The Art of Staying the Course: My Journey with Chef Ramsay and Michael's Rise to Leadership

I still remember the day I first walked into Leon, my restaurant in Monclair. The atmosphere was chaotic, with a lazy owner sitting in his pizza area watching TV. It was clear that something was amiss, but I had no idea just how dire the situation was until Chef Ramsay arrived on the scene. With his tough-love approach and high culinary standards, he quickly took charge of the restaurant and began to implement changes.

One of the most significant changes was Michael's newfound confidence as a leader. Under Chef Ramsay's guidance, he found his voice and learned to take control of the restaurant. It wasn't always easy, but with each passing day, he grew more confident and self-assured. His newfound assertiveness was a breath of fresh air, and it was clear that he was determined to make things right.

The turning point came when Chef Ramsay sat down with me and offered some sage advice: "stay the course." It was easy for him to say, but I knew it wouldn't be easy for Michael. He had to want it more than anyone else. But with Chef Ramsay's encouragement, he began to take small steps towards recovery. He started by rallying his team and getting everyone on the same page.

The results were nothing short of amazing. The food began to improve, and the kitchen became a well-oiled machine once again. Michael took his newfound confidence and used it to drive the restaurant forward. He became a natural leader, inspiring his team to work harder and strive for excellence. And as the weeks went by, Leon started to flourish.

One of the most impressive things about Michael's transformation was the way he worked with Chef Ramsay. He listened to every word, took constructive criticism to heart, and used it to make positive changes in the restaurant. It was a true partnership, with both Michael and Chef Ramsay working together towards a common goal. And as they worked side by side, it became clear that Michael had finally found his place in the world.

The final product was nothing short of phenomenal. The food was exquisite, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It was clear that Michael had truly taken to the helm of the restaurant, and it showed in every aspect of the business. And as I looked around at the bustling dining room, I knew that Leon was once again a place where people came to enjoy delicious food and good company.

But what really changed for me was the way Chef Ramsay believed in Michael. He saw something in him that no one else did – potential. And he took it upon himself to help him realize that potential. It was a powerful thing to see, watching Michael grow from a struggling owner into a confident leader. And I knew that I had Chef Ramsay to thank for it.

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. Leon continued to thrive under Michael's leadership, and I couldn't be prouder of what we'd accomplished. It was a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a bit of tough love from Chef Ramsay. And as I looked around at the bustling restaurant, I knew that we had truly found our groove.

The most surprising thing about Michael's transformation was the way he took his newfound confidence and used it to drive the restaurant forward. He became a natural leader, inspiring his team to work harder and strive for excellence. And as the weeks went by, Leon started to flourish. The food improved, the service became more efficient, and the atmosphere became warm and welcoming.

One of the things that really stood out was Michael's ability to stay the course. When faced with challenges and setbacks, he didn't give up. Instead, he dug deep and found a way to overcome them. And it wasn't just about him – it was about his team, too. He rallied them around him, and together they worked towards a common goal.

As I looked around at the bustling dining room, I knew that Michael had truly taken to the helm of the restaurant. It was clear in every aspect of the business – from the food to the service to the atmosphere. And as I watched him work with Chef Ramsay, I saw a partnership unlike any other. They worked together like two pieces of a puzzle, each one complementing the other perfectly.

The final product was nothing short of phenomenal. The food was exquisite, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It was clear that Michael had finally found his place in the world – as the leader of Leon, the hottest restaurant in town. And as I looked around at the bustling dining room, I knew that he would always be there to guide it forward.

As for me, I couldn't be prouder of what we'd accomplished. It was a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a bit of tough love from Chef Ramsay. And as I looked around at the bustling restaurant, I knew that we had truly found our groove.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: entonight on Kitchen Nightmares Gordon heads to planfield New Jersey to turn around a soul food restaurant what system are we following that is run with an iron fist I want you guys off the line by an owner named Shelly even though her restaurant is failing miserably the doors will close your livelihood is on the line she refuses to listen to anybody not her staff Dwayne be quiet not her mother it is not over it's over or even Chef Ramsey sh I'm coming and while there are huge problems with the food I need the toilet holy crap the deor I feel like Donald sum is going to come through the door and the conditions oh my god wow the biggest problem is sh I can't believe this can Chef Ramsey saved this restaurant from an owner who is in complete denial you have to get out of denial it doesn't really matter to me what other people think one thing's for sure you won't believe How It Ends I'm punch him in the face that's tonight CL damn place down on a shocking Kitchen Nightmares shut it down let's go it's over what is that disgusting crap you're done I'm done I'm not shut the place down get out of here that is amazing you I just can't thank you enough planfield New Jersey a middle class city with a strong sense of community and smack in the middle of town is a soul food restaurant named blackberries run by a one successful caterer named Shelley Withers hello the gang's all here huh my catering business was fantastic I had such a tremendous following it just seemed natural that I would move on to open a restaurant Hi how are you welcome and with her mother Mary investing her entire retirement fund into the restaurant Shell's Dream came true daddy put the check in the bank this afternoon oh okay I think it's a parents responsibility to be supportive of their children I am so happy with the way the restaurant turned down the decor is phenomenal I'm not sure if I understand the records blackberries has the best sold food in town no doubt fried collard greens is my favorite I don't know what I'm doing wrong the shrimp was firm that's cuz I forgot I'm on the stove perfect location perfect food but where are my customers the problem is shell is in Den nowal she thinks that the decor is amazing and the food tastes spectacular I like it but the food is suffering the customers are suffering and in the restaurant except for it the macaroni actually Shel believes that all of her food is better than any chef out Dear to done to done is perfect she feels this is the way I want it it tastes good it doesn't matter what someone else thinks about it it being my restaurant I'm going to have it my way I don't want the food to touch I say it every day and you're doing it to me anyway right it don't make sense to me shell is a super control freak to the 110th power I need you to knock these down just get it out what what what system are we following here it's no system we have 16 people working back here and 16 people doing their own system table five right there in the front where is it please guys it's hot back here why is everybody back here cuz we ain't got no food down here she thinks she knows what she's doing when she's actually has no idea what she's doing tell me what I can do to help I don't I don't understand what's going on brings a lot of chaos here let me see that PL she's helping the restaurant to fail even more not that many customers though huh things are bad I'm $200,000 in Deb I'm barely holding on here I got $14 to my name broke like I tell Shelly it's just not only her if this restaurant fails because I have sacrificed a lot to make sure that the doors didn't close I believe in the power of prayer I think Chef Ramsay is the answer to her prayers what an amazing Buzzy little town great location for restaurant okay hello hello good afternoon welcome to Blackberry thank you very happy to be here I'm to have you here wow look at this place somebody having a party no no party we're just having um lunch okay great let me see you okay s over here and this big boy there who's that this is J James James what's your job general manager stop it with a baby face like that you can't be management get out of here you look about 18 how old are you I'm 30 years old wow amazing aging well and this is Mom Mary Mother Mary yes sir you look great nice to what did you do the cakes the pies the desserts really she's our Baker okay grace Ramsey is here I don't want to be sweating all over him can I kiss him can I give him a kiss and thank him for coming or what about to be all right with him hey how are you how are you how you doing good to see you're running around pleasure you're busy AR you I have to be somebody's got get it done how long you been here uh 3 years who designed this place I feel like Donna Summer's going to come through the door that would be Michelle I think that would be me oh I absolutely love the decor and dance party that's me wow excuse me okay hello darl look at those beautiful blue eyes I asked my fiance if I could kiss you see he's our manager the one yeah oh come on sexy right you'll get arrested for credle snatching Hey general manager come hear you get that beard over here you didn't tell me that you're dating the owner we are excuse me we are engaged amazing and was it Love at First Bite yeah wow way to a man heart is a stom oh man he's a little younger than I am but he's my sexy chocolate let me sit down have a quick look through the menu start ordering thank you thank you for come and gon I'm going to see as much as I can okay uh right let's go for uh collar greens that smothered pork chop sounds delicious let's go for some mac and cheese as well please okay the chitlins and desserts how's the bread velvet cake delicious okay great very well I'm starving we're going to put your order in excellent all right guys we have our order for Chef all right let's do it I really think that Chef Ramsay is going to say that the food is phenomenal with the pork chop put some M this is not hot this is the craziest Decor I've ever seen wow another record yeah they're all over so first name is Eloise uh what's oh oh Jesus what happened was it the fried chicken or the cornbread what what when chiens oh goodness I have no idea I never seen that before oh oh my god did somebody head but the wall it was shocking to find that it was a hole in the wall with a record on it I was just like oh my God like what the hell is that doing there I've heard about broken records but Jesus Christ okay let's get out of here quick I'm afraid to touch any other records all right here you go oh now you know that is a pretty plate right Shel is delusional about how fabulous her food is I hate the macaroni and cheese just looks like crap on a plate this is pork chop this SM pork chop thank you look like someone shout on my plate it's just dry that's Bland nothing's seasoned there how's your pork chop the pork chop is dry the mac and cheese is way up cooked very mushy you think a soul food restaurant would Pride itself on cooking mac and cheese but no it's just all is that heated in the microwave then no I think they just put it in the in the oven to warm for our lunch service thank you what's wrong he's saying that the macaroni and cheese is dry and overcooked o he asked me how we warmed it in the microwave I told them no it just came out of the oven they may have put it in the microwave for a minute only for a minute though everything is cooked to Perfection there is nothing on that menu that is not perfect okay here we go I'm taking over now five collard green move it to the middle put an orange chip in the middle that's it how can you actually say this a soci restaurant or the collard greens are not tasting like collard greens since it's just like pepper soil you know you can't half tasting like that tell Chef I said to taste those collard greens they're perfect here you go Chef collard greens wow okay great thank you very much indeed wow it's blant no seasoning it's just fried and Soggy and Limp uh James what do you think you got to eat it all together if you eat it all together mhm it should well I did eat it all together it still stayed Bland thank you my God what is he saying about our stuff now little blend oh my God col greens it's great he's crazy where's the chitlins at it's in M they're delicious every we get one out of three we might be all right and this is the chitlins in Okra okay chiplets I mean I know chiplets are the intestine but should they really stink before I do taste them I'd like to pray to God before I put any of that in my mouth in Jesus name in Jesus name you are blessed we rebuke the spirit of the devil you are prayed over we guarantee you that you are not about to succumb to those chitlings hallelujah amen am in Jesus name you'll be fine I just had to pray over chef before he ate the chers what the there's no prayers are going to save me on this one oh my God Chets LS I need the toilet excuse me I knew they'd come out quicker than they went in Chef Ry is a mess oh those CH is and gr they have that one up holy crap are you kidding me oh my god oh they stink oh shall he be taking it lightly and not seriously at all is he in the children's bathroom I'm not sure but I guess the prayer didn't work oh dear dear you're not used to that soul food huh midle thank you I want to see what's going on oh Jesus so we've got the velv Mom Mary makes all of our desserts Mom Mary thank you you're welcome wow that is delicious finally some good food wow how do you like this yeah delicious well done wow had to wait till the end I've been saved by Mother Mary of course the red velvet that momy makes is going to be beautiful right cuz Mommy made it I'mma to punch him in the face you watching s just show me into the kitchen please yes sure well yep the chef is on his way back I'm scared I I would I'm scared to bring him here Shel doesn't listen when Ramsey gets back there in the kitchen we'll see if she even opens up to any suggestions or not Hi how are you how are you nice to meet you M ma good to see you Budd lightwise pleasure and this isce likewise good to see you buddy uh so I've just had an embarrassing lunch let's start from the top pork chop dry blend no seasoning and the macaroni cheese was an embarrassment the fried color greens there's no seasoning everything's just fried so just tasted of oil and horrible the chitlin but the smell of them almost made me want a gag I absolutely do not believe that there's that much wrong with my food who is the head chef here I am show me tonight okay why you think you are the head chef all right as Shelly and the staff prepare for dinner service woo it food is good up you know to my standing jef Ramsey returns and is greeted by an unexpected guest oh what is that bloody hell damn oh my god wow it's just 10 minutes before the doors to blackberries open and Chef Ramsey is greeted by something unexpected bloody hell that have you got a bin yes Jeff the moves just by the front door huh I it's by the door no we just had the Exterminator you paid for the Exterminator sure get your money back okay that's not funny I've got an incinerator outside can you take that no as a general manager do something with it the mouse the mouse it was in the entrance as I walked in on baby mouse a mouse we always have the Exterminator once a month for prevention are you serious no way up M come on at the front door not even in the kitchen he guys be careful of mice can you show me where you found that at is that the front door like where oh where's the front door in your mind I can't believe that I came in the door walked in there saw him bang right there right here do you have it on FM are you kidding me what you thought I brought it in out of my pocket yeah I think you did are you are you are you dreaming I arrived the mouse was there never never never here never there was no no never no mouse right here right okay AB so we had the Exterminator last week they come on regular occasions we have an issue with mice that's why you have have an exterminator we we don't have an issue with M an exterminator comes in regular just let's let's you and I do a little investigation let's go Dwayne when was the last time you spotted a moue in here I've never seen one never seen one good except that one that was under the steam table that was dead a few months back almost a year