Topic: Hell's Kitchen Season 5

[marigold]

An interview with Colleen Cleek:

Colleen says ‘Hell’ just wasn’t for her

TVGuide.ca: Hi Colleen, thanks for taking the time to talk with me today.
Colleen Cleek: Oh, you’re welcome!

TVG: The show portrayed you to be one of the red team’s biggest downfalls. Do you feel you were perceived fairly?
CC: Well, you know, anything can happen in Hell’s Kitchen! [Laughs.] And the way we’re perceived and the way we are is two different things. Was it fair? I don’t think life is fair, so I’m going to leave that up to the producers. I wish they had portrayed me in a leadership and a mother role, which I really did take, but you know that doesn’t make for good drama! [Laughs.] My statement is “Move over Martha, I was on the wrong show!”

TVG: Do you feel your teammates helped or hindered your own personal performance?
CC: At first no one’s going to help you, are you kidding? This is a competition; it’s every man for yourself. They’re not going to help you until you help yourself, and I got that after the second day. You just don’t make excuses, you put your head down and you do the work. I wasn’t as helpful to them either. Like when Lacey sat down and decided she wasn’t going to work, I was going to pack her bags for her. I was really surprised they all wanted to baby her at first, and I was like “Not me!” But then I think they got on the bandwagon with that – you know, s*** or get off the pot! Do your job or get out!

TVG: I think many viewers are surprised Lacey’s still on…
CC: Oh, she creates great drama! [Laughs.]

TVG: Speaking of drama, several times Ramsay insulted your cooking school. How did you deal with those outbursts?
CC: I just treated it like an out-of-control youth. I didn’t take it personally, I was going to do my job to the best of my ability and I wasn’t going to bring myself down to the level of yelling back. But when he started to attack my business and say I was fraudulent, that’s where I drew the line and got upset. My people here love me, and I do a damn good job, and we just have different philosophies about food.

TVG: Ramsay did say you were extremely tenacious. How did it feel to hear him praise you?
CC: It was good, I was thankful I went out on a positive note. I’m sorry it happened on a night when I actually did perform – the worst thing I did was leave [an oven] door open and one dessert out of 55 was bad. It was nice that he said I was tenacious to America, but I would’ve loved to have been the person to win and then turn him down!

TVG: So his compliment didn’t really make up for all his insults.
CC: No! Absolutely not. I even invited him to come and teach at my school, but I doubt he’ll ever take me up on that offer.

TVG: Who do you think might win the competition?
CC: If I were to pick people that I thought had great palates, had the talent, could handle the pressure and still keep their individuality, which is important, I would choose Paula or Danny. I really bonded with them.

TVG: Any advice for next season’s contestants?
CC: Stay true to your cooking ability, do the best job you can, and don’t let anyone question you or bring you down – you’ve got to be strong.

TVG: What are your future plans?
CC: I have a cooking school called The Classy Gourmet, where I teach skills to the home cook on how to prepare great meals on a budget. I also co-host Omaha Life, which is on Fox, and that’s where I cook daily preparing very sensible dishes. My vision and my goal is to take this around the United States and put a dent in the way America eats. You’re going to see a lot of me, I’m not stopping. Ramsay, watch out!

http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/TVs+most+incompetent+chef/RealityTV/Exit+Interviews/Articles/090312_Hells_Kitchen_colleen_DC.htm?isfa=1

[marigold]

 

Next Week in Hell's Kitchen

The chefs race into the kitchen to prepare their own tapas-style dishes, using only…leftovers?  To make this worse one chef mistakes balsamic vinegar for soy sauce. During all the mayhem Chef Ramsay pulls one contestant aside and provides a well-needed wake up call. Will Ramsay's next rant force someone to leave Hell’s Kitchen for good?

http://site.citytv.com/hellskitchen/index.aspx

[Soccermom71]

Thank you for the welcomes Marigold    and Texas Lady.   Apskip, I agree with parts of your post. I know Carol very well, she has cooked for my kids. That burger was Her dish to make, and she made a decision to make and she took a chance with something that is a best seller in her restaurant, that her own kids like, and she has made it at parties where I have been and everyone liked it, even my kids. She may have made a bad call, but he said make it a high end burger, it was her turn to make something, and that was her choice, and she has to live with it. She is an Executive Chef, and has to be tough to be a female in that role, and has had to stand up for her own point of view more often than not in her career, just like any female exec has to do, and that was what she did. Usually she doesn't make mistakes, it was one bad call, it is a very good possibility that she may not have realized other team mates Besides the one she was trying to TUNE OUT was telling her to change the cheese. It must have been pretty good since the mom and grandma couldn't stop eating it LOL

I saw they showed the battle to go on next week too, but I hope they get past it and the red team wins. I think that Carol, LA, and Paula are all very good, but I have no idea who will be the last 2 standing, believe me I have tried to find out! All of the chefs were the best of the best in order to get there, they have to go through hell to get to Hell... and they are all portrayed at their worst and with creative editing made to look even worse.

