okay Denise is going to not she's not going to be herself I believe she's going to pretend to be that perfect little darling and I hope that Gordon Ramsay really can see through any facade she will put up you look unhappy come on I know why why are you upset I mean business pretty much was half of what it was last year I've taken everything I had and put it in here I mean I completely evaporated my small Ira that I had I sold a house everything's gone into here my last ten thousand went in two weeks ago oh my God I just didn't know what to do anymore so what happened how did it start going badly the problem is I federally registered the Han as a as a trademark right uh years ago somebody picks up that I federally registered hun and starts saying that I have stolen something from the city of Baltimore the newspapers radio television they belittle demeaned I have people scream at me from across the street just horrible things oh yeah I mean I was afraid for my life you felt that threatened yeah for your life yeah what Death Race well people wishing me dead why would they want to be so vicious to you if they don't know me it's hard to believe that it's just because you registered the word hun and you've done nothing else nothing else there's nothing else that managed to piss off anybody else I'm not aware of anything else I've done did you not Sue anyone I never sued anybody you didn't sue anybody no did you threaten to sue anybody no I've done my homework before I got here I did I you know you're not being fair now well I did a seasoned assist you did I did enforce a legal letter threatening to sue someone using that now you've been very devious um you know I'm trying to get to the bottom of it but I'm not going to extract blood out of the stone I want to work with you but make it very different for me when you don't tell me the truth [Music] after being disappointed by Denise's cover-up of the pr problems at Cafe hun time for lunch Gordon can now begin to focus on the food hello hello chef and this is hi I'm Janet Janet nice to see you darling how long have you been here how much 20 years 20 years wow and this is Lynn nice to see you darling how long have you been here eight years wow and this is Amanda Amanda I love the hair beautiful I do this myself in the bathroom wow wow wow the key is hairspray hairspray hairspray Hairspray enjoy your lunch thank you very much indeed wow [Music] two seconds who is that on the front cover there that's nice is that Denise yes that's Denise looking wonderful looking wonderful wonderful a wonderful sorry wow [Music] Denise thinks that she's a rock star and everything's just in your face Denise um right what would you recommend the Big Bay Club it has our shrimp salad and crab cake well let's start off with that shall we yes okay and I'll go for the much better the moms as in better than mums at home then your own mom yeah wow okay great what else I gotta go for the Bulma fish and chips it's bomber Balinese thank you [Music] sword for honey honey love it amazing thank you Paul [Music] all right we can go on the Big Bay you know I used to just say you know serve good food and the people will come this is what a show always tastes like tastes perfect we need you to serve good food but the people don't come big bang is that my big bag are you taking that or you may take it go ahead Tower of seafood Big Bear Club what's in there this is a layer of shrimp salad a layer of long crab cake bacon and lettuce and tomato thank you how the hell do you start eating sandwich this way I mean honestly squash noodle down I surrender to break it down deconstructed [Music] wow the crab delicious it's a very pleasant surprise let me tell you because it's nice layer of crab and then these stone cold shrimp underneath horrible Amanda of course this but here I mean they taste like they're a week old would you mind got that ghastly Taste of the fridge does have a weird Africa it's horrible it almost tastes like the tainted yeah that's a mess I'll leave that one Daddy they said the uh he said the shrimp taste that they had like a weird appetizer like almost tastes like really the refrigerator doesn't matter he said they taste like they're old a lot of the main items are crap it's Denise's recipes it's the way she wants it done I don't understand this is perfect and he's never thinks she's wrong this is perfect and that's her biggest downfall yeah crispy please [Music] pull dark nope a little dark it's good enough are we happy with us I'm taking us Denise just take it Denise does what Denise wants to do and she won't listen to me she won't listen to anyone else no I should have gone out like that it's aggravating English style fish and chips wow English style holy mackerel house cut fries from fresh potatoes and what kind of fish is it uh cod fish cod fish wow is it me is everything just greasy no yeah okay grace thank you thank you fries it doesn't even stick to the fish yeah stressful I'm a shame Amanda it's dry fish is dry well the whole batter just sort of it's almost like peels away from it those fries or shame you don't like the fries soggy look at my fingers yeah we have the chips and the tastiest thing on the plate is the Tata sauce it's a big disappointment I love fish and chips wow the cops are doing the best that they can with the way they've been told to do things so it's nice as far what's wrong greasy fish fry the Batters just falling off of it