Ep 12. Cafe 36

In Kitchen Nightmares season 2 episode 12, titled "Cafe 36," world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay travels to La Grange, Illinois to visit Cafe 36, a restaurant on the brink of collapse. The restaurant is owned by Terry and Carol Gilmer, a husband and wife team who are struggling to keep their dream of owning a successful restaurant alive.

Upon arrival, Ramsay is immediately struck by the dismal state of the restaurant. He discovers moldy food in the fridge, dirty and greasy equipment, and rotten produce in the kitchen. The decor is also outdated and uninviting, with dim lighting and mismatched furniture.

As he observes the dinner rush, Ramsay is horrified by the lack of organization and teamwork in the kitchen. Orders are being lost, food is being served undercooked or overcooked, and the kitchen staff is bickering and arguing with each other. The menu is also confusing and overwhelming, with too many dishes and no clear focus.

After meeting with the owners, Ramsay begins to work with the staff to revamp the menu and improve the operations of the restaurant. He introduces a streamlined menu with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and trains the kitchen staff in basic cooking techniques. He also works with the front of house staff to improve customer service and create a more inviting atmosphere.

Throughout the episode, tensions run high as Ramsay clashes with the owners and staff over his changes. However, he remains determined to turn the restaurant around and give the Gilmer's a fighting chance at success.

Overall, "Cafe 36" is a dramatic and intense episode of Kitchen Nightmares that showcases Ramsay's expertise in turning failing restaurants into thriving businesses. The episode highlights the importance of cleanliness, organization, and teamwork in a successful restaurant, and showcases Ramsay's ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve their goals.