back he found a mouse in the front door I've never been so embarrassed and humiliated in my life this is ridiculous really ridiculous and sad I never seen a m him perhaps you planted that um Mouse and you were suggesting that I brought it in I was like hm I put it together like just for TV shate maybe I I wish you would talk a little bit of sense the TV put your money where your mouth is in front of your staff I want a meeting upstairs with you and everybody now pulling mice out of his pockets and stuff you got to take some responsibility for something man how you going to help this if everybody keep bullshitting man a moue in the front don't matter it's it's mice infested all over this place it can happen it can happen Shelly huh can I have a two seconds please okay or all of you this is very very important I was telling seeing him like almost like plant that uh verman everything mhm so just look at James for me two seconds I walked in the front door a mouse the mouse that you planted I know they told me but it's okay no it's not okay a show it's got nothing to do with TV nothing to do with your business in the I am not going to stand there and even attempt to take that crap from you you can take your restaurant and stick it I'm gone I'm out of it you out of here I'm out of here excuse me go see you later shut it down let's go it's over after discovering a mouse in the restaurant do you have it on film and being accused of planting it it's the mouse that you plan it I know Chef Ramsey has had enough take your restaurant and stick it I gone you out of here I'm out of here excuse me go see you later shut it down let's go it's over it is not over could you please shut up I mean it's ridiculous it's ridiculous I have worked tremendously trying to support my child and I don't understand you know it's I I I don't understand what's happening today honest to God I don't please don't leave know I'm out of a please don't you're exaggerating can I talk to can I talk to you just you I I take back what I said as far as you doing something like that I don't want to defame your character but it just was I'm lost for words that that happened and it it just it it just like shocked me and I I apologize that's the most sensible thing I've heard you say since I've been here thank you the combination of mother Mary's plea and an apology by James are enough to keep Chef Ramsey at blackberries welcome to blackberries at least for now your Serv this evening will be Tina she'll be right with you the grandma origal Fried Chicken okay so brick and I'm going to get macaroni and cheese all right ladies let me put his orders in first order shrimping grits we probably be a shrimp and grit KN am I saying right got a a free burer walk there is that a pizza oven yes that's my pizza oven and the walk I love it Chef sh how can you cook soul food in a walk watch me chef watch me soul food is supposed to be cooked slowly Soul cook with love and soul not in a walk Shell's cooking green beans in a walk cooking rice in a walk cabbage in a walk we're not a Chinese soul food restaurant we don't need a walk okay that's the first for me a sou food restaurant with a Chinese walk and a pizza oven and you have a oven that doesn't work right there tell me what's working apart from you we haven't had correct work in ovens we don't have the correct store thec correct frers grills you know how can we produce really great food if we don't have really great ovens how' you manage to try won TR like that very hard a lot of prayer after discovering unusual and dysfunctional equipment in this soul food restaurant Chef Ramsey turns his attention to Shelly and how she runs her kitchen Fried Chicken please how many weit Mees do you need Fried Chicken ma if I'm going to call the artist you can't call the arti hone do your chicken let's get one's thing straight can you please work on ticket one we are are we I mean I don't understand what you're doing you're walking in damn Circle Shelly has no concept of what it means to actually run a proper functional kitchen pora one ticket at a time I need you to do for that's what I'm doing okay just one just do one that's what that's how I do one just make it and send it that's it make it and send it unbelievable and where's the control Chef the the system what what system are we following here it's like there's no system I mean this is a j if you try to get one she wants to argue you down you know she wants to argue you down and make it s like you're the Run that's wrong or it can't be run like that it's no making sense or it's to down there look down there of them down there I want you guys off the line just go watch out just back up it's getting ridiculous already it's been an hour and a half she just kind of want to get up and move how long are you waiting wa close hour an hour my first time in here and it's dysfunctional it doesn't seem to be one person controlling it I have the recipes I'm the exact oh my God sh thinks she knows what she's doing when she's actually has no idea what she's doing we need a miracle a prayer hands un bending knees because this is going to the shits here we go Fried Chicken despite the ongoing chaos in the kitchen dishes somehow make their way to the dining and that's the result you wait 90 minutes and this is what you're lucky to get it's crazy in there huh huh that it's crazy in there always in there's a war zone always huh always welcome to Blackberry St ROM bloody hell what a welcoming it's day two of at blackberries and Chef Ramsey knows that before he can Implement changes he has to focus on how this restaurant is run and so he starts the day with the staff meeting I want to go round now to identify things that you know that are wrong with the business and things that you'd like to change in the business I think um one thing is I've known Shelly we kind of grew up together and she is a control freak if she does not see it being imp it the same way that she would do it she's going to jump in and she's going to take over but is it overbearing is it too controlling yes it's either her way or the highway and it inhibits anyone to show off their skills or what they can do or what they can bring to the restaurant but you have someone that's down your throat constantly and really doesn't know what they're doing if you were so right obviously the restaurant wouldn't be failing or in the situation that is in but that's a very valid point you've employed some talented individuals okay por Shel needs to learn how to delegate responsibility she can't be Hands-On all the time it creates a problem oh my God Shelly in all honesty you take somebody out of what they're supposed to be doing and make them do something else and that's one thing you got to realize and that happens more often than I think that you talk too much and you know too much this is the that's what makes this so rough at one time or another everybody has been pushed off position Dwayne calm down I'm not I wasn't upset I tried to tell you something I'm asking you to calm down I'm not I'm not I want you to leave good night I don't have a problem with much cuz the honesty hurts the truth hurts going to fix that we're going to fish that Dwayne just bear with me for 2 minutes sit down please okay goodness what is wrong with you I made one comment what's become evident is how fragmented we are but that starts from the top chef Shelly have to learn how to listen everybody tries to communicate with her and support her but if she's going to be stubborn and not listen the doors will close and that would just break my heart I mean tremendously from now on in open honest dialogue got it yes Shelly shell I can't hear you I'm listening no we're all in together are we going to be open-minded I have been open-minded as far as I'm concerned Why did you say that this is not a joke your livelihood is on the line I mean you're in a serious serious position there's no reason why you cannot be open and honest because my I'm 72 years old and I thank God that I've been able to live this long and these are the most important things that I try to project listen to what this gentleman has to say I want to move forward I'm here to help right and the direction is to you Shelly because there's some valuable information that we've just listened to we know you're the boss what you haven't got right now is a successful restaurant and everyone in this room including me I here to make that a success but you have to get out of denial okay agreed agree I can't hear you agree thank you only time will tell whether shell has really understood what the staff was saying come with me let's go in the kitchen let's get to work but Chef Ramsey has already implemented a drastic change in the kitchen oh my God God oh my God oh my God I called a friend Kelly quip and he arranged for a brand new frer and a state-ofthe-art six ring burner an amazing convection of from South bent incredible oh a six burner sto Tyrone I just can't believe unbelievable I've had it done especially for your baking as well oh oh my God I'm bursting at the seams just I I just can't believe it oh man this is awesome is the walk gone there's no way in Earth we can start to move forward cooking on a Chinese walk a walk that you cannot cook soul food on we got have a proper system here where's the walk I am definitely going to miss my walk but it's just going to be an adjustment for me oh my God I just can't believe this happy father God I just can't thank you enough Hallelujah Lord I'm glad you're happy oh this is just so wonderful this is truly truly a blessing Chef ramsy is he's unbelievable I truly believe in the power of prayer I prayed so hard that you would come and that you were going to turn this restaurant around I'm just so overwhelmed I thank you so much now that the kitchen has functional equipment okay there's one thing that's missing here that's the structure what what system are we following here we're going to work as a team Chef Ramsey appoints a leader tomorrow night my team yes I want you cooking and Expediting yes chef Remy help Implement a system to help this restaurant run very smoothly from now until forever I'm going to make something very very simple with you all now just a stunning mac and cheese he also works with the chefs on some new cooking techniques golden brown take a spoon and have a little taste Chef Ramsey has suggestions I'm going to do my best to be as open as I can but I just I don't know we are going to reopen this restaurant tomorrow night with a system one voice one leader yes and work as a team yes a system don't change it coming up shell I'm coming it's the relaunch of blackberries I don't want to hear it will Shelly be able to handle the changes bye goodbye goodbye and later a surprise ending we have worked our ass off you have to see to believe close the damn place down after the implementation of a new system in the kitchen Chef Ramsey and his team work through the night to give the dining room a much needed makeover okay good morning excited to see inside yeah yes let's go welcome to the new back BRD oh my god oh no oh my God oh my God oh look at this so when I first arrived here there was the cafeteria the menu on the wall and it just lost that inter the SE now it's the restaurant gone is the cafeteria you have a wonderful amazing new restaurant brand new tables brand new chairs it's a totally different place place look at my yes I promise you they're not your records I love my new restaurant the artwork the tables it's like a dream come true I absolutely love it the soul is back I'm just so excited and so grateful I'm just overwhelmed Shel how'd you feel I feel great oh oh oh that's right thank God my middle name James right now that blackberries has an updated look now for the exciting part the food oh wow Chef Ramsey has created a fresh new soul food menu to match it what we've done is taking some of the dishes and modernize them a little bit give them a bit of a a new twist starting off with the blackeyed Pea fritters delicious barbecue p po sliders wonderful starter Entre fried chicken and waffles with a honey butter oh SN I love that a Southern Meat loaf sandwich done with mac and cheese and a spicy delaz like a really nice rich spicy ketchup oh man I love it I love it shell look like she was embracing the change very well I'm glad that Chef Hy finally broke through to her is that beautiful dig in and have a taste oh my God fried chicken and waffles and blackberries this menu is great wow I think I have a winning combination here Chef did it food atmosphere we're ready ooh that's Heaven it's relaunch night at blackberries okay we're about to open we put a structure in place and Chef Ramsey has given them all the tools they need to make this restaurant a success blackberries let's go good afternoon welcome to blackberries this is a nice looking menu with the restaurant filling up do the pork sliders and orders coming in from the dining room order it's now up to the newly appointed leader Chef matin to take charge of the kitchen one jerk Wings one shorty one chicken with white meat Fried Chicken white meat 6 minutes Echo thank you good off we go here we go oh thank you let's go with Chef Ramsey's new system in place and the team working together shell 6 minutes on my oxtails Echo want a oxtail thank you dinner service is off to a smooth start oh okay here we go we're rocking and out in the dining room Fried Green Tomatoes those are excellent the customers are thrilled with what they are receiving I need an ax down shorty okay hey Dad you okay the restaurant is packed wait till you see it you're not going to believe it I need an axel in a shorty right now I'm on to line a little bit tonight Shell Shell he was asking for stuff and you're just ignoring him I'm coming okay all right love you Dad you okay let's go please all right charie being on the phone is totally disrespectful and a slap in the face to her kitchen team what she's saying is I don't give a damn it's my world and this is the way I'm going to do it the rest of you who cares how long for my oxtail what what things were going really well at the beginning because they were being executed but then I just don't think Shel wanted to be there I need to ask tell and a shorty first what she's not in control and if she's not in control she doesn't want to follow it sh yes it's like we just switched off and forgotten why have we forgotten our systems the most important thing about a system is keeping it yes go back to your stations I am the owner for this business and I'm just not taking any from anyone hell no what is this what who put my corn in it I did it's I don't wanted to dry out honey do that sh yes do that you're doing you're going back again I don't want it to dry out come here look come here come here look at me I only ask you don't do it m we're going back again we're going back to old ways don't touch what he's doing okay you said it's dry was it dry the corn no it wasn't dry it wasn't even done yet it wasn't even done yet thank you I don't care what he says Chef Ramy system works is this Shelly that doesn't want it to work so when it sitting on the side drying out just leave it there what are you talking about I don't know I want to he shell I'm not talking back shell now you walk away bye goodbye goodbye she's gone bye see you later it's relaunch night at blackberries don't touch what he's doing and as Chef Ramsey tries to keep everything on track what you talking I don't want to hear it Shelly goes off the rails goodbye goodbye she's gone and storms out of the kitchen bye unbelievable unbelievable what happened they were doing so good yeah shell started coming in and picking up bits and disrupting them I asked to stop it and let ma te do it and she got really funny ever since then she just switched off so she she's closed down shell is a crybaby she's not willing to admit that she's wrong and that's pretty sad with Shelly out of the kitchen stop everything you do and plate this one for me right now chef matine and the staff try to pull it together okay and we're going to send his ticket out right now to get the remaining dishes to the hungry diners hry te you got to push it yes chef you control the kitchen yes I need right now I need two Fried Green Tomatoes I need that now working working nice let's go can you Dwayne to take this outfit table one please Dwayne off you go to 50 let's go finally might be a little slow but it's going to be great with matin leading the kitchen I need a side of fries up in the window now s of fries good the final Entre make their way out to the dining room yay we got our food and customers are loving the food it's worth the weight wonderful I think you guys are good it ran so smooth we have a system now this right here is a first day of greatness of many more days to come and I loved it a lot everything was great thank you thank you with the staff completing a successful relaunch sh fry gathers the group uh okay but there's someone missing where's uh shell in the office Shel can I uh can I talk to you please Shell Shell there's no point making yourself look any more stupid shell just two seconds not going to argue she's not coming we don't need her come on Shelly