said the fries they were mushing really that's weird and they squeezed it in all this like grease was all over his hand french fries you know you get some potatoes that are one way and sweet potatoes are another way and having a problem with the consistency of the potatoes I mean it's just making me crazy that's right do you have the meatloaf coming off like now jeez this one is and the meatloaf thank you much better than mom's meatloaf that is a very bold statement thank you it's like a flamingo turd just landed on my plate wow Rockies roll it's Dreadful what a shame damn that was disappointing that's the actual flavor yeah and the uh Demi glass is just so thick sometimes it can be runny today it's actually thick it's just mild everything like a big thick varnish that just takes nothing whose recipe is this um I believe it's anesis better than mum's memo thank God my mum's not joining for lunch today thanks honey yes sir wow and when you ask someone to taste that broccoli the broccoli oh well yes and the mush is cold yeah okay he wants you to try the broccoli so the broccoli is almost Raw the match is cold and the demi glaze is too thick and the meatloaf is Bland okay every time he had a comment or a criticism it's pretty ridiculous I've been here for 20 years I hadn't done something right maybe he's not the answer are we done go through the kitchen he's going to say hello to meet everybody hi guys hello oh hello uh this is right Greg I'm too sure you work on the Donate fish yes do you think she's gonna listen to anything he says I hope so I don't think she will she might snap freak out like the yeah this is a comfort food restaurant right yes and when I think of comfort food I think of meatloaf and excitement that's plan and the Big Bay Seafood sandwich crab delicious but underneath you've got these stone cold shrimp it's horrible aftertaste fish and chips the fish is overcooked the batter is just falling off it and you hand cut those fries yes they cooked treadfully do you season them and taste them before they go out we do not season the fries you don't season fries no we don't this is you yeah but you told them they can't season a fry fast food joints seasoned fries for God's sake does no one care I mean there's not much to say you know it's what we have it's the mini that we have laid out and it's the recipe better we can do you enjoy cooking this I don't drink cooking Armenian food it's it's dull I mean when we do try to change things you know it's always oh I don't like it like this you know we who doesn't like it Bernice so you're telling me you can do best menu I thought the problems were on the outside you've got them on the inside and the outside combine both and I'm amazed you're still open I know that we have a good product and I'm not gonna let anybody get in my way including Chef Ramsay covering that Denise's food might be as bad as Cafe Hun's PR IDE in Flamingo Chef Ramsay is anxious to see how the kitchen handles a busy dining room do this how are you all tonight spread that Chef Ramsay is in Baltimore and the dining room was full for the first time in a year you got fish and chips working and the kitchen is now dealing with a flood of orders got asparagus for that and I can get it out of your hand yeah let's start falling to the table let's get there all right can you fix that asparagus so it's all nice and neat you know I got three steaks in here I really don't care Greg when Denise comes in and her Chef clothes it's like having a hurricane in there she just goes hectic and you know you know I want this done now I went down this way all right guys all right I'm tired of seeing the asparagus dumped in a bin all different kinds of ways you know you start with the small things we always get little lessons from Denise and it's frustrating because you just can't stop then everything backs up and it's it's it just causes a lot of problems you cut off the ends and you blanch them you hold those asparagus see where they break at so you know where to come up okay all right gray Cable ONE you're waiting a long time I really really been waiting a long time I don't have time to stand around and watch her do this when I have other you know jobs to do I feel like I'm on the Titanic I need that cracked up for 22. take us to 57. despite the knees slowing down her kitchen with an asparagus lesson all right I'm taking them take very hot and then your wings will be right out some of the dishes still manage to make their way out to the diners there's a pool of Greece Syria would be this there's like a hair I can't believe there's a hair because the turkey's just like the crumbling apart what's wrong with that overcooked and they said they look like mushrooms what is that turkey for stuffing they did not like this I'm getting something oh my God all right this turkey we're not serving it anymore 86 the turkey any turkey on the board 86 the turkey medium didn't they yes you did okay I'll get it medium table five wanted a medium steak what's wrong it's a Well buy one in medium this is well they're medium match those sweets I don't want to use those steaks give me give me a table 52. give me all those steaks put them in there wig alert all servers that we have no steaks another orders I have no steak are you serious yeah took the ones we had throw them out all this you threw them all out that's that's the whole table your knees threw them out there's nothing I can do table 