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The Stink Piles Up for Ramsay

YumSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:58:19 -0700

Gordon Ramsay sure is causing a stink. Actually, make that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) sure is causing a stink for Gordon Ramsay. PETA UK demonstrators dressed up as horses and dumped a ton of horse manure in front of his London restaurant Claridge's. Ramsay has been putting himself in the bad graces of PETA, first by dragging a slain deer through his restaurant and then by suggesting that people should eat horse meat. In an upcoming episode of his show The F-Word, Ramsay admits to eating horse.

"I've eaten horse", and says that it is healthy, with lots of iron and half the fat of beef and far more Omega 3 essential fatty acids. He describes horse meat as "slightly gamey" and "packed with protein".

Some are calling the horse meat statement a "ratings gimmick," and others say it's perfectly viable to consider other red meat sources. Either way I bet Ramsay didn't think it would cause such a stink.

Source: The Telegraph and Metro UK

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Gordan Ramsay Goes a Hunting

YumSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 03:00:19 -0700

Lately I've been trying to be more aware of my food chain. In fact, one of my goals for 2007 is to catch, kill and gut my own fish - Jimmy thinks I'm crazy, but I really want to do it. I think it would be a good reminder of the whole circle food chain thing. Also, fish are slimy and blech, but I'd probably have an easier time with a fish than I would, oh say a deer (mmm... venison).

Gordon Ramsay on the other hand, apparently doesn't have a hard time at all. In an upcoming episode of his show, The F Word (BBC America carries it, but is behind a season), Ramsay proves why he is the man most British men admire by hunting a deer. The episode hasn't aired yet, so I don't know if he actually succeeded, but I do know that someone did because later he carries the deer carcass through his restaurant. I guess the special that night was venison?

Source: Chow
The Daily Mail

What's Cooking at Slashfood

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:15:27 -0700

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:

Case closed: Oysters are responsible for The Fat Duck-related food illnesses.
Cheftestants, take advice from Master Rick Bayless himself.
Top 10 most bizarre celebrity food commercials.
Is gesturing an appropriate way to get your server's attention?
One UK eatery calls a rowdy toddler the f-word on a check.

Source: Flickr User Allerina & Glen MacLarty

Let's Dish: Hell's Kitchen the Season Finale

partysugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:05:37 -0700

Last night on Hell's Kitchen, Christina and Petrozza faced off in a culinary showdown. Each had to run the pass, manage their team, and control the quality of the food. It was fun to see the old contestants up to their usual antics in the kitchen and it was lovely to hear the kind words Gordon Ramsay had to say about the final two.

To chat about the finale and the (spoiler alert!) winner, read more.

Were you surprised Petrozza picked Jen?
Who had the stronger team?
Whose restaurant design did you prefer: Christina's elegant bistro or Petrozza's rustic clubroom?
Were you shocked when Jen asked Chef Ramsay for a letter of recommendation?
Whose menu was more exciting?
Didn't Petrozza's lobster strudel look unappetizing?
Who was worse in the kitchen, Matt or Jen?
Was it just me or was the ending, totally climatic anti-climatic?
Did Christina deserve to win?
Did you get emotional when Ramsay hugged loser Petrozza?
Overall, what did you think of this season?

Oh Gordon, I will miss spending my Tuesday nights with you! Here are some of my favorite Ramsayisms from the season finale:

On Petrozza's appetizers: We can't run out of strudel and the frisee salad! We can't take two of the appetizers off. This is your f**king night you.
On Christina's slow kitchen: Look all this food over here! Come on now we're backed up now. Christina step up please, yes?
On Matt's monkfish: It's raw in the middle! Matt how can you do that to her? I can't stand here and let that go! You're f**king useless, come here you listen to me f**k face. Would you mind shutting the f**k up and concentrate, yes?
On Christina's control of her team: Hey look at me right now. You have one awkward fish in your kitchen. Organize it!
On ending HK: I feel like I've been on a roller coaster for the last 3 months. Out of all of the seasons this has been the most crazy ride. But now its time for me to get the f**k out of Hell's Kitchen.

Photos courtesy of Fox.

Let's Dish: Hell's Kitchen 4.11

partysugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:42 -0700

The battle to be Ramsay's executive chef is on! Last night's episode of Hell's Kitchen was an odd mix of bimbos, bloopers, and bad tempers. It was the first time in HK history that contestants taught non-chefs how to cook. It was also the first time the losers had to witness the challenge winner enjoy the prize.

I'll admit I was a little surprised by the outcome of the elimination; were you? To discuss this and more, read more.