needs to listen to Chef Ramy you just can't close ears to someone that's come to help you please I really don't have anything to say you don't need to have anything to say just go outside out of respect for your sta I love my sta well then you want them to walk out on you and you have the restaurant man I'll clean up tonight my forget about cleaning up tonight what about the rest of the days well de and I'm so ashamed of you that I don't know what to do sh we have worked our ass off can you please if you are if you are done close the damn place down let's go tyone I don't believe Shel deserves all this great help she got I mean someone like me that's be cooking and went to culinary school with kill for something like this opportunity you know it saddens me so much okay I know it's been a rough night but on a personal note I just want to say thank you why because you guys worked your butt off nobody gave up there's something personal about soul food for me I started a small little documentary called Kitchen Nightmares 7 years ago and my first ever restaurant was a Soul Food shack it's why I started to put him back into the industry and you guys deserve success he did a fantastic job Chef ramsy he's up there with the best Angels I'm just so delighted and so grateful and we are going to do our part to make him proud of us we definitely will make sure that your efforts were not in vain thank Youk you thank Shel had the world's greatest Chef in here to teach her and to help her business but look she may throw this all the whole system out the window with the whole menu only time can tell can we have 30 seconds please I think this is my office are you asking me for 30 seconds at my office yes I am absolutely not okay that just sums it up yeah that's the only thing I haven't changed I really wanted a happy ending tonight why because this week I've met some amazing amazing people mother Mary what a sweetheart and a phenomenal cook Martin that guy has a bright future and he is packed with passion but the fate and the future of blackberries rest in the hands of shell and unfortunately restaurants do not succeed when they're run by a dictator I planted a mouse and she crazy in the weeks that followed hi nice to see you customers responded well to the changes Chef Ramsey made to the menu and the decor steak is tender after witnessing the positive reviews surprisingly Shelly embraced all that Chef Ramsey has done for blackberries nice right beautiful I like it I was so skeptical but Chef Ramsey has opened up a new world for us here at blackberries I'm ready for change it was difficult for me to see that at the beginning but here it is the truth is the light you guys enjoy tonight on Kitchen Nightmares Gordon travels to Montclair New Jersey where after 2 years in a coma the owner Returns what are you doing to find that her restaurant is near death this restaurant has been run like a pig sty her son has run the restaurant into the ground we're drowning we've already drowned and he is in complete denial there's nobody in control this restaurant I disagree oh my God the menu is massive look at all this food the food is a disgrace what is that uh and the kitchen is a health hazard what the is that in there oh this is raw por now smell that and unbelievably even the cooks think the food is subpar how does that taste I don't like person when a chef doesn't like his own food how the do you expect the customer to tonight Chef Ramsey is in for a huge challenge you've got ingredients from last Thanksgiving will he be able to get through to this lazy owner Michael I need you to step up no or will his aling mother see her life's work under no circumstances can we continue to serve food get completely trashed shut the place down that's tonight on Kitchen Nightmares come here what is that disgusting crap you're done I'm done I'm not shut the place down get out of here that is amazing I just can't thank you enough Monclair New Jersey an affluent suburban community just 20 minutes from Manhattan in the heart of town sits an Italian eery called Leon open more than a decade ago by Rose Leone when my mom first opened Leon in 1996 Leon was the place to go to you wanted Italian food welcome to Leon do you have a reservation people were waiting lying to come in I was here 8:00 in the morning till 12 at night I did everything cooking cleaning the inventory Mama treated this restaurant like her child this restaurant was her life about 2 years ago my mother went in for a routine kidney stone the operation went bad and she went into coma which was very very difficult when Rosie was it was a bad moment you look around you don't see Rosie there's nothing here and that's what hurts without Mama Rose everybody was just scrambling to make it work literally she said the fish was dry and she didn't like that the palenta was soft is that the palenta I got no I got it I got it I got it Michael stepped in and he says he's the boss but doesn't do anything bossworth he shows up around six walks around hands out of sambuka as long as you're 21 it's my tree watches little football get dinner want piece of cake okay that goes home all right see you later Michael's not taking care of this restaurant so basically I do everything I do ordering I coordinate staff you're supposed to make menu the way the menu States Michael does not show any concern about this restaurant and when when everybody sees that they do the same the kitchen stiff they take naps out in the back they play soccer hello after Michael took over the food went to there's no flavor the taste just wasn't there anymore I mean this place used to be good and I'm not happy anymore business nowadays is awful we are very slow last weekend we had 12 to 15 tables on a Friday night and that's bad me reservations we got Lizzy There's No Reservations years later when I come back I almost had a heart attack Everything I seen was dirty so if this is filthy I'm afraid about what the kitchen looks like kitchen out of control that's a disgrace disgusting what are you doing they destroyed everything I worked for in my life there was no Management in the restaurants I Chas it'si nothing we are 14 00 for the meat overdue for the past month I need my go to make some money what are you going to do Michael I don't know I was going to ask you we got to do something Michael you tell me what do you want me to do I need Chef Ramsey to come in and straighten him out Chef Ramsey he be my voice if this doesn't work out I will have no other choice but to die right Leon is here we go you think of New Jersey you think of Italian hey hello how are you doing likewise good to see you too um first name is Michael Michael good to see you good me so you are owner owner okay and what's that thing there that's uh my old uh television that I watch all the games on oh you watch the games on there yes sir seriously yes sir but this is the main entrance right yes sir wow is business that flat that you're watching games and trying to deal with customers at the same time yes it is Chef ready yes that bad yes sir wow go outside yes sir and come back in in 10 seconds okay hello table for one sir yeah I'm busy okay two seconds I'm just going to watch this go would you mind I'll see myself uh um busy I'm just trying to find the game it's so important because this is far more important than running my business seriously honestly Michael did you get the message I mean it just do you think that's a good impression by customers Walking In For the First Time no terrible Chef Ramsey looked at me in such a way like what is this rodent doing next to a television in a restaurant it was just embarrassing oh my God is that a baby yes I mean they say that there's never an ugly baby I think I've just found one but that's not you is it no sir we have one of the worsts I've ever seen the creepy baby keeps me up at night I don't know what my mother was thinking to be honest with you everything you see every artwork is my mother right my mother's actually owner and I was kind of like the general M tell she got sick everything she got sick yes and mom's name is Rose okay Rose and is is your mother here yes okay can we meet please please how are you how are you good to see you sweet good to see you ni seeing you nice step r h I've been married three times I need number four are you feeling better yes okay and how long have you been back at the business two months so you just come back now and how long were you out for 2 years I was a vegetable oh really wow I'm sorry um how long have you had the the restaurant 14 years in your mind what's wrong with the restaurant what is it everything everything okay um let's get the group together and uh let's have a little meeting and a catch up and I'd like to hear from everybody so I can get my head around this okay yeah can we get the chefs and uh yeah everybody please Michael yeah my L I'm everything I got on him so this is John John good to see you come and this is Elizabeth Elizabeth nice to see you and you are I'm Trudy Trudy right it's a lovely name thank you and what do you do I'm a waitress a waitress and sorry John what did you do I'm a waiter a waiter Elizabeth Hostess Hostess cuz I've met the man that in charge of the TV control Chef Ramsey is going to tear Michael a new I would hope that Michael knows that he has it coming but it is Michael so he probably doesn't know that he has it coming okay good um first of all I can't start to even think about turning this place around until I get to the bottom of the issues um who would like to go first wow Trudy the major problem here is there's no manager there no nobody in control of this restaurant basically the staff is running this restaurant right now I I disagree I believe the problem is is that I believe the decor is a turnoff the decor no it's ridiculous she got sick I had to step up to the plate I take care of payroll I take care of ordering I take care of payables receiving doing the menus wow is that right what would happen if Trudy fell out God forbid where in the hell would we be I don't know the answer to that Chef I don't know do you want it you don't do you yes I do are you incapable I think I am capable so why haven't you done it when I see the business not busy it's hard for me to really show a passion have you ever had the passion yes I've had a passion best I don't think he ever had the passion he's never had it no wow is that true I don't think so Chef I fell into it hoping that Michael somewhere along the line is learned from me but he hasn't made the initiative Michael face you got to have balls rest desire time eort it doesn't stop got to be your life I think the bottom line Chef is everyone can do more I think the servers can do more I think the bus boys can do more and the chefs can do more are you here every day except Monday yeah I'm here every day except Monday so you're here 6 days a week across those 6 days a week you're in here you're here what 12 14 hours a day no no how many I work the diners shift from like uh 5 to 10 5 to 11 so 5 hours a day out of those 5 hours a night how many of them do you sit down depending on the situation roughly two three so you're on your feet for 2 hours a day yes holy crap what's the break even per week in this restaurant 12,000 $112,000 what we taking currently a week 8,000 we're losing four grand a week yes sir we're drowning we've already drowned when the business doesn't cover the expense there is no business it can't last well okay I'm going to have a look round I'm going to be back in 20 minutes okay so do me a favor just make me one of everything on that menu our menu is 15 pages let's go and I just had to laugh because I knew it was going to look like a freaking Chinese buffet I need one of every pasta on the menu we need chicken parm V parm shrimp parm eggplant parm all parms Lou one of every pizza please don't forget the sides I think the pizza is top top notch I think most of the food is outstanding right here 6 days a week don't forget your pizza special too there you go I appreciate it more PL more plates more plates roll te in the window okay right oh my God holy crap look at all this food bloody hell I need to get up to speed so I'm going to keep it simple just make me one of everything after a meeting with the staff shiff Ramsey is anxious to get up to speed on the food I need one of every pasta all pars but when he returns he makes a shocking discovery y holy crap a dining room full of food how many items on the menu over 100 100 I mean physically the appearance Jesus Christ I have a knife and fork please maybe a bag a sick bag Chef Ramsey I would like to apologize in advance it's just everything is just terrible where' you start here what's what this is sweet onion pie this is a basic cheese pie crust looks very dark is that normal that or is he just having an off day the oven gets very hard so you tasted that mhm how bland is that I think the texture I don't like but the taste you like the taste but you don't like the texture yeah Jesus is that Rice Roto that's risoto risoto oh come on guys I mean do me a favor what stinks here what's that smell is that you no sir what don't think so just smell that just smell inside I don't want you smelling that no no not not with your state of health I don't want you back in a coma taste it down quick ah mine's full of grit or spongy spongy most grit they're not even clean yeah are you crunching grds yes yes dirt sand how do you clean a clam if it's seal you run them under cold water oh I don't know yeah Lord only knows where those clams came from at least it was just sand that's all I'm saying what is that that's our ruata why is all the vinegar on there people like that recipe they love it actually oh my God the chilies the garlic I mean that is a disaster next row what the is that what the is it it's chicken in balic sauce yeah red wine in a bosam reduction taste it tast but it should come with a warning that will blow your lungs out I mean and whereabouts in Italy is that from I don't know oh come on what is this one there's no seasoning in there everything's Bland Bland it's bland pasta's Bland ah sir it's like a flip-flop look at the garlic in there too much garlic smell of garlic pissing with garlic way too much garlic how many bows of Garlic's in there a lot of garlic yeah are they trying to put me in hospital for 2 years I mean it's bad it is bad I mean honestly get me the chefs out here when you place a my food even though I think it needs help it's definitely not that bad if I eat it myself it's not as bad as the chef said who made this I did it have you tasted it have you ever sat down and tasted your own food sit down with with it Happ no no not with with with happen sit down come on quickly I need to taste it I know sit down please yes welcome to leonus there we are I knew it is this is how does that taste can I have a fork please no you're not eating that no no no no I'm not going to be responsible putting you back in the hospital sit down you are not eating that how does that taste how does it taste I don't like person I don't like you don't like it I don't like how was that it's very vinegary have you tasted your risoto yes I do taste your Roto but yeah stay there you have a little taste yeah just have a taste that use your knife before have a little taste how does that taste wow it's disgusting and if that's classes a roto here in New Jersey dude you got to get out more what if any dish do you like on these tables nothing nothing at all it's okay when a chef doesn't like his own food food how the do you expect the customer to for me that says it all even your chefs don't like their food I think it's good you think it's good well are you in denial or you just doing this in front of your M no I'm not in denial I'm going to get some fresh air I'll be back later yeah I'd like to catch a plane out here right now let's go Mama after discovering early on that Leone's menu is more about quantity than quality Chef Ramsey turns to observe dinner service and news of his arrival in Monclair has spread and the restaurant is busy for the first time in years what we having the homade Cabell and for you sir Mediterranean okay hi how are you how are you and this is my wife cheyen cheyen oh you're Michael's wife yes wow didn't he do well hey L yeah good right um tonight run the place as normal I'd like to see how this thing functions I've tasted it yeah now I want to see how it works take me to the kitchen show me the line please the kitchen sh ordering okay up one as out one f c you sweet or hot here's our um fire area salads and desserts yeah hello how are you I'm Diana Diana okay great and how long have You' been here I've been here seven years seven years yes wow okay great um the main problem with the rest is what the say the main problem is the food the food wow I like the honesty I work here and I try to take pride in my work but I don't think the food is good Michael needs the eye opener pick it out take it out okay yeah here we go all right here we are enjoy tasting or what do you think batter is kind of flavorless to H while diners try to digest their food that's me cook look at this this is dry Gordon is having a hard time digesting what he sees