So...Ji sprains her ankle and gets to keep her jacket, but Robert gets what could be a fatal ailment and still has to turn his jacket in?

No. Justice.

Hope Robert is feeling better soon.

I think that saving Andrea was a TOTAL setup.

As soon as Robert left, I KNEW that there wouldn't be an elimination and I think that Ramsay KNEW that Andrea would fuck up again and so saved her in order to create an "OMG Which of the chefs that did well will go?!" kind of moment, but then of course, because Robert left - er, I mean, because Ramsay wants a clear conscience, right - they didn't have to eliminate anyone, thus dragging out the idiocy further.

Also, I HOPE HOPE HOPE that Paula or Danny win this season.

I think that the casting team purposely casts some good chefs, some mediocre and the rest fucking idiots.

Good chefs: Ji, Danny, Paula, Coi, LA, Giovanni

Some of these people - Coi and LA, I think DID NOT deserve to go home when they did. Not even close. And Giovanni only fucked up majorly the one time and then he got kicked off.

But Danny nor Paula has ever been in major danger, not like Ben, Andrea, Lacey etc.

Ratings, I suppose.

"LA"

Good cook not chef. A chef needs to be creative and a leader. LA is neither.

Coi messed up very badly on simple stuff.

Gio meltdown. Not something you want in someone meant to be a head chef plus injuring somebody by carelessness like that bad to keep on a team.

Andrea being made immune i think was to put pressure on the other chefs to see how they handled it. He knew she would mess up. Of course perhaps her dish was very nice and that plus the above reasons made him make her immune.

He does everything for a reason after all.

I really wonder if this restaurant will even open. I live 5 minutes from the Borgata.

AC is hurting right now, casinos have been losing money due to competition from Philly & NY slots. Places are closing. One casino is up for Bankruptcy auction and another is being foreclosed upon.

The Borgata built a huge expansion and this winter it was closed Monday-Thursday.

I love your recaps so much. They're always so funny, and so. spot. on.

I feel so bad for Danny...can someone just give him a prize? Damn.
I'm trying to think of a time when he's screwed up at his station during service, or cooked something nasty during a challenge.
I don't think he ever has. And I like that he still does what he has to do, even when he also has to babysit someone else. I'm looking at you, Andrea and Lacey.

And boo..down with Andrea.
Seriously, at this point, I'd rather have Lacey back. She was stupid, annoying, and couldn't cook, but at least she was mildly entertaining.

Darling Pottymouth;

I feel so bad for Robert. At this point, I'm hoping that both Ben and Andrea get the chop in one fell swoop. But, with my luck not only will they both go on to the final three, Ramsay will have a moment of complete insanity and bring back Pretty Girl.

Thanks so much for the giggles.
Hugs,
Yenta

How can someone feel bad for Robert? You can't put that much weight on your body and live life like everything's okay! He couldn't take the private jet on the first challenge win because of his weight. He couldn't ride the Segway because of his weight. And now he's lost out on the opportunity of a lifetime because of his weight. He knows he's fat (cue his opening comments in the first episode of this season)...maybe now he doesn't think it's so funny.

The ONLY person I feel bad for in regards to Robert and his extra poundage is his fiancee and the Borgata Babes that had to cleanse their ears in turpentine after his repulsive comments towards them.

I'm glad to see him go. He was a nice guy, sure, but I lost my appetite just looking at him. You can call me heartless if you want, but it's also being honest.

Great recap as usual PottyMouth! I didn't think that G-Ram would send anyone home after Robert had to split. It's a damn shame too, because I would've paid to see Andrea or Ben get kicked out during this episode. The fact that Ben, who's supposedly great friends with Robert, didn't even go check on his boy when he just abruptly left the table in AC? And Andrea because she's a no talent bitch who's making it through this competition by some kind of voodoo magic...geez. Anyway, I'm hoping Paula wins it all, and I think she's got a damn good chance. If only she had a personality..

I. HATE. ANDREA.
As with so much of this show it was obvious that the closing was a ploy just as Andrea winning immunity was a ploy and a damn fine opportunity to humiliate her! :)

Felt very bad for poor Robert. He's crass and obviously has no self control where food is concerned, but he seemed like a good enough guy. I was especially touched by Chef Ramsey's treatment of his leaving. I think we can all agree that Robert had no chance against the likes of Danny and Paula, but it was really kind of CR to give him that to hang onto while he goes through what must be done now. LOSE THE FUCKING WEIGHT, Big Boy! Lap band, something!

