TONIGHT ON KITCHEN NIGHTMARES...
GORDON JOURNEYS TO POMONA, CALIFORNIA,
AND FINDS A FINE DINING RESTAURANT
THAT IS ANYTHING BUT FINE DINING.
I THINK WE'VE HIT ROCK BOTTOM.
THE CHEF IS FRESH FROM THE HOOD.
* DIAMONDS ON MY FISH, LOOK, DIAMONDS ON MY FISH *
I'M HOT.
AND DOESN'T TAKE CRITICISM FROM ANYBODY.
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT ALREADY.
NOT EVEN GORDON. I DIDN'T HEAR NOT ONE PERSON COMPLAIN ABOUT IT TONIGHT.
DID YOU? WHAT?!
THE OWNER HAS RUN OUT OF MONEY.
I'M JUST SURVIVING.
THE RESTAURANT HAS RUN OUT OF FOOD.
WE DON'T HAVE THE SALMON TODAY.
NO SEA BASS. WE DON'T HAVE THE KEY LIME.
THE HEAD WAITRESS AND THE CHEF ARE AT WAR.
YOU PISS ME OFF
BECAUSE YOU DON'T RUN THIS!
DON'T BLAME THAT ON US.
AND THE PREP COOK HAS STICKY FINGERS.
DID YOU ASK ANYONE FOR IT? NO.
SO MANY PROBLEMS...
I NEED THE TICKET. I DON'T SEE THE TICKET.
SO FEW DAYS. SERVICE, PLEASE.
THIS COULD BE GORDON'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE YET.
I'M ABOUT TO WALK RIGHT NOW.
TONIGHT... BRING IT.
ON KITCHEN NIGHTMARES.
YOU ARE NOT AN EXECUTIVE CHEF. LET'S GET THAT RIGHT.
*
POMONA, CALIFORNIA.
A SMALL MIDDLE CLASS TOWN POPULATED BY ASPIRING ARTISTS,
COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND CAR ENTHUSIASTS.
IT'S HOME TO LELA'S RESTAURANT,
A FINE DINING RESTAURANT ONLY EIGHT MONTHS OLD.
YET IT'S DAYS AWAY FROM CLOSING ITS DOORS.
HELLO!
I'M THE OWNER OF A FINE DINING RESTAURANT.
LELA'S SHOULDN'T BE IN THE DOWNTOWN POMONA CENTER.
THERE'S A LOT OF HOMELESS PEOPLE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT LELA'S FITS POMONA.
OUR RESTAURANT HERE IS CRAZY.
RICKY, HE'S ALWAYS LOUD.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT! LET'S GO, HEY!
I'M HOT.
THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.
LIKE YOU WALK INTO A CLUB, YOU KNOW,
AND YOU JUST WALK ON THE DANCE FLOOR AND JUST BE LIKE--
SINCE IT'S MY KITCHEN, MY MENU,
YOU KNOW, I CAN DO THAT.
I HAVE A KNIFE, BRIAN. GET AWAY FROM ME.
WE CLOWN EACH OTHER. WE HAVE FUN WHILE WE'RE IN HERE.
WHAT THE HELL IS IN YOUR EAR, MAN?
THIS IS 14-KARAT GOLD, BABY.
I MEAN, THIS IS THE REAL DEAL.
BUZZARD LIKES TO STAY IN THE KITCHEN AND EAT.
LIKES TO PECK AT THE FOOD ALL THE TIME.
BUZZARD-- YOU CAN DO IT, BUZZARD!
YOU KNOW, WE'RE LIKE ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY.
HEY, I NEED MY ORDER NOW.
ALL WE DO IS READ THE TICKET TO PUT THE FOOD OUT.
TABITHA, MAN.
I JUST HAVE TO TELL HER TO CHILL OUT.
AND I YELL RIGHT BACK AT HER ASS.
I'M THE ONE HAVING TO TAKE THIS GUY'S ORDER,
AND TELLING HIM,
"OH, WE DON'T HAVE THIS AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT."
DON'T BLAME THAT ON US,
'CAUSE IT AIN'T OUR FAULT.
RICKY, I CAN'T STAND HIM.
YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO?
THAT'S WHY THIS RESTAURANT IS RUN THE WAY IT IS.
THE PROBLEM WITH TABITHA
IS HOW SHE TALKS TO PEOPLE.
ORDERS THAT.
MAN, SHUT UP ALREADY.
EVERYBODY CAN HEAR RICKY AND TABITHA YELLING
WHEN THEY YELL AT EACH OTHER.
WE DON'T GOT NOW!
I THINK THEY'RE OVERWHELMED IN HERE TODAY.
IT'S REALLY EMBARRASSING.
BECAUSE YOUR GUESTS ARE LIKE,
"WHAT IS GOING ON BACK THERE?
LIKE, I JUST WANTED A SALAD."
LIKE, IT WAS SLOW.
AND THEN JUST GETTING SLOWER AND SLOWER AND SLOWER.
I'M DEFINITELY LOSING MONEY RIGHT NOW.
I TOOK ALL MY RETIREMENT MONEY,
EVERYTHING I HAD SAVED, EVERYTHING
AND DECIDED TO OPEN THIS RESTAURANT.
I HAVE NOTHING LEFT.
I THINK WE'VE HIT ROCK BOTTOM.
I MEAN, WE'RE LIKE REALLY GOING DOWN, DOWNHILL.
I JUST WANTED TO SEE
IF YOU HAVE SOME MONEY TO LEND ME FOR THE RENT.
OH, JEEZ.
I OWE MY SISTER $60, 000.
HOW MUCH? $3, 700.
I OWE $64, 000 FOR THE LINE OF CREDIT.
I'M STRESSING.
LIKE, HOW I'M GONNA PAY MY BILLS AND MY RENT.
AND WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HER,
BUT I HAVE BILLS I HAVE TO PAY.
CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT
ONLY BECAUSE IT'S GOING THROUGH MY MIND,
"HOW CAN I FIX IT?"
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
SO WE'RE IN DOWNTOWN POMONA.
UH, IT'S QUIET. LIKE A GHOST TOWN AROUND HERE.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FINE DINING,
BUT IT'S VERY, VERY QUIET.
AND THE PLACE LOOKS ABSOLUTELY DERELICT INSIDE.
MY GOD.
I'M EXCITED. I WANT TO HEAR HIS ACCENT.
OH, LOOK AT THIS, LOOK AT THIS, LOOK A THIS!
LELA, NICE TO SEE YOU. NICE TO MEET YOU.
HELLO. HI.
MY NAME'S TABITHA, AND I'M YOUR SERVER.
ALL I KNOW ABOUT CHEF RAMSAY IS HE LIKES TO YELL A LOT.
I DON'T TAKE ANYBODY YELLING AT ME.
NOBODY.
AND THE SOUP TODAY IS WHAT, PLEASE? TOMATO BASIL.
FRESH?
YES. LOVELY, THANK YOU.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
MENU, SPELLED INCORRECTLY ALL OVER THE PLACE.
WERE YOU READY TO ORDER?
WHAT IS THAT THERE? CHIVAS?
WHAT IS THAT?
C-H-I-V-A-S. CHIVAS.
CHIVES. OH, CHIVES.
CAN'T EVEN SPELL CHIVE PROPERLY.
OKAY, CHIVES.
LET'S GO WITH A SMALL BOWL OF THE TOMATO BASIL.
OKAY. AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THE NACHOS.
WE ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE THE SHRIMP NACHOS TODAY.
WE HAVE A CHICKEN NACHO.
SO NO SHRIMPS TODAY? NO SHRIMPS.
SO NO SHRIMP COCKTAIL EITHER?
OKAY, UM, I'D LIKE A SIDE OF THE SALMON.
WE DON'T HAVE THE SALMON TODAY.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE SALMON EITHER? NO.
YOU WOULD HAVE TUNA, NO?
I'M NOT SURE. NO?
OKAY.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. AND IT'S REALLY JUST--
IT'S IRRITATING THE OUT OF ME,
BECAUSE I HATE TO TELL CUSTOMERS
THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
I'LL GO FOR THE SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE.