in the kitchen what the is that in there already is that how we heat it we blast it in the microwave that's very Italian in here what's in here I do yesterday this chicken you do this yesterday this chicken for balsamic so hold on a minute that's cooked chicken and what's that in there like today so you have the raw veille next to the cooked chicken come on the cooks are to blame for their part if they make a mistake I could live with that but something about being irresponsible and neglect there's no excuse look at the crap in here bloody house Bells what's that in there is that calamari that's yeah it comes in definitely fresh though that I know for fact fresh it's frozen you buy this in fresh it is not fresh Calamar we use here is all Frozen oh Jesus what is that in there what is that I think it's F sh you think it's feel pretty sure it's you didn't put it in there no I didn't what is it that looks like meat thrown in a pan what is it though I don't know it's not labeled oh my God hey forget the orders for 5 minutes and come around you Daryl come around don't worry about the cooking for now I got more issues when was the last time this was organized hasn't been organized oh come on what's that molasses molasses yeah I've been in there since Thanksgiving what it's July what's that oh my god oh this is raw pork that's not my pork that you served to me is it no that's uh all the old pork they left that's the old pork when's this one from not Thanksgiving again stuff what mushroom smell that smell it that's old than me smell it y That's your sauce darl what in the is this oh my God is that flound though it's definitely old definitely old it's green smell that it was embarrassing it was mortifying he comes in something that's so easily identifiable and no one noticed smell it how is that possible oh hi can I just show you something for two seconds Mama Rose I am absolutely horrified that's from Thanksgiving and that a slimy vile sticky flounder and a sour disgusting cream sauce I mean hon honestly this restaurant has been run like a pigy you may be resistant to change but what's become very clear is that you're resistant to Quality Michael should have been a boss to begin with and have his dishwashers and cooked have it done should have been done always all of you come here let's go come here hand can we work like that you've got ingredients from last Thanksgiving did you smell the flounder yes did you see the cooked chicken the raw pork the raw ve it's a joke you should be ashamed of yourselves under no circumstances can we continue to serve food shut the place down after discovering disgusting and dangerous practices in Leon's kitchen under no circumstances can we continue to serve food Chef Ramsey has no choice but to shut the place down we go in the dining room now and just apologize get cleaning get it going do I tell them no more service for the rest of the night or just tell they're done cleaning what do you think not at all just embarrassed that's I'm embarrassed everybody everybody I'm sorry to interrupt you everybody I'm sad to say and embarrassed to say that we're closing down Leon for the night the food is not up to par it's not what you deserve so I apologize for your inconvenience I thank you for choosing Leon but right now it's a must we must shut down you shut it down that's it shut he shut it down sorry guys Le's never been shut down very embarrassed by it BBY won't S toight over this thank you man sorry take care sorry about that ladies I'm feeling disappointment I feel humilated telling everyone that they can't eat at my own restaurant can you sit down please that's the most badly practiced kitchen I've ever seen that's why we need your Chef no Michael Michael you let it happen on a daily basis you need to run your business he doesn't understand his no Integrity it will never die for the rest you don't understand I care shf not in your mother's eyes you don't have you ever walked into your kitchen and opened the door to your Refrigeration units and called them out no I check but I don't check hard enough obviously what are you talking about oh ma stop it Ma stop it you're oblivious it's happening under your your own nose they don't give a because you don't Diana is he lazy yes John is he lazy yes sir Trudy is he lazy yes Mama he is right now we have a room full of individuals that don't believe in your conviction to run this place prove to me and more importantly to your mother and your star that you are ready to lead got it got it a manager that doesn't manage my God give me a rag with some soap and water okay I don't feel like I've given up but I I feel like I'm broken I'm angry at myself I think as the boss of the restaurant it was just irresponsible is HE capable taking care of this restaurant for myself I don't know I think seeing is believing are you okay Ma yeah what's the cryan come here what's the matter what's the matter what's the matter huh we're going to turn the ship around my mother put in almost 20 years of her life in this place her spirit her money I'm I'm crushed that I like her down and I want to make it good but the truth is I don't know if I can turn it around and it's a scary feeling it really is come on get out of here and get some rest okay okay after shutting down Leon Chef Ramsey realizes Michael and his staff need to have their eyes opened and he's arranged something appropriate at an art gallery only half a block away take a look at this amazing exhibition come in look at that what do you see food what kind of food do you see on there what Italian food F that's very pleasurable to the eye is it inviting yes yes this is your competition only blocks away from leonis Michael I went to five restur this morning lovely thank you I took the pictures and trust me after shooting those dishes I ate everything and they don't only look great wow that was delicious but they taste amazing I was glad that Michael got to see what else was in the neighborhood instead of living in the denial that our food is fantastic your dishes set an impression and they remain imp people's memories so let's take a look at these dishes from another local restaurant this restaurant's called that's right Leon is you recognize the food yes wow I've never seen such an outdated mess in all my life take a look at that and then turn around and have a look at your competition come on Trudy what's the message I'm trying to get across get your together your food is no comparison to what's in the neighborhood I can't believe it but I'm embarrassed sir food like that chfs opened my eyes to the to the neighboring competition and I think it takes someone outside the family and your friends to tell you how it is today we move in this direction let's get back to Leon's and get started let's go I think it's time for change and I want to be the best thaan restaurant in town with Michael finally realizing how much his restaurant has slipped Gordon's next move is to push Michael to better understand his business when was the last time you cooked anything never and that means working in the kitchen I want you to watch me now cook a delicious F chop and a simple capalini but I want you to do them with me you don't need to be an amazing Chef to understand when your chefs are going badly wrong you can't continue being blindsided by your Brigade I need you to start leaving eaing from the helm you start running your business okay you got F chop let's go to be the man of the house I have to take all the responsibility I mean I have to take a kick in the ass a lot of people depend on me you follow me every step of the way tou of olive oil there yeah salt and pepper it's cooked on the bone why are we cooking on the bone more flavor right get that pan nice and hot how do you know when the oil is RA I like smoke coming off there you got the Searing there wow leave that searing away there's never cross your mind to come in and cook from time to time of it's one of those things as the Italian Prince my mother always did the cooking it even ENT my mind it is very embarrassing I don't know different positions my restaurant I think it's time for change the most important thing is suceed you know I'm leave my pride aside I want to do better a really nice Spar there we go into the convection 7 minutes okay C in gently now gently push and pull back nice and again good let's go and check our ve is that ready chef I want you to tell me for once I want to pull it right now let's go then pull it cooking with Chef Ramsey has given me great confidence in myself and in my restaurant I'm sure I will make some errors but I have to learn it has to come the hard way look at that visually how do they look they look fantastic do they belong in the gallery or the garbage the gallery G the gallery okay dig in guys please dig in dig in dig in that is a it just melts in your mouth I love the fact I someone above Michael they had the knowledge finally pushed him it was very good for Michael delicious SE what you think of the ve the ve was excellent yeah good job it's probably the best food that's ever come out of that kitchen oh my God the staff when they seen the food they looked at me in a different light knowing that I could do the job that I wasn't just a bump in a log that could sit in the front I don't think I've seen Trudy eat or smile in about 2 years wow not B for the first time daddy tried C in his life I could blame it you may recognize him from sat on his ass outside watching television but that guy's gone now you have a new Michael let's go after feeling a little more positive about Michael Chef Ramsey's Team Works through the night to transform Leon from a sleepy and dated restaurant into a modern Italian bastra good morning good morning chef today we are relaunching the new leonis are you ready I'm ready let's go come in come in oh wow come in oh beautiful wow excellent come this the same beautiful wow wow now big deep breath God is the dated sammon color now we have something sort of contemporary we have some Elegance with the tablecloths red and white chairs the new lampshade cool contemporary fabulous gone the walls laced with Hideous artwork we used the phrase and put imprint of Italy nice very nice as soon as I opened the door it was like a whole different world it's amazing beautiful surrounding that makes you feel like you're in Italy I love that can't play the decor in this restaurant No More I Love It I have another big surprise this is going to make your life so much easier I have for you the most amazing amazing state-ofthe-art Point of Sales system aome nice provided by Zephyr hardware and POS laville it is the state-ofthe-art latest touchcreen device unbelievable each and every dish has been photographed and programmed on there no you go to the table you take you take out of here the order from wireless touchreen device unbelievable even before you've left the table the orders in the kitchen that's unbelievable I might have to cry oh my god I've been asking them to get any kind of computer here for years this handwritten stuff has to go and thank God it's finally gone we're like a real restaurant you are like a real restaurant before Gordon Ramsey came here this was an outdated New Jersey restaurant after Gordon Ramsey this restaurant fits right in it's just this modern classic Italian beastro you're my hero thank you of happiness or oh mama Rose don't hug me too you okay yes okay I feel good going forward ready for the little Le only I looks like a money maker come on in in addition to revamping Leon's Decor Chef Ramsey has overhauled their massive and stale menu and replaced it with fresh and Innovative modern Italian dishes these dishes are good enough to go in any gallery when I seen the food I I really was excited the most eye popping dishes I've seen in a long time is it's exactly the first way I felt when I saw you now let's start off on the top hloom tomatoes with cucumber and a cherry vinegared then a delicious capalini yeah fresh crab beautiful I love it when you think of Italian Classics you think of a chicken catori Penta olives mushrooms and tomatoes vibrant fresh it's beautiful a delicious shrimp scampy a roasted paned Cod very ni a menu one3 of the size with 45 dishes that can change frequently got it yeah yes you happy yes good I want you to get some knife and forks and dig in oh my God that is so good this is excellent wow every on the menu put that of this worldl this food is a complete 180 from what we were serving here before I'm I'm very happy right now I absolutely love all the dishes on this menu and you just could taste the difference of the freshness as soon as it goes in your mouth we're back back in buiness it's relaunch night at Leon's and after an overhaul of a menu and the decor Chef Ramsey is encouraged by Michael's new attitude and so he expects him to take complete control of his restaurant tonight we're going to get it done I want you experise I want you holding the fort together sure yeah King of the castle you got yeah we get in the weeds we get out we stay together as a team we got I'm nervous I'm excited I got the butterflies but I think it's time for me to make this business run the way it should I know that I can do it tonight we get it done chess we're going to get it done you got let's go guys come on move let's go hi welcome to the new Leon hi Leon once a famed restaurant in this community had lost its way this is our menu tonight with news of the relaunch diners are streaming in ready to give it another chance are we ready to order and Las okay what would you like okay Pizza let's go Pizza I'm so impressed by this I adore the pis it was really cool I mean the ease of ordering it was incredible and my handwriting is atrocious so this for me is a dream come true appetizers one soup one galamad thank you come here here buddy this one is that's a new food Alex Che okay good how first name is Alex Alex good to see so what's going next we're looking at Table Six okay let's go Michael is off to a good start I'm barata ensuring quality dish after dish is quickly leaving the kitchen this looks awesome and diners are thrilled with the new menu it's very good how does everything look very good good everyone's loving it I mean loving it but the kitchen has hit a roadblock Alex this right here is table three as Michael in an attempt to push food out fast has lost control and is sending an order to a table that has already received its food has sake oh come on we're not getting anywhere guys we've already sent the appetizers just Che out was that six no somebody got a three okay then check six then check six it's not the same table no just checking if it's the same order s we're sending food out twice they're eating too table a for sake come on Michael table six and three are eating do you know what you're doing Mike screw up boy Michael needs to step up to the plate I know it everyone knows except fry needs to K Michael in the ass Micha I need you to step up stop panicking you're right there's nothing difficult here I know bring the team together we got this we're going to go pro you got it word this line have the balls to do it mistakes are going to happen it all depends on how you handle the mistake John table 10 did they get all their appetizers yes they did Alex did you bring this to 19 right an olives and a callary Table 19 I got to keep it together get my head on straight have confidence in myself and stick to the game plan right now listen I need one part Deli one Cod one R CH day and then we'll worry about everything else but that I need now yes sir come on keep it going you got to drive the team I got youi yes how we doing on 18 hey coming right now got to talk to each other guys okay I want to sit in the window together good right here right here thank you sir table six with Chef ramsy's encouragement Michael has rallied back okay lasagna lasagna lasagna one lasagna in the window baby beautiful baby food is flowing into the dining room again at a steady Pace yay oh this is so good you're going to love it no snacks it tastes great and no complaints delicious what did you like about the pizza the whole pie D how is everybody out there they loving it everybody's loving it they're loving it yeah got you you gave me a chicken par with no home is a shrimp coming with it it's incredible having Michael finally step up he's doing a good job he actually sounds like a boss today that's the first you guys are doing a great job food looks absolutely gorgeous thank you thank you Michael is now working together with us hey guys come on baby one more and the finish line is here they're supposed to be like that we looking for that for a long time how everything go okay oh my God excellent back on the M okay how you feeling good yes yes feedback they love the food the old customers right Mama Rose I thought you gone to bed huh you happy yeah I'm very happy look after your son I will let him spoil you now that's I need you need to sit and relax and go around the corner of a little game of bingo he's good enough to take over yes he is I was about to see my go be the Bo and hopefully things work out and be bettered uh I'd like a little word with you yes sir okay three important words that right now I