Ep 1. Spanish Pavillion

In the season 4 premiere of Kitchen Nightmares, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay travels to Harrison, New Jersey to visit the Spanish Pavillion, a family-run restaurant that has been serving traditional Spanish cuisine for over 30 years. Despite its long history, the restaurant is struggling to keep up with the times and attract a younger clientele, leading to financial troubles and a revolving door of chefs.

Upon arrival, Ramsay is immediately struck by the dated decor and lack of atmosphere in the restaurant. He is met by owners Cesar and Maria, as well as their adult children JC and Nina, who are all involved in running the business. Ramsay is surprised to learn that the restaurant does not have a head chef, as the family members all take turns in the kitchen.

After sitting down to sample the food, Ramsay is disappointed to find that the menu is outdated and lacks creativity. He tries a variety of dishes, including paella and shrimp in garlic sauce, but finds them all to be lacking in flavor and presentation. The kitchen is also poorly organized, with outdated equipment and a lack of cleanliness.

Ramsay meets with the owners to discuss his concerns, and they are initially defensive about his criticisms. However, as he explains the need for a more modern approach and offers tips on how to improve the food and service, they begin to see the potential for change. Ramsay challenges them to come up with a new menu and revamp the atmosphere of the restaurant.

The family takes on the challenge and starts working on a new menu with Ramsay's help. They also bring in a local designer to update the decor, creating a more inviting and modern space. Ramsay works with each family member in the kitchen, teaching them new techniques and pushing them to be more creative.

As the day of the relaunch approaches, tensions run high as the family members struggle to keep up with the demands of the new menu. However, with Ramsay's coaching and guidance, they manage to pull it off and impress both the diners and the chef himself.

In the end, Ramsay is pleased with the transformation of the Spanish Pavillion, and the family is grateful for his help in turning their struggling business around. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of adapting to changing times and staying creative in the competitive world of restaurant business.