THE ROASTED RACK OF LAMB.
THE RACK OF LAMB.
IN A CHOCOLATE MINT SAUCE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.
VERY DISAPPOINTING WHEN YOU SIT AND START ORDERING
AND THEN HALF THE FOOD IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE MENU.
OKAY, THIS IS YOUR ORDER.
BRING IT.
HE WANTED THE SHRIMPS NACHOS. WE DON'T HAVE SHRIMP.
HE WANTED THE SHRIMP COCKTAIL. WE DON'T HAVE SHRIMP.
FOR US TO SIT THERE AND HAVE TO TELL CUSTOMERS,
"OH, WE DON'T HAVE THIS AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT,"
IT GETS FRUSTRATING FOR ME,
BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING.
WOW.
HERE YOU GO. LOVELY.
I'M NOT NERVOUS.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BE NERVOUS FOR?
YOU KNOW, HE'S A MAN JUST LIKE I AM.
INTERESTING.
HOW IS EVERYTHING?
IT TASTES LIKE IT'S CANNED. YEAH.
SO IT SAYS HOMEMADE SOUP ON THE MENU,
AND IT'S BROUGHT IN.
CAN'T THE CHEF MAKE TOMATO SOUP?
PROBABLY.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS FINE DINING.
SO DID I.
SO I'LL WAIT FOR THE NEXT COURSE.
OKAY.
CHICKEN NACHOS.
OOH! THAT WAS QUICK, WOW.
EXCELLENT. ENJOY.
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT?!
OUR EXECUTIVE CHEF RICKY.
* LOOK AT THEM DIAMONDS ON THAT *
* DIAMONDS ON MY FISH, LOOK, DIAMONDS ON MY FISH *
YOU HAVE AN EXECUTIVE CHEF IN THE HOUSE? YES.
AND HE BUYS IN PROCESSED FOOD?
SAY WHAT?!
YES.
AH.
* DIAMONDS ON MY FISH, DIAMONDS ON MY FISH *
* WE GOT DIAMONDS ON THE FISH *
I'M GOOD AT MY JOB. I LOVE MY RECIPES.
I LET MY WORK SPEAK FOR ITSELF.
FINE DINING NACHOS.
SOMETHING'S NOT QUITE RIGHT.
HOW IS EVERYTHING?
YEAH, REALLY WEIRD.
ARE THEY FRESH NACHOS OR ARE THEY BROUGHT IN?
THE CHEF MAKES THEM FRESH IN THE MORNING.
NO, I DON'T THINK
THEY WERE MADE FRESH THIS MORNING, MY DARLING.
RICKY, WHEN DID YOU MAKE THE TORTILLA CHIPS?
UH, YESTERDAY.
I'M ABOUT TO WALK HOME RIGHT NOW.
THE NACHOS, LIKE IT WAS THE CHEAPEST THING
HE'S EVER SEEN.
WHAT THE DO YOU DO WITH NACHOS?
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IT'S WHY THEY CALL THEM NACHOS.
THAT'S WHY IT'S AN APPETIZER, YOU KNOW?
OH, GOD.
THE RACK OF LAMB WITH THE CHOCOLATE MINT SAUCE.
THERE'S FRESH MINT. CHOCOLATE SYRUP.
I LIKE IT.
I GOT TO BE REALLY CREATIVE WITH IT.
YEAH, THAT LOOKS GOOD.
GOD, IT'S SO QUICK.
OKAY.
WHERE'S THE LAMB?
NO, NO, NOT THAT.
WHERE'S THE LAMB? UH...
LOOK--MY KNIFE'S BIGGER THAN MY LAMB.
FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO EAT,
MAY THE LORD MAKE US TRULY NOT VOMIT.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG DAY.
COULD YOU ASK THE CHEF
IS THE LAMB FROZEN? YES.
OH, THE LAMB IS FROZEN. YES.
HE'S JUST TAKING BITES OF STUFF.
"IS THIS FROZEN?" AND I'M LIKE..."YEAH."
IS THERE ANY MAIN COURSE
THAT'S ON THE FINE DINING MENU THAT'S NOT FROZEN.
SAD TO SAY, BUT NO. EVERYTHING IS FROZEN.
OKAY.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
I'LL SKIP ANY FURTHER FROZEN FOOD
AND MAYBE HAVE A NICE FRESH DESSERT, PLEASE.
OKAY. I'M HUNGRY. I'M STARVING.
I HAVE EATEN ANYTHING YET.
YEAH, YOU KNOW, HE SHOT EVERYTHING DOWN PRETTY MUCH.
YOU KNOW, BUT THAT'S ONE PERSON'S OPINION, YOU KNOW?
AND HE'S ENTITLED TO IT. SO THAT'S THAT.
AND WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR DESSERT?
THERE YOU GO.
FOR THE DESSERT,
I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BROWNIE A LA MODE.
BROWNIE... A LA MODE. BROWNIE A LA MODE.
HE WAS LIKE, "PUT YOUR HAND UP AND SWEAR TO GOD
THAT IT'S A BROWNIE THAT'S MADE--HOMEMADE FROM HERE."
OKAY, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO WITH THE BROWNIE.
OKAY. WOW.
WHAT A SHAME, WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVE
AND YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT COMING IN TO EAT SOMEWHERE,
AND THEN HALF THE MENU MISSING,
90% OF IT'S FROZEN,
AND CHOCOLATE MINT SAUCE WITH BONES OF LAMB.
THERE WAS A BIG ASS PAN IN HERE
FULL OF BROWNIES.
I GO IN THERE, AND THERE'S NO MORE HOMEMADE BROWNIES.
BUZZARD!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BROWNIES.
I DIDN'T DO IT.
DON'T ASK THE BUZZARD. I DON'T KNOW.
DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
TO THAT BIG THING OF BROWNIES THAT WERE IN THERE?
WHEN? A COUPLE DAYS AGO. WHY?
THEY WERE JUST IN THERE LIKE THREE DAYS AGO.
IT IRRITATES THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME.
WE SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING THAT IS ON OUR MENU
AT ALL TIMES, AND WE DON'T.
I'M JUST--I'M GONNA QUIT.
SERIOUSLY.
DON'T EVEN TALK LIKE THAT, MAN.
YOU GONNA LET ONE PISS YOU OFF LIKE THAT?
NO, YOU PISS ME OFF,
BECAUSE YOU DON'T RUN THIS , MAN!
WE SHOULD HAVE ALL THIS!
WHAT THE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
YOU COMING BACK HERE ASKING ME,
"WHAT'S IN THIS? WHAT'S IN THAT?"
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT ALREADY.
YOU SHUT THE UP!
WHAT'S GOING ON?
COMING UP, BUZZARD CONFUSES FINE DINING...
DID YOU ASK ANYONE FOR IT? NO.
FOR TAKE OUT.
THIS IS BUZZARD'S LITTLE PICNIC.
AND WHEN GORDON STEPS INTO RICKY'S SPACE...
I JUST TASTED THIS.
IT TASTES LIKE POWDERED MASHED POTATOES.
THEY ARE.
RICKY GOES ON THE ATTACK.
I DIDN'T HEAR NOT ONE PERSON COMPLAIN ABOUT IT TONIGHT.
DID YOU? WHAT?!
THAT'S COMING UP
ON KITCHEN NIGHTMARES.
YOU COMING BACK HERE ASKING ME,
"WHAT'S IN THIS? WHAT'S IN THAT?"
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT ALREADY.
YOU SHUT THE UP!
WHAT'S GOING ON?
SHE'S ALWAYS WANTS TO BLAME PEOPLE
FOR OTHER.
SHE SHOULD KNOW THE MENU. DON'T COME BACK THERE ASKING ME.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN THE KITCHEN?
- YOU KNOW WHAT'S FROZEN. - WHAT'S NOT.
WHAT THE YOU GOTTA ASK ME FOR?
RIGHT.
WHAT WAS FINE DINING ABOUT MY LUNCH THERE?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
OKAY, LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY THEN.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A PILE OF.
I WAS EMBARRASSED FOR YOU.
OKAY.
