Kitchen Nightmares - Season 1 Episode 20 - Full Episode

tonight on Kitchen Nightmares Chef Ramsay plows into st. Clair Shores Michigan Wow and finds three muscle men whose idea of a seafood restaurant comes in a can absolutely horrendous with three owners he really gotta fix this a general manager and we talking the customers dirty with the ladies and a new chef there are clearly too many cooks in this kitchen is controlling the menu the food is appalling that's real serious that is best but the chef has no authority to change it guys are killing me down there and the owners look at where all our money is gone I'm really mad right now they just don't know any better you have to seriously start open your eyes trusting my dad is obviously not working you have to separate the father-son nothing to do with business with Gordon be able to untangle this confusing mess in the place going down in flames I'm dying dying or have personal differences I'm so sick of it left this restaurant beyond repair I'm pissed [Music] st. Clair Shores Michigan a summer resort community about 40 minutes from Detroit located on prime real estate is Jax a lakeside restaurant recently acquired by three bodybuilders Phil Scott and Tamre let's do it Scott and that don't Scott at the gym easy get it we all work out together and hang out together all of us are partners in the restaurant Jax is known for having great entertainment being the resort style place to come to it's like girls gone wild across the whole Lake wintertime [Music] there isn't much going on Jax has had a reputation for bad food and so that's really my opinion that's what killed us we really got to fix this we brought AJ in to run the kitchen AJ is tamers father know that's you come Bob I don't see the fish it's just ma'am no you don't understand we put all this trust in him oh never mind the kitchen is completely falling apart it's got to stop it's got to stop so we had put him in the front of the house to act as the general manager just so we don't have to fire him because that is my partner's father can I help you with something are we talking with the customers flirting with the ladies and asking about the food in between business level I can't stand him in every night during hours he gets a waist up he gets so drunk bring it on hmm my favorite drink I like to drink ouzo we are gonna have music tonight [Music] to me it's that professional it's a nice life I like it get him on take him on beat us god is dangerous he could hurt you if he wants to hurt you people are terrified him no no one-minute leaf I'm telling you seat started getting calls from customers saying he scares everybody away so Tamara and I had to make a decision to remove him from the restaurant unbelievable he's a silent partner I'm about to have a nervous breakdown yes we got Aaron in to replace my father in the kitchen I'm looking for 53 calamari let's go I've only been here seven weeks and the whole ball of wax was fire I knew there had to be some changes but wasn't gonna be allowed to make them because the owners really happy with the menu it's just unfortunate that we have to take money from other avenues to try to make the place survive I'm the one that has the most investment I have almost a half a million dollars invested if we're about to lose this business I can't recover Scott feels that we are running the business into the ground and he's losing all of his money we owe fairway 11,000 dollars on the wheel back sales taxes we owe back payroll taxes when you start getting to on a government money then you know that's an issue if things don't change I don't know how to make the place survive [Music] taking advantage of the frozen lake warden snowmobiles his way to Jax Wow absolutely amazing this restaurant is centrally located at the heart of five great legs they're in trouble I don't know why and I'm about to find out unbelievable Jax Wow I'm actually not nervous but I don't hope he loves the food of course AJ so you the owner no but Scott is here and Mylar here yes and Scott is the bouncer no - are you in training or what I've been playing 24 years of six children are they real I'm one of the owners his son is in the other one Oh camera he'll be in the selfie okay good and there's one more somewhere nice to meet you another after meeting two owners and a general manager Gordon decides to talk to each of them individually so that they can be totally honest about the problems at Jax now what color are put in sixty five a week and Scott put 65 in No we had to move him out of the restaurant he was scaring my employees why was scores pushed out because he's lost enough customers because of the things that he did oh yeah complaints complaints and complaints why would you scare customers away you know I'm not sure you because I was intentional but I want to be more involved what's the problem with restroom we have terrible food what's the problem with the restroom I personally don't see a problem with the business it's really guarded okay what's the problem with the restaurants AJ Missy drinking beer and you know he drinks booze all the time you just turn around a drunkard fish shop that's what he does $100,000 a year hundred grand yes ridiculous oh my god three individuals three completely different story so I haven't even tasted the food yet where do you start oh my god okay here we go mmm right it's really important me to see as much as possible I would try