[marigold]

   The mom and grandma bit is making me laugh

That's so true I couldn't agree with you more well said

HK5 Best Season Ever 

[TexasLady]

Thank you for the welcomes Marigold    and Texas Lady.   Apskip, I agree with parts of your post. I know Carol very well, she has cooked for my kids. That burger was Her dish to make, and she made a decision to make and she took a chance with something that is a best seller in her restaurant, that her own kids like, and she has made it at parties where I have been and everyone liked it, even my kids. She may have made a bad call, but he said make it a high end burger, it was her turn to make something, and that was her choice, and she has to live with it. She is an Executive Chef, and has to be tough to be a female in that role, and has had to stand up for her own point of view more often than not in her career, just like any female exec has to do, and that was what she did. Usually she doesn't make mistakes, it was one bad call, it is a very good possibility that she may not have realized other team mates Besides the one she was trying to TUNE OUT was telling her to change the cheese. It must have been pretty good since the mom and grandma couldn't stop eating it LOL

I saw they showed the battle to go on next week too, but I hope they get past it and the red team wins. I think that Carol, LA, and Paula are all very good, but I have no idea who will be the last 2 standing, believe me I have tried to find out! All of the chefs were the best of the best in order to get there, they have to go through hell to get to Hell... and they are all portrayed at their worst and with creative editing made to look even worse.

Thanks for the insight about Carol. She hasn't been featured much so she has been in the background for me until this week.  (Maybe I should say she hasn't been targeted by Ramsay, which is a good thing!!) I'm laughing about trying to find out because that's exactly what I'd be doing in every way possible!    Grandma would have eaten every bit of the burger if she could have. 

Carol, LA and Paula have all been working hard as a team in the background while Andrea, Lacey and Colleen have had more camera time and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do now that the weaker cheftestants are dwindling down. One of them should emerge as a leader and I can't see Andrea in that role...

(I still feel bad about Coi though... I don't think she should be considered one of the weaker chefs)

[sbku]

A good article about Ben.

http://www.cheekychicago.com/interview-with-hells-kitchen-chef/

[marigold]

A good article about Ben.

http://www.cheekychicago.com/interview-with-hells-kitchen-chef/

   Oh cool great interview thanks sbku 

[TARAsia Fan]

Very good article. I wouldn't mind eating his food.

[TexasLady]

A good article about Ben.

http://www.cheekychicago.com/interview-with-hells-kitchen-chef/

BW: Gordon Ramsey is constantly searching for that green apple that fell from the tree and is looking to become ripe.  That’s what he wants.  He’s not really interested in the seasoned veteran for the most part.  There are always exceptions, but he has made it clear in many interviews that he prefers to mold raw talent.

This was a very interesting comment. It goes a long way to explain why he chose Christina last season.

Thanks for posting this sbku. 

[tory]

that makes a lot of sence u would not want a no it all to run something with u r name on it..

[marigold]

Hell's Kitchen Season 5

Episode: 9

IT’S THE KING OF ALL CHALLENGES ON “HELL’S KITCHEN” THURSDAY, APRIL 2, ON FOX

When each team member is responsible for creating a dish made with King Crab, each team must choose the strongest plate to present to Chef Gordon Ramsay. During the dinner service, both teams are given a chance to display creativity and specialty by creating their own menus. However, crippling inconsistencies and team sabotages contribute for a surprising elimination round when “8 Chefs Compete” on HELL’S KITCHEN airing Thursday, April 2 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

[marigold]

  an interesting article:

Local 'Kitchen' chef Carol Scott stirs drama



Peerless sous chef Carol Scott's feud with a teammate isn't going away on the latest edition of Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" (airing 9 p.m. Thursday on WTNZ, Channel 43).

In this past week's installment, Scott butted heads with teammate Andrea Heinly over just about everything. But when Heinly had the power to send Scott up for elimination, she didn't.

Scott figures Heinly didn't make the move because it didn't make sense. The two others she put up for elimination had worse records in the kitchen challenges. Scott, on the other hand, had been pulling her own weight.

Scott told me recently the blow-ups between she and Heinly will continue on this week's installment. Could this in-fighting be Scott's demise in the game?

Scott isn't saying.

But this much I do know: Apparently, Scott and Heinly have settled their on-air differences and are friends. Scott says the tension and drama of being in the game can lead to some strong emotions.

Scott shot "Kitchen" more than a year ago, but has to keep mum on the outcome.

http://www.knoxville.com/news/2009/mar/18/local-kitchen-chef-stirs-drama/?partner=RSS

[puddin]

sticking this here before I forget .. from tvguide

[marigold]

sticking this here before I forget .. from tvguide

  goodies .... thanks puddin 

[marigold]

An interview with Coi:

From cooking to clothes

Coi feels fashion is important, even in the kitchen

TVGuide.ca: So it seems everyone felt Andrea was the worst during [last week’s] dinner service, with the exception of Paula. Why do you think she threw you under the bus?
Coi: Well, I don’t think she wanted to eliminate herself because Chef Ramsay said she was the best out of us girls, and I did mess up on the burgers. But throughout the weeks, it seemed like I was pretty strong. Maybe I was her competition, that’s what I’m thinking.

