Are there any on this board?

Sure the reality TV format is awful and it is a FOX produced reality show but it doesn't stop me from watching!

Can anyone confirm if the top prize is a executive chef position at Atlantic City's The Borgata? And if yes, I don't recall Gordon Ramsay being involved with The Borgata?

I watched the second season (the one where the prize was the GVR head chef job). I did not like the format nearly as much as Top Chef, however, I think that it served to sort through the chef's and the best definitely won. Hell's Kitchen would be another one of my airplane flight entertainment shows. Enjoyable and I am not really too concerned when I have to stow my laptop or when the battery dies. (Rome and The Wire raised some eyebrows of other pax)

Gordon Ramsay has grown on me as well. I have caught a few of his Kitchen Nightmare shows and he actually cares.

Oh and yes the Chef's are competing for a job at a restaurant at The Borgata.

i do enjoy this show. I'm a bit of a Ramsay fan even if he is an arrogant dick

I love the service portion of the show best where they serve the customers and inevitably stuff up.

Love it when Ramsay tells the customers who come to the kitchen to complain to F off

When did the new season start?

In the last one, I thought Petrozza was clearly screwed out of the win because of age discrimination.

Age? Are you certain it wasn't Gordons predilection for extra martial affairs?

Has yet to start.

I thought Petrozza and Christina were dead-heated, both were equally good. What really surprised me last season was how far Jen made it, she was just awful, period.

Yes, but Ramsey made it very clear he was choosing Christina solely because of her age. This is outrageous. She and Petrozza are both CIA graduates and he is much more experienced.

Regarding Jen, completely agreed. I thought the segment where she asked for a recommendation was too much.

Has anyone ever eaten in any of his US restaurants? If so which one and how did you find it overall? I ate in one in London many years ago and although I like both Gordon and the Show I also ate at Marco P Whites on the same trip. Gordon was not the winner on that occasion.

Such is life though, right? I shake my head each time when the phrase "Equal Opportunity Employer" shows up.

Last thing I'll say about Jen: I sure as hell wouldn't want to work in her kitchen.

I had a reservation for At the London in New York City a while back that I had to cancel last minute. Needless to say the guy on the other line was not pleased and gave me an earful about it. But as for feedback, heard nothing but positive reviews for his NYC location.

Was lucky enough to be taken to Gordon Ramsey at the London West Hollywood for a chef's tasting dinner last month (6 courses, private dining).

Here is what was on the menu:
1. Cured Scottish salmon, tomato consommé, paddle fish caviar
2. Pressed foie gras and black figs, Pedro Ximénez reduction, toasted brioche
3. Pan-fried Scottish sea trout, white cabbage and pickled ginger, celeriac velouté
4. Fillet of beef with braised Kobe short rib, baby beets, Madeira sauce OR
Top sirloin of Sonoma lamb and confit shoulder, creamy pomme purée, rosemary jus
5. Cara cara orange three ways, cinnamon ice cream and rose water sabayon
6. Chilled coconut tapioca with passion fruit, candied ginger,
Milk chocolate and star anise gelato at the end.

We also had a wine flight - various wines and even some sake to go along with each course. Had to call for a ride home!

A couple of the courses were just ok, but at least half were amazing. The best may have been one of the two desert courses - the chilled coconut tapioca - I hate coconut and had never really had tapioca, but this thing was fantastic.

As an FYI, they also had this holiday tasting menu going on:

1. Canapés
2. Wild mushroom velouté, braised beef short rib, chive Chantilly
3. Pressed foie gras with black truffle, braeburn apple, Pedro Ximénez reduction
4. King prawn ravioli with creamy fennel purée, Sautéed spinach and light lobster bisque
5. Pan-fried sea trout with orzo, marinated Japanese mushrooms and dashi OR Roasted duck breast with confit leg, braised red cabbage, port wine jus
6. Cara cara orange three ways, cinnamon ice cream and rose water sabayon
7. Crème fraîche panna cotta with quince, gingerbread ice cream and ginger madeleine

Coffee, mince pies and chocolates at the end

Wow now I am kicking myself for cancelling that reservation

But back on topic: *SPOILERS SORT OF* Though I am not listing any names or details, the lineup for season five has been reported. Do a search on the internet at your discretion and you'll find it

FOX web site says Thursday January 29th.

I hate that I like this show. It's a guilty pleasure. It's so formulaic and seems to be getting more staged each season. Yet, I can't seem to not watch...damn TiVo.

I started as a fan of the British series about him, Boiling Point...it's all been downhill since there. I find it rather unfortunate that the US productions feel the need to be so over-the-top production wise. He's got a big enough personality that the staged scenes aren't really necessary.

Don't really like Hells Kitchen, but I love the Kitchen Nightmares (the original British one) and to a lesser extent the American one also.

I've watched Hell's Kitchen but prefer Kitchen Nightmares. Can things really be THAT bad?

Anyway, read his book Playing with Fire on an airplane and found him amazingly sensible, business-like, down to earth, yet passionate. I'm embarrassed to admit I tore of several pages of biz philosophy to give to my son who's starting a new venture (not restaurant).

I watch both shows when they are on, both are equally good ^

As for things being that bad, I would really wonder if Gordon tried to transform an underperforming Chinese restaurant . Now I'd watch that!