YOU CAN'T SERVE LAMB WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE.
I MEAN, ARE YOU MAD?
THERE WAS NO MEAT ON THE LAMB.
YOU WANT TO BLAME ME FOR NO MEAT ON THE LAMB?
THAT'S JUST WHAT WE BUY HERE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE SERVE.
RICKY, IT'S ON THE MENU AT $27.
NOBODY ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT.
THERE'S NOBODY ELSE IN THE RESTAURANT.
HE WAS BITCHING ABOUT
THE CHOCOLATE MINT SAUCE ON THE LAMB.
PEOPLE LIKE THAT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
THEY COME IN HERE AND ORDER IT ALL THE TIME.
SO I'M NOT GONNA PULL THAT FROM MY MENU
JUST BECAUSE HE DON'T LIKE IT.
WHAT WAS FRESH ON THE MENU?
AS FAR AS NOT BEING FROZEN?
AS FAR AS NOT BEING FROZEN, NOT BEING BOUGHT IN?
EVERYTHING HAS TO BE FROZEN.
WE JUST CAN'T LET STUFF GO BAD.
- HUH? - HAVE YOU GOT ANY?
I'VE GOT BIG.
JUST 'CAUSE YOU COME HERE AND CRITICIZE MY PLACE
YOU THINK I'M GONNA GIVE UP--NO.
WHOSE DO I THINK ARE BIGGER?
HIS OR MINE?
PUT IT LIKE THIS. WE'RE GONNA BUMP HEADS.
I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF MAN THAT I FEEL
THAT'S GOT HIS NAME ON HIS JACKET,
ALL THE BIG SHOWBIZ
EMBROIDERY,
AND YET WE'RE SERVING FROZEN VEGETABLES.
AS A CHEF, DON'T YOU FEEL EMBARRASSED
ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SERVING?
NO, I DON'T. OTHERWISE I WOULDN'T SERVE IT.
ARE YOU LAZY?
I DON'T TAKE NO FROM NOBODY.
AFTER YESTERDAY'S FIASCO AT LUNCH,
DAY TWO BEGINS WITH GORDON INSPECTING
EXECUTIVE CHEF RICKY'S KITCHEN.
GOD.
A FRIDGE THAT'S NOT EVEN COLD.
THIS IS NOT A REFRIGERATION UNIT.
THIS IS ALMOST LIKE AN OVEN.
ALL THIS MEAT IS VIRTUALLY ROTTING.
DRIED, WARM, CONGEALED BLOOD AT THE BOTTOM THERE.
THE SMELL IS JUST VILE.
WHAT IS THAT? GOD.
WHAT A SMELL..
I'M SLOWLY BUT SURELY DISCOVERING MY LUNCH.
THE BOUGHT-IN TOMATO AND BAIL SOUP
THAT'S FINISHED WITH CHILI FLAKES.
THERE'S NOTHING FRESHLY MADE IN THIS FRIDGE.
HELL.
IT STINKS.
THE LACK OF CLEANLINESS REPRESENTS A LACK OF DISCIPLINE.
AND GORDON KNOWS
HE NEEDS TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE STAFF.
WE GOTTA CLEAN.
RICKY, I WANT THE FRIDGE WALLS SCRUBBED.
THE FLOOR DONE. YEAH, BUCKET'S BEHIND YOU.
YEAH, TABITHA, TAKE CARE OF THE DINING ROOM.
GORDON HAD US CLEAN THE DINING ROOM.
FREAKING SWEEP, LIKE, THREE TIMES.
MOP, DO ALL THE WINDOWS, EVERYTHING.
WITH A CONCERN THAT FINE DINING
MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT FOR THIS PART OF POMONA,
WHILE THE STAFF CLEANS, GORDON HITS THE STREETS
TO CHECK OUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
HOW ARE YOU? I'M REAL GOOD.
GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.
WHAT'S THE VIBE LIKE HERE IN POMONA?
IT'S YOUNG, VIBRANT, DIVERSE.
WHAT ABOUT LELA'S? THE RESTAURANT LELA'S?
HAVE YOU BEEN THERE? I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD DO YOU EAT?
THE PIZZA JOINT RIGHT HERE. WHAT ABOUT FINE DINING?
USUALLY NOT TOO FANCY. KIND OF ON A BUDGET.
NO, YOU KEEP THE FANCY STUFF FOR YOUR ARMS, RIGHT? YEAH.
AND WHERE WOULD YOU GO OUT TO EAT?
THERE'S, LIKE, SOME PRETTY GOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANTS.
BUT, LIKE, BESIDES THAT THERE ISN'T REALLY ANYWHERE
THAT'S, LIKE, IN OUR PRICE RANGE.
WITH A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT WILL WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY,
GORDON HEADS BACK TO LELA'S
TO CHECK ON THE STAFF'S ASSIGNMENT.
NICE, NICE, NICE, NICE. LOOKS FANTASTIC.
WOW, WOW, WOW. YES, CLEAN.
WHILE GORDON IS NOW HAPPY
WITH THE CLEANLINESS OF THE RESTAURANT,
HE IS STILL NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT YOUR SISTER TOLD ME LAST NIGHT.
THIS IS KIND OF LIKE HOME, YOU KNOW.
JUST KIND OF HANG OUT, TALK TO EVERYBODY ON THE PHONE.
OH!
I JUST LOUNGE.
WE HAVE FUN WHILE WE'RE IN HERE.
I MEAN, WHAT'S THE USE OF HAVING A JOB
THAT YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH?
WE HAVEN'T MET YET, HAVE WE?
NO, I'M--
WHY "BUZZARD?"
HE LIKES TO STAND IN THE KITCHEN AND EAT.
YOU KNOW, YOU ALWAYS CATCH HIM WITH SOMETHING IN HIS HAND.
I THINK HE'S GOT A TAPEWORM.
THE EVENING STARTED OUT SLOWLY,
BUT A LOCAL THEATER HAS LET OUT.
AND A WAVE OF CUSTOMERS HAS NOW ARRIVED AT THE RESTAURANT.
GO AHEAD AND FOLLOW ME AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND SEAT YOU.
ALL RIGHT, RICKY? YES?
WHERE'S MY SALMON THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE SPLIT?
DON'T BE IN SUCH A HURRY TO DO.
HOLY SMOKE.
IT QUICKLY BECOMES OBVIOUS TO GORDON
THAT THIS RESTAURANT DOES NOT HAVE A LEADER,
JUST TWO MAJOR OPPONENTS--
RICKY IN THE KITCHEN
AND TABITHA IN THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.
SALMON AND A SEA BASS SPLIT.
HUH?
, MAN.
HOW COME YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THAT WHEN YOU'D SEEN THE TICKET?
I'M, LIKE, REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH RICKY.
US NOT HAVING EVERYTHING.
THEY'VE BEEN SITTING THERE FOR 15, 20 MINUTES
WHEN THEIR FOOD SHOULD BE COMING OUT ANY MINUTE.
I JUST FOUND OUT THAT WE HAVE NO SEA BASS.
OH, FOR.
IS THAT WHAT WE BOTH ORDERED? YEAH.
RICKY DOESN'T HAVE MANY
OF THE FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE MENU.
AND WHAT THEY DO HAVE IS PREPACKAGED AND OVERPRICED
FOR THE TOWN OF POMONA.
I JUST TASTED THIS.
IT TASTES LIKE POWDERED MASHED POTATOES.
THEY ARE. THEY TASTE ALL RIGHT.
YOU PUT A LITTLE BUTTER IN THEM, WHATEVER.
PUT THE SAUCE OVER THEM. THEY TASTE OKAY.
NOBODY'S EVER COMPLAINED ABOUT 'EM.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT HE WAS USING INSTANT POTATOES.
I THINK RICKY'S A LITTLE LAZY.
HOLY MACKEREL. IT'S OUT OF DATE.
YEAH, LOOK AT THE DATE. IT'S FEBRUARY 16.
WHAT'S THE TODAY?
DO NOT SERVE THAT CAKE.
END OF STORY, YES?
