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Can an Unwanted Spokesperson Ruin a Restaurant's Image?

partysugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Like many young American women, Kendra Wilkinson loves the food at Olive Garden. However, unlike the majority of these women, Kendra is a Playboy Playmate, girlfriend to Hugh Hefner, and star of the reality show The Girls Next Door. On the series, she expresses her profound love for the Italian chain's artichoke dip and unlimited breadsticks. She's not a spokesperson for the brand, and her public, undying love is not returned. Rumor has it the officials at Olive Garden would like her to stop inadvertently promoting the restaurant. They've worked hard to craft their family-friendly image, and a Playboy playmate doesn't exactly fit into that picture. Although many brands welcome a celebrity's endorsement, if the celebrity doesn't match the brand's image, problems can arise.

I think it's an interesting topic, and wonder what you have to say about the matter. Can an unwanted spokesperson ruin a restaurant's reputation?

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Hell's Kitchen - Season 3 Finale Recap

partysugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:03:51 -0700

Warning: Viewer discretion advised.

And so began the final episode of Hell's Kitchen and the final installment of my weekly recaps. In a somewhat anticlimactic finish, tempers raged, seafood was under/over cooked, tears fell freely, and a winner was selected. Things began where we left them last week with the return of the battle of the sexes. Bonnie is relaxed with her approach to leading the ladies and Rock goes in strong and fierce assigning the boys their stations, explaining the menu, and stating what he needs from each guy. To find out what happened next and who opened the door to their very own restaurant, read more

The finalists and their posses arrive at the kitchen ready to prep and practice the menus. Throughout the day, Bonnie and Rock receive updates on their re-designs of Hell's Kitchen. Bonnie's half is simplistic and classic and reminds Ramsay of a neighborhood hideaway. Rock's half is comfortable and elegant and Ramsay describes it as a homestyle bistro. With an hour till service, the finalists present a tasting of their menus to Chef Ramsay. He approves of the majority of their dishes, but asks both Bonnie and Rock to change up elements of the desserts. After one last pep talk and a present from Ramsay - real master chefs coats, Jean Phillipe opens Hell's Kitchen.

As to be expected, each team stumbles and screws up, yet the excitement that was once there is oddly missing. The boring dinner service drags on with Julia being a bitter loser, Josh unable to cook crab cakes, and Melissa equally unable to cook shrimp and pasta. The girls fail to communicate and quickly run out of both fettuccine and prawns for Bonnie's signature dish. Meanwhile, Rock must adjust for his teammates inadequate culinary skills and nearly fires Josh from the line.

Finally the long dinner service ends with all of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts making it out of the kitchen. Ramsay faces his wannabe restaurateurs questioning what they would have done differently to make the night more successful. Bonnie regrets not checking the quantity of food at her stations and Rock wishes he could have chosen Jen as a member of his team.

Before announcing the winner, Ramsay sends Bonnie and Rock up to the dorms so he can read the feedback and comments from the diners. Upon making his (or was it the producer's or the Green Valley Ranch's?) decision, Ramsay leads Bonnie and Rock to two doorways. Only one will open into the restaurant and whoever stands in front of the unlocked door is the winner. The drumming music quickens, the camera flashes from Ramsay's face to Bonnie's face to Rock's face to a burning fire and back again. Ramsay counts 1, 2, 3 and --- Fox cuts to commercial. The break quickly passes, the dramatic build up is repeated and Rock's door opens! Rock wins, everyone hugs, and even Bonnie, whose positive thinking I admire, and Ramsay sprays champagne all over the contestants. Congratulations Rock! Congratulations PartySugar you can have your Monday nights back!
But wait... no final episode is complete without some fabulous little quotes from our hero Ramsay (who was really nice tonight... perhaps because he knew the end was near?):

No salt and pepper on the tables? You'd like them to think it's well seasoned when it comes!
You run it or it runs you.
Rock I'm not impressed. It's dry on the outside and piss in the middle.
Tough that one. You know what it's like now, standing on the hot plate.
I can see why you're called Rock 'cause you're rock solid.

What did you guys think? Were you happy with Rock being crowned the winner? Could you believe the chef's starting salary is $250,000? Why do you think Julia turned into a total b*tch? How did Bonnie handle her loss? Is Ramsay always in such a bad mood because he has a contract to be on reality tv?

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Hell's Kitchen - 3.10 Recap

partysugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:28:31 -0700

Last night at nine, I sat down to enjoy the final episode of Hell's Kitchen. Boy was I in for a shock when at ten I realized it was far from over - there is still one episode left! It was much tamer than it normally is with the finalists, Rock and Bonnie, only entering the kitchen for a quick 30 minutes. All of the previous episodes were reviewed, and the last six contestants were brought back to help the finalists in their toughest dinner challenge. To see what happens when Bonnie and Rock design their own restaurants and are whisked off to Vegas for a surprise challenge, read more

After enjoying a few brief moments with their families - Bonnie's parents and Rock's wife and children - the dining room of Hell's Kitchen is loudly cut in half by a hanging partition. Ramsay then tells the finalists they have 36 hours to build their dream restaurant. Bonnie and Rock have full creative liability and must design the dining room and prepare a menu that reflects their signature styles as chefs. They return to the dorms to celebrate and get a start on brainstorming menus and restaurant designs.

