Episode Report Card Daniel: B- | 7 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Burger Time
By Daniel | Season 11 | Episode 18 | Aired on 07.11.2013
What is it, close to a month we’ve gone without eliminating someone? I can’t even remember a time we didn’t have five contestants. People traversed the Oregon Trail in less time than it has taken to cut one of the five remaining contestants.
But it appears we’ve finally made it. This is the night.
Ramsay dismisses the chefs after their successful dinner service. Mary’s pissed because Susan and Cyndi said she’s the weakest chef, considering how far she has come. Cyndi correctly points out that “Most Improved” doesn’t count for anything. She yells and screams, and it’s like an angry chipmunk is loose in the dorms.
The next day, Ramsay tells the chefs that he’s prepared a gourmet dish of a food that’s making its way into more and more five-star restaurants lately, an inspirational American dish. A waiter brings out a covered platter and Ramsay makes the cheftestants guess what it is. Pork shank? Sweetbreads? Kidneys, liver? It turns out to be a hamburger, a gourmet one he serves in London that goes for as much as a hundred dollars. Which is outrageous, clearly.
Their next challenge is to come up with a gourmet burger. “If you don’t how to make a great burger, what the fuck are you trying to run a pub for Chef Ramsay for?” asks Jon. Then Ramsay introduces Jean-Philippe as the guest judge, and Susan patronizingly says JP is “definitely a diva” so they have to make a real diva burger for him. There is some lighthearted banter with Jean-Philippe, Ramsay expressing disbelief that he’s worked here for fourteen years. “Feels like fourteen minutes,” he says, before adding, “…underwater.” Everyone laughs and Mary squeaks, “Without oxygen!” Like yeah, Mary, THAT’S THE JOKE. And JP has brought other mâitre d’s, sommeliers and restaurant managers, and there’s a whole restaurant full of them coming in now. Ramsay jokes that he’s concerned for the diners of L.A. today.