this omelette here [Music] okay I'll definitely over the K on this and I'm gonna go after that for the honey pecan salmon okay and then good old-fashioned fish and chips oh yeah thanks excellent you just have been staring at me like some big musclehead meatball wait what - mold your crab with the cake it's not rhythmic crabmeat how do you want anybody to get the misconception artificial thank you my darling Wow the size of that that's a lot of crap and you haven't told me about decay yet oh he said he wanted everybody to know that it wasn't real crab it's artificial crab so he spelled it was a case so there was no misconception so he's faking crab meat in a seafood Russian on the water [Music] holy crap brother taste this that's going straight to the trash omelette didn't go over well doesn't like the crab in there i-i've never that was already here I didn't buy that stuff I don't want to use frozen fish it's not product that I'm absolutely overly proud of but at the same point I'm held accountable for all the inventory that the owners have paid for a little so far why we serving fake crab in our own way I don't he did that you're the general manager why are you not I give the choice have you been drinking nothing the crab was shocking embarrassing and fake it tastes disgusting have you tasted that crab no I'm extremely allergic to grab a shrimp so I mean there's needles crab in there I understand it's more efficient oh my gosh I'll let you finish early general manager my ass I'm being live he things that actually allowed him to do that for letting him serve those types of a ration so let's take Pam AJ is the general manager he's supposed to oversee the food and now I'm hoping and praying that Gordon says AJ is the one that's clean his business okay suddenly the best looking thing I've seen I'm really rubbery he's a frozen the fish I believe it's wrong it's frozen when you take a bite of that card it's almost like you've got a breaded condom in your mouth he said it was rubbery too greasy and just that it tasted like a frozen Cod and obviously hit it right on the bottom this is the same recipe that we've used here forever so I'm for change I want to change good Wow this one is the semolina dad thank you three I think just so sweet the dressing is like honey that's so much of it absolutely disgusting quite possibly one of the worst salmon dishes I've ever eaten it's a pretty successful opinion though after one of the worst meals he's ever had is a chef Aaron Gordon begins to explore how this perfectly situated seafood restaurant can serve such dreadful food that was horrendous why are you serving fake crab meat it's inventory that we have are we tasted that it's plain there's nothing to it it's just disgusting plastic it's exactly what it is the salmon dish that that is best sweet on sweet on sweet on sweet that's actually one of the top sellers that's why the place has got such a reputation for crap food it's still not clear who's in charge of the food he's in charge left board it's not sure I have no control I follow guys being thrown under the bus because all the recipes and the things that he didn't enjoy are things that were set in place before I even got here who's controlling the menu that what you wanted yeah but not at all I don't have nothing to do with food AJ I want answers there are certainties are not under my control you're the general manager I tried not to have it go home but I get overruled AJ has many excuses and never wants to own up to his faults it's terrible AJ is thought to be your responsibility you know long [Music] coming up Gordy's kitchen investigation confirms his worst fear hey hey yesterday I'm not happy to make matters worse no one is accountable the chef is a powerless man in the middle I can't talk with nobody listening and the finger-pointing is the only thing this restaurant does well a mess it's an explosive situation that might just be impossible for Gordon to fix oh my god can it get any worse on Kitchen Nightmares with no one taking responsibility for any of the problems Gordon knows the best way to get any answers is to observe tonight's dinner service okay how's that that cuts all right so first order we got tables mmm brother after working a full day at his other job who do you mean nice to meet you tammer the restaurants third partner arrives let me ask you straight out what do you think's wrong with the restaurant the food ahead unless it's inconsistent yeah and forget the father figure now but isn't AJ responsible for the food and beverage in terms of running the restaurant and the kitchen yes every time I asked AJ to what was going on he was blaming the owners they do have a more difficult position being here I'm working with my friends and my father who is my family and that makes everything very difficult it sucks the dining room chef it's good to meet you yeah likewise finally this rice has issues take this out and at least try to stir it up or something there's not enough depth in our kitchen yeah I got a big chunk here cute man they've been set in their ways I don't know that they want to conform to a change nope with a clear lack of support in the kitchen area Aaron has yet to send out the first wave of orders hi Lina's table 11 they don't have any food [Music] here's a big blue filet top 45 minutes into the dinner service and food is finally beginning to leave the kitchen [Music] keep it going 64 calamari I'll take any