Thought it was funny that as soon as Robert was out the door Ramsey called Ben Big Boy! I'm pretty dang impressed with Ramsey's physique actually. Most chefs do tend to be on the large side.

I wanted Danny to win that challenge. He tries so hard and always works with the others well and Chef usually has wonderful comments on his dishes and yet he always comes up just short of the win. I know Paula is very good, but I really want Danny to win this thing. I'll accept Paula, but want Danny.

Calling Ben a "donut"... best line of the night!

Great recap PottyMouth.

"Wow, I almost feel sorry for her. I'm lying" - great line, you made me choke on my lunch, Potty Mouth!

I think you should get more in touch with your feelings, and let us know how you REALLY feel about Andrea, LOL. For what it's worth, I'm with you - she deserved to go ages ago, and it can't come soon enough for me. Both Paula and Danny work hard, appear talented, and most importantly don't lose their cool. Unlike Ben and Andrea.

I hope that Robert takes this wake up call seriously and takes care of his health. I did think that G-Ram's words to him at parting were sweet.

Great job Potty Mouth! Just a few more epis to go...
xox

Excellent recap, PottyMouth! Still, NEVER joke about bringing PrettyGirl back. I know your ears must still be ringing with the sound of Andrea's whinging, yipping and inane giggling, but PrettyGirl reigns as Supreme Cow of this season.

That said, send home Andrea and Ben. Ramsey couldn't work five minutes with Ben. Ben's first service, he would have to explain in excruciating detail the tiniest thing and there are far too many sharp objects in a kitchen for chefs to throw at him to shut him up and let them do their jobs, then Ben's family would sue for millions and Ramsey's empire would come crashing down around his head and he'd find himself sleeping on JP's couch and drinking too much Scotch and cursing nonstop until he has an aneurysm one day when JP asks him if he wants a tin of biscuits and he hears the "too bad about Ben's cuts" instead. Tragic. Nope, Ramsey just can't let Ben win this thing!

I was so pi$$ed that Andrea was made safe! wth? She has NEVER once been good in that kitchen. The only two I see there that seem worth anything are Danny and Paula. I cannot believe that others have been sent home over Andrea and Ben. It is nice to know that others share my outrage! lol!

It was helicopter he couldn't ride in due to the weight limit.

He had to take the ferry.

He flew on the private jet in challenge two. As well as the reward with ben to san fran.

Also the private jet to the Borgata.

tvgasm:

I knew LA wasn't going to win this, but I felt that her elimination was done just to keep the drama around - she certainly did not deserve to go the week that she did.

I disagree about Coi as well, there are others who deserved to go far more than she did.

And as for Giovanni's meltdown? No chef would ever be an unprofessional as Gordon Ramsay. He screams and yells like he does for the camera - in a kitchen, you can't have that kind of antagonistic behaviour. Screaming in someone's face doesn't motivate them to do anything. I don't blame Giovanni one second for what happened and I don't think that he would have reacted in such a fashion in a normal kitchen, where it's not considered appropriate to call your colleagues fuckfaces.

And Andrea's immunity? Obviously done for television. If she had royally messed up, it wouldn't have happened, but she seems to be able to work quite well by herself, it's just on a team that she gets lost.

I stand by my belief that the previous eliminations were done for tv purposes. Drama = ratings, simple as that. I mean, the "closing down" of Hell's Kitchen was position exactly at the end in order to create suspense. That's how tv is made.

I worked in a kitchen when I was a teenager. It wasn't what you would call fine dining, it was more like a "family restaurant", okay, but the head of the kitchen screamed at people constantly and called you names on a daily basis. Not very motivating. I couldn't wait to finish school and quit that crap job.

Georgiababe do yourself a favor and read about famous European chefs.

Start off with Marco Pierre White who trained Gordon Ramsay and many other famous chefs.

It is said that in Marco's kitchen when a young chef complained about the high heat, Marco took a paring knife and sliced the jacket and trousers off the cook's body.

Ramsay is a pussycat when compared to how the French teach their cooks.

Ramsay in the kitchen without cameras acts the same he does when there are.

He doesn't yell when someone doesn't screw up.

Have you seen him scream at Danny? No he usually has complimanted his performance because he hasn't screwed up.

