Ep 17. Zocalo

In this episode of Kitchen Nightmares, Chef Gordon Ramsay travels to University City, Missouri to help out a struggling Mexican restaurant called Zocalo. The restaurant has been open for just over a year, but has already faced numerous challenges including poor management, a disorganized kitchen, and a lackluster menu.

Upon his arrival, Chef Ramsay is immediately struck by the dingy and outdated décor of the restaurant. He also notices that there are very few customers, despite it being peak dinner hour on a weekend. The owner, Lela, gives Gordon a tour of the kitchen, and it quickly becomes clear that the staff has no clear leadership or direction. The kitchen is a mess, with ingredients and dirty dishes strewn about, and the line cooks are constantly bickering and arguing.

Gordon sits down to sample the menu, which is a mishmash of disparate Mexican dishes with no clear focus or signature dishes. He is deeply disappointed by the food, which he describes as "mediocre at best." The dishes lack flavor, are poorly executed, and are often served cold or undercooked. When he confronts Lela about the quality of the food, she admits that she has no cooking experience and has simply been following recipes she found online.

Gordon then spends time with the kitchen staff, attempting to get them on the same page. He creates a new, streamlined menu that focuses on a few key dishes and removes all of the extraneous items. He also teaches the cooks basic techniques like how to properly season and cook meat, and how to make fresh tortillas.

In addition to the problems in the kitchen, Gordon discovers that Zocalo is facing serious issues with its finances. Lela reveals that she has poured her entire life savings into the restaurant, but is still struggling to pay rent and utilities. She also reveals that she has been consistently borrowing money from her family to keep the restaurant afloat. Gordon advises her to get a handle on the finances immediately, and to start tracking every penny that goes in and out.

Over the course of the episode, Gordon works closely with Lela and the kitchen staff to address the many problems at Zocalo. He renovates the dingy dining room with a bright, modern color scheme and new artwork. He also trains the waitstaff to be more attentive and personable with customers, and oversees a full staff meeting to get everyone on the same page.

Finally, Gordon hosts a relaunch party to showcase the restaurant's new menu and look. The dining room is full of local dignitaries and customers, and the food is a hit. Many diners remark that they can't believe the transformation that has taken place, and are thrilled to have a new, vibrant Mexican restaurant in town.

Overall, this episode of Kitchen Nightmares is a classic example of Chef Gordon Ramsay's ability to identify and address the many issues that can plague a struggling restaurant. From poor leadership to poor finances to poor quality food, Zocalo was facing a multitude of challenges that were holding it back. But with Gordon's help, Lela and her staff were able to turn things around and create a thriving, successful business.