THEN IN A DINNER SERVICE
THAT'S NOT EXACTLY SMOOTH SAILING,
SOME OF THE STAFF START ABANDONING SHIP.
ARE YOU FINISHED OR--
WHERE--WHERE'S BUZZARD? HAVE THEY ALL GONE?
THAT'S THE BUZZARD, THOUGH, YOU KNOW?
HE'S ALWAYS WAITING TO GRAB SOMETHING WITH HIS DAMN CLAWS.
BUZZARD AND ONE OF THE COOKS HAVE WALKED OFF.
BUT THEY ARE NOT EMPTY-HANDED.
YOU SCARED ME , MAN!
I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK.
AND WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN THERE?
GOT A SANDWICH FROM EARLIER.
SOME PASTA THAT SOMEBODY ORDERED AND THEY DIDN'T WANT.
LAMB IN THERE AS WELL.
YEAH. OKAY.
DID YOU ASK ANYONE FOR IT?
NO.
YOU NEED TO GO TALK TO HER AND LET HER KNOW.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
- OKAY, I'LL COME WITH YOU. - , WE'LL GO TOGETHER.
WE WONDER WHY THERE'S THINGS MISSING
AFTER HE'S GONE.
THIS IS BUZZARD'S LITTLE PICNIC.
NICE LITTLE SANDWICH THERE. HAM, CHEESE, MUSTARD.
OH, NICE BIG SALAD.
AND MAIN COURSE, WE'RE GONNA TACKLE SOME NEW ZEALAND LAMB.
NOW YOU KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM. STOP LAUGHING.
HERE WE ARE
WITH A RESTAURANT'S THAT FINANCIALLY SCREWED,
AND YOU'RE JUST HELPING YOURSELF
TO WINE AND A FOUR-COURSE DINNER.
HE TAKES LITTLE THINGS EVERY NOW AND THEN,
BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN A WHILE.
WE'RE NOT GONNA ARGUE. THIS LADY OWNS IT.
BUZZARD. MAN, I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU.
UNBELIEVABLE.
GORDON CAUGHT BUZZARD
TAKING FOOD AND WINE FROM THE RESTAURANT.
AND GORDON IS NOT HAPPY.
I'M NOT GONNA STAND HERE AND ARGUE WITH YOU.
WE'RE NOT GONNA ARGUE. THIS LADY OWNS IT.
UNBELIEVABLE.
WE WERE THINKING
THAT HE WAS DOING THAT,
BUT I HADN'T CAUGHT HIM IN THE ACT.
AND TODAY-- WELL, THERE IT IS.
ALMIGHTY, GUYS!
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?
JUST THE BASICS ISN'T EVEN TOGETHER AS A TEAM.
I CAN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE WHOLE RESTAURANT FAILING.
IT'S, YOU KNOW--THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT HERE.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A CHEF?
BECAUSE I HAVE A PASSION FOR FOOD, THAT'S WHY.
A PASSION FOR WHAT?
FOOD!
YOU'RE MAKING POWDERED MASHED POTATO.
YOU TALK ABOUT THE MASHED POTATOES.
I DIDN'T HEAR NOT ONE PERSON COMPLAIN ABOUT THEM TONIGHT.
DID YOU YOU? WHAT?!
DID YOU?
WHEN RICKY AND GORDON WERE GOING AT IT,
I REALLY WANTED TO JUST, LIKE, TELL RICKY TO SHUT UP.
WHERE'S YOUR RESPECT?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHERE'S MY RESPECT?
FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM.
YOU ARE NOT AN EXECUTIVE CHEF. LET'S GET THAT RIGHT.
DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT.
YOU BACK A DOG INTO A CORNER, EVENTUALLY--
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING-- HE'S GONNA BITE, YOU KNOW?
I'D RATHER CHANGE MY CAREER
THAN MAKE IT OUT OF POWDERED MASH.
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY BEFORE WE GO HOME?
I JUST HOPE EVERYBODY'S ATTITUDE CHANGES TOMORROW
SO WE CAN TURN THIS RESTAURANT AROUND.
IF YOU STILL HAVE ATTITUDE,
THEN THERE'S GONNA HAVE TO BE SOME CHANGES.
IT'S DAY THREE.
AND GORDON IS ABOUT TO PUT HIS PLAN INTO ACTION.
BUT ONE OF LAST NIGHT'S PROBLEMS HAS RETURNED.
BUZZARD'S HERE.
WHERE IS HE? IN THE BACK.
I HATE TO HAVE TO FIRE ANYBODY.
BUT THEN YOU GET TO THE POINT WHERE,
YOU KNOW, IF I CAN'T GET THEM TO CHANGE
WHAT THEY'RE DOING OR WHATEVER, THEN I HAVE TO
GET RID OF THEM.
CAN I SEE YOUR EYES? TAKE YOUR GLASSES OFF?
BUZZARD, ANYTHING THAT'S INSIDE THIS RESTAURANT
BELONGS TO LELA.
YEAH? YEAH, END OF STORY.
NOTHING GETS TAKEN OFF THESE PREMISES.
IF IT WAS UP TO ME, I'D FIRE BUZZARD'S ASS.
I GET LOTS OF PEOPLE STEALING FROM ME.
AND I JUST HAVE ONE DISCIPLINE.
ANYONE STEALS FROM ME IS OUT, END OF STORY.
BECAUSE THE MESSAGE YOU SEND--
THEY ALL SEE YOU DOING IT, THEY'LL DO IT.
ANYWAY, LELA, YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S GOTTA MAKE THE DECISION.
IT'S YOUR RESTAURANT. YEAH.
SO, YOU KNOW, I'M SORRY, BUT THIS IS GONNA BE IT.
ALL RIGHT? UH-HUH.
THIS IS IT.
BUZZARD AIN'T GONNA BE BACK HERE.
HE AIN'T GONNA BE BUZZING AROUND HERE.
AND HE'S TRULY A BUZZARD.
LET ME GET MY BAG AND MY THINGS.
OKAY.
NOW THAT BUZZARD HAS BEEN LET GO,
GORDON TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO THE CHEFS.
OKAY, RICKY, LET'S GO.
OH, BOY.
OKAY, A LITTLE TASTE TEST, YEAH?
LAST NIGHT FOR ME THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TASTING GOING ON.
THERE WASN'T ENOUGH IDENTIFICATION.
SO I'M GONNA PASS YOU A LITTLE BIT OF FOOD.
AND I WANT YOU TO TASTE IT, OKAY?
AND THEN I'M GONNA ASK YOU WHAT IT IS, OKAY?
ARE YOU READY? YEAH.
YEAH, GOOD.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN HE BLINDFOLDED US.
FOR THE MOST PART, I DO TASTE MY FOOD.
OKAY, GOOD.
SO... ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEATS.
RICKY, WHAT WAS THAT?
IT WAS BEEF.
LEX?
TASTES LIKE CHICKEN.
YOU'RE RIGHT.
RICKY, YOU'RE WRONG.
THAT WAS CHICKEN.
WHAT?!
HOW ARE YOU GONNA MISTAKE CHICKEN FOR BEEF?
THAT JUST BLEW ME OUT OF THE WATER.
RICKY, WHAT WAS THAT?
I'D SAY IT WAS PORK.
PORK?
LEX, WHAT WAS THAT?
TASTES LIKE NEW YORK BEEF.
YEAH, LEX, IT'S NEW YORK STRIP.
WE ALREADY KNEW THAT LEX WAS GONNA GET MORE,
BECAUSE RICKY DOESN'T TASTE HIS FOOD.
DID YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH THIS MORNING?
HOLY MACKEREL! ALL RIGHT, BLINDFOLDS OFF.
I EXPECTED YOU TO GET ALL OF THESE RIGHT,
AND YOU DIDN'T.
OUT OF BOTH OF YOU, WHO IS THE BETTER COOK?
I'M THE BETTER COOK.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT HIM.
WELL, YOU CERTAINLY PROVED IT ON THE TASTE TEST.
THANK YOU.
I AM THE BETTER CHEF. DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW.
WITHOUT HAVING TO THINK ABOUT IT.
RICKY, YOU HAPPY WITH THAT?