I don't care who does it or how good they are. I think it's ridiculous, incredibly rude and extremely unprofessional.

Just because so and so does something doesn't mean that it's right. It's a horrible way to treat people, no job is worth being around such assholes.

Whether or not he's screamed at Danny is totally irrelevant.

"I think it's ridiculous, incredibly rude and extremely unprofessional."

Let see America has tons of people working who slack off because their bosses don't want to be rude so the workers who are any good leave because they see the ones who don't work well get promoted, have their wages increased while the ones who do all the work get nothing.

Tell me what is unprofessional about kicking people who don't do what they are supposed to do out of the workplace? What is unprofessioanl about demanding that people do what they were trained and supposed to be able to do as their resume would imply?

There is a huge reason why European, Asian workers have a long history of being considered workers who do their damn job. It's because they came from cultures were the bosses hated workers who didnt' do their jobs and the societies reinforced that. You talk back to a teacher you didn't get detention you got your butt caned or you were killed by your parents.

You only got yelled at or demaned when you effed up something you weren't supposed to. You did your job well you got complimented and rewarded. There was no reward for slacking off like a lot of American workers now come to expect.

Yeschef, I'm not sure what part of Europe you are speaking of.
Unless of course you are referring to some Dickens-era Europe, those kind of "manners" and behavior are absolutely inacceptable.
May be somewhere in Albania or former USSR states or something, on which I can not comment.

However, I have been living and working in Europe, (UK, Holland, Italy, Romania, Germany,) forever and a couple of days and not once have I heard of such behavior being tolerated.

If you are my boss and are dissatisfied with my work or attitude it is absolutely acceptable to let me know so, even in a harsh and firm manner and/or fire me on the spot.
That doesn't include screaming in my face, calling me any kind of names and trying to demean me!
That is highly unprofessional and disrespectful, inacceptable behavior.

I am not at all impressed by anybody screaming and cussing with a red head and veins poppin' etc., as that to me is a clear sign of weakness and lack of self-control and also rather amusing to watch.

I can guarantee that I could easily out-scream Mr. Ramsay and I also believe I know some words and expressions equally nasty if not much nastier than he does, (I'm from Brooklyn! :-) ), however, I would never do so, especially in a professional situation.

If he, or any one else ever called me a fat/skinny/lazy/cow/bitch/ pig/fuck face etc, you can bet your bottom chef jacket I would sue the living hell out of him for abuse and sexual harassment and a couple of other things.

Comparing a work situation with a (very old) school situation also makes no sense. I am a grown person, just as my "boss" should be and I am not his child, slave or indenture worker. So, unless I am an illegal prostitute or pole dancer, he or she better get a grip and act respectfully.

Also, WATCH HELL'S KITCHEN UK. It is boring as fuck, but it's a "celebrity edition", featuring Linda Evans and her injected lips and a couple of other "celebs".
The Chef is the above mentioned Marco Pierre White and he doesn't call any one any type of name nor does he scream like a hypertension ridden lunatic with erection issues.

He displays control and dominance simply through his (calm) presence and knowledge. That, I can respect. (even though it doesn't really make for good TV)

On a different note, I think Gio acted very well and didn't deserve to be sent home for it.
Also, can some one PLEASE shoot/strangle Andrea?

When Hell's Kitchen first started, I asked an acquaintance of mine who's an experienced chef about the abuse. He said it's very typical and usually much worse than what they're showing.

"The Chef is the above mentioned Marco Pierre White and he doesn't call any one any type of name nor does he scream like a hypertension ridden lunatic with erection issues."

That is cause he got old and saw he would never get another Michelin star and his students he screamed and yelled at surpassed him.

France is well known for the screaming chef.

Sorry but you haven't worked in a world class kitchen. You get things thrown at you if you eff up something.

The French use a bridage style of trainging with the head chef being the drill instructor not only in how he treats the people under him but how he trains them.

Watch Full Metal Jacket the DI in it is how French chefs are in the high class restaurants.

I eat in restaurants, I don't work in them.
So of course I never worked in a "world class kitchen". I should have mentioned that in my previous post.

I am not a chef nor do I have any ambitions to be one outside of my own kitchen.

However, I was referring and responding to what you wrote about working morals and work situations outside of the US as a whole.