time as the dishes get rushed to the dining room customers are receiving food that's not exactly the way they ordered I'm well done steaks easiest thing in the world - curved rib eye we need this medium on the fly it was overcooked Sarah where the cheese is she said it she said it's terrible I didn't wake up the chicken operator on the fly okay he wants this under the heat for a little read it here - I'm gonna see Rosen foods like complicated unbelievable absolute meltdown not just to the kitchen with a dying as well just under 20 dishes have come back more frustratingly it's frozen food they can't even call that right unbelievable where'd your dad go I don't hey J is gonna have to get back up where is he [Music] AJ is a general manager here now and he needs to be overseeing the restaurant we're gonna take care of this and then you know please come back it's only gonna get better now just kind of climb around on me so much money lost you guys I'm getting K I'm giving away every damn meal that I have tonight everything I'm giving away free I also got the last hour everything we gave away is free Oh Mike's gonna get any worse I'm watching food gets thrown away in the garbage can that's my money going out the window it's just a disappointment I let it go on this long [Music] after a chaotic dinner service with numerous dishes coming back and comped food Gordon confronts the owners with an important question that has yet to be answered who has the final say at Jack we haven't come to an agreement on that we've only been in the business for one year JJ he's been in the business for 40 years and we were relying on that to drive us to where we needed to be and he has let us down that's the truth that's what it is right so that's a tough spot for you yes my dad has made many mistakes here but my partners need to step up and understand he's my father and that makes everything very difficult you have to separate the father-son nothing to do with business you have to let go that's the first and foremost crucial thing in this restaurant understandable I think AJ is the main reasons why this business is extremely in halt and he's still taking his damn check every damn week we AJ you're the one that makes all the money not us you know I put the money up not for you to lose it I put it up because AJ was supposed to be a 40-year restaurant let me say something I hate parties big parties buy thousands of dollars and that's a thankfulness I get from this man he's acting like a child you know be a man face up story after story after story after story I'm [Music] there's so much food coming back last night that's not normal in any restaurant so I decided get in early this morning have a good look round what any members of staff come in [Music] that is salmon that's just marinated in it's like an Italian dressing oh dear what's this seafood restaurant on the water tuna and dyed pink to make it look authentic like unbelievable here we have alla fine the mushroom risotto great risotto alarmed by the state of the kitchen Gordon is anxious to take the staff on a tour good morning there's something I want to show you guys yeah come with me come in the general hygiene this fridge is a joke I come around walking around I only go up to speed looking the greediest chicken what is that is that just taken from the steam table and dumped on the trolley in and whisk yeah yeah that's exactly what it is that should be straight in the trash Oh yesterday yeah I'm not happy whoever's responsible 40 years in the business well experience do you have to seriously start opening your eyes this place is not right here we've got no charge I didn't add not that what's going on item after item Oh I was pissed what's this here Emily was miffed up see bits input [Music] huh nice analysis AJ it's pretty terrible and you know a lot of it lies on AJ there's no excuse for it and that's the that's the classical day ladies and gentlemen is a risotto take a good look unfortunately it's not drawing serious is best it's a joke look at the color of the chicken AJ you've got to see AJ I do see it doesn't want to deal with the back bounce the back house is falling apart that's my frustration I'm sorry but it's not right it's got to be somebody's responsibility it's the owners fault what would that blame yourself for that time I'm not gonna blame her for that unbelievable trusting my dad is obviously not working look at where all our money is gone I'm really mad right now I can't go on like this get everyone together we're gonna just get everything cleaned up start scrubbing walls cleaning all the stoves getting rid of all that food in there whatever's dirty garbage while the staff and owners clean the kitchen Chef Ramsay meets with local fishermen how are you why are you reading it to see what Jax is not taking advantage of just outside its doors fresh fish the ice is what a foot deep ah nice is actually about tonight inches besides that tiny little rod yeah try it a couple times you might get something that got tracks of my god he feels something then he pull it up touch I mean very tasty oh you ever get into Jack's to me oh yes they do what's the food like in there I don't like their fish so much because they use a little bit too much sauces and kind of lose the actual flavor of their real fish you know yeah guess I'm on there I think got a fish pull it pull it pull it up oh yeah there you go you got one very good yes it's just