52 Denise through the mouth this is something that Denise normally does 86ing things 86 biscuits you guys they don't like it 86 the pot pie 86 the catfish instead of fixing an entree in the moment she pulls the entire food item from service okay we don't have to redo everything oh my gosh I swear to girls you guys 86 the french fries oh my god wow fish and chips we have the chips we need to find out about all the tables and have french fries on their tickets that are not getting french fries we are at a price for the fish and chips what would you like 86 the sweet fries 86 sweet fries we have nothing to serve after 86 every meal item inside why are we ate six in this sweet fries 86 sweet potato fries we got the [ __ ] cooking I don't get it I'm just I'm in pain here okay as my name here continues we're out of 15 prices today's kept pulling stuff we now have to walk to the table and tell him the food's not there I can only apologize for many times to somebody I'm embarrassed by it you want a hug no all right as the menu items keep dwindling folks we're out of pot pie I'll take it off your check honey I apologize the diner's patience is dwindling as well what about these they left they left I've never seen you like this I've never seen anything no so dysfunctional I've never seen a kitchen work so backwards you can't keep customers waiting an hour for food and then 86s find out the total amount that we can't thank you oh Jesus uh what the [ __ ] was all that about honestly yeah and is she always like that yes how'd you concentrate like that so you can't and you really can't I was she 86 and everything how can I tell you I've got 601 and boys and 150 almost in discount so that's 750 total wow yeah I mean that is ridiculous it is thank you guys thanks Jeff crazy Gordon Ramsay has got to get through her thick skull if she doesn't take his advice We're not gonna make it I don't know I stop I mean I just yeah I that was a disaster you know we can't 800 worth of food okay team in the middle of sewers and show them how to put asparagus on the plate we're focusing in all the wrong areas how can you let it go this far okay somehow I got I got derailed if I can simplify the menu down to something that's really manageable and we just do wonderfully simple delicious comfort food because I you're confusing me before you can talk about anything else you've got to get the basics right you've got to get the core the foundation because I think you've lost the plot I you you need to sit down and have a think about what this expression hasn't got is a clear Direction and restaurants run from the top it starts from the top and when the leader's gone the restroom's gone I don't know where to start sorry jeez we'll get these mats out of here [Music] clearly Denise is in denial about how she mismanages the restaurant take a seat please so this morning Chef Ramsay decides to pull together a staff meeting before she arrives okay right that was a tough one yesterday yes yes and the only way we are ever going to move forward is it we get out in the open what's bothering you in the way that Denise is running the restaurants [Music] basically when she's not here it runs quite smooth but when she comes in pull them around the restaurant just drops she doesn't even have to say anything but we know something's gonna happen we're afraid of what she's gonna do it's awful how she talks to the people she goes up towards to the girls and tells them they're stupid or she gets up to my face tell her to fix our hair put a flower in her hair that's why the customers aren't coming in because you want to flower in your hair she's getting too carried away she focuses on a lot of The Superficial things she micromanages it's insane I mean really insane last night she went 86 crazy right yeah nearly a dozen items 86 the fish and chips 86 the beef is this normal yes she doesn't take responsibility for anything so why are we standing up to her we're all afraid to tell her anything negative she'll fire them she'll fire them boys she told a couple of us if you say negative things I don't need you with me I appreciate your honesty however you need to get that message across that Denise gotta start standing up for what's right I want you all to do that right now oh my God you're probably gonna get fired right now this morning Chef Ramsay has heard an array of grievances about Denise she's getting too carried away we're all afraid to tell her anything negative he knows full well that for this restaurant to move forward the staff needs to come clean with their boss [Music] we're all gonna get fired right now come over please [Music] uh right I saw a lot yesterday and I wanted to catch up with the team and some of the crap they've had to endure and tolerate it's actually quite horrific I'm amazed that they're still here I'm now going to ask them to open up and be honest with you I didn't think we would have to tell her to her face what we thought Debbie please Denise you um your rude [ __ ] and I'm tired of it I feel like I don't even know you anymore you're just too mean with with the employees you're talking to them like [ __ ] Denise you're the negative in the restaurant you make me feel like I'm not good enough Denise I feel very unappreciated I do anything you ask me and you come in and scream at me what is going on do you not trust me oh Janet I trust you how do I know this unless you tell me wow thank you Greg please