NO, NOT NECESSARILY.
LEX SAYING HE'S A BETTER CHEF THAT ME.
I KNOW WHERE MY SKILLS ARE AT.
I KNOW WHAT I CAN DO.
I KNOW WHAT I DO IN HERE ON A DAILY BASIS, YOU KNOW.
I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A SWITCH AROUND, YES?
LELA, I JUST FOUND YOU A NEW HEAD CHEF.
DON'T EXPECT YOU TO JUST BARK AT ME
AND NOT EXPECT ME TO SAY NOTHING BACK.
'CAUSE THAT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.
I DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
COMING UP, AT LELA'S GRAND REOPENING,
SERVICE GETS DERAILED.
IT'S LIKE A TRAIN WRECK.
IT'S NOT ONLY THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE'S FAULT.
DON'T BLAME THAT ON US.
AND WHEN ONE CHEF CAN'T STAND THE HEAT,
HE GETS OUT OF THE KITCHEN.
WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?
WELL, IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT, THEN LEAVE.
ALL RIGHT!
IT'S A DINNER SERVICE THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU.
OH!
THAT'S COMING UP ON KITCHEN NIGHTMARES.
DAY FOUR.
AND TO GET READY FOR TONIGHT'S RE-LAUNCH,
GORDON MOVES TO THE NEXT PHASE OF HIS PLAN.
BUT FIRST, A SURPRISE FOR THE OWNER.
YOU, MY DEAR, YEAH, FOR THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS,
OKAY, HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF EVERYBODY.
YES. YEAH.
YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT ANY LONGER.
I'VE ARRANGED FOR YOU TO GO OFF
SOMEWHERE REALLY LUXURIOUS
AND TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
YOU'RE GOING OFF THIS AFTERNOON
FOR A BIT OF A MAKEOVER, PAMPERING.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY OFF.
AND NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT THIS PLACE
AND KIND OF RELAX A LITTLE BIT.
HI, WELCOME TO SAVOIE. I'M SHERRY.
I'M LELA. I HEAR YOU'RE IN NEED OF A PAMPERING.
COME ON OVER.
WHILE LELA GETS HER MAKEOVER,
GORDON BEGINS TO CHANGE THE MENU
FROM FINE DINING TO CONTEMPORARY CASUAL,
STARTING WITH A SIGNATURE SALAD.
I WANT YOU TO THINK BOTH OF YOU, YEAH,
OF A POMONA SALAD.
POMONA. IT'S GOT A NICE RING TO IT.
JUST OVER THE NEXT HOUR,
PUT TOGETHER A POMONA SALAD.
I WANT YOU TO THINK OF SOMETHING EXCITING.
AND I'M TELLING YOU,
THIS IS HOW CAESAR SALAD STARTED.
IF BLOODY CAESAR CAN DO IT, POMONA CAN DO IT.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION. GO THROUGH THE FRIDGE
LOOK AT THE PEPPERS,
WHETHER YOU GRILL THEM, SAUTEE THEM.
SWEET AND SOUR, BARBECUE. I DON'T CARE.
GIVE IT SOME ATTITUDE.
WELL, THE POMONA SALAD HE BASICALLY SAID, YOU KNOW,
TRY TO GET THE FEEL OF POMONA HERE.
MAYBE A LITTLE SALT IN THERE IT'LL WEIGH, ABSOLUTE TIP TOP.
GET THE BLACK BEANS ONTO THERE AND THE CHICKEN ONTO THERE.
THIS GUY JUST OPENED UP A $3 MILLION RESTAURANT.
OF COURSE I'M GONNA TRY AND GET
ALL THE POINTERS I CAN FROM HIM.
IT'S LIKE I'M BACK IN SCHOOL, YOU KNOW.
I FELT LIKE I WAS RIGHT BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.
YOU KNOW, SCURRYING AROUND IN THE WALK-IN.
LOOKING FOR THIS. LOOKING AND A'REACHING.
"WHAT CAN I PUT IN THIS?" YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
ALL RIGHT, WASH YOUR HANDS.
CLEAR THE BENCH OFF, LEX, PLEASE
I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE, BOTH OF YOU, YEAH.
WE HAVE A NEW POMONA SALAD.
A SALAD THAT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE AREA.
IT'S FRESH, IT'S NEW, IT'S VIBRANT.
THE POMONA SALAD IS WONDERFUL.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE THE TASTE TO IT,
BUT IT JUST--IT TASTES REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
I'VE WALKED UP AND DOWN THE STREETS.
SAW CHINESE FOOD, MEXICAN FOOD, A PIZZERIA.
AND WHAT NO ONE HAS OUT THERE
IS A BLOODY GOOD BURGER.
AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
HOW TO MAKE A STUNNING, DELICIOUS BURGER.
YOU KNOW, I COULD'VE MADE A BURGER.
BUT A BURGER TO ME IS BASIC.
CHOPPED BEEF, SALT, PEPPER,
DIJON MUSTARD,
WORCHESTER SAUCE,
KETCHUP, FINELY CHOPPED ONIONS,
THREE EGG YOLKS TO BIND IT TOGETHER.
REALLY IMPORTANT TO MIX ALL THAT THROUGH, YEAH?
YES. REALLY IMPORTANT.
TONIGHT WE'RE GONNA DO A SPECIAL
LELA'S FAMOUS BURGER, YES?
IT'LL BE THE BEST BURGER IN POMONA.
I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE OUR LELA'S FAMOUS BURGER
IS REALLY GONNA HELP US ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE.
GRILL IT NICELY. THIS IS PERFECT, THIS GRILL.
HAVE A LITTLE TASTE.
SEASON-WISE THAT'S FINE.
LET'S PUT THE BURGER ON AS A SPECIAL TONIGHT.
CHEF GORDON, HE WAS RIGHT
WHEN HE SAID THAT WE NEEDED A BURGER.
YOU CAN'T GET A BURGER AROUND HERE NOWHERE.
POMONA NEEDS A GREAT BURGER.
AND TONIGHT, IT'S GONNA GET ONE.
THE RECIPE TO THE LELA'S BURGER IS TOP SECRET.
I COULD TELL YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU.
ARMED WITH LELA'S NEW HAMBURGERS,
A CATERING TRUCK, AND ENTHUSIASM,
GORDON AND THE STAFF HIT THE STREETS
TO PROMOTE THE RESTAURANT.
CAN I INTEREST YOU IN A FREE BURGER? SURE!
I'D LOVE A FREE BURGER. WHAT ABOUT YOU?
I THINK THAT THE WORD WILL GET OUT ON THE STREET
THAT WE HAVE A REALLY JUICY BURGER.
YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.
- FREE BURGER? - FREE BURGER.
SIR, HOW WAS IT? NICE?
WOULD YOU LIKE ANOTHER ONE? I'M GONNA GET ANOTHER ONE.
IT'S ALSO GONNA GET ON THE STREET
THAT CHEF GORDON MADE IT.
SURPRISING HOW HAPPY EVERYBODY IS
ON THE BACK OF A REALLY GOOD, DELICIOUS, SIMPLE BURGER.
THE GRUBBAGE IS EXCELLENT!
WHILE THE STAFF PROMOTES THE NEW BURGERS,
GORDON'S DESIGN TEAM MAKES OVER THE RESTAURANT
IN ANTICIPATION OF TONIGHT'S RE-LAUNCH.
WE'VE GOT A NEW PLAN. A NEW MENU.
AND A NEW INTERIOR.
LELA'S HAS BEEN GIVEN A NEW LOOK.
A NEW UNINTIMIDATING YET WARM PLACE, YES? YES.
SPEAKING OF NEW LOOKS.
LELA, WHERE ARE YOU, MY DARLING?
HERE WE ARE. LOOK AT YOU!
HELLO! GOOD MORNING!
GOOD TO SEE YOU, MY DARLING.
WHEN I SEE LELA COME AROUND THE CORNER,
IT MADE ME CRY, BECAUSE SHE LOOKED SO MUCH HAPPIER.
HOW DO YOU FEEL, MY DARLING? GOOD.
