PrintA Nightmare Indeed: Wood-Burning Ovens for Show and Frozen Pizza Dough
Another email from the Slice mailbag. This time from Mark Graban, who built a backyard wood-burning pizza oven at his home in Texas. You'll see why Mark sounds a little miffed. —The Mgmt.
Did you catch the episode of Kitchen Nightmares that featured a restaurant, Sebastian's, in Burbank, California? The idiot running the place had two wood-burning ovens running, and they were just for show. Frozen dough, microwaved crap, it was awful. And, worse, the moron wouldn't take the advice of chef Gordon Ramsay.
You can watch the whole episode online. Or read more on Eater L.A.
—Mark Graban
Dear Mark,
To answer your first question, I actually didn't catch the show when it aired since I'm not an avid follower of food TV shows.
But when you mentioned wood-burning ovens (two!) that served as showpieces and frozen dough, I was intrigued. Actually, at first, I was like, 'Dude. Mark is exaggerating.' But here I am, watching the episode as I type, and I'm flabbergasted.
Some choice (or, maybe not-so-choice) quotes and vignettes:
Owner-chef Sebastian: "Pizza dough comes in fresh-frozen."
Sebastian wants to franchise and do a line of products: "My pizzas soon will be in supermarkets."
Sebastian: "I think it's one of the best frozen doughs I've seen.... And it's one of the only ways right now we can save a dollar."
Ramsay: "You need to start doing one thing, and one thing only. This place could become so popular for homemade fresh pizza."
Ramsay brings in a killer big-ass dough mixer. "That is the best of the best. It is an extraordinary piece of equipment. This is the start of Sebastian's turning around."
But, as you say, Mark, Sebastian really doesn't listen to Ramsay's advice. And the loggerheads they come to—pretty entertaining stuff. Thanks for sending me the link and the heads-up! I'm kinda digging this show. But Sebastian's, not so much.
I think I have a new show to watch.
Hasta la pizza,
Adam
This is the area where I usually give pizzeria addresses, but you won't be needing it in this case.
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4 Comments:
That guy from the show is a jerk online and offline. He makes fun of his customers in internet reviews, really sad.
Anyway, I was screaming at the TV during the whole show. If I was Chef Ramsay I would have walked out.
Prairie at 4:22PM on 11/27/07
Well, he may get a bump in traffic due to the infamy on GRKN, but I don't know how long the place will stay in business now that its secrets have been exposed.
Adam Kuban at 4:31PM on 11/27/07
I saw that episode and couldn't believe the gall and stupidity of Sebastian. I don't know when it was filmed but I'm betting he's reverted to his old menu and dumb-ass ways already. I hope they do a follow up. I don't watch this show regularly but I'd tune in to see what happens to the people Chef Ramsey has tried to help. The man knows what he's doing, people! Shut yer yap and take notes!
AuntJone at 11:45AM on 11/28/07
OMG Adam, I wish you hadnt posted the link, I've been watching these shows obsessively now.
seyo at 3:02PM on 11/28/07