TVG: Yes, you did come across as being a strong competitor. So why do you feel the meat station gave you issues?
Coi: There was just a lot going on. Generally, being on the grill is one of the easiest jobs, but somehow or other I just got trapped in my own little realm of grilling the burgers and slicing meat.

TVG: And after making one or two mistakes, is it hard to pull yourself out of that funk?
Coi: No, no it isn’t. I’m generally amazing in the kitchen. I’m pretty damn talented, excuse my language. I felt like after that first burger, I pulled myself out pretty well. My goal is not to keep thinking once you hit a tough spot – you just keep going. I think I was kicked to the curb way too soon, and I don’t think it was fair at all.

TVG: What was the deal with JP and Francisco? You girls seemed to love Fran, but JP despised him! Do you know why?
Coi: [Laughs] No, I don’t. Maybe because he was a little too chipper?

TVG: [Laughs] That he was!
Coi: Maybe his and JP’s personalites just butted heads. JP comes off as very posh and very well put together, and Francisco is very light on his feet. [Laughs] He has a way of laughing instead of being too serious.

TVG: I can’t believe he dropped the cake.
Coi: We all make mistakes! [Laughs]

TVG: Let’s talk about Lacey. You had an altercation with her in the beginning, which you later apologized for. But many people would agree that she deserved to be put in her place for her behaviour. So, was your apology because you felt badly, or was it more to benefit the team and your working environment?
Coi: The reason I apologized was because it’s never easy being an outcast, and she was on our team, and as a team we needed to succeed. I didn’t feel bad about yelling at her. My apology was so that she wouldn’t feel like an outcast and would pull it together and help our team out because one weak link in the chain brings us all down.

TVG: Looking back on your experience in HK, is there anything you would have done differently?
Coi: I probably would’ve been a bit more boisterous, and stepped up more as a leader instead of a team player.

TVG: What would you say is the best and worst thing about Hell’s Kitchen?
Coi: The best thing is meeting people from completely different backgrounds and hearing their stories and seeing what their careers have done because there’s nothing wrong with making friends, even if you’re in a competition. Definitely winning challenges is awesome too. And the worst part is realizing that you have to say goodbye to all the people that you’ve made friends with.

TVG: Yeah, you seemed to bond well with the red team. Are you hoping one of the ladies will win?
Coi: Absolutely. Those are my girls.

TVG: Is there anyone who stands out to you?
Coi: LA and Carol. We all had each other’s back. From the first day, we hit it off so well. But out of the four left, I think Paula is the strongest.

TVG: Did Chef Ramsay give you any advice that you’ll take with you?
Coi: Um, no. To be honest with you, I went in knowing a lot and I don’t feel like I learned too much. It’s not like he was standing right next to me saying, “Coi, try it this way.” But maybe I learned to be more like him. He’s brilliant. He has a show where dumb people go on to get screamed at. And he’s making money off it!

TVG: What are your plans for the future?
Coi: I am working on a clothing line for women, and it’s chef’s clothes. It seems like they make [all chefs’ clothes] one size fits all, and even though we’re in a male-dominated industry, we shouldn’t have to look like them. And if you feel good, you’ll work better. So I have come up with these amazing designs for all different body types.

http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/From+cooking+to+clothes/RealityTV/Exit+Interviews/Articles/090319_Hells_Kitchen_coi_DC.htm?isfa=1

[apskip]

I believe that:
1. Francisco was an over-the-top character played by an actor.
2. He dropped the cake deliberately (they would have had to not use all the nice desserts that had been prepared if that's not true). I believe that that cake was a sacrificial lamb to heighten the Jean-Pierre/Francisco tension.

[TARAsia Fan]

You don't think the producers would try to stage something in a reality show?

[marigold]

You don't think the producers would try to stage something in a reality show?

  I'm shocked 

[puddin]

Ramsey is PISSED! LOL

[puddin]

Spoiler >> highlight >> Gio is on the red team, the Reds won the challenge and a trip to a horse race and Jay was thrown out and is gone

[TARAsia Fan]

I was watching hoops during the first 45 minutes of the episode so I have to see what happened. I'll have to watch it when it comes on Hulu.

[puddin]

spoiler >> The blue team lost but Lacey & Ben were spared because of Jay getting thrown out  I guess

[marigold]

   awww .... thanks for the updates puddin 

[puddin]

after show preview for Episode 8 << it is 8 right? 


 << HD toggle when the video is fully rendered

[Soccermom71]

Tonight was tough to watch as Carol made her second boo-boos in 2 weeks. The fighting continued but after they had to share a plate that they screwed up together , maybe that will start the healing process so they can stop fighting and let their cooking show more. Carol still did well in service, so she did not need to worry about going home, but  it was ugly there for a while. I can not believe that Lacey got away with quitting yet again. She is going to look like a top ten person just because when it comes down to elimination time, someone else messes up worse in front of GR. If he went back and watched the tapes, he would see that Lazy directly disobeyed him in the very first punishment and has quit during her punishments several other times I wish he watched the tapes of that happens when he is not watching before he makes the decision. Gio was awesome tonight, and I have talked to him on My space and he seems like a really nice guy. I think he will bring balance to the team that they need.