YEAH, LET ME SAY, YOU LOOK GREAT. THANK YOU.
YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A LADY
THAT'S CARRYING THE WORLD ON HER SHOULDERS ANYMORE.
WHEN THE SAW ME, THEY SAID,
"OH, MY GOD, YOU LOOK SO DIFFERENT!"
I SAID, "YES, YOU HAVE A NEW BOSS."
ARE YOU READY TO SEE
THE NEW HOT SPOT IN DOWNTOWN POMONA?
CAN WE OPEN IT?
OKAY ARE WE READY? ON THE COUNT OF THREE.
ONE, TWO, THREE... GO!
COME IN, COME IN, COME IN, COME IN, COME IN, COME IN!
WHEN THEY OPENED UP THE DOORS,
I WAS REALLY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED.
IT LOOKED SO MUCH NICER.
IT'S WARM, YES? AND IT'S INVITING.
IT'S NO LONGER STARK AND COLD.
I LOVE THIS!
YOU GOT THE RECEPTION HERE. YOU GOT CHAIRS TO SIT DOWN.
WHAT FIRST CAUGHT MY EYE WAS THE RED COUCH, THE CANDLES.
IT'S LIKE, WHY DIDN'T WE THINK OF THAT, YOU KNOW?
IT'S IN KEEPING WITH DOWNTOWN POMONA.
OH, MY GOD! LOOK AT OUR STATION!
I THINK THAT GORDON DID THE RIGHT THING
FOR OUR RESTAURANT.
JUST MORE POSITIVE ENERGY FROM ALL OF US.
IT'S ONE HOUR BEFORE THE OPENING,
AND GORDON HAS MAINSTREAMED THE MENU.
GONE ARE THE FINE DINING EFFORTS
LIKE CHOCOLATE LAMB CHOPS
AND SOGGY CHICKEN NACHOS.
AND IN THEIR PLACE ARE POPULAR FARE
LIKE LELA'S FAMOUS BURGERS AND THE NEW POMONA SALAD.
ALL THAT'S LEFT TO DO IS GET THE PERSONNEL IN ORDER.
WE NEED A LEADER, WE NEED A MANGER,
AND WE NEED TO INSTALL SOME FORM OF DISCIPLINE.
TABITHA, MANAGE THE PLACE, YEAH?
IT MEANS A LOT TO ME THAT GORDON WENT
WITH THE WHOLE IDEA OF ME BECOMING MANAGER.
THAT JUST SHOWS ME THAT HE KNOWS THAT I CAN DO IT.
LEX, CAN I HAVE YOU RUNNING THE KITCHEN TONIGHT?
IT'S THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT I'VE HAD ALL MY LIFE SO FAR.
RICKY, SUPPORT HIM PROPERLY, YES?
I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR. I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE DAY ONE.
BUSTED MY BUTT, KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
LET'S GET SOME IDENTITY AND WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM.
I'D RATHER HAVE SOMEBODY LIKE LEX
WHO'S PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT HE DOES.
I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT RICKY'S ATTITUDE WILL CHANGE.
THIS RESTAURANT NEEDS TO TURN TABLES TONIGHT
TO STAY OPEN TOMORROW.
IT'S RE-LAUNCH NIGHT.
AND GORDON HAS INVITED LOCAL ARTISTS,
STUDENTS, AND CAR CLUBS TO EXPERIENCE
THE NEW LELA'S.
AND NOW, REGARDLESS OF THE RAIN,
THE RESTAURANT IS PACKED.
OPEN THE NEW LELA'S. LET'S GO.
ALL RIGHT. WHOO!
GOOD LUCK, GUYS, YES? YES.
WE'RE GONNA NEED IT. LET'S GO.
GOOD EVENING. HOW ARE YOU?
JUST OPENED THE DOORS RIGHT NOW, MAN.
WE GOT A HOUSEFUL OF PEOPLE, MAN.
WHEN I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND I SAW THIS LONG LINE,
I SAID, "OH, MY GOD.
ARE THEY GONNA BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT?"
IT'S AWESOME.
THIS IS OUR NEW AND IMPROVED MENU.
I'M PRETTY NERVOUS ABOUT TONIGHT,
'CAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S GONNA BE A BRAND-NEW LELA'S.
THIS IS OUR NEW MENU.
THE RESTAURANT'S MENU
HAS BEEN TOTALLY REVAMPED BY GORDON
TO BETTER SUIT THE CASUAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME,
THE MAN IN CHARGE OF THE KITCHEN IS SOUS CHEF LEX.
LEX IS THE CHEF TONIGHT. YOU GOT IT.
- YES, IT HURTS. - I DON'T CARE.
YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GONNA CRY ABOUT IT.
I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. TAKE IT LIKE A MAN PRETTY MUCH.
LEX? YES.
I WANT YOU CALLING OUT THE ORDERS TONIGHT, YES? ALL RIGHT.
YEAH, DON'T FORGET. GOT IT.
I'M FEELING REALLY ANXIOUS, A LITTLE NERVOUS,
BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A BIG NIGHT FOR US.
TWO SPECIALS, BACON AND CHEESE.
COMES WITH BACON, MONTEREY JACK, AND SWISS CHEESE.
THERE YOU GO. THAT SOUNDS FANTASTIC.
OKAY, LET'S GO. THEY'RE IN.
WITH THE RAIN AS WELL, YEAH? THEY'RE NOT HANGING AROUND.
THEY'RE JUST COMING STRAIGHT IN THERE, YES?
AND TO FURTHER ENDEAR THIS RESTAURANT TO THE COMMUNITY,
GORDON HAS ARRANGED FOR THE MAYOR OF POMONA
TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
I WANT YOU TO COME IN AND SIT DOWN.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL TABLE FOR YOU. THANK YOU.
WHAT TABLE IS THE MAYOR SAT ON? 55.
SEE WHERE THAT LADY IS WITH THE RED--
OKAY, YES.
THAT TABLE. RIGHT.
ARE WE READY TO ORDER?
RICKY, DON'T OFF OUTSIDE ON THE PHONE.
KEEP IT GOING, YES?
ME, LEX, RICKY,
YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO MESS UP.
WHAT ARE YOU EATING NOW?
EVERY TIME I LOOK AT YOU YOU'RE ALWAYS EATING.
THIS IS WORK NOW, YES?
I WANT EVERYONE TO GET INTO WORK MODE, YES?
AND FOR YOURSELF?
I'M GONNA TRY THE POT ROAST.
I'M GONNA HAVE THE BURGER.
THE EVENING HAS STARTED OFF WELL
WITH CUSTOMERS RESPONDING FAVORABLY
TO THE NEW CASUAL MENU.
LISTEN, LEX, FIRST TABLE. ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.
BUT THE REAL HARD WORK IS ABOUT TO HIT THE STAFF.
AND A LITTLE STAGE FRIGHT HAS SET IN.
LEX, WHERE'S THE TICKET GONE FOR THE TOMATO AND BASIL SOUP?
- IT'S ALREADY BEEN TAKEN. - HELL.
30 MINUTES INTO SERVICE
AND LELA'S IS OFF TO A ROCKY START.
WHERE'S THE FIRST TICKET AT, LEX?
NO FOOD HAS LEFT THE KITCHEN,
AND THIS GRAND REOPENING IS OFF-COURSE.
HEY, GUYS, WE'RE FALLING BEHIND.
WE'VE GOT TO REV UP A LITTLE BIT, YEAH, YEAH?
WHAT'S GOING NEXT?
IS THAT THE POMONA SALAD THERE?
- YES. - NEEDS CHICKEN.
WHERE'S THE CHICKEN?
ABOUT TO GO IN THERE. OH, COME ON, GUYS.
LISTEN, LEX. YES?
WORK TOGETHER AND SEND ONE TABLE AT A TIME. OKAY.
THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE-- AHEM--WORKING IN A KITCHEN.
SO I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA GO SCREW IT ALL UP.
IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA WORK.
TO BE THE HONEST,
THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN--
PROBABLY LEX RUNNING THE KITCHEN TONIGHT.