you're coming in you're screaming you're a hundreds on the lawn you're a hindrance you know and the crap you're controlling everything and yet you've got a brigade front and back of house that are loyal and hardworking and can get the job done Denise your ego is huge and you think because you're Denise Whiting you can do anything you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself that nobody likes you we've already established that people don't like you it is tough love but this is so important Debbie what's the matter I'm just afraid about this place going on out of business after all I've put them through I'm just so humbled and so grateful that they're still with me to lose this business would be for me to Lose My Soul and [Music] I appreciate everything that everybody does here I love each and every one of you I've just been off and I know that I know I've come into the kitchen and I've been difficult I'm sorry that I've been a bit overbearing I'm gonna step back and let everybody do what they do so well and I can only say that this is the beginning of a new day she seems sincere now but I'm a little doubtful about what she's going to do as far as changing very doubtful the way sad to say thank you [Music] now that Denise has recognized the morale problems of her restaurant hi ladies Chef Ramsay knows that he needs her to fully understand why the community continues to be upset with her I put together a select group of people that I'd like you to hear from okay okay please jump in the car that's a song listen carefully and I'll come back oh my God these people they're gonna crucify me I'm gonna be thrown to the wolves I was like to take this moment for you to help me to understand why Cafe hun and its owner Denise have angered this community who'd like to go first what she really tried to do was appropriate an identity it's like going to Australia and trademarking mate or y'all in the south she's acting like a bully why is she a bully anybody who would like to use the word is at risk of receiving a cease and desist order from her lawyers that says change your name or else and I have a website called Welcome to Baltimore hun they see some desist letter that she sent wow I mean that's pretty severe transcends the restaurant industry she had gone to the Maryland Transit Administration for their hun ad campaign and forced them to give her creative control basically the Maryland state government has to go to Denise Whiting for her approval but that but she's not in the right and that's what people recognize yeah it's just about money for her it's not about Hampden it's not about anything it's just money he pushes everyone around she's focused on Denise whining and if you don't like it you're going to be sorry I have seen her nasty she's made a mockery of who we are and then tried to profit from it and I think that's very egregious the damages done all the citizens of Baltimore were the ones that stopped going they are not gonna go use that restaurant no way ever what would it take for this community to embrace Cafe hun again she has to walk away from the trademark she has to abandon it all claim to it so it was a mistake she does not own it it doesn't belong to anybody right I'm very grateful for your Insight thank you so much for coming I appreciate it thank you [Music] yeah I didn't get it before I was just so angry at all the things that were happening and didn't know how to handle them and I was in denial I get it now it's hard in there there's so much hate what directed in in my direction there was you did go off a few people you did send letters where they were absolutely freaking out to sort of stand up against but when you threaten people or they feel threatened they're gonna Revolt do you realize you've made a mistake yes you have to do something you have to take responsibility and make a gesture do you agree [Music] I absolutely agree you're not just saying that because I'm here you know yeah we've got a big issue here and and and it's not me you have to convince it's the city of Baltimore everything in my life has been a disaster in the last several months and I'm the only one that can change that however I don't I don't really know what I'll do it appears as though Denise has seen the error of her ways and so Chef Ramsay decides to go ahead with the renovation of Cafe hunt morning ladies good morning nice to see you today is the beginning of a new year are you ready to see your new restaurants yes welcome to New Cafe hun jump in please oh my God that is so gorgeous look at this Beauty [Music] look at this oh my gosh I always wanted them all pink I always wanted boxes for the teapots always always gorgeous gone all those hideous colors and assistance bright Vibrance in the local restaurant let's look at the huge stunning artwork that is a tribute to hun glamorous gorgeous and something that belongs to the restaurant let's get that right I love it it's simple it's elegant and it's clean everything just kind of Blends together so perfectly I really feel like we have a future in Hamden can't help but love it welcome to the flamingo room oh this is so adorable is this a party room or what look at the chandelier what'd you think oh come on we love it I am so happy it's like the sun came up over the cafe hun on a gorgeous day it's gonna be better it's going to be better than it thank you with everyone clearly Overjoyed about the physical changes to the