Ep 7. Finn McCool's

Chef Gordon Ramsay visits Finn McCool's, a failing Irish pub in Westhampton, New York, in the seventh episode of Kitchen Nightmares season 1. The establishment is owned by Buddy, a former customer turned owner, but the restaurant has been losing $5,000 a week. Buddy bought the bar for his son, but he turned out to be a "terrible" manager, and the restaurant has been declining ever since.

Buddy is not happy with the situation but is limited by his lack of experience and poor managerial skills. Ramsay arrives at the restaurant, surprised at the lack of enthusiasm from the locals and confused at the uninspiring menu and the restaurant's overall decor. He describes the interior as "claustrophobic" and the food as "bland, slimy, and disgusting."

The head chef, Brian, is introduced to Ramsay as the "brains" behind the restaurant's menu and reveals his sous chef, O'Ryan, who he describes as "a bit of a flake." However, Ramsay discovers the real problem is with Brian, who is unenthusiastic and compares his position as a chef to that of a "construction worker." Ramsay immediately realizes that if he is going to save the restaurant, he will have to motivate Brian and change his attitude.

Ramsay starts by sampling the menu, but it's clear that the food is terrible, as the Irish classics such as shepherds pie and bangers and mash are nothing like the authentic dishes Ramsay is familiar with. Ramsay quickly identifies the main issues, such as the raw, undercooked chicken, the fish and chips that is swimming in oil, and the reheated soups. He confronts Brian about the substandard food, and Brian is defensive, blaming his staff for not following his instructions. Ramsay takes control of the kitchen, teaches Brian how to cook authentic Irish cuisine, and introduces new dishes to the menu.

Ramsay's next step is to work on the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. He and his team work tirelessly to brighten up the place with new colors, furniture, and fixtures. To attract more customers, a new brand and signage are introduced to give the restaurant a fresh and appealing look.

Ramsay also takes Buddy to visit a successful Irish pub in Manhattan to show him what a successful Irish pub should look like. Buddy comes back motivated and eager to replicate the success of the big-city restaurant. The new menu, improved service, and refurbished interior of Finn McCool's bring in locals and visitors alike, increasing the restaurant's revenue by 50% within a few weeks. Brian's attitude has changed, and he is now proud of his work and more interested in the success of the restaurant.

At the end of the episode, Ramsay revisits Finn McCool's, curious to see how the restaurant has been doing after his departure. He returns to find the restaurant bustling with customers, the staff in high spirits, and a new dish called "Gordon's Fish and Chips" on the menu. Ramsay is delighted with the progress and gives the restaurant his approval. Finn McCool's has turned around from a failing restaurant to a lively and successful eatery, thanks to Ramsay's intervention.