("Tell me what is unprofessional about kicking people who don't do what they are supposed to do out of the workplace? What is unprofessioanl about demanding that people do what they were trained and supposed to be able to do as their resume would imply?
There is a huge reason why European, Asian workers have a long history of being considered workers who do their damn job. It's because they came from cultures were the bosses hated workers who didnt' do their jobs and the societies reinforced that.....")

I stand by what I said and believe you have a false view of what professional behavior should be and how things run abroad, in general.

I have never screamed at one of my employees and have never been screamed at or demeaned by any of the people I worked for before I owned my own business.

Just because that is how things may or may not be in a "world class kitchen" doesn't make it acceptable on a human level.

WOW! You guys are on fire this week!

cattyfan: I didn’t even think of that! I think Ji is the first person he’s ever let keep her jacket. I don’t remember him ever letting someone keep it when they had been injured before.

georgiababe: I’d also like to see Danny or Paula win it.

tvgasm: I totally agree that LA is a cook, not a chef. I think she’s probably a beast in the kitchen, but I don’t see her as being the leader.

washinbrig: It will definitely be interesting to see if the restaurant opens. You’ll have to keep us all posted!

Aquaria2291: Thank you for the props! I’ve been having so much fun writing these! Poor Danny, always the bridesmaid!

Yenta: It would be AWESOME to get rid of both of them, but I don’t think we’ll get that lucky! If he brings back PrettyGirl I may finally lose the tenuous grip I have on my sanity!

nashuaf: I can see where you’re coming from. Robert’s weight IS his own responsibility. The reason I feel bad for him is that he had made it so far in the competition, only to have to leave due to illness. I think it sucks to have to go out like that.

jaded: I think Paula has a good chance. But you’re right about her personality….zzzzzzzzz

Splotchie: I am with you on Andrea. Keep your fingers crossed that she finally gets the boot this week!

Chooch: I love it when he calls them donuts! It’s such a weird insult, but so funny.

njgasmifan: I know! People tell me all the time that I have to work on expressing how I feel. I’ll keep working on it.

jennaboa: You crack me up! The biscuits/Ben’s cuts line? You just made me do a very unladylike snortle-laugh!

nwokpeach: Yes, there is usually plenty of outrage to be found here. :) Welcome to the Andrea Sucks non-fan club!

yeschef, georgiababe, wintersux, similakchild & suckitbitches: I don’t even know if I want to touch this conversation!! I know a good many people in the restaurant industry, and the way Ramsay talks to these people is definitely not unusual, from what I’ve been told. But does it make it right? Who knows? Maybe it works as motivation for some people, they want to be one of the few that don’t get yelled at. Maybe it makes a compliment worth more. I personally would not stand for my boss talking to me like that. But I’m a mouthy bitch who’d probably get fired for back talkin’!

I hope to have this week’s recap up by Monday night at the latest. I’ll bust it out as soon as possible when I get back from my weekend away. Thanks for reading and commenting – you guys are FAN-fucking-tastic!

SWAK,
PottyMouth

My prediction is that Danny is going to win it. I think his consistency is going to outlast the others. I must admit he wasn't my pick. I just wouldn't want to be paying out the ass for a fine dining experience and see a member of the cast of Deliverance preparing my meal. You know I bet he cooks a mean possum. If he wins let's all chip in and get him a good metro-sexual make over.

yeschef:

Again, I don't give a crap about what goes on in kitchens. It's still horrific.

And I still disagree with you 100%. Your comments are vast generalizations.

If you have an employee who slacks off, you tell them to shape up and if they don't, can them.

You do not stand 3 inches from their face and screaming insults and profanities at the top of their lungs.

Anybody who ever does that to me is getting a sock in the mouth and my immediate resignation.

I won't stand to be treated that way and I am, frankly, stunned that you are defending such behaviour and even expressing the desire that it creep its way into the American workforce. No thank you.

I echo similakchild when I say that you obviously don't have a grasp of what can be classified as professional or acceptable behaviour.

Just because something is "common" or "acceptable" within an industry, still does not make it right.

I have said this dozens of times - I understand getting a little anngry, upset, annoyed, or frustrated. I would NEVER stand for being treated the way Ramsay treats those people, ever. In doing so, I would derail 27 years of my mother's teaching. I command respect, because I give it.

oh, Snortles - your hilarious Deliverance comments made me snort!

too true!!

Danny is a sweet guy but hardly an educated palate.