need you to remember stay the course if you don't do that we're coming off track back and we're going to slip back day by day to our old ways stay the course stay the course yes I can't hear you stay the course take a big deep breath and Shout at me Chef in my restaurant I'm going to stay the course good well done thank you sir good ni thank you this was just a phenomenal experience and the thing that changed me the most is Chef Ramsey that's a God on is truth stay the course you got it brother good night good night he believed in me and he said I can do I truly believe I can do it good job Michael you proud of me yeah thank you very much do nothing now no more okay I'll try I'm tired you're in good hands yeah thank you I love you love you too wow when I first arrived I saw a lazy owner sat in his pizza area watching TV we made a lot of changes not just to the restaurants but to the owner Michael found his voice and finally he's now speaking not just for himself but for his mother wow that baby was ugly only days after Chef Ramsey left Alex give me a silverware rap silver Michael took his advice to heart and stayed the course here's your bu chop T go get it baby and under his leadership guys if he needs help jump in Franco help him Leon is once again a popular spot in Monclair things are more upscale as for Rose she can finally rest easy knowing that her son is in control and the future of Leon's looks bright than you said friendy because of you Michael's a boss and Leon is the hottest restaurant in town we hot like de BR hot hot hot next time on Kitchen Nightmares after 2 years in a coma an owner Returns what are you doing to find that her son has run the restaurant into the ground this restaurant is a pigy oh my God the menu is massive look at all this food and the kitchen is a health hazard smell that that's older than me will Chef Ramsey get through to this lazy owner come on Michael no or will his ailen mother see her life's work get completely trashed shut the place down next time on Kitchen Nightmares Gordon Ram tries to help overwhelmed owner Mike slow the down the restaurant is literally falling apart e the kitchen is a mess are you're kidding me the food is disgusting is this good enough for you Mike's daughters look on helplessly desperate to save their father he's suffering so much Chef Ramsey is in one of the most difficult situations yet as he battles Mike fine now I've had enough and his demons it's begin to the endtonight on Kitchen Nightmares Gordon heads to planfield New Jersey to turn around a soul food restaurant what system are we following that is run with an iron fist I want you guys off the line by an owner named Shelly even though her restaurant is failing miserably the doors will close your livelihood is on the line she refuses to listen to anybody not her staff Dwayne be quiet not her mother it is not over it's over or even Chef Ramsey sh I'm coming and while there are huge problems with the food I need the toilet holy crap the deor I feel like Donald sum is going to come through the door and the conditions oh my god wow the biggest problem is sh I can't believe this can Chef Ramsey saved this restaurant from an owner who is in complete denial you have to get out of denial it doesn't really matter to me what other people think one thing's for sure you won't believe How It Ends I'm punch him in the face that's tonight CL damn place down on a shocking Kitchen Nightmares shut it down let's go it's over what is that disgusting crap you're done I'm done I'm not shut the place down get out of here that is amazing you I just can't thank you enough planfield New Jersey a middle class city with a strong sense of community and smack in the middle of town is a soul food restaurant named blackberries run by a one successful caterer named Shelley Withers hello the gang's all here huh my catering business was fantastic I had such a tremendous following it just seemed natural that I would move on to open a restaurant Hi how are you welcome and with her mother Mary investing her entire retirement fund into the restaurant Shell's Dream came true daddy put the check in the bank this afternoon oh okay I think it's a parents responsibility to be supportive of their children I am so happy with the way the restaurant turned down the decor is phenomenal I'm not sure if I understand the records blackberries has the best sold food in town no doubt fried collard greens is my favorite I don't know what I'm doing wrong the shrimp was firm that's cuz I forgot I'm on the stove perfect location perfect food but where are my customers the problem is shell is in Den nowal she thinks that the decor is amazing and the food tastes spectacular I like it but the food is suffering the customers are suffering and in the restaurant except for it the macaroni actually Shel believes that all of her food is better than any chef out Dear to done to done is perfect she feels this is the way I want it it tastes good it doesn't matter what someone else thinks about it it being my restaurant I'm going to have it my way I don't want the food to touch I say it every day and you're doing it to me anyway right it don't make sense to me shell is a super control freak to the 110th power I need you to knock these down just get it out what what what system are we following here it's no system we have 16 people working back here and 16 people doing their own system table five right there in the front where is it please guys it's hot back here why is everybody back here cuz we ain't got no food down here she thinks she knows what she's doing when she's actually has no idea what she's doing tell me what I can do to help I don't I don't understand what's going on brings a lot of chaos here let me see that PL she's helping the restaurant to fail even more not that many customers though huh things are bad I'm $200,000 in Deb I'm barely holding on here I got $14 to my name broke like I tell Shelly it's just not only her if this restaurant fails because I have sacrificed a lot to make sure that the doors didn't close I believe in the power of prayer I think Chef Ramsay is the answer to her prayers what an amazing Buzzy little town great location for restaurant okay hello hello good afternoon welcome to Blackberry thank you very happy to be here I'm to have you here wow look at this place somebody having a party no no party we're just having um lunch okay great let me see you okay s over here and this big boy there who's that this is J James James what's your job general manager stop it with a baby face like that you can't be management get out of here you look about 18 how old are you I'm 30 years old wow amazing aging well and this is Mom Mary Mother Mary yes sir you look great nice to what did you do the cakes the pies the desserts really she's our Baker okay grace Ramsey is here I don't want to be sweating all over him can I kiss him can I give him a kiss and thank him for coming or what about to be all right with him hey how are you how are you how you doing good to see you're running around pleasure you're busy AR you I have to be somebody's got get it done how long you been here uh 3 years who designed this place I feel like Donna Summer's going to come through the door that would be Michelle I think that would be me oh I absolutely love the decor and dance party that's me wow excuse me okay hello darl look at those beautiful blue eyes I asked my fiance if I could kiss you see he's our manager the one yeah oh come on sexy right you'll get arrested for credle snatching Hey general manager come hear you get that beard over here you didn't tell me that you're dating the owner we are excuse me we are engaged amazing and was it Love at First Bite yeah wow way to a man heart is a stom oh man he's a little younger than I am but he's my sexy chocolate let me sit down have a quick look through the menu start ordering thank you thank you for come and gon I'm going to see as much as I can okay uh right let's go for uh collar greens that smothered pork chop sounds delicious let's go for some mac and cheese as well please okay the chitlins and desserts how's the bread velvet cake delicious okay great very well I'm starving we're going to put your order in excellent all right guys we have our order for Chef all right let's do it I really think that Chef Ramsay is going to say that the food is phenomenal with the pork chop put some M this is not hot this is the craziest Decor I've ever seen wow another record yeah they're all over so first name is Eloise uh what's oh oh Jesus what happened was it the fried chicken or the cornbread what what when chiens oh goodness I have no idea I never seen that before oh oh my god did somebody head but the wall it was shocking to find that it was a hole in the wall with a record on it I was just like oh my God like what the hell is that doing there I've heard about broken records but Jesus Christ okay let's get out of here quick I'm afraid to touch any other records all right here you go oh now you know that is a pretty plate right Shel is delusional about how fabulous her food is I hate the macaroni and cheese just looks like crap on a plate this is pork chop this SM pork chop thank you look like someone shout on my plate it's just dry that's Bland nothing's seasoned there how's your pork chop the pork chop is dry the mac and cheese is way up cooked very mushy you think a soul food restaurant would Pride itself on cooking mac and cheese but no it's just all is that heated in the microwave then no I think they just put it in the in the oven to warm for our lunch service thank you what's wrong he's saying that the macaroni and cheese is dry and overcooked o he asked me how we warmed it in the microwave I told them no it just came out of the oven they may have put it in the microwave for a minute only for a minute though everything is cooked to Perfection there is nothing on that menu that is not perfect okay here we go I'm taking over now five collard green move it to the middle put an orange chip in the middle that's it how can you actually say this a soci restaurant or the collard greens are not tasting like collard greens since it's just like pepper soil you know you can't half tasting like that tell Chef I said to taste those collard greens they're perfect here you go Chef collard greens wow okay great thank you very much indeed wow it's blant no seasoning it's just fried and Soggy and Limp uh James what do you think you got to eat it all together if you eat it all together mhm it should well I did eat it all together it still stayed Bland thank you my God what is he saying about our stuff now little blend oh my God col greens it's great he's crazy where's the chitlins at it's in M they're delicious every we get one out of three we might be all right and this is the chitlins in Okra okay chiplets I mean I know chiplets are the intestine but should they really stink before I do taste them I'd like to pray to God before I put any of that in my mouth in Jesus name in Jesus name you are blessed we rebuke the spirit of the devil you are prayed over we guarantee you that you are not about to succumb to those chitlings hallelujah amen am in Jesus name you'll be fine I just had to pray over chef before he ate the chers what the there's no prayers are going to save me on this one oh my God Chets LS I need the toilet excuse me I knew they'd come out quicker than they went in Chef Ry is a mess oh those CH is and gr they have that one up holy crap are you kidding me oh my god oh they stink oh shall he be taking it lightly and not seriously at all is he in the children's bathroom I'm not sure but I guess the prayer didn't work oh dear dear you're not used to that soul food huh midle thank you I want to see what's going on oh Jesus so we've got the velv Mom Mary makes all of our desserts Mom Mary thank you you're welcome wow that is delicious finally some good food wow how do you like this yeah delicious well done wow had to wait till the end I've been saved by Mother Mary of course the red velvet that momy makes is going to be beautiful right cuz Mommy made it I'mma to punch him in the face you watching s just show me into the kitchen please yes sure well yep the chef is on his way back I'm scared I I would I'm scared to bring him here Shel doesn't listen when Ramsey gets back there in the kitchen we'll see if she even opens up to any suggestions or not Hi how are you how are you nice to meet you M ma good to see you Budd lightwise pleasure and this isce likewise good to see you buddy uh so I've just had an embarrassing lunch let's start from the top pork chop dry blend no seasoning and the macaroni cheese was an embarrassment the fried color greens there's no seasoning everything's just fried so just tasted of oil and horrible the chitlin but the smell of them almost made me want a gag I absolutely do not believe that there's that much wrong with my food who is the head chef here I am show me tonight okay why you think you are the head chef all right as Shelly and the staff prepare for dinner service woo it food is good up you know to my standing jef Ramsey returns and is greeted by an unexpected guest oh what is that bloody hell damn oh my god wow it's just 10 minutes before the doors to blackberries open and Chef Ramsey is greeted by something unexpected bloody hell that have you got a bin yes Jeff the moves just by the front door huh I it's by the door no we just had the Exterminator you paid for the Exterminator sure get your money back okay that's not funny I've got an incinerator outside can you take that no as a general manager do something with it the mouse the mouse it was in the entrance as I walked in on baby mouse a mouse we always have the Exterminator once a month for prevention are you serious no way up M come on at the front door not even in the kitchen he guys be careful of mice can you show me where you found that at is that the front door like where oh where's the front door in your mind I can't believe that I came in the door walked in there saw him bang right there right here do you have it on FM are you kidding me what you thought I brought it in out of my pocket yeah I think you did are you are you are you dreaming I arrived the mouse was there never never never here never there was no no never no mouse right here right okay AB so we had the Exterminator last week they come on regular occasions we have an issue with mice that's why you have have an exterminator we we don't have an issue with M an exterminator comes in regular just let's let's you and I do a little investigation let's go Dwayne when was the last time you spotted a moue in here I've never seen one never seen one good except that one that was under the steam table that was dead a few months back almost a year back he found a mouse in the front door I've never been so embarrassed and humiliated in my life this is ridiculous really ridiculous and sad I never seen a m him perhaps you planted that um Mouse and you were suggesting that I brought it in I was like hm I put it together like just for TV shate maybe I I wish you would talk a little bit of sense the TV put your money where your mouth is in front of your staff I want a meeting upstairs with you and everybody now pulling mice out of his pockets and stuff you got to take some responsibility for something man how you going to help this if everybody keep bullshitting man a moue in the front don't matter it's it's mice infested all over this place it can happen it can happen Shelly huh can I have a two seconds please okay or all of you this is very very important I was telling seeing him like almost like plant that uh verman everything mhm so just look at James for me two seconds I walked in the front door a mouse the mouse that you planted I know they told me but it's okay no it's not okay a show it's got nothing to do with TV nothing to do with your business in the I am not going to stand there and even attempt to take that crap from you you can take your restaurant and stick it I'm gone I'm out of it you out of here I'm out of here excuse me go see you later shut it down let's go it's over after discovering a mouse in the restaurant do you have it on film and being accused of planting it it's the mouse that you plan it I know Chef Ramsey has had enough take your restaurant and stick it I gone you out of here I'm out of here excuse me go see you later shut it down let's go it's over it is not over could you please shut up I mean it's ridiculous it's ridiculous I have worked tremendously trying to support my child and I don't understand you know it's I I I don't understand what's happening today honest to God I don't please don't leave know I'm out of a please don't you're exaggerating can I talk to can I talk to you just you I I take back what I said as far as you doing something like that I don't want to defame your character but it just was I'm lost for words that that happened and it it just it it just like shocked me and I I apologize that's the most sensible thing I've heard you say since I've been here thank you the combination of mother Mary's plea and an apology by James are enough to keep Chef Ramsey at blackberries welcome to blackberries at least for now your Serv this evening