Will Jen be her own undoing?
Didn't you want to taste Ramsay's scrumptious-looking lobster pasta?
Where did they find those ~~trashy housewives~~ Hawaiian Tropics models?!
When the models walked in, whose drooling was more disgusting: Bobby's or Petrozza's?
Will Jen ever be a team player?
Who would you have nominated for elimination?
Can you believe Petrozza has made it to the final four?
Wouldn't it be fun if the final two were Christina and Corey?

And now, a few words of wisdom from good old Gordon Ramsay:

On being a great chef [Do you agree?]: That's the essence of becoming a great chef: becoming a great teacher.
On Bobby's burnt Wellingtons: Hey Bobby! What the f*** is that? Bobby yeah, look burnt on the bottom! And you haven't even trimmed the f***ing backs. F***ing wake up please.
On Jen's John Dory: Hello Jen? It's f***ing raw, it's raw yeah? It's raw! It's rubber! It's overcooked! First you undercook it, now you overcook it?!
On the dinner service: We completed the service, but here's the thing, it was too painful. And being the final five I seriously expect more.
On the final five contestants: One of you is going to be my executive chef at the London West Hollywood! [Are they really?]

Photos courtesy of Fox.

Let's Dish: Hell's Kitchen 4.12

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:00:26 -0700

With the competition down to the final four, the stakes are high on Hell's Kitchen. Last night's episode was full of weighted silences, evil glares, and surprising compliments. The entertaining challenge tested the chefs' innovation and their ability to mass produce a specific dish. It was the smoothest, most successful dinner service to date. To discuss the elimination and more, read more.

Who did you think the special lunch guests were?
During the challenge, why did Corey choke?
Whose dish sounded the best?
Did you notice when Jen took a bite of a leftover sandwich?
Am I the only one who thinks a shopping spree with Gordon Ramsay would be fabulous fun?
Weren't Petrozza's words about working together as a team heartwarming?
Were you fooled when Ramsay said Corey's name first at elimination?

As usual, tough chef Ramsay had plenty of things to say. Here are a few of the highlights:

On Corey's empty plates during the challenge: Corey, can you get some f***ing food on the plate? Please! Before you and I have a f***ing fall out.
On Christina's new look: Now do me a favor. Shake out the hair and take the glasses off. There you go, you look like Elizabeth Hurley!
On Jen's inconsistent risotto: Jen the rice is mush. Have you switched off now? Your spoon is crushing the rice! Where's your risotto? Where is your spark?
On Christina's hot pot handle: Don't stop and look stupid like some thick cow! Christina the handle was over the flame, if it's over the stove at least say something, yeah? If a pan handle is over the f***ing flame, say something please!
On the final three contestants: Well at least give each other a kiss or a hug or something! I know Petrozza is fat, but he's not that ugly.

Photos courtesy of Fox.

Out of Hell: Dominic the Dad Dishes

partysugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:57:51 -0700

On the premiere episode of Hell's Kitchen, Dominic, the stay-at-home dad from South Carolina, was sent home. I had the chance to speak with him over the phone yesterday and I learned that he does indeed know how to cook scallops and was completely fooled by Gordon's disguise.

Although it might not seem like it from the first episode - which was full of stumbles, spills, and kitchen mishaps - according to Dominic, ALL of the contestants have had experience working in a kitchen. To see what else Dominic had to say about being the first contestant kicked out of the kitchen, read more.

PartySugar: How did it feel to be the first eliminated contestant? Were you surprised to hear your name? Dominic: It was a real heartbreaker and caught me totally by surprise. I didn't think Gordon really had any problems with my work in the kitchen. Maybe he saw something he didn't like in me. I know how to make the scallops, it was really a matter of bad timing. My scallops would be perfectly cooked, but the risotto wasn't ready. And I thought I was safe. I thought I had proven myself by not making a dish that was thrown out or thrown up.

PS: Is Gordon really as big of a jerk as he seems?
Dominic: Well I wish I had more time to get to know him. I really respect his work, I consider him one of the world's greatest culinary artists of the 20th century. He is really passionate about his kitchen and his passion comes out in an aggressive way. He cooks with one F-word and I cook with three different F-words: faith, family, and food.

PS: What was it like working in the kitchen? Did you ever really feel like you were in Hell?
Dominic: Being in Hell's Kitchen was like a baptism of fire. It'd been so long since I was in a kitchen, it was really hard. I had forgotten about how important the timing is in a kitchen.

PS: How come none of the men knew what was on the menu? How could anyone possibly expect to control the kitchen when they don’t know what is on the menu?
Dominic: The blue team really dropped the ball on that one. Anybody from our team could have been put to the chopping block. Our big problem was that we didn't prepare properly. It took too long to pick a leader. We should've taken more time to learn the menu and know what we were preparing.