IT'S STARTING TO BECOME CLEAR NOW.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM ARE USED TO BEING BUSY.
SO THAT'S WHY THEY'RE SO.
AND THE TUNA SANDWICH.
AND WHEN FOOD FINALLY DOES
COME OUT OF THE KITCHEN,
NOT EVERYONE AT THE TABLE
IS GETTING THEIR FOOD AT THE SAME TIME.
OH!
SO I'LL JUST EAT THIS, AND, UM--
COME ON, RICKY. GOTCHA CHEF, GOTCHA, GOTCHA!
DON'T PANIC.
I'M JUST TRYING TO SAY SEND IT AT THE SAME TIME.
YEAH, BACON AND CHEESE, FIRST ORDER UP.
THE BACON'S NOT EVEN COOKED.
YOU KNOW, IT'S STONE COLD. IT'S NOT EVEN CRISPY.
WE GOTTA AT IT PUT IT BACK ON THE GRILL FOR 3O SECONDS.
- COME ON, GUYS. - MELTDOWN.
YOU HAVEN'T ANY FOOD WHATSOEVER.
SEEMS TO BE TAKING A LITTLE TOO LONG TO GET OUR SALAD.
I'M IRRITATED.
I'M VERY, VERY IRRITATED TONIGHT.
EVERYTHING IS NOT GOING THE WAY THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO.
STILL WAITING FOR A CHICKEN SANDWICH.
OH, MY GOD!
CHICKEN SANDWICH IS GOING WITH THE--
THEY JUST TOOK THE SALAD, THEY JUST TOOK THE SALAD.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
RICKY AND LEX, NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR TICKETS.
OH, DEAR, OH, DEAR.
THE WAIT STAFF BEGINS TO PANIC.
GET ON THE COMPUTER AND FIX ALL THAT
SO WE NEED THE KEY ANYMORE.
HOW ABOUT THAT?
GRABBING WHATEVER FOOD IS UP ON THE COUNTER
REGARDLESS OF WHICH TABLE IT BELONGS TO.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE KITCHEN.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE MY ORDER IS.
LIKE, I DON'T CARE.
FAMOUS BURGER, TABLE 11.
WHAT DID YOU ORDER?
OH, MAN, THEY PUT THE WRONG ORDER IN.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO OUT WITH TABLE TEN.
CAROLYN, YOU PUT IN TABLE 11 FOR THIS,
AND THEY'RE SAYING IT'S NOT THEIRS.
IT'S A SALMON AND A CHEESEBURGER.
IT'S LIKE A TRAIN WRECK.
DID YOU HAVE THE CHICKEN SOUP?
NO, OKAY.
TONIGHT WAS OVERWHELMING.
SORRY!
NO, HE DOESN'T IT. IF I SAID IT'S COMING, IT'S COMING.
I NEED A CAPELLINI WITH SHRIMP.
I JUST TOLD YOU IT'S COMING RIGHT NOW.
DON'T ASK HIM, 'CAUSE HE DON'T KNOW.
ONE HOUR INTO DINNER SERVICE,
AND LEX'S INEXPERIENCE BEGINS TO SHOW.
THEY'RE TAKING DIFFERENT FOOD FROM DIFFERENT ORDERS,
AND THAT'S NOT HELPING US AT ALL.
JUST STAND THERE AND SAY NOTHING.
I'VE BEEN TELLING THEM. WHO HAVE YOU TOLD?
I'VE TOLD RICKY ALREADY,
AND WE'RE TRYING TO TALK TO THEM.
GET ME TABITHA PLEASE, YES?
I'M RIGHT HERE.
LEX WAS TRYING TO SAY
THAT THE WHOLE CONFUSION
WAS BECAUSE OF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.
RICKY WANTED TO TRY TO BLAME THAT EVERYTHING'S
MESSED UP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE,
WHICH IS BULL.
DON'T BLAME THAT ON US,
'CAUSE IT AIN'T OUR FAULT.
ALL WE DO IS READ THE TICKET TO PUT THE FOOD OUT.
WE'RE TRYING TO STAY ON TRACK WITH THE ORDERS,
AND THEY JUST KEEP YELLING OUT THEY NEED TABLE 55,
THEY NEED THIS TABLE, THEY NEED THAT TABLE.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE TRYING
TO ASK ME 50 MILLION THINGS AT ONE TIME.
SO IT'S A LOT OF CHAOS. IT'S A LOT OF PRESSURE.
I NEED A POT ROAST AND A CUP--
YOU NEED IT? SHE NEEDS IT.
WHERE'S MY FAMOUS BACON WITH CHEESE?
HURRY UP, HURRY UP. YOU GOTTA BE FAST, BUDDY.
HE FREEZES. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I HAVE TO GO BACK THERE AND ACTUALLY HELP
TELL HIM, OKAY, LOOK, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER ME!
ALL RIGHT!
LEX, WHAT'S THE MATTER?
WHAT'S GOING ON?
FRUSTRATED AND COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED...
WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?
LEX LEAVES THE KITCHEN TO GO COOL OFF OUTSIDE.
LEX, COME BACK HERE.
LEX IS PANICKING ON US.
MEANWHILE, LELA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DINING ROOM
FIELDING COMPLAINTS.
YOU'RE WAITING FOR GRILLED SALMON?
YEAH. OKAY, LET ME GO SEE WHAT HAPPENED THERE.
WHERE'S LEX?
THEY'RE WAITING OUT THERE FOR TWO SALMONS.
EVERYBODY ELSE GOT THEIR FOOD.
I GUESS THERE WAS TWO UP HERE THAT HE HAD PUT UP THERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.
THE POINT IS THEY'RE NOT THERE.
ALL RIGHT. AND I NEED THE TWO SALMONS.
WHERE'S LEX?
KNOWING HOW CRITICAL
TONIGHT'S DINNER SERVICE IS,
LELA FINALLY BECOMES A BOSS.
GET IN THERE. THERE'S TWO SALMONS.
PEOPLE WAITING FOR THOSE SALMONS.
WHY ARE YOU HERE?
DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT.
YOU'LL BE OUT OF HERE. ALL RIGHT.
THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON
WITH LEX AND THE BOSS, LELA.
SOME WORDS WERE EXCHANGED BECAUSE HE WANTED A BREAK,
AND SHE YELLED AT HIM.
I DON'T APPRECIATE THAT KIND OF TALK.
I DON'T APPRECIATE YOU TALKING TO ME THIS WAY.
WELL, YOU ANSWERED ME THAT WAY.
OKAY, I ASKED YOU.
YOU WERE THE ONE RAISING YOUR VOICE TO ME FIRST.
WHAT DO YOU WANT? THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE.
YOU GUYS ARE OUT HERE.
I CAN'T GET A BREAK FOR FIVE MINUTES?
I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST FOUR HOURS STRAIGHT.
EVERYBODY HAS. YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE.
YEAH, BUT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN COOKING.
IT'S THE SAME THING.
YOURS IS NOT ANY HARDER THAN OURS IS.
YOU'RE NOT WORKING IN THE HEAT LIKE I AM.
WELL, IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT, THEN LEAVE.
SHE TOTALLY SNAPPED. AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS KIDDING.
NO, SHE WAS-- SHE WAS SERIOUS.
I'M TIRED OF THESE PEOPLE NOT DOING
WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
THEY JUST GET UP AND WALK OUT
WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT.
AND I'M NOT GONNA DEAL WITH THAT ANYMORE.
LEX!
WHAT'S GOING ON?
SHE'S JUST REALLY GETTING ON MY NERVES.
LIKE, I'M TRYING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AT LEAST.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHEN I GOT UPSET.
LIKE, WHAT THE HELL? I'VE BEEN WORKING ALL NIGHT.
YOU'RE NOT QUITTING ARE YOU?
WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?
OKAY, I CAN UNDERSTAND.
I CAN FEEL THE FRUSTRATION.
YEAH, TONIGHT WAS A TOUGH NIGHT.
HEY, LEX.
GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE, YES?
HE'S REALLY UPSET RIGHT NOW.
OKAY, COOL HIM DOWN, YEAH? I'M TRYING TO.