will be Tina she'll be right with you the grandma origal Fried Chicken okay so brick and I'm going to get macaroni and cheese all right ladies let me put his orders in first order shrimping grits we probably be a shrimp and grit KN am I saying right got a a free burer walk there is that a pizza oven yes that's my pizza oven and the walk I love it Chef sh how can you cook soul food in a walk watch me chef watch me soul food is supposed to be cooked slowly Soul cook with love and soul not in a walk Shell's cooking green beans in a walk cooking rice in a walk cabbage in a walk we're not a Chinese soul food restaurant we don't need a walk okay that's the first for me a sou food restaurant with a Chinese walk and a pizza oven and you have a oven that doesn't work right there tell me what's working apart from you we haven't had correct work in ovens we don't have the correct store thec correct frers grills you know how can we produce really great food if we don't have really great ovens how' you manage to try won TR like that very hard a lot of prayer after discovering unusual and dysfunctional equipment in this soul food restaurant Chef Ramsey turns his attention to Shelly and how she runs her kitchen Fried Chicken please how many weit Mees do you need Fried Chicken ma if I'm going to call the artist you can't call the arti hone do your chicken let's get one's thing straight can you please work on ticket one we are are we I mean I don't understand what you're doing you're walking in damn Circle Shelly has no concept of what it means to actually run a proper functional kitchen pora one ticket at a time I need you to do for that's what I'm doing okay just one just do one that's what that's how I do one just make it and send it that's it make it and send it unbelievable and where's the control Chef the the system what what system are we following here it's like there's no system I mean this is a j if you try to get one she wants to argue you down you know she wants to argue you down and make it s like you're the Run that's wrong or it can't be run like that it's no making sense or it's to down there look down there of them down there I want you guys off the line just go watch out just back up it's getting ridiculous already it's been an hour and a half she just kind of want to get up and move how long are you waiting wa close hour an hour my first time in here and it's dysfunctional it doesn't seem to be one person controlling it I have the recipes I'm the exact oh my God sh thinks she knows what she's doing when she's actually has no idea what she's doing we need a miracle a prayer hands un bending knees because this is going to the shits here we go Fried Chicken despite the ongoing chaos in the kitchen dishes somehow make their way to the dining and that's the result you wait 90 minutes and this is what you're lucky to get it's crazy in there huh huh that it's crazy in there always in there's a war zone always huh always welcome to Blackberry St ROM bloody hell what a welcoming it's day two of at blackberries and Chef Ramsey knows that before he can Implement changes he has to focus on how this restaurant is run and so he starts the day with the staff meeting I want to go round now to identify things that you know that are wrong with the business and things that you'd like to change in the business I think um one thing is I've known Shelly we kind of grew up together and she is a control freak if she does not see it being imp it the same way that she would do it she's going to jump in and she's going to take over but is it overbearing is it too controlling yes it's either her way or the highway and it inhibits anyone to show off their skills or what they can do or what they can bring to the restaurant but you have someone that's down your throat constantly and really doesn't know what they're doing if you were so right obviously the restaurant wouldn't be failing or in the situation that is in but that's a very valid point you've employed some talented individuals okay por Shel needs to learn how to delegate responsibility she can't be Hands-On all the time it creates a problem oh my God Shelly in all honesty you take somebody out of what they're supposed to be doing and make them do something else and that's one thing you got to realize and that happens more often than I think that you talk too much and you know too much this is the that's what makes this so rough at one time or another everybody has been pushed off position Dwayne calm down I'm not I wasn't upset I tried to tell you something I'm asking you to calm down I'm not I'm not I want you to leave good night I don't have a problem with much cuz the honesty hurts the truth hurts going to fix that we're going to fish that Dwayne just bear with me for 2 minutes sit down please okay goodness what is wrong with you I made one comment what's become evident is how fragmented we are but that starts from the top chef Shelly have to learn how to listen everybody tries to communicate with her and support her but if she's going to be stubborn and not listen the doors will close and that would just break my heart I mean tremendously from now on in open honest dialogue got it yes Shelly shell I can't hear you I'm listening no we're all in together are we going to be open-minded I have been open-minded as far as I'm concerned Why did you say that this is not a joke your livelihood is on the line I mean you're in a serious serious position there's no reason why you cannot be open and honest because my I'm 72 years old and I thank God that I've been able to live this long and these are the most important things that I try to project listen to what this gentleman has to say I want to move forward I'm here to help right and the direction is to you Shelly because there's some valuable information that we've just listened to we know you're the boss what you haven't got right now is a successful restaurant and everyone in this room including me I here to make that a success but you have to get out of denial okay agreed agree I can't hear you agree thank you only time will tell whether shell has really understood what the staff was saying come with me let's go in the kitchen let's get to work but Chef Ramsey has already implemented a drastic change in the kitchen oh my God God oh my God oh my God I called a friend Kelly quip and he arranged for a brand new frer and a state-ofthe-art six ring burner an amazing convection of from South bent incredible oh a six burner sto Tyrone I just can't believe unbelievable I've had it done especially for your baking as well oh oh my God I'm bursting at the seams just I I just can't believe it oh man this is awesome is the walk gone there's no way in Earth we can start to move forward cooking on a Chinese walk a walk that you cannot cook soul food on we got have a proper system here where's the walk I am definitely going to miss my walk but it's just going to be an adjustment for me oh my God I just can't believe this happy father God I just can't thank you enough Hallelujah Lord I'm glad you're happy oh this is just so wonderful this is truly truly a blessing Chef ramsy is he's unbelievable I truly believe in the power of prayer I prayed so hard that you would come and that you were going to turn this restaurant around I'm just so overwhelmed I thank you so much now that the kitchen has functional equipment okay there's one thing that's missing here that's the structure what what system are we following here we're going to work as a team Chef Ramsey appoints a leader tomorrow night my team yes I want you cooking and Expediting yes chef Remy help Implement a system to help this restaurant run very smoothly from now until forever I'm going to make something very very simple with you all now just a stunning mac and cheese he also works with the chefs on some new cooking techniques golden brown take a spoon and have a little taste Chef Ramsey has suggestions I'm going to do my best to be as open as I can but I just I don't know we are going to reopen this restaurant tomorrow night with a system one voice one leader yes and work as a team yes a system don't change it coming up shell I'm coming it's the relaunch of blackberries I don't want to hear it will Shelly be able to handle the changes bye goodbye goodbye and later a surprise ending we have worked our ass off you have to see to believe close the damn place down after the implementation of a new system in the kitchen Chef Ramsey and his team work through the night to give the dining room a much needed makeover okay good morning excited to see inside yeah yes let's go welcome to the new back BRD oh my god oh no oh my God oh my God oh look at this so when I first arrived here there was the cafeteria the menu on the wall and it just lost that inter the SE now it's the restaurant gone is the cafeteria you have a wonderful amazing new restaurant brand new tables brand new chairs it's a totally different place place look at my yes I promise you they're not your records I love my new restaurant the artwork the tables it's like a dream come true I absolutely love it the soul is back I'm just so excited and so grateful I'm just overwhelmed Shel how'd you feel I feel great oh oh oh that's right thank God my middle name James right now that blackberries has an updated look now for the exciting part the food oh wow Chef Ramsey has created a fresh new soul food menu to match it what we've done is taking some of the dishes and modernize them a little bit give them a bit of a a new twist starting off with the blackeyed Pea fritters delicious barbecue p po sliders wonderful starter Entre fried chicken and waffles with a honey butter oh SN I love that a Southern Meat loaf sandwich done with mac and cheese and a spicy delaz like a really nice rich spicy ketchup oh man I love it I love it shell look like she was embracing the change very well I'm glad that Chef Hy finally broke through to her is that beautiful dig in and have a taste oh my God fried chicken and waffles and blackberries this menu is great wow I think I have a winning combination here Chef did it food atmosphere we're ready ooh that's Heaven it's relaunch night at blackberries okay we're about to open we put a structure in place and Chef Ramsey has given them all the tools they need to make this restaurant a success blackberries let's go good afternoon welcome to blackberries this is a nice looking menu with the restaurant filling up do the pork sliders and orders coming in from the dining room order it's now up to the newly appointed leader Chef matin to take charge of the kitchen one jerk Wings one shorty one chicken with white meat Fried Chicken white meat 6 minutes Echo thank you good off we go here we go oh thank you let's go with Chef Ramsey's new system in place and the team working together shell 6 minutes on my oxtails Echo want a oxtail thank you dinner service is off to a smooth start oh okay here we go we're rocking and out in the dining room Fried Green Tomatoes those are excellent the customers are thrilled with what they are receiving I need an ax down shorty okay hey Dad you okay the restaurant is packed wait till you see it you're not going to believe it I need an axel in a shorty right now I'm on to line a little bit tonight Shell Shell he was asking for stuff and you're just ignoring him I'm coming okay all right love you Dad you okay let's go please all right charie being on the phone is totally disrespectful and a slap in the face to her kitchen team what she's saying is I don't give a damn it's my world and this is the way I'm going to do it the rest of you who cares how long for my oxtail what what things were going really well at the beginning because they were being executed but then I just don't think Shel wanted to be there I need to ask tell and a shorty first what she's not in control and if she's not in control she doesn't want to follow it sh yes it's like we just switched off and forgotten why have we forgotten our systems the most important thing about a system is keeping it yes go back to your stations I am the owner for this business and I'm just not taking any from anyone hell no what is this what who put my corn in it I did it's I don't wanted to dry out honey do that sh yes do that you're doing you're going back again I don't want it to dry out come here look come here come here look at me I only ask you don't do it m we're going back again we're going back to old ways don't touch what he's doing okay you said it's dry was it dry the corn no it wasn't dry it wasn't even done yet it wasn't even done yet thank you I don't care what he says Chef Ramy system works is this Shelly that doesn't want it to work so when it sitting on the side drying out just leave it there what are you talking about I don't know I want to he shell I'm not talking back shell now you walk away bye goodbye goodbye she's gone bye see you later it's relaunch night at blackberries don't touch what he's doing and as Chef Ramsey tries to keep everything on track what you talking I don't want to hear it Shelly goes off the rails goodbye goodbye she's gone and storms out of the kitchen bye unbelievable unbelievable what happened they were doing so good yeah shell started coming in and picking up bits and disrupting them I asked to stop it and let ma te do it and she got really funny ever since then she just switched off so she she's closed down shell is a crybaby she's not willing to admit that she's wrong and that's pretty sad with Shelly out of the kitchen stop everything you do and plate this one for me right now chef matine and the staff try to pull it together okay and we're going to send his ticket out right now to get the remaining dishes to the hungry diners hry te you got to push it yes chef you control the kitchen yes I need right now I need two Fried Green Tomatoes I need that now working working nice let's go can you Dwayne to take this outfit table one please Dwayne off you go to 50 let's go finally might be a little slow but it's going to be great with matin leading the kitchen I need a side of fries up in the window now s of fries good the final Entre make their way out to the dining room yay we got our food and customers are loving the food it's worth the weight wonderful I think you guys are good it ran so smooth we have a system now this right here is a first day of greatness of many more days to come and I loved it a lot everything was great thank you thank you with the staff completing a successful relaunch sh fry gathers the group uh okay but there's someone missing where's uh shell in the office Shel can I uh can I talk to you please Shell Shell there's no point making yourself look any more stupid shell just two seconds not going to argue she's not coming we don't need her come on Shelly needs to listen to Chef Ramy you just can't close ears to someone that's come to help you please I really don't have anything to say you don't need to have anything to say just go outside out of respect for your sta I love my sta well then you want them to walk out on you and you have the restaurant man I'll clean up tonight my forget about cleaning up tonight what about the rest of the days well de and I'm so ashamed of you that I don't know what to do sh we have worked our ass off can you please if you are if you are done close the damn place down let's go tyone I don't believe Shel deserves all this great help she got I mean someone like me that's be cooking and went to culinary school with kill for something like this opportunity you know it saddens me so much okay I know it's been a rough night but on a personal note I just want to say thank you why because you guys worked your butt off nobody gave up there's something personal about soul food for me I started a small little documentary called Kitchen Nightmares 7 years ago and my first ever restaurant was a Soul Food shack it's why I started to put him back into the industry and you guys deserve success he did a fantastic job Chef ramsy he's up there with the best Angels I'm just so delighted and so grateful and we are going to do our part to make him proud of us we definitely will make sure that your efforts were not in vain thank Youk you thank Shel had the world's greatest Chef in here to teach her and to help her business but look she may throw this all the whole system out the window with the whole menu only time can tell can we have 30 seconds please I think this is my office are you asking me for 30 seconds at my office yes I am absolutely not okay that just sums it up yeah that's the only thing I haven't changed I really wanted a happy ending tonight why because this week I've met some amazing amazing people mother Mary what a sweetheart and a phenomenal cook Martin that guy has a bright future and he is packed with passion but the fate and the future of blackberries rest in the hands of shell and unfortunately restaurants do not succeed when they're run by a dictator I planted a mouse and she crazy in the weeks that followed hi nice to see you customers responded well to the changes Chef Ramsey made to the menu and the decor steak is tender after witnessing the positive reviews surprisingly Shelly embraced all that Chef Ramsey has done for blackberries nice right