The following morning both meet with the architect to discuss their intentions. Bonnie wants a romantic, European, simple, classic-with-a-twist style restaurant. She dislikes the booths and prefers mismatched China. Rock, on the other hand, loves the booths and prefers classic silverware with a warm, American, Southern, black-and-white style dining room.

Next they meet individually with Jean Phillipe, the maitre d', to select the waitstaff's uniforms. Bonnie decides her servers will wear all black and the females should be sexy. Rock is much more hesitant. His first choice of jeans is vetoed by Jean Phillipe, who helps Rock decide on something more appropriate for a fine dining room. Then it's on to the menus: Bonnie is paired with sous chef Mary Anne and quickly describes her menu of mini grilled cheeses, homemade pastas, and all of her personal favorite foods. Rock is paired with sous chef Scott, but his menu is unclear. The only dish he is certain of is a surf n' turf fried chicken and crab cakes.

Ramsay shows up and informs them that they have some very important business to take care of in Las Vegas!! Bonnie and Rock take five minutes to change before they board Ramsay's private jet. On the plane, Ramsay compliments them both and asks questions about their motivations for certain actions. They arrive at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Vegas, head to an amazing luxurious room, and are shown a teaser for the season finale. Both are a little shocked to see themselves on television for the first time.

Afterwards, Ramsay invites them for a relaxing drink in the VIP lounge of the bar. Little do they know that behind the doors is a stadium full of screaming fans and several of Vegas' top chefs. Guess what? It's surprise challenge time! Rock and Bonnie have 30 minutes to make a dish that represents their signature style. Bonnie makes a shrimp and Fettuccine Alfredo and Rock does the aforementioned fried chicken and crab cakes (was anyone else disappointed by their lack of culinary splendor? Fettuccine Alfredo? Fried Chicken? I can master those dishes!).

Chefs from Caesars Palace, the MGM Grand, and Michael Mina judge the dishes. Then Robin Leach makes a cameo as a celebrity judge and gives his vote to Bonnie. Leaving the previous two winners of Hell's Kitchen to tie the score up - three for Bonnie and three for Rock. The tying vote goes to the manager and current executive chef of the restaurant at the Green Valley Ranch (surprise, surprise, was this a little fixed???). They declare Bonnie the winner and Ramsay whisks both off to the Ghost Bar at the top of the Palms where he gives them one last pep talk.

When they arrive back in LA, Rock and Bonnie receive another surprise when their old crew (Julia, Jen, Brad, Josh, Melissa, and Vinnie) enters the dorm with large gift baskets. Ramsay calls them all down to the kitchen where Bonnie and Rock are instructed to select team members to work in the upcoming night's dinner service. Since Bonnie won the challenge in Vegas, she has first pick and chooses Jen. They alternate turns each selecting another team member. Rock picks Brad and Vinnie and is stuck with Josh. Bonnie selects Melissa and Julia. The episode ends abruptly with clips of the hellish boys vs. girls dinner service that is to come in next week's final showdown.

Ramsay is at his best when he is in the kitchen, so today I have only the top 4 Ramsayisms and a bonus quote from celebrity judge, Mr. Robin Leach (of Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous):

Rock this wouldn't be such an event without your children... it's baby Rock!
You didn't think we would be flying commercial did you?
Stop trying to charm him, he's a chef he doesn't do charm!
Stop trying to manipulate the judges Rock!
And from Robin Leach: I've eaten at over 1700 restaurants around the world and I'm intrigued by the combination in both. But you told me if I didn't have a choice, you would put a cleaver in my back! So I give it to the lady.

Finally didn't you think Bonnie's hair looked a little too perfect after slaving in the kitchen for a half an hour? She must have spent time with a stylist. What do you think Rock and Bonnie make for themselves to eat in the dorm? Didn't you just want to shake Julia and give her a hug? You got the best prize girl, a culinary education and consoling from Ramsay, so be happy!

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Office Lunch Etiquette: Don't Bring Smelly Food

partysugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:43:12 -0800

I happen to sit right next to the kitchen at my office. While this has plenty of perks (I can easily refill my water bottle all day) it also has its downfalls. The biggest of which is the wide variety of stenches that come wafting towards me each afternoon around lunchtime. One of the girls I work with has an extremely sensitive stomach when it comes to odd smells (she swears she's not pregnant) and is always feeling nauseous due to people's stinky lunches. I'm all for packing a lunch and bringing it to work - it's healthier and cheaper (according to geeksugar you can save $5000 a year if you make your lunch... think about it: you could go on several luxurious vacations or buy 2.5 Chanel handbags!), but when you decide what to pack keep in mind the presence and noses of your coworkers. Foods with heavy smells such as curried fish with asparagus or spicy unusual dishes are NOT OKAY as they will fill the office with an unpleasant smell for the rest of the day. Sandwiches, salad, soups, and foods that have relatively little to no smell are acceptable and encouraged. If the kitchen in your office has a door (mine doesn't) this does not automatically mean you are free to bring super fragrant food. Remember that your coworkers will be eating in that kitchen and you should be respectful. The last thing you want is people at the office calling you Stinky Food Girl behind your back. So do yourself and your colleagues a favor, don't bring smelly food to work.