British chef Gordon Ramsay has quite a relationship with the FOX network. On Thursday, FOX said that “Kitchen Nightmares” is coming back for a fifth season. The series was based on a show out of Britain by the same name and airs on Friday evenings. There are several other Fox shows that Ramsay is an integral part of. Those shows include “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Masterchef.” There is also a new show that will air soon called “Hotel Hell.”
Ramsey gave a statement yesterday, jokingly saying that no one knew there were that many nightmares out there. “Kitchen Nightmares” follows the chef as he travels to troubled restaurants that are close to closing. He provides guidance and intervention in the way the restaurants operate and it’s all done with an expletive here and here. He tries to bring new life to the troubled businesses. The restaurants get a makeover, but so do their menus. So far, he traveled to 54 different cities across the United States.
There are some restaurant owners who have a difficult time understanding that Ramsay is trying to help their business. There are often some very frank conversations and occasionally, a cook, a manager, or part of the wait staff that walks out. Most return, however, Ramsay has been responsible for some employees getting axed on the show.
“Kitchen Nightmares” premiered in September 2007. The first season really focused on restaurants in the New York City and southern California areas. There was a lawsuit filed by one of the restaurant owners that Ramsay highlighted on the show. The former manager of Dillon’s sued Ramsay for hiring actors and staging disasters; however, the case was eventually dismissed and settled.
The show is produced by Optomen and ITV Studios America. Executive producers include Ramsay, Kent Weed, Arthur Smith, and Patricia Llewellyn.