beautiful I like it I was so skeptical but Chef Ramsey has opened up a new world for us here at blackberries I'm ready for change it was difficult for me to see that at the beginning but here it is the truth is the light you guys enjoy tonight on Kitchen Nightmares Gordon travels to Montclair New Jersey where after 2 years in a coma the owner Returns what are you doing to find that her restaurant is near death this restaurant has been run like a pig sty her son has run the restaurant into the ground we're drowning we've already drowned and he is in complete denial there's nobody in control this restaurant I disagree oh my God the menu is massive look at all this food the food is a disgrace what is that uh and the kitchen is a health hazard what the is that in there oh this is raw por now smell that and unbelievably even the cooks think the food is subpar how does that taste I don't like person when a chef doesn't like his own food how the do you expect the customer to tonight Chef Ramsey is in for a huge challenge you've got ingredients from last Thanksgiving will he be able to get through to this lazy owner Michael I need you to step up no or will his aling mother see her life's work under no circumstances can we continue to serve food get completely trashed shut the place down that's tonight on Kitchen Nightmares come here what is that disgusting crap you're done I'm done I'm not shut the place down get out of here that is amazing I just can't thank you enough Monclair New Jersey an affluent suburban community just 20 minutes from Manhattan in the heart of town sits an Italian eery called Leon open more than a decade ago by Rose Leone when my mom first opened Leon in 1996 Leon was the place to go to you wanted Italian food welcome to Leon do you have a reservation people were waiting lying to come in I was here 8:00 in the morning till 12 at night I did everything cooking cleaning the inventory Mama treated this restaurant like her child this restaurant was her life about 2 years ago my mother went in for a routine kidney stone the operation went bad and she went into coma which was very very difficult when Rosie was it was a bad moment you look around you don't see Rosie there's nothing here and that's what hurts without Mama Rose everybody was just scrambling to make it work literally she said the fish was dry and she didn't like that the palenta was soft is that the palenta I got no I got it I got it I got it Michael stepped in and he says he's the boss but doesn't do anything bossworth he shows up around six walks around hands out of sambuka as long as you're 21 it's my tree watches little football get dinner want piece of cake okay that goes home all right see you later Michael's not taking care of this restaurant so basically I do everything I do ordering I coordinate staff you're supposed to make menu the way the menu States Michael does not show any concern about this restaurant and when when everybody sees that they do the same the kitchen stiff they take naps out in the back they play soccer hello after Michael took over the food went to there's no flavor the taste just wasn't there anymore I mean this place used to be good and I'm not happy anymore business nowadays is awful we are very slow last weekend we had 12 to 15 tables on a Friday night and that's bad me reservations we got Lizzy There's No Reservations years later when I come back I almost had a heart attack Everything I seen was dirty so if this is filthy I'm afraid about what the kitchen looks like kitchen out of control that's a disgrace disgusting what are you doing they destroyed everything I worked for in my life there was no Management in the restaurants I Chas it'si nothing we are 14 00 for the meat overdue for the past month I need my go to make some money what are you going to do Michael I don't know I was going to ask you we got to do something Michael you tell me what do you want me to do I need Chef Ramsey to come in and straighten him out Chef Ramsey he be my voice if this doesn't work out I will have no other choice but to die right Leon is here we go you think of New Jersey you think of Italian hey hello how are you doing likewise good to see you too um first name is Michael Michael good to see you good me so you are owner owner okay and what's that thing there that's uh my old uh television that I watch all the games on oh you watch the games on there yes sir seriously yes sir but this is the main entrance right yes sir wow is business that flat that you're watching games and trying to deal with customers at the same time yes it is Chef ready yes that bad yes sir wow go outside yes sir and come back in in 10 seconds okay hello table for one sir yeah I'm busy okay two seconds I'm just going to watch this go would you mind I'll see myself uh um busy I'm just trying to find the game it's so important because this is far more important than running my business seriously honestly Michael did you get the message I mean it just do you think that's a good impression by customers Walking In For the First Time no terrible Chef Ramsey looked at me in such a way like what is this rodent doing next to a television in a restaurant it was just embarrassing oh my God is that a baby yes I mean they say that there's never an ugly baby I think I've just found one but that's not you is it no sir we have one of the worsts I've ever seen the creepy baby keeps me up at night I don't know what my mother was thinking to be honest with you everything you see every artwork is my mother right my mother's actually owner and I was kind of like the general M tell she got sick everything she got sick yes and mom's name is Rose okay Rose and is is your mother here yes okay can we meet please please how are you how are you good to see you sweet good to see you ni seeing you nice step r h I've been married three times I need number four are you feeling better yes okay and how long have you been back at the business two months so you just come back now and how long were you out for 2 years I was a vegetable oh really wow I'm sorry um how long have you had the the restaurant 14 years in your mind what's wrong with the restaurant what is it everything everything okay um let's get the group together and uh let's have a little meeting and a catch up and I'd like to hear from everybody so I can get my head around this okay yeah can we get the chefs and uh yeah everybody please Michael yeah my L I'm everything I got on him so this is John John good to see you come and this is Elizabeth Elizabeth nice to see you and you are I'm Trudy Trudy right it's a lovely name thank you and what do you do I'm a waitress a waitress and sorry John what did you do I'm a waiter a waiter Elizabeth Hostess Hostess cuz I've met the man that in charge of the TV control Chef Ramsey is going to tear Michael a new I would hope that Michael knows that he has it coming but it is Michael so he probably doesn't know that he has it coming okay good um first of all I can't start to even think about turning this place around until I get to the bottom of the issues um who would like to go first wow Trudy the major problem here is there's no manager there no nobody in control of this restaurant basically the staff is running this restaurant right now I I disagree I believe the problem is is that I believe the decor is a turnoff the decor no it's ridiculous she got sick I had to step up to the plate I take care of payroll I take care of ordering I take care of payables receiving doing the menus wow is that right what would happen if Trudy fell out God forbid where in the hell would we be I don't know the answer to that Chef I don't know do you want it you don't do you yes I do are you incapable I think I am capable so why haven't you done it when I see the business not busy it's hard for me to really show a passion have you ever had the passion yes I've had a passion best I don't think he ever had the passion he's never had it no wow is that true I don't think so Chef I fell into it hoping that Michael somewhere along the line is learned from me but he hasn't made the initiative Michael face you got to have balls rest desire time eort it doesn't stop got to be your life I think the bottom line Chef is everyone can do more I think the servers can do more I think the bus boys can do more and the chefs can do more are you here every day except Monday yeah I'm here every day except Monday so you're here 6 days a week across those 6 days a week you're in here you're here what 12 14 hours a day no no how many I work the diners shift from like uh 5 to 10 5 to 11 so 5 hours a day out of those 5 hours a night how many of them do you sit down depending on the situation roughly two three so you're on your feet for 2 hours a day yes holy crap what's the break even per week in this restaurant 12,000 $112,000 what we taking currently a week 8,000 we're losing four grand a week yes sir we're drowning we've already drowned when the business doesn't cover the expense there is no business it can't last well okay I'm going to have a look round I'm going to be back in 20 minutes okay so do me a favor just make me one of everything on that menu our menu is 15 pages let's go and I just had to laugh because I knew it was going to look like a freaking Chinese buffet I need one of every pasta on the menu we need chicken parm V parm shrimp parm eggplant parm all parms Lou one of every pizza please don't forget the sides I think the pizza is top top notch I think most of the food is outstanding right here 6 days a week don't forget your pizza special too there you go I appreciate it more PL more plates more plates roll te in the window okay right oh my God holy crap look at all this food bloody hell I need to get up to speed so I'm going to keep it simple just make me one of everything after a meeting with the staff shiff Ramsey is anxious to get up to speed on the food I need one of every pasta all pars but when he returns he makes a shocking discovery y holy crap a dining room full of food how many items on the menu over 100 100 I mean physically the appearance Jesus Christ I have a knife and fork please maybe a bag a sick bag Chef Ramsey I would like to apologize in advance it's just everything is just terrible where' you start here what's what this is sweet onion pie this is a basic cheese pie crust looks very dark is that normal that or is he just having an off day the oven gets very hard so you tasted that mhm how bland is that I think the texture I don't like but the taste you like the taste but you don't like the texture yeah Jesus is that Rice Roto that's risoto risoto oh come on guys I mean do me a favor what stinks here what's that smell is that you no sir what don't think so just smell that just smell inside I don't want you smelling that no no not not with your state of health I don't want you back in a coma taste it down quick ah mine's full of grit or spongy spongy most grit they're not even clean yeah are you crunching grds yes yes dirt sand how do you clean a clam if it's seal you run them under cold water oh I don't know yeah Lord only knows where those clams came from at least it was just sand that's all I'm saying what is that that's our ruata why is all the vinegar on there people like that recipe they love it actually oh my God the chilies the garlic I mean that is a disaster next row what the is that what the is it it's chicken in balic sauce yeah red wine in a bosam reduction taste it tast but it should come with a warning that will blow your lungs out I mean and whereabouts in Italy is that from I don't know oh come on what is this one there's no seasoning in there everything's Bland Bland it's bland pasta's Bland ah sir it's like a flip-flop look at the garlic in there too much garlic smell of garlic pissing with garlic way too much garlic how many bows of Garlic's in there a lot of garlic yeah are they trying to put me in hospital for 2 years I mean it's bad it is bad I mean honestly get me the chefs out here when you place a my food even though I think it needs help it's definitely not that bad if I eat it myself it's not as bad as the chef said who made this I did it have you tasted it have you ever sat down and tasted your own food sit down with with it Happ no no not with with with happen sit down come on quickly I need to taste it I know sit down please yes welcome to leonus there we are I knew it is this is how does that taste can I have a fork please no you're not eating that no no no no I'm not going to be responsible putting you back in the hospital sit down you are not eating that how does that taste how does it taste I don't like person I don't like you don't like it I don't like how was that it's very vinegary have you tasted your risoto yes I do taste your Roto but yeah stay there you have a little taste yeah just have a taste that use your knife before have a little taste how does that taste wow it's disgusting and if that's classes a roto here in New Jersey dude you got to get out more what if any dish do you like on these tables nothing nothing at all it's okay when a chef doesn't like his own food food how the do you expect the customer to for me that says it all even your chefs don't like their food I think it's good you think it's good well are you in denial or you just doing this in front of your M no I'm not in denial I'm going to get some fresh air I'll be back later yeah I'd like to catch a plane out here right now let's go Mama after discovering early on that Leone's menu is more about quantity than quality Chef Ramsey turns to observe dinner service and news of his arrival in Monclair has spread and the restaurant is busy for the first time in years what we having the homade Cabell and for you sir Mediterranean okay hi how are you how are you and this is my wife cheyen cheyen oh you're Michael's wife yes wow didn't he do well hey L yeah good right um tonight run the place as normal I'd like to see how this thing functions I've tasted it yeah now I want to see how it works take me to the kitchen show me the line please the kitchen sh ordering okay up one as out one f c you sweet or hot here's our um fire area salads and desserts yeah hello how are you I'm Diana Diana okay great and how long have You' been here I've been here seven years seven years yes wow okay great um the main problem with the rest is what the say the main problem is the food the food wow I like the honesty I work here and I try to take pride in my work but I don't think the food is good Michael needs the eye opener pick it out take it out okay yeah here we go all right here we are enjoy tasting or what do you think batter is kind of flavorless to H while diners try to digest their food that's me cook look at this this is dry Gordon is having a hard time digesting what he sees in the kitchen what the is that in there already is that how we heat it we blast it in the microwave that's very Italian in here what's in here I do yesterday this chicken you do this yesterday this chicken for balsamic so hold on a minute that's cooked chicken and what's that in there like today so you have the raw veille next to the cooked chicken come on the cooks are to blame for their part if they make a mistake I could live with that but something about being irresponsible and neglect there's no excuse look at the crap in here bloody house Bells what's that in there is that calamari that's yeah it comes in definitely fresh though that I know for fact fresh it's frozen you buy this in fresh it is not fresh Calamar we use here is all Frozen oh Jesus what is that in there what is that I think it's F sh you think it's feel pretty sure it's you didn't put it in there no I didn't what is it that looks like meat thrown in a pan what is it though I don't know it's not labeled oh my God hey forget the orders for 5 minutes and come around you Daryl come around don't worry about the cooking for now I got more issues when was the last time this was organized hasn't been organized oh come on what's that molasses molasses yeah I've been in there since Thanksgiving what it's July what's that oh my god oh this is raw pork that's not my pork that you served to me is it no that's uh all the old pork they left that's the old pork when's this one from not Thanksgiving again stuff what mushroom smell that smell it that's old than me smell it y That's your sauce darl what in the is this oh my God is that flound though it's definitely old definitely old it's green smell that it was embarrassing it was mortifying he comes in something that's so easily identifiable and no one noticed smell it how is that possible oh hi can I just show you something for two seconds Mama Rose I am absolutely horrified that's from Thanksgiving and that a slimy vile sticky flounder and a sour disgusting cream sauce I mean hon honestly this restaurant has been run like a pigy you may be resistant to change but what's become very clear is that you're resistant to Quality Michael should have been a boss to begin with and have his dishwashers and cooked have it done should have been done always all of you come here let's go come here hand can we work like that you've got ingredients from last Thanksgiving did you smell the flounder yes did you see the cooked chicken the raw