a nasty it is nasty and I've had people tell me what I eat at your restaurant I get sick and I start laughing thinking ah they're just full of they're not they do get sick gross this is God look at the may not bad cash today fantastic now I'm gonna turn this into a really nice chowder okay once you guys are finishing to come over the bowl [Music] after an informative afternoon with the locals Chef Ramsay introduces the first of many changes designed to get Jax back on track June and you and I are gonna make a chowder I'm gonna serve it in a bread basket something simple finished fresh local caught fish let's go I'm pretty excited to prepare this food I figured that some of these changes are gonna be what does it for us such a horrible making onions celery and with a touch of Tabasco oh my gosh I'm standing here next to Chef Ramsay he's showing me food that he likes and he thinks will work you better take advantage of it it's all I can think of right a really nice chowder yeah I'm gonna do a little poached salmon as well so someone in three or four minutes in there the whole thing passed it is fresh out of the core boo Yong you brought over to easy dishes to make the pressure less on the line and they say yeah I hope you are with the special set Gordon decides to implement one other change to the dinner service Scott you said you want to be more involved tonight run a section present the menu welcome them hand over take the order push the specials and serve Scott is gonna get beat up really bad tonight but I'd like to laugh at them a little bit he's gonna be running your station tonight give him your apron yes I think we got enough string to go around and yeah prove that you're not some scary monster wants to beat the crap out over tea does that large egg have a smile or not sure okay good luck push them together with customers starting to arrive Scott is embracing being a waiter the kitchen seems ready with the new specials how may I in the window communicate with you and everyone seems ready to make tonight's service a success we have balsamic or vinegar if we don't have balsamic is raspberry okay okay he's doing good there's nothing I didn't watch what he's doing great why is his head tilted like that I don't know did what happen to have everything right off three days thinking Rollie pollie like a chimpanzee hang another cage looking for something I'll give you something unfair yeah it's a half hour into dinner service and the new fresh seafood specials are a popular choice fish chowder at seafood jump as the tickets pile in three special salmon in a chowder the challenge now is getting the food out special wipes I'd call for stuff and they be not listening to my organization and what I wanted to have come up to the hot plate one piece of salmon did you season it with salt like I said you did I need it yesterday get it done not one table came out of this kitchen completed yet come on it's so frustrating looking at the cooks behind the line because they don't actually give a damn so Aaron's got his work cut out and you can't work with that dead wood no chance with Aaron's orders falling on deaf ears I'm dying dying for those Alfredo's very little food has left the kitchen look you guys it didn't say cheese on the ticket I can't have cheese on the burger what are we gonna do we gotta fix it I don't know nothing for the waiting forever for this food beyond oh god no very special god I need a new bond for this kid burger please Anton give me a new bond on now Erin look at me he's got to do it yeah you can't lop up for them when we run that come right back for that kid burger please [Applause] the place to go going down and plane the tickets are backed up nothing's coming out it turned into a total disaster an hour into dinner service virtually no food has left the kitchen our God and Aaron who's only been working at the restaurant for a matter of weeks just toast me a croissant I needed yesterday now faces the prospect of running the kitchen alone why do my items take so long there's too much of a head here I want to talk to you about it seriously to get it right I need every one of you have to step up them up this raishin hasn't got long to go unless we change we're changing with or without you so Doozer chef says and listen okay it was good that Chef Ramsay came in he kicked them between the legs and maid said hey did you gather and get out 84 come on my way right girl fry okay special pink Oh perch up top 84 good food is finally coming out of the kitchen and Scott is finally getting comfortable as a waiter now getting up anything anyway guys although diners are enjoying the new seafood specials the rest of the menu is a disaster that's not meant well plates gonna go straight back to the kitchen whoever's cooking the shrooms overcook me they got a no before service here we tell them after the next dish is gonna be overcooked as well could be done straightaway okay yeah customer can wait AJ when they're in a crunch in the kitchen AJ is sometimes gets confused AJ AJ who's calling me of course we laugh cuz he waddles away but at the end of the day it's really not funny cute you need to know first my friend and then they stop overcooking it that's your job we got a complaint on the shrimp Iren listen listen we got a plate on the shrimp here's before Lee cook food was undercooked food or they weren't happy with the food we lost it lost control is that ready this is not ready