OH, MY GOD!
DAMN!
DAMN.
WITH LEX OUT OF THE KITCHEN,
ALL THE PRESSURE IS ON RICKY
TO GET LELA'S BACK UNDER CONTROL.
WHERE'S MY CREAM AT? WHERE'S MY CREAM?
RICKY. YES, CHEF.
KEEP IT GOING, YES. YES, CHEF.
IF THIS SLOWS DOWN NOW, WE'RE ALL SCREWED, YES? YES, YES, GOTCHA.
I CAN STILL DO IT.
WHEN IT'S CRUNCH TIME, YOU KNOW,
JUST KICK IT OUT.
TABLE 55 IS FOR THE MAYOR.
HOW LONG FOR THAT TABLE?
V-VIP?
GONNA BE FIVE MINUTES ON THAT ONE. FIVE MINUTES, PLEASE.
- OH, HELL. - WHAT IS ALL THIS?
CAN I GET THE TICKET WHEN YOU DROP MY ORDER PLEASE?
SURE CAN.
MANY PEOPLE
ARE STILL WAITING FOR FOOD,
INCLUDING THE MAYOR OF POMONA.
AND THE PRESSURE IN THE KITCHEN IS AT ITS PEAK.
LELA'S BURGER, WHERE'S IT AT?
IS THAT FOR TABLE ONE?
IS THAT THE TICKET FOR TABLE ONE?
I'M BUSY RIGHT NOW.
SO WE'RE JUST PRETTY MUCH ALL GONNA HAVE TO STEP OUR GAME UP.
YOU GOT VEG IN THAT POT RIGHT THERE.
GIMME THE POT ROAST. LET'S MOVE IT, LET'S MOVE IT.
THANK YOU.
GIVE ME TWO CHICKEN SOUPS AND GET THIS TICKET
UP OUT OF HERE--BAM!
WITH RICKY BACK IN CONTROL,
FOOD IS FLYING OUT OF THE KITCHEN.
SUCCESS.
HOW'D YOUR LIKE YOUR POT ROAST?
IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.
OKAY, THANK YOU.
SOME PEOPLE COMPLAINED.
THEY'RE LIKE, "WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET OUT FOOD?"
THEN WHEN THEY GOT THEIR FOOD WERE LIKE,
"OH, WE DON'T MIND THE WAIT."
RIGHT, THAT'S THE MAYOR'S TABLE FINISHED, YES?
HALLELUJAH.
POMONA SALAD.
THIS IS THE BEST BURGER I'VE EVER HAD.
CUSTOMERS ARE THRILLED WITH THE FOOD.
IT'S DELICIOUS.
AND THE MAYOR IS PROUD TO HAVE THIS RESTAURANT IN POMONA.
THAT POMONA SALAD, I THINK WE WILL DECLARE THAT
OFFICIALLY THE MEAL FOR ANY POMONA DAY.
$700.
YOU GET TO PAY THE ELECTRICITY BILL.
AND $1, 000 TO BREAK EVEN.
GOTTA GO, YEAH? KEEP GOING.
GOTTA GO, GOTTA GO, GOTTA GO.
HOW'S EVERYTHING?
PERFECT. GREAT.
THE MENU WAS GREAT.
I MEAN, PEOPLE, THEY REALLY LIKED THE FOOD.
AFTER TAKING A LITTLE TIME TO COOL OFF,
LEX RETURNS TO LELA'S.
NOT AS HEAD CHEF, BUT AS RICKY'S NUMBER TWO.
LELA'S BURGER.
HEY, DUDE! WHAT'S HAPPENING?
COME ON, RICK, WE CAN DO THIS, RICK.
IT'S ME AND YOU AND, RICK.
LEX TOOK OFF, AND THEN HE CAME BACK.
JUST COVER YOUR ASS. AH, YOU KNOW IT!
AND WE DID MAKE A GREAT TURNAROUND.
I GOT CHICKEN READY.
ALL RIGHT, I GOT THESE TWO RIGHT HERE.
OKAY, TONE, GIVE ME A POMONA SALAD
AND GIVE ME A POT ROAST.
I WAS PROUD TO SEE RICKY REALLY STEPPING FORWARD
AND TAKING CARE OF, YOU KNOW, THE SITUATION.
HE DEFINITELY ACTED AS THE HEAD CHEF.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD TOO SEE YOU. NICE TO SEE YOU.
LOOKS LIKE IT'S A WHOLE NEW BEGINNING REALLY
FOR THE RESTAURANT.
RICKY, TWO SECONDS.
AFTER A DRAMATIC COMEBACK,
GORDON WAS TRULY IMPRESSED WITH RICKY.
WE GOT OFF TO A ROCKY START, YEAH? YEAH.
AND WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BEING IN THIS RESTAURANT,
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA BOLT.
SERIOUSLY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA THROW IN THE TOWEL.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU DID WELL TONIGHT, YEAH?
THANK YOU, CHEF.
WE BUTTED HEADS AT FIRST, YOU KNOW
BUT THAT WAS JUST EGO, PRIDE PRETTY MUCH.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? ARROGANCE ON MY PART.
I JUST WANT TO SAY TONIGHT YOU PROVED ME WRONG.
- AND I THOUGHT YOU DID A GOOD JOB. - THANK YOU.
AND IN AMONGST ALL THE COMMOTION
IN THE DINING ROOM, YOU REALLY HELD IT TOGETHER.
YOU WERE SOLID. YOU WERE STRAIGHT.
AND YOU DIDN'T BLOW IT.
AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY WELL DONE.
'CAUSE IT MEANS A LOT. SERIOUSLY. FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK, THOUGH.
FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK. IT DOES.
FOR HIM TO PULL ME ASIDE AND LOOK AT ME
MAN TO MAN AND SAY, "YOU KNOW, YOU DID A GREAT JOB."
YOU KNOW, THAT MADE ME FEEL REALLY GOOD.
BUT NOW THAT YOU'VE OPENED THE DOOR,
DON'T CLOSE IT.
KEEP IT COOL.
YOU KNOW WHAT THE SCORE IS NOW.
YEAH? RIGHT.
DON'T STOP, YEAH? YES.
DURING THE REST OF GORDON'S STAY,
RICKY CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.
ALL RIGHT, OKAY, COOL. THANK YOU.
TABITHA SETTLED INTO HER NEW ROLE AS MANAGER.
YOU FEEL YOURSELF LOSING YOUR MIND,
TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND BREATHE.
LELA CONTINUES TO BE MORE OF A BOSS
AND MORE ASSERTIVE WITH HER STAFF.
I WANT THAT CALAMARI NOW.
CUSTOMERS RAVED ABOUT THE FOOD.
VERY GOOD.
AND LELA'S FINALLY,
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT MONTHS,
MADE SOME MONEY.
NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE!
BUT I'M EXCITED, I'M EXCITED.
COME BACK AGAIN. OH, YES, WE WILL.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU.
RIGHT, LET'S CONFIRM ONE THING, SHALL WE?
YOU WON YOUR FIRST BATTLE.
CHEF GORDON IS AN AMAZING DUDE.
YOU FOUGHT TO KEEP YOUR JOBS.
IT PROVED A POINT.
THANK GOD HE CAME AND HE HELPED US.
YOU KNOW, HE TURNED IT AROUND.
THE NEW LOOK OF THE RESTAURANT,
THE NEW MENU, EVERYTHING'S, LIKE, WAY BETTER.
IT WAS A BUZZ. A NICE, LOUD BUZZ.
THE CHANGES THAT HE MADE HERE, THEY'RE GREAT.
OKAY. GOOD NIGHT.
I'M GLAD THAT HE WAS HERE.
HE HAD A HAND IN HELPING CHANGE THE RESTAURANT AROUND.
YOU KNOW, I THANK HIM FOR THAT.
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD,
I'M GONNA REMEMBER EVERYTHING HE SAID.
IN SPITE OF BUSINESS PICKING UP AT THE RESTAURANT,
LELA'S DEBTS WERE TOO LARGE TO OVERCOME,
AND SHE WAS FORCED TO CLOSE HER DOORS.