pork the raw ve it's a joke you should be ashamed of yourselves under no circumstances can we continue to serve food shut the place down after discovering disgusting and dangerous practices in Leon's kitchen under no circumstances can we continue to serve food Chef Ramsey has no choice but to shut the place down we go in the dining room now and just apologize get cleaning get it going do I tell them no more service for the rest of the night or just tell they're done cleaning what do you think not at all just embarrassed that's I'm embarrassed everybody everybody I'm sorry to interrupt you everybody I'm sad to say and embarrassed to say that we're closing down Leon for the night the food is not up to par it's not what you deserve so I apologize for your inconvenience I thank you for choosing Leon but right now it's a must we must shut down you shut it down that's it shut he shut it down sorry guys Le's never been shut down very embarrassed by it BBY won't S toight over this thank you man sorry take care sorry about that ladies I'm feeling disappointment I feel humilated telling everyone that they can't eat at my own restaurant can you sit down please that's the most badly practiced kitchen I've ever seen that's why we need your Chef no Michael Michael you let it happen on a daily basis you need to run your business he doesn't understand his no Integrity it will never die for the rest you don't understand I care shf not in your mother's eyes you don't have you ever walked into your kitchen and opened the door to your Refrigeration units and called them out no I check but I don't check hard enough obviously what are you talking about oh ma stop it Ma stop it you're oblivious it's happening under your your own nose they don't give a because you don't Diana is he lazy yes John is he lazy yes sir Trudy is he lazy yes Mama he is right now we have a room full of individuals that don't believe in your conviction to run this place prove to me and more importantly to your mother and your star that you are ready to lead got it got it a manager that doesn't manage my God give me a rag with some soap and water okay I don't feel like I've given up but I I feel like I'm broken I'm angry at myself I think as the boss of the restaurant it was just irresponsible is HE capable taking care of this restaurant for myself I don't know I think seeing is believing are you okay Ma yeah what's the cryan come here what's the matter what's the matter what's the matter huh we're going to turn the ship around my mother put in almost 20 years of her life in this place her spirit her money I'm I'm crushed that I like her down and I want to make it good but the truth is I don't know if I can turn it around and it's a scary feeling it really is come on get out of here and get some rest okay okay after shutting down Leon Chef Ramsey realizes Michael and his staff need to have their eyes opened and he's arranged something appropriate at an art gallery only half a block away take a look at this amazing exhibition come in look at that what do you see food what kind of food do you see on there what Italian food F that's very pleasurable to the eye is it inviting yes yes this is your competition only blocks away from leonis Michael I went to five restur this morning lovely thank you I took the pictures and trust me after shooting those dishes I ate everything and they don't only look great wow that was delicious but they taste amazing I was glad that Michael got to see what else was in the neighborhood instead of living in the denial that our food is fantastic your dishes set an impression and they remain imp people's memories so let's take a look at these dishes from another local restaurant this restaurant's called that's right Leon is you recognize the food yes wow I've never seen such an outdated mess in all my life take a look at that and then turn around and have a look at your competition come on Trudy what's the message I'm trying to get across get your together your food is no comparison to what's in the neighborhood I can't believe it but I'm embarrassed sir food like that chfs opened my eyes to the to the neighboring competition and I think it takes someone outside the family and your friends to tell you how it is today we move in this direction let's get back to Leon's and get started let's go I think it's time for change and I want to be the best thaan restaurant in town with Michael finally realizing how much his restaurant has slipped Gordon's next move is to push Michael to better understand his business when was the last time you cooked anything never and that means working in the kitchen I want you to watch me now cook a delicious F chop and a simple capalini but I want you to do them with me you don't need to be an amazing Chef to understand when your chefs are going badly wrong you can't continue being blindsided by your Brigade I need you to start leaving eaing from the helm you start running your business okay you got F chop let's go to be the man of the house I have to take all the responsibility I mean I have to take a kick in the ass a lot of people depend on me you follow me every step of the way tou of olive oil there yeah salt and pepper it's cooked on the bone why are we cooking on the bone more flavor right get that pan nice and hot how do you know when the oil is RA I like smoke coming off there you got the Searing there wow leave that searing away there's never cross your mind to come in and cook from time to time of it's one of those things as the Italian Prince my mother always did the cooking it even ENT my mind it is very embarrassing I don't know different positions my restaurant I think it's time for change the most important thing is suceed you know I'm leave my pride aside I want to do better a really nice Spar there we go into the convection 7 minutes okay C in gently now gently push and pull back nice and again good let's go and check our ve is that ready chef I want you to tell me for once I want to pull it right now let's go then pull it cooking with Chef Ramsey has given me great confidence in myself and in my restaurant I'm sure I will make some errors but I have to learn it has to come the hard way look at that visually how do they look they look fantastic do they belong in the gallery or the garbage the gallery G the gallery okay dig in guys please dig in dig in dig in that is a it just melts in your mouth I love the fact I someone above Michael they had the knowledge finally pushed him it was very good for Michael delicious SE what you think of the ve the ve was excellent yeah good job it's probably the best food that's ever come out of that kitchen oh my God the staff when they seen the food they looked at me in a different light knowing that I could do the job that I wasn't just a bump in a log that could sit in the front I don't think I've seen Trudy eat or smile in about 2 years wow not B for the first time daddy tried C in his life I could blame it you may recognize him from sat on his ass outside watching television but that guy's gone now you have a new Michael let's go after feeling a little more positive about Michael Chef Ramsey's Team Works through the night to transform Leon from a sleepy and dated restaurant into a modern Italian bastra good morning good morning chef today we are relaunching the new leonis are you ready I'm ready let's go come in come in oh wow come in oh beautiful wow excellent come this the same beautiful wow wow now big deep breath God is the dated sammon color now we have something sort of contemporary we have some Elegance with the tablecloths red and white chairs the new lampshade cool contemporary fabulous gone the walls laced with Hideous artwork we used the phrase and put imprint of Italy nice very nice as soon as I opened the door it was like a whole different world it's amazing beautiful surrounding that makes you feel like you're in Italy I love that can't play the decor in this restaurant No More I Love It I have another big surprise this is going to make your life so much easier I have for you the most amazing amazing state-ofthe-art Point of Sales system aome nice provided by Zephyr hardware and POS laville it is the state-ofthe-art latest touchcreen device unbelievable each and every dish has been photographed and programmed on there no you go to the table you take you take out of here the order from wireless touchreen device unbelievable even before you've left the table the orders in the kitchen that's unbelievable I might have to cry oh my god I've been asking them to get any kind of computer here for years this handwritten stuff has to go and thank God it's finally gone we're like a real restaurant you are like a real restaurant before Gordon Ramsey came here this was an outdated New Jersey restaurant after Gordon Ramsey this restaurant fits right in it's just this modern classic Italian beastro you're my hero thank you of happiness or oh mama Rose don't hug me too you okay yes okay I feel good going forward ready for the little Le only I looks like a money maker come on in in addition to revamping Leon's Decor Chef Ramsey has overhauled their massive and stale menu and replaced it with fresh and Innovative modern Italian dishes these dishes are good enough to go in any gallery when I seen the food I I really was excited the most eye popping dishes I've seen in a long time is it's exactly the first way I felt when I saw you now let's start off on the top hloom tomatoes with cucumber and a cherry vinegared then a delicious capalini yeah fresh crab beautiful I love it when you think of Italian Classics you think of a chicken catori Penta olives mushrooms and tomatoes vibrant fresh it's beautiful a delicious shrimp scampy a roasted paned Cod very ni a menu one3 of the size with 45 dishes that can change frequently got it yeah yes you happy yes good I want you to get some knife and forks and dig in oh my God that is so good this is excellent wow every on the menu put that of this worldl this food is a complete 180 from what we were serving here before I'm I'm very happy right now I absolutely love all the dishes on this menu and you just could taste the difference of the freshness as soon as it goes in your mouth we're back back in buiness it's relaunch night at Leon's and after an overhaul of a menu and the decor Chef Ramsey is encouraged by Michael's new attitude and so he expects him to take complete control of his restaurant tonight we're going to get it done I want you experise I want you holding the fort together sure yeah King of the castle you got yeah we get in the weeds we get out we stay together as a team we got I'm nervous I'm excited I got the butterflies but I think it's time for me to make this business run the way it should I know that I can do it tonight we get it done chess we're going to get it done you got let's go guys come on move let's go hi welcome to the new Leon hi Leon once a famed restaurant in this community had lost its way this is our menu tonight with news of the relaunch diners are streaming in ready to give it another chance are we ready to order and Las okay what would you like okay Pizza let's go Pizza I'm so impressed by this I adore the pis it was really cool I mean the ease of ordering it was incredible and my handwriting is atrocious so this for me is a dream come true appetizers one soup one galamad thank you come here here buddy this one is that's a new food Alex Che okay good how first name is Alex Alex good to see so what's going next we're looking at Table Six okay let's go Michael is off to a good start I'm barata ensuring quality dish after dish is quickly leaving the kitchen this looks awesome and diners are thrilled with the new menu it's very good how does everything look very good good everyone's loving it I mean loving it but the kitchen has hit a roadblock Alex this right here is table three as Michael in an attempt to push food out fast has lost control and is sending an order to a table that has already received its food has sake oh come on we're not getting anywhere guys we've already sent the appetizers just Che out was that six no somebody got a three okay then check six then check six it's not the same table no just checking if it's the same order s we're sending food out twice they're eating too table a for sake come on Michael table six and three are eating do you know what you're doing Mike screw up boy Michael needs to step up to the plate I know it everyone knows except fry needs to K Michael in the ass Micha I need you to step up stop panicking you're right there's nothing difficult here I know bring the team together we got this we're going to go pro you got it word this line have the balls to do it mistakes are going to happen it all depends on how you handle the mistake John table 10 did they get all their appetizers yes they did Alex did you bring this to 19 right an olives and a callary Table 19 I got to keep it together get my head on straight have confidence in myself and stick to the game plan right now listen I need one part Deli one Cod one R CH day and then we'll worry about everything else but that I need now yes sir come on keep it going you got to drive the team I got youi yes how we doing on 18 hey coming right now got to talk to each other guys okay I want to sit in the window together good right here right here thank you sir table six with Chef ramsy's encouragement Michael has rallied back okay lasagna lasagna lasagna one lasagna in the window baby beautiful baby food is flowing into the dining room again at a steady Pace yay oh this is so good you're going to love it no snacks it tastes great and no complaints delicious what did you like about the pizza the whole pie D how is everybody out there they loving it everybody's loving it they're loving it yeah got you you gave me a chicken par with no home is a shrimp coming with it it's incredible having Michael finally step up he's doing a good job he actually sounds like a boss today that's the first you guys are doing a great job food looks absolutely gorgeous thank you thank you Michael is now working together with us hey guys come on baby one more and the finish line is here they're supposed to be like that we looking for that for a long time how everything go okay oh my God excellent back on the M okay how you feeling good yes yes feedback they love the food the old customers right Mama Rose I thought you gone to bed huh you happy yeah I'm very happy look after your son I will let him spoil you now that's I need you need to sit and relax and go around the corner of a little game of bingo he's good enough to take over yes he is I was about to see my go be the Bo and hopefully things work out and be bettered uh I'd like a little word with you yes sir okay three important words that right now I need you to remember stay the course if you don't do that we're coming off track back and we're going to slip back day by day to our old ways stay the course stay the course yes I can't hear you stay the course take a big deep breath and Shout at me Chef in my restaurant I'm going to stay the course good well done thank you sir good ni thank you this was just a phenomenal experience and the thing that changed me the most is Chef Ramsey that's a God on is truth stay the course you got it brother good night good night he believed in me and he said I can do I truly believe I can do it good job Michael you proud of me yeah thank you very much do nothing now no more okay I'll try I'm tired you're in good hands yeah thank you I love you love you too wow when I first arrived I saw a lazy owner sat in his pizza area watching TV we made a lot of changes not just to the restaurants but to the owner Michael found his voice and finally he's now speaking not just for himself but for his mother wow that baby was ugly only days after Chef Ramsey left Alex give me a silverware rap silver Michael took his advice to heart and stayed the course here's your bu chop T go get it baby and under his leadership guys if he needs help jump in Franco help him Leon is once again a popular spot in Monclair things are more upscale as for Rose she can finally rest easy knowing that her son is in control and the future of Leon's looks bright than you said friendy because of you Michael's a boss and Leon is the hottest restaurant in town we hot like de BR hot hot hot next time on Kitchen Nightmares after 2 years in a coma an owner Returns what are you doing to find that her son has run the restaurant into the ground this restaurant is a pigy oh my God the menu is massive look at all this food and the kitchen is a health hazard smell that that's older than me will Chef Ramsey get through to this lazy owner come on Michael no or will his ailen mother see her life's work get completely trashed shut the place down next time on Kitchen Nightmares Gordon Ram tries to help overwhelmed owner Mike slow the down the restaurant is literally falling apart e the kitchen is a mess are you're kidding me the food is disgusting is this good enough for you Mike's daughters look on helplessly desperate to save their father he's suffering so much Chef Ramsey is in one of the most difficult situations yet as he battles Mike fine now I've had enough and his demons it's begin to the end\n"