Episode Report Card Lady Lola: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Sorry, Corey
By Lady Lola | Season 4 | Episode 13 | Aired on 06.24.2008
Before things get started, Ramsay calls Petrozza over for "assertiveness training." It consists of Ramsay calling him a "lump" and telling him to take control. They role play, and Ramsay feigns handing Petrozza an undercooked Wellington, whereby P-Nasty has to surface and show underling Ramsay who's boss. And this is the "Petrozza mouths off " moment we saw last week? What a disappointment. I wanted some hullabaloo up in here! Oh well...Ramsay is impressed and tells Petrozza he got the message. Petrozza admits he's not usually one for yelling, so this will be a challenge.
He heads off, and Ramsay beckons Christina. He gives her a generic pep talk, which I take as a sign that he doesn't see any major weakness in her demeanor. Then the same role-playing drill, but with overly salty risotto. Hilariously, Christina kind of sucks at this. So much so that Ramsay seems to stifle laughter. He calls Christina a cheerleader, aping pom-pom motions, and says he can't take her seriously. Christina takes great umbrage at the insinuation that she has spirit, yes she does. Christina promises to bring the bitch out, then rocks her do-over.
Finally, we have Corey, who worries about her acting skills. Oh, honey, you don't have to act like a bitch, it will just come naturally. In lieu of a pep talk, Ramsay rams a plate of food into her torso. She matter-of-factly tells underling Ramsay the things he did wrong without injecting any of that Ramsay oomph we all know and love. Ramsay stops her, then shows her how she should act. He even breaks a plate! I love you, Gordon Ramsay! He sums it up simply: "Nice girls don't make great chefs." Remember you're talking to Corey here, Chef. That's not an issue. They try again, and Corey goes off on underling Ramsay and kicks him off the line. He's appeased and sends her off with the wise words that she has to run the line, or it will run her. He addresses them all once more, then gives Jean-Philippe the go-ahead to open the restaurant.
Ding ding! Suppa time! Guests arrive, cheerful as always that they may or may not sit around for 5 hours without a speck of food on their plates...or, if they do get food, that it may arrive tasting like garbage and accompanied by a symphony of swearing. So much to look forward to! Ramsay reads the first ticket, and Christina VOs that she has to be perfect tonight to make up for a track record of mistakes during past services.
Appetizers are heading out after 31 minutes, and entrees are cooking. This is undoubtedly thanks to the sous chefs, who pitch in. However, they'll also be partaking in the gambit to undermine the competitors. Ramsay pulls them aside to run down how they're going to trip up the contestants. Unfortunately all they've got are lumpy mashed potatoes, pea-less risotto, sauce switching, and herb errors. Come on, people! Put your minds to work!