restaurant take a little lineup have a look at this amazing food Chef Ramsay is now ready to unveil the revamped menu okay let's start off from the top shall we that's chili beef tomatoes onions Peppers Cheese service and Cornbread traditional and classic puns hot crap dip this one's done with Maryland crabs gorgeous next to that you've got the mini shrimp and crab rolls delicious the entrees obviously the Maryland crab cake this one's gonna fly out the door thank you oh yes I love you for that next to that Classic Fish and Chips crispy delicious there is no soggy batter there let me tell you absolutely beautiful amazing next to that you've got a delicious meatloaf wrapped in bacon so with mashed potatoes green beans and obviously ketchup oh that's beautiful yummy butter is so much better the knife and full amen really good this is so perfect this is better than I thought it could ever be we could never have done this on our own fries or green don't you feel better that's all streamlined we're serving a brand new menu it's just really simpler but it's better food and it looks better so we're all excited to serve it it's going to be fun number [Laughter] now that the restaurant and menu have been vastly improved Chef Ramsay knows that it is critical that Denise reach out to the community and so he has made arrangements for her to do just that this is an amazing opportunity we're about to go live you ready I'm ready let's go you may or may not have known Gordon Ramsay has been filming here in town over the weekend we've heard that he's bringing Denise Whiting the owner of Cafe hunt with him and that they're gonna make an announcement of some sort on our show and they just walked into the studio good morning hello Gordon how are you very well thank you it's been a busy couple days for you we're sure very busy yeah we've uh yeah we've gone to Helen back it's been a tough week I'm gonna hand you over to Denise she's obviously very excited to be here I just wouldn't say it trademarking the word is not only almost killed me but has just about killed the business I didn't understand the whole culture and how passionate everybody was about you know hun is in our hearts and now I get it I was just doing what business people do and it was a misstep I am so sorry for the animosity and the hatred and everything that trademarking [Music] a word just a word has done please forgive me that must have taken a lot of courage to say that but you never said you were gonna give the trademark back is that what you're doing you mean actually physically handing over the trademark yeah yeah will you be handing it back [Music] you I want to do this maybe I don't [Music] after alienating the entire city of Baltimore Denise has an opportunity to make amends you never said you were going to give the trademark back is that what you're doing you mean actually physically handing over the trademark yeah yeah [Music] yes wow this is amazing I am taking that piece of paper that says it's registered I'll get it from my attorney I'll take it off the register I can do that that's kind of stunning this is for Real it was never mine to have in the first place it's just a word it's just wonderful to have this opportunity to be here to get foreign please forgive me um for everything that I've done Denise I gotta be honest with you I wasn't on your side over the last year I'm on your side now thank you guys thank you Gordon from the bottom of my heart thank you so much this is an incredible opportunity that I've been handed and I'm not going to take it for granted all right well thank both of you for coming in this morning appreciate it I appreciate your time thank you so much Maria's coming up next it's 10 o'clock immediately following Denise's announcement on the radio Chef Ramsay arranged for a press conference to make sure that everyone in Baltimore understands that the niece is giving up the trademark of the word hunt I didn't mean to steal something or to take something and I apologize [Music] for the remainder of a stay Gordon and his team got in the trenches with Chef Greg and his staff work as a team work as a team where he implemented a new system for me it doesn't even look hot enough stone cold come on back in and as Cafe hun became a fun place to work at once again guys you're doing a great job you're doing awesome John thank you Dottie beautiful the people of Baltimore returned I appreciate your saying thank you and I really want you to do well and the business is clearly headed in a positive direction these are fantastic [Music] result is heavy touchdown Chef Ramsay took a lost owner and put her back on the road to success and nobody realizes that more than Denise Whiting with all the odds stacked against you you pulled it off I feel amazing I've been given a gift a great gift and an amazing opportunity and I will be forever grateful thank you thank you have a bloody tough week I have my life back I have my restaurant back thank you Gordon Ramsay thank you for this opportunity thank you everybody wow good night hon

Channel: Gordon Ramsay

Views: 1,004,495

Keywords: Gordon, Gordon Ramsay, Ramsay, Ramsey, Chef Ramsay, Recipe, Recipes, Food, Cooking, Cookery, kitchen nightmares, hotel hell, the f word, gordon ramsay likes the food, gordon ramsay burger, gordon ramsay steak, street food, pasta recipes, chicken recipe

Id: hXSCBvae4lk

Length: 41min 32sec (2492 seconds)

Published: Thu Jun 01 2023