Ep 6. Southern Kitchen

Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell & Back season 3 episode 6 titled Southern Kitchen takes place in the small town of Richmond, Virginia. The episode begins with Gordon arriving to save Southern Kitchen, a restaurant that has been struggling for years. The owner, an ex-professional football player named Caesar, has been keeping the restaurant afloat using his savings, all the while financing the restaurant on credit cards. As Gordon enters through the doors, he is met with a sad and disappointing sight. The restaurant is in dire need of a makeover, with cracked paint and a dirty exterior. Inside, dust and grime cover the surfaces, and the kitchen is infested with vermin. The staff, who have themselves struggled to keep the restaurant afloat, look tired and disheartened, trying to keep a smile on their faces despite the overwhelming sense of despair.

Gordon gets to work right away, and his first task is to inspect the kitchen. What he finds is chaos in every aspect - from the poor hygiene to the unprofessional behavior of the staff. Gordon decides that he will have to shut down the restaurant temporarily to perform the necessary renovations and deep cleaning required to bring the place up to code. The staff is sent home, and the renovations begin.

Gordon brings in his team of builders, carpenters, and designers to help him transform the restaurant. They start by stripping down the exterior of the restaurant, giving it a complete facelift. Inside, they tear down walls, remove old furniture and fixtures, and replace them with modern designs. The kitchen is deep cleaned, and all of the appliances are replaced with state-of-the-art equipment.

As the renovations continue, Gordon discovers an even deeper problem with the restaurant. The owner, Caesar, has been living in the restaurant, sleeping on a dirty mattress in the storeroom. Gordon is appalled and decides to give Caesar a much-needed lesson in cleanliness and professionalism. With the help of his team, they clean up the storeroom, furnish it with a proper bed, and make it into a livable space for Caesar.

With the renovations complete, Gordon invites back the staff to train them on the new menu and to improve their level of professionalism. The menu is inspired by classic southern dishes, such as chicken fried steak and biscuits and gravy. Gordon trains the staff on how to cook these dishes to perfection, emphasizing the importance of fresh ingredients and proper hygiene. He also coaches them on the fundamentals of customer service, teaching them how to greet customers with a smile, make recommendations, and upsell.

The grand reopening is a success, with the diners enjoying the new menu and the modern decor. The staff is more professional and attentive, and the kitchen produces food that is up to Gordon's standards. After the restaurant closes, Gordon meets with Caesar to discuss how he can turn the business around for good. Gordon emphasizes the importance of proper financial planning and encourages Caesar to hire a professional accountant to help him balance the books. He also suggests that Caesar hire an experienced general manager who can help him run the restaurant and ensure that everything is operating smoothly.

Southern Kitchen's transformation is nothing short of miraculous. The restaurant has gone from a dingy, poorly run establishment to a thriving, professional business that is poised for success. Caesar is grateful for Gordon's help and promises to take his advice to heart. As the episode ends, Gordon departs, leaving behind a new, revitalized restaurant and a motivated staff ready to tackle whatever challenges come their way.