PS: What’s next for you? Will you continue to be a stay-at-home dad or will you go back to work in a kitchen?
Dominic: Well I made a choice ten years ago to be a stay-at-home dad and I'll continue to do it. I have also started a catering and cooking school company called Dominic's Delights.

Photo courtesy of Fox.

Hell's Kitchen - 3.7 Recap

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:11:38 -0700

Forgot to set your Tivo to reality television's most fiery food contest? Have no fear, I watched Hell's Kitchen for you! The battle of the sexes was back as the six cheftestants were tested on their resourcefulness and creativity. Challenged first with leftovers, and later with planning their very own menus, both teams ran into plenty of obstacles. Bonnie bitched, Josh failed, Rock complained, and Julia shone (woo-hoo!). Ramsay yelled, kicked garbage cans, and shot (yes with a real gun!) a contestant (or 2). For all the details and more, read more

The teams are given a tray of leftover ingredients that includes white wine, spaghetti, vegetable stock, beef, and chicken. They have 30 minutes to create 3 dishes. At the silver plated showdown, Bonnie and Brad begin. Chef likes the dishes: a rustic tomato, chicken soup and fancy curried bass with crustacean tomato pasta, respectively, and awards both teams 1 point. Jen's steak and eggs are too simple and Josh's chicken legs are bathed in a highly acidic sauce, so neither get a point. It comes down to Julia and Rock. While Ramsay enjoys Julia's fish & chips he finds it disappointing for the level of competition and awards Rock's surf & turf the winning point.

As their reward, the boys are invited to a paintball fight with Ramsay, 3 against 1. The girls have to clean Hell's Kitchen and unload the deliveries. Later the contestants find out that the dinner service will be the most serious because (for the first time) the teams will create their own menus of 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 3 desserts. The diners can choose from either the red or the blue menu. After a lot of grumbling no one is really satisfied with the menus. Ramsay questions Julia's contribution and find out that all of her ideas were overruled by Jen and Bonnie. He pulls another dish and substitutes Julia's strip steak and shrimp.

During the dinner course, 52 red and 48 blue menus are ordered with the majority being Julia's steak. The girl's struggle to make Bonnie's bacon wrapped rabbit (bet you can't say that 5 times fast!), bicker, and lose communication and team spirit. Josh brings the boys down with his total inability to cook lamb, but when Ramsay demands that someone help him, neither Rock or Brad go to Josh's aid. In the end, Ramsay praises Julia for her consistency and asks her to select a girl for elimination. The boys are left to nominate amongst themselves. At elimination Julia nominates Bonnie for her failure to execute (and forgetfulness to turn on the stove!) and Brad martyrs himself. Ramsay asks Brad to leave because when looking for a leader, all Brad was was a cook.

You waited all week for it and it's finally here! My top 5 Ramsayism's from last night's show plus 1 extra that we shall entitle, Words of Wisdom To Live By by Gordon Ramsay:

You're a professional chef? I expect more from you: The chicken's not cooked all the way through, the sauce is disgusting, yeah? And the dish is just crap.
Where's the lamb? How long please? Hey you! Hey donkey one's nicely cooked and one's boiled! Under pressure now and this is where it separates a f**king chef from a donkey! Come here, let me tell you something, let me tell you something in your ear, you can't cook! Thats what's just been confirmed to me! Yah you're coming, so is your f**king elimination!
Hey Josh, I wouldn't trust you with a hot dog stand.
Jen don't stand there looking all sad like a little lonely puppy.
Hey missy turn the f**king gas on... you should be f**king ashamed of yourself!
To be successful as an individual, you have to be successful as a team

Now for some rhetorical questions to get you all thinking: How in the hell did Ramsay beat all 3 boys at paintball? What do you think Bonnie thought when she saw her face being used as a target for paintball practice? Were those really leftovers, or was it raw pieces of meat? Did Ramsay call Josh a doughnut?? What's the deal with the steaming pots on stove at elimination?

And finally, a totally unrelated side note: Ramsay's bad boy persona and hot shot chef are starting to get to me...I think I've developed a school girl crush!