oh come on Big Boy sigit it go down quick another choice honey we get better service at a shelter everything was screwed up give it to me again without all the grease in the bottom food got screwed up I do the whole sandwich remain but this stop [Music] with yet another meltdown in the kitchen Chef Ramsay knows drastic changes are needed there's no one behind there that respect you enough as the head chef and you need to stamp your authority on that kitchen I mean a joke it is a joke you're not your style they're there to support you and I'm more off with you AJ because you pass it to it if this was my restaurant your seller would be cut by 50% half your salary can benefit crucial areas that need supporting right now that's a big thing he is the motivation for me being here so cutting my dad's salary that's not a simple thing to do and I'm not a heartless cold-hearted person come on there's gonna be major changes we're relaunching this place and I am gonna have them crammed in here like sardines coming up just do me one favor don't it up can Aaron take charge of the kitchen is taco this taco this taco how long will any of the owners finally support their chef you guys are killing me down there you're bringing the whole kitchen to it and will Scott the intimidating partner go too far only person I should be giving orders back here Aaron everybody [Music] that's coming up on Kitchen Nightmares in order to be ready for the relaunch Gordon's team works all night to make Jax a more inviting seafood restaurant [Music] yeah we've made some really nice exciting subtle changes it's beautiful very cool it's awesome this is fun for the kids yes a wonderful fish what do you think the boys in the ceiling sojust modernizes up freshens it up and no more faded wood I hated those walls before nice little fresh fish tanks on the wall yes there's no fish in there we've got the little fish tanks along the wall as well just so when you sent her those boobs you have some fun I was like wow especially because I thought the only answer this place was a bulldozer it's incredible how he took something so simple and made it so warm and inviting us it's great thank you so much you're probably wondering why the Rope is on the table yes this is the new menu yes yeah and on the back of the menu yeah we have some fun with the knots the kitchen at such a time when we get backed up how far yes that's awesome so cool Chef Ramsay took a real simple he took a nautical theme we had me ran with it and some simple nice light touches and it's great I love what he did here it's warm it feels friendly I love it thank you now that the decor has been freshened up Gordon introduces the most critical change for this restaurant and new menu fresh mussels cupcakes fresh oysters the fish tacos jet nice push someone exactly like last night's fresh delicious I'm glad the whole menus gone I thought that menu was crap when I got here now that it's gone I'm pretty excited to prepare this food my favorites yeah fish and chips yeah with homemade tartar sauce do you now stand proudly and announce that Jax has the best fish and chips in Michigan okay the menu is incredible I'm excited to actually be a part of this new restaurant in Hitchin words needed ignite we're relaunching Jax tonight and we're starting afresh people are gonna come back to this place and finally enjoy coming back to Jax again okay we're ready with relaunch night upon them Jax not only has a new menu to content with but a winter storm as well this is crazy it's a winter storm but it hasn't stopped anybody from coming in these cars are backed up nearly half a mile now jack is back and if this doesn't work on relaunch night I'll take that rope and hang all three of them over the side unbelievable may its coal [Music] we're gonna keep kids entertained I know this - no you can't I you can play that's something that I like yeah everybody loves the new remodeling we did so they're having a lot of fun there's no room for error I'm the chef I need control my brigade Oh chicken we user Mike what do my best to be the strongest chef that I can be here with customers clearly excited about the new Jax the restaurant fills to capacity and the kitchen faces a monumental test okay sell me a fish taco Jimmy fish taco have long let's go okay I can't talk with nobody listen II know God's answer him please fish taco fish taco this taco I'm dying i grill fry here man with Aaron still fighting to get his staff on board I saw sorry there's a little bit of old up in there customers who ordered fried food are getting restless they know there's a new look right but bear with us if it takes color minutes before the police under massive stress I got food dying buried by Grove I'm not getting any other food everybody else's food is coming up they're burying me girl fries getting beaten AJ till I need him deport me with me I need a fishing ship to sell right now I can't stress enough in aging he has 40 years plus experience of course I throw him in the kitchen to help us out I need your roasted chicken when AJ came back here to help table numbers are you feeding me AJ devil 14101 AJ I sold 41 like 45 minutes ago okay never mind you have to communicate you have to community yeah better than that better than that County the same pond do I get a possum to snack on Sue's Charles Oh mija unbelievable 243 customers all so far Islands backed up in the kitchen he's asked for help AJ's got in there