We are three episodes into the new series, Gordon Ramsay‘s Secret Service. While it is definitely not Kitchen Nightmares, there is no denying that it really is like an elevated version of that particular show.
Obviously, chef Ramsay is walking in without everyone in the restaurant knowing it. This means that they do not get to hide their bad behavior from him. However, the series is definitely relying on what he has done with Kitchen Nightmares. One of the biggest difference is the fact that he has a secret diner going into these restaurants and trying the food in his place. This means that they are getting an authentic experience in the restaurant. And interestingly enough in the first three episodes, it’s been someone that we have seen with Gordon Ramsay in the past. That’s because he enlisted one of his former Hell’s Kitchen, contestants (and winner), Rock.
Even with the series not having the chef walk in immediately, this episode really felt like a normal episode of Kitchen Nightmares. I really wanted more from this one, but it was still enjoyable to watch.
In this episode, Gordon Ramsay was in Phoenix, Arizona, helping a staple of the city. Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe needed help to not only find its roots again, but also refresh its menu. The kitchen was a disaster, they could not even turn off the ovens and stove because the knobs were gone. Catfish was sitting in the front seat of the co-owner’s car and things were simply not working. In many ways it just felt like this restaurant and these people had given up.
It was nice to see the chef making such a big difference for this restaurant. And it clearly was a case of the co-owner, who was also the son of the original owner, realizing that he had basically given up. He needed the help and an outside view of what was happening in the restaurant.
Secret Service on Fox is three episodes in and it feels like what we have seen before
However, there is no denying that you could’ve slapped on the Kitchen Nightmares brand at the beginning and I would’ve believed it. I guess I just wanted a little bit more from a series that has Gordon Ramsay not stepping foot in the restaurant until after his undercover diner has tried things and he’s had insider knowledge and a chance to explore the kitchen before anybody even knows that he’s there to give him a better idea of what’s really going on. What that little bit something extra is, I have no idea.
I think part of the problem is that after he walks out of the restaurant for the first time, after revealing the reality of what’s going on, it doesn’t feel like he is giving anybody in the restaurant enough time to really process what’s going on. It almost feels like he’s only gone for a few minutes watching them talk on the cameras and then he’s right back in there doing what he always does. Obviously, part of that could just be the editing process. However, it just feels a little bit rushed.
Although it was clear that this restaurant really needed the chef’s help, there was something missing from this episode. It could just be the fact that this is such a new series, that we are expecting a little something extra or different. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t be watching next week to see what happens.
I think Gordon Ramsay‘s Secret Service is a good show. It’s a great alternative to Kitchen Nightmares. And I definitely think it’s something that will make a difference for a lot of restaurants.