Ep 2. Pantaleone's

Gordon Ramsay returns for another season of Kitchen Nightmares, this time travelling to Denver, Colorado to save yet another restaurant on the brink of disaster. In the second episode of season 7, Ramsay pays a visit to Pantaleone's, a family-owned Italian eatery run by the cantankerous patriarch Pete and his three headstrong children.

At first glance, Pantaleone's seems to be doing well - the restaurant is always full, and the family boasts of their Neapolitan traditions and homemade dishes. Ramsay, however, quickly realizes that what the family sees as tradition and authenticity is actually a lack of modernization and a resistance to change. The kitchen is unhygienic and outdated, with old appliances and a lack of organization. The menu is stuck in the past, with canned ingredients and pre-made sauces. The decor is drab and uninviting, and the service is slow and unfriendly.

Ramsay wastes no time in addressing these issues, starting with a thorough inspection of the kitchen. He finds mold, spoiled food, and an alarming amount of flies, and he demands an immediate deep clean. He also introduces the family to new equipment and techniques that could make their cooking more efficient and consistent.

Next, Ramsay sits down with the family to sample their menu, and his reaction is not favorable. The spaghetti is overcooked, the meatballs are dry, and the calamari is rubbery. Worst of all, the dishes lack any sort of flair or creativity - they are basic and uninspired. Ramsay implores the family to experiment with new recipes and ingredients, and he guides them through the process of creating a new, more modern menu.

As the family struggles to adjust to Ramsay's changes, tensions rise. Pete in particular is set in his ways, and he clashes frequently with his more open-minded children. Ramsay, however, is determined to break through their stubbornness and help them see the potential in their restaurant. He assigns each family member a specific task, from revamping the bar area to designing a new logo, in order to give them a sense of ownership and pride in their work.

Throughout the episode, Ramsay's frustration with the family's resistance to change is palpable. He rants about their laziness, their lack of passion, and their refusal to take responsibility for the restaurant's decline. However, as the family slowly starts to embrace Ramsay's advice, he softens his approach and becomes more invested in their success. He even takes them on a field trip to see a successful modern Italian restaurant, hoping to inspire them to follow suit.

In the end, Ramsay's hard work pays off. The family presents him with a vastly improved menu, complete with homemade pastas, fresh seafood, and creative appetizers. The kitchen is sparkling clean, and the decor is fresh and inviting. Most importantly, the family members are getting along and working together, and they seem genuinely excited about their future. Ramsay leaves with a sense of satisfaction, having helped another struggling restaurant get back on its feet.