I may be one of the last people to have seen Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares (BBC version) and have thoroughly enjoyed it even though his recipe for turnaround is virtually the same each time. Like House, it might be one of the funniest comedies you didn’t realize was a comedy.
Here is what I have determined to be his basic formula:
- Determine if the staff is capable and willing to change their ways. If not, close up now. If so, continue.
- Simplify the menu. This seems to common in the failing restaurants and is related to the next step.
- Refocus on your identity and cook only the things you can do well. Stay within yourself.
- Cook simple/rustic/hearty dishes using fresh/local ingredients.
- Relaunch your restaurant with the new concepts to regain your reputation. Don’t screw this up.
There are lots of little variations in each assignment, but this seems to be the basic formula, and it makes sense.