and made it worse if they're not careful this place can sink I will see what's holding up those appetizers okay coconut shrimp Lena how long you guys are killing me down there you're bringing the whole kitchen to it we're gonna have to slow the city down like a these guys cannot keep up I'm hearing it where's my fries where's my fish and then I don't hear her it's up in one minute I'm up in two minutes I wasn't hearing nothing smells like screw that [Music] I don't want to hear no damn arguing back here I hear people screaming at each other the only person that should be giving orders [Music] [Music] guys are killing me down there are you bringing the whole kitchen to an end with anarchy in the kitchen only person that should be giving orders back here with Aaron everybody the former silent partner decided it was time to speak up [Music] all right that's it believable this guy came back here and he showed that he gave you nowhere before I'd never see Scott that actually helped me okay let's go I'm looking for a fish taco taco thank you beautiful it's nice-looking food with Aaron now finally controlling his kitchen boarders are getting to the customers a lot quicker I almost have a smile on my face guys i mumble smiley [Music] I love in the food yeah keep it going I said I'm morning got an iced tea with you okay I agree as dinner winds down thank you guys there's a problem with the night's final order of onion rings metella undercooked we're on the clock chef Aaron clearly follows Gordon's advice and demands quality food and respect from his staff martini what are you doing Swami cigarette did you sell this thing those onion rings earlier so you can go do that no go look in there man I'll not onion rings have been beautiful look out don't touch them I'll drop them we got it right now it can't happen good last table tonight and the food has to be just as good at the end of the eighties in the beginning holding his staff accountable till the last minute Aaron is finally acting like a head chef Scott yes good job with what you do with the kitchen oh thanks I steal my partners realize that you know what I can be a benefit here enjoy this help me redeem myself to my partners I think that Gordon Ramsay saved my friendship my partnership and this business [Music] only for the first time in this restaurant saw each and every one of the owners working their ass off nothing you were fragmented it was together we fixed the biggest problem in Jax and that was the food now you know what it's like to maintain that Tama what's the most important thing you've got out of this week I got a partner seriously it was important a lovely compliment when I first met you big boy honestly I think your days were numbered the rumors the crap and you've turned it around we know what we're doing if we put our minds together and we work together and we can fill this place absolutely right there's only one thing excuse me tammer I though we've all admitted that you know we've kind of put ourselves out there a jade never admitted to nothing you know a lot of this was his fault I never said I have no faults and I did the best I can with all the hours that liter per second on that exact point you are here way too much to be effective I know you think you're effective we don't think you're effective in 80 hours a week AJ's it would be the most generous thing you could do as a father for each son to step back cutting back on the hours and cutting back on the pay not a problem yeah not a problem help Scott Bell and Tanner will see that the hours I put here were needed to run the business they probably will see it maybe on my deathbed they'll confess it but not before then as hard that with that I was very I've been agonizing over that conversation it wasn't a personal thing at all it was it's needed for him too he can't be here that many hours it's good for everybody I can't wait yes to get back yes you were bringing you to the gym when you come back take care Gordon thank you good all right guys thank you for everything keep pumping yes yes sir after Gordon left in the days that followed bill Scott and Tamre gave Aaron the full authority to run the kitchen the menu and the staffing [Music] tonight Aaron immediately fired two cooks and brought in two experienced sous chefs they don't know the way it was before and there'll be a new standard set and the partners realized although it was difficult they needed a new general manager to take over Jax and so they fired AJ he let it happen and what is done he did to his right you're right I can't burn it on me you're right it just sucks that it is cuz that's your dad but you got my support firing my dad is what I need for this place to survive and he's gonna back us up on what we need to do just like any father would that loves her son we're now moving in the right direction we actually finally know what we're doing I think it's awesome we do back here Thank You Gordon this was an experience of a lifetime good three of us as owners have never been as close as we are right now [Music] [Music]

Channel: Kitchen Nightmares - Full Episodes

Views: 1,069,471

Rating: 4.8971777 out of 5

Keywords: Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay, Cooking, Food, Food Competition, Restaurants, Fine Dining, Dining, Chef, Reality TV, Classic TV, Television, Reality, FilmRise, Free, Free TV

Id: EmneQ_FjsvE

Length: 43min 42sec (2622 seconds)

Published: Wed Apr 17 2019