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Hell's Kitchen - 3.4 Recap

partysugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:01:39 -0700

Last night's episode saw our favorite culinary guinea pigs blind tasting food, getting yelled at (no surprises here), and poorly cooking a dinner service (again, no surprises). The show starts with Jen, last week's almost eliminated female, in tears. She connects with Bonnie who complains about how difficult it is being in Hell's Kitchen. To see what happened when the chefs were challenged to push their palettes to the extreme, and just how angry Ramsay got when too many Wellingtons were under/over cooked, read more

Blindfolded and outfitted with headphones, the chefs must identify different types of food by smell and taste. With varied ingredients like American cheese, plain boiled carrots, venison, and bok choy, the girls come out victorious leading 5-3 after Josh fails to identify any of the ingredients. With one ingredient left - seared tuna - Vinnie and Jen battle as the final pair. Vinnie guesses it's pancetta so the boys lose (how could he mistake tuna for pancetta?!?). As punishment, the boy's are told they must educate their palates and have to eat beef liver, tongue, pig's feet, kidney, etc. They also have to prep both kitchens for the dinner service while the gals are rewarded with a lunch in the dark. During lunch Bonnie actually hits on Ramsay by proclaiming that he has, “the nicest voice in the dark.”

That night, the contestants find out that the customers will decide who goes home. Ramsay explains that in order to be a success, the teams must get the appetizers out quickly. Tension mounts on the girl's side as Julia needs more time to make her scallops when Melissa's risotto is ready for them. Ramsay blames Melissa for not timing it correctly, when in fact it was Julia who burnt the scallops. They finally get the appetizers out and start to crank out the entrees. Both sides struggle with perfecting the Wellingtons - which require a flaky cooked pastry and perfectly well done meat. Ramsay is shocked to find 6 Wellingtons and 1 chicken in Vinnie's trash bin.

Things start to fall apart for the cooks of Hell's Kitchen when a customer (or a really bad actress?) storms into the kitchen to complain about the long wait for her food (if you missed it check out the clip below!). Plates are sent back to the kitchen leaving Ramsay no choice but to throw a tantrum (and several plates) and shut down Hell's Kitchen. Of the customers' reviews, 65% said that they would not come back because the food took too long to get to the table.

Ramsay chooses Rock and Jen to each nominate one team member for elimination. Rock and Jen converse and instead of selecting the obvious weakest links, Rock picks his enemy Josh and Jen, unable to pick her new bff Bonnie, picks Melissa. Ramsay overrules their nominations and calls out the poorest performers: Bonnie and Vinnie. In the end Vinnie is sent home for having already peaked in his performance as a chef.

And now the part you'll all been waiting for: my top 5 Ramsayisms (donkey is totally my new mean vocabulary word!):

Right now I need some team f**king spirit.
You f**king idiot, you stupid cat.
Blue donkeys come here!
What do you think you are the WWF?
I have to really slow it down for you - put it in nannified words for you. Barbie, do your hair before you come over.

Does anybody else feel like things are planted? Who would actually walk into a restaurant's kitchen and demand food? Something smells fishy to me and it wasn't last week's rancid crab....

What's Yummy This Week: YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 08:21:45 -0700

In case you've forgotten, Mother's Day is this Sunday. If you haven't bought her any great gifts, you can still make it up by planning a fantastic breakfast in bed with sparkling cocktails or juice.
If the person you celebrate on Mother's Day is not into breakfast in bed, why don't you surprise her with strawberry shortcake instead? We've got two recipes, one for beginners and one for those who love a kitchen challenge.
Did someone mention challenge? Get your oven mitts out, we've extended the deadline to our American Idol Themed Food Challenge. Get your submissions in by Tuesday May 15.
This week we saw a photo of Gordon Ramsay carrying a dead deer through his restaurant. He goes hunting on an upcoming episode of his show the F word and well, I guess venison made the menu that night. Oh and the new season of Hell's Kitchen starts on June 4.
Speaking of new seasons, Bravo finally announced the contestants for the upcoming season of Top Chef. New season starts June 13, with a special on June 6. The upcoming date means a lot of miscellaneous Top Chef news turning up everywhere.
If Top Chef's not your bag, then perhaps you enjoy Easy Entertaining on Food Network. If so, then be sure to check out our exclusive interview with host Michael Chiarello. We hear his Julia Child impersonation, learn how to make perfect crepes and discover a great red wine blend.
Everyone loves free stuff! In Japan you can get free drinks (as long as you watch a 30 second commercial) and here in the US, participating Häagen-Dazs stores will be giving away ice cream on Tuesday, May 15.

If you're looking for a way to start a healthier lifestyle, check out Heidi Swanson's new cookbook, Super Natural Cooking. She covers meals, salads, drinks, desserts and more. One of her desserts is great, even if I did screw it up a bit.
The who's who of the food world were out and about for the James Beard Awards. Was your favorite chef/restaurant a winner?
Finally, we want to know:
- What do you eat when you're drunk?
- Do you drink sparkling water?
- How about hot or cold water?
- Do You prefer hamburgers or hot dogs?