How do you feel about Gordon Ramsay?

Ah! Now I understand!  He's a Scorpio like me :-).  (only kidding!)

I am not a big TV watcher...and most certainly not a "reality TV" person...because reality TV often reminds me of when no one had anything to do and everyone went to watch the gladiators kill someone..."Hey, lets watch people at their worst! THat will be fun!".  Nevermind...I digress.

In our house the kitchen is open to the family room and hubby is a HUGE tv watcher.  Drives me insane, but hey, to each his own.  I have never been "pulled in" by anything that he watches.  I go about living my life and pretty much ignore TV. 

BUT, This year, somehow I found myself captivated :-) by Gordon.  And believe me I don't appear to be the "Type" of person who would.   I'm not a fan of using f*** in many sentences...nor do I usually like people that come "off" as Gordon in that "harsh" manner.

Yet, what struck me as I started to overhear Gordon in Kitchen Nightmares was that...yeah he certainly speaks his mind, but damn what a sincere human being.  And then...I was hooked.  Yes, I love to cook, but it's not really about "recipes" and cooking...it's about business and life.   

I don't know why but I'm always surprised that people don't see that all he wants to do is really HELP the restaurant.  Yeah, I know it's a show and he could be so condeming and be like "Well it's not my restaurant and you don't cook how I cook, etc"....but he steps into a local "neighborhood" place and takes the perspective of how can I help you succeed?   He'd probably freak if he read this and heard me say this but he (in a way) reminds me of Dr. Phil.   Dr. Phil (I don't watch him either, just have seen things occasionally so don't beat me over the head for this) gets down to...if it ain't working....then do something about it...grow up and move on.

The episode with the LI restaurant (and I lived on LI, NY for half of my life)..I'm thinking....Seascape?...something like that.  ANyway, the owner was a man and his mother...the father had died and left the restuarant to them and it was awful.  Anyway, right away my feeling was that this son's heart really wasn't in the business and there was more to the story, etc....but Gordon picked up on it and took the guy boxing and get's him to talk about how his father put him down etc...

That's not someone who doesn't give a crap.  My husband and I own a business totally NOT food related (I wish!) but bottom line is he's inspired my OWN passion for being a good business owner and to stop whining.  To get up and MOVE...CHANGE...get out in the community, etc.

AND...to me Gordon is so far from immature that it amazes me when I hear people say he is.  Gordon's got great balance.  Yeah, he tells it like it is with his criticism....but he also knows how to give praise and encouragement too.  Even the Sebastian STAFF, he said good job...and he cares that the people are proud and like their work etc.  Even the wait staff at a "pizzeria" which would seem "Below" the radar of a world celebrity chef, etc.  Gordon doesn't think good food is below anyone anywhere.  A good pizza is a good pizza.

OK, I"m off my soapbox.  I love him.  I wish him a Belated Happy Birthday...and I hope at 50 he is off his feet and snorkeling somewhere and enjoying his family.  He deserves it.

Peace,
Nancy

At first I saw quick bits of his show Kitchen Nightmares and thought he was harsh and just mean.  But, he caught my attention.  I've since watched many shows and now I see that beyond the rough exterior he does care.  I truly feel if he didn't care he just would move on, why waste his time. 
 
I love his show "the F Word"  much more of the real Gordon - at work, play etc.  It takes me a while to get the slang, the ingredients....because I really do have to translate it all into american english - funny - makes me laugh!  Kind of like when I talk to my backwoods West Virginia husband! Ha.  But - I will tell you this....A lot of people - american men in particular, are just stuck in the meat and potatos forever nightmare.  It took time - but I have actually got my husband beliveing that a meal - CAN be a meal......without a slab of meat and potatos as a side.   I feel that part of the problem is that middle america just doesnt get access to fresh fish in the supermarket unless you live in a big city.  Duck, lamb?  Just try to find that in your country USA supermarket.  Beef and chicken are your only option! Oh yeah - some cuts of pork are there.  Try to find good cheese - try to find any kind of bacon besides slab bacon.  Fruits and vegetables - same thing.  I actually will go to the city and visit supermarkets to find fresh new ingredients!  Bring Gordon to middle America!  Put the challenge on to break away from a steak and baked potato!  Maybe then we would not have such a terrible problem with obesity.  Gordon just may be able to break through the macho bull*!$@ that it just isn't a meal without meat & potato.  Love him!