Episode Report Card Monty Ashley: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT A VIP Guest? Whoopi!
By Monty Ashley | Season 7 | Episode 11 | Aired on 07.20.2010
The chefs line up for the traditional post-service "I'm so disappointed in all of you" speech by Gordon Ramsay. Ed and Benjamin come in for personal abuse. Everybody is sent upstairs to decide on two chefs who do not deserve to continue. Ramsay says something about "all your history here," and everyone uses that as an excuse not to just follow the simple rule of Hell's Kitchen: If you're thrown out of the kitchen, you're up for elimination.
So Benjamin thinks Autumn should go because she "squeaks by" in both the kitchen and the prep. Jay also piles on Autumn because she was nominated a lot, and Holli also likes that argument. Autumn doesn't argue strongly on her own behalf. Jay says he can't decide between Ed and Jason. Why Jason? Oh, right, his "temper". None of this matters, guys. Just nominate Ben and Ed and let Gordon Ramsay axe whoever he feels like.
It's nomination time. Autumn, who is the first nominee? "My team is nominating me, chef." Why? "Based on the sheer number of times I've been nominated." A fair description. And the second nominee? Ed, because "he's had several difficult services in a row." Autumn and Ed, step forward. Ed, why are you better than Autumn? "I can multitask much better." Autumn, same question. "I've been a lot more consistent on the line, even with team members who didn't want to work with me."
Gordon screws with Autumn before telling her she's getting better. Then he cuts Ed, which can't come as a surprise. Gordon tells the chefs that he's not impressed with anyone, and we're out. You know, it really undercuts this show's ability to pretend it's about great chefs competing for a big prize when we're constantly being told how inadequate everyone is.
Watch the episode below, read up on the second episode of the night here and discuss them both in our forums. Then see why we'd never eat there!