I've read it actually is hell for the contestants, but that's their problem. To me, it's quite entertaining.
And to some extent it's educational in regards to how a professional kitchen might, or should, operate. I've never been in one myself, but the mysteries of how dishes come together, perfectly cooked and on time for the whole table -- or aren't! -- are perhaps revealed here. At least it gives me something to think about that I never thought about before and, when such a kitchen works, gives me an appreciation of the operation. [And, I'll admit, even in regards to IHOP or places like that. I just never thought about it.]
It's all about Ramsay's fury, his dominating personality, his unrelenting insistence on consistent quality, his intolerance of laziness or uncaring dish preparation. All admirable qualities, for sure.
I have reason to believe he can be like that in real life, but I also have reason to believe he hams it up for the show. After all, he's not, in this context, trying to achieve Michelin stars for a fake/staged restaurant. He's trying to get Emmy awards. He's play-acting.
But he can be brutal! And some of that is real according to some past contestants. I think it's analogous to his real life running of a kitchen when his reputation was really on the line. I doubt he's like that now or even in that kind of situation anymore.
What I like is his now-unfashionable insistence on not giving out gold stars for simply showing up, or for caring, or for wanting trying hard. If you under-cook 6 lamb shanks in a row, there, GET OUT YOU DONKEY! It's great fun.
And to some extent it's educational in regards to how a professional kitchen might, or should, operate. I've never been in one myself, but the mysteries of how dishes come together, perfectly cooked and on time for the whole table -- or aren't! -- are perhaps revealed here. At least it gives me something to think about that I never thought about before and, when such a kitchen works, gives me an appreciation of the operation. [And, I'll admit, even in regards to IHOP or places like that. I just never thought about it.]
It's all about Ramsay's fury, his dominating personality, his unrelenting insistence on consistent quality, his intolerance of laziness or uncaring dish preparation. All admirable qualities, for sure.
I have reason to believe he can be like that in real life, but I also have reason to believe he hams it up for the show. After all, he's not, in this context, trying to achieve Michelin stars for a fake/staged restaurant. He's trying to get Emmy awards. He's play-acting.
But he can be brutal! And some of that is real according to some past contestants. I think it's analogous to his real life running of a kitchen when his reputation was really on the line. I doubt he's like that now or even in that kind of situation anymore.
What I like is his now-unfashionable insistence on not giving out gold stars for simply showing up, or for caring, or for wanting trying hard. If you under-cook 6 lamb shanks in a row, there, GET OUT YOU DONKEY! It's great fun.