18/06/08 EVEN NEWER Kitchen Nightmare website/blog released!
Currently a work in progress, expect lots of updates!
Here.

For a bit of personal interest I decided to find out what happened after Ramsay left the restaurants, sadly it’s mostly depressing but yet an interesting read. I still have a few gaps in my information so if anyone can help out it would be greatly appreciated.

Season 1

Bonaparte’s Restaurant

[/Episode Reminder]

A 21 year old Chef who can’t make an omelette, a owner who’s unaware of what’s going on in her kitchen.

[/The Aftermath]

April 2004, London Evening Standard publishes an article alleging that the Kitchen Nightmare production company faked the culinary disasters and placed the chef there purposely. More Info

May 2004, The Daily Mail reports chef Tim has been offered a job by Gordon Ramsay to work in one of his London restaurants, but Tim knocked back the offer as he has ambitions to run three of his own restaurants and become a TV celebrity. More Info.

July 2004, Sue Ray the owner, says she is going to sue Gordon Ramsay and the television show producers for landing her £400,000 in debt. Claiming the episode unfairly portrayed her restaurant. More Info

September 2004, Gordon Ramsay goes back to visit Boneparte’s Restaurant as part of a revisited episode, and found since the episode screened, Tim was sacked, the restaurant had stopped serving food and Sue has put the business up for sale, she says she has narrowly avoided bankruptcy.

February 2005, The Guardian reports Sue has now placed Boneparte’s on the market for £450,000. More Info.

March 2005, The Daily Star reports that Sue the ex-owner of Bonaparte’s Resturant is now homeless and jobless. Sue went bankrupt owing £400,000. Within the same time Sue was caught drink driving, at her court appearance said stated that her TV appearance in Kitchen Nightmares led to her financial and personal downfall, she pleaded guilty and was banned from driving for 12 months. More Info

July 2005, The Daily Mail publishes an article about ex-chef Tim, which comments about Tim not being able to hold a job since the airing of Kitchen Nightmare and claimed he just got sacked from his third job when his boss found out about Bonaparte’s. More Info

June 2006, Ramsay won a High Court case against the London Evening Standard, which had alleged, after reports from previous owner of Bonapartes, Sue Ray, that scenes and the general condition of the restaurant, which was the subject of the first episode of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, had been faked. Ramsay was awarded £75,000 plus costs. Ramsay said at the time: “I won’t let people write anything they want to about me. We have never done anything in a cynical, fake way.” Wikid

August 2007, Tim the ex-chef goes to court over drink driving offenses, he claimed the negative publicity from the show has led him to drink driving. During the questioning by police Tim repeatedly made references about Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and it being the cause of his ‘ruined’ life. More Info

[/Status] = Closed.

[/Extra]
Extra Reading 1 Extra Reading 2
Apparently the restaurant has been purchased and renamed, need more info.

The Glass House

[/Episode Reminder]

Owner who lacks self confidence, chef who is getting paid too much for the work he is doing.

[/The Aftermath]

Clare Porter (the bookshop chef) was given a job by Gordon Ramsay at Angela Harnett’s Menu restaurant but left just a few weeks after joining. Hartnett said “She (Clare) went due to personal problem.” More Info

Ian Waddle who was also given a job by Gordon Ramsay at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s quit after just three weeks, as he was unhappy with its long-hours culture.
The Caterer & Hotel keepers publication reported:
“Ramsay told Waddle at the Glasshouse: “I can’t believe you’ve only been cooking for three months. You’re a f****** natural.” But, according to Glasshouse owner Neil Farrell, Waddle hadn’t enjoyed Claridge’s and felt there was more to life than doing the same thing over and over again during a 19-hour day.” More Info

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Restaurant Website
Restaurant review websites offer mixed reviews but mostly positive. 1 2 3
Extra Reading

The Walnut Tree

[/Episode Reminder]

Arrogant owner who wont take Ramsay’s advice, food prices are too expensive and the restaurant has to find a new chef.

[/The Aftermath]

May 2004, Rumours start circulating that the Walnut Tree is on the market, but owner Mattiolo said ‘The rumors are not true’, “I have not been approached by anyone (about buying the walnut tree)”. More Info

June 2005, Kitchen Nightmares revisited is screened, in the episode Ramsay interviews the public in the local area and finds most people find the prices are still too expensive, but the owner Mattiolo even on Ramsay’s strong suggestion refused to lower the prices as he was scared it would imply lower class food.

February 2007, The Walnut Tree closes. In a statement on their website the owner said he had been forced to closed the restaurant “pending some reorganization.” More Info

[/Status] = Closed

But…..

June 2007, The Walnut Tree is sold to an unnamed party.

December 2007, The Walnut Tree is reopened under new management. The management has now decided to make the restaurant more affordable and is offering two courses for £15 and three for £20…. More Info

January 2008, A writer from the Caterer & Hotelkeeper publication visits for lunch and noted the resturant was packed, in his article he wrote “While Hill(the new manager) is in charge, there is no doubt the Walnut Tree will run and run.” More Info

[/Extra]
Restaurant Website
Extra Reading

Moore Place

[/Episode Reminder]

Big purple monstrosity of a building.

[/The Aftermath]

February 2005, The Observer reports “Richard Hodgson, co-owner of Moore Place in Surrey, said even now he was getting new customers from as far as Australia and America who had seen the program. He also said he had no regrets about participating and would do so again.” More Info

July 2005, The Times reports “the once-empty restaurant is now busy serving Moore Place burgers, the recipe for which can be found in Ramsay’s latest book, Kitchen Heaven.” More Info

Early 2006, ‘Moore Place’ is sold, Restaurant is renamed ‘Esteem’. (If anyone has more information, it would be appreciated).

[/Status] = Sold

June 2006, The Surrey Advertiser reports there has been an application to knock down Moore place and replace it with a block of flats, although the application is getting strong backlash from the public. More Info

July 2007, The Surrey Advertiser reports that due to an outcry by the public over the proposed application the council voted against replacing Moore Place with a block of flats. Although the developers are planning to appeal. More Info

[/Extra]
The restaurant reviews are predominantly negative, 1 2 and yes it’s still purple.
Restaurant Website

Season 2

Lanterna

[/Episode Reminder]

Owner/Chef claims to be taught by a great Italian chef, turns out to be a taxi driver.

[/The Aftermath]

May 2005, the owner of Lanterna alleges the ‘TV Listing Magazine’ has damaged his business’s reputation by claiming that Gordon Ramsay found Lanterna infested with rats, the owner Alex Scott states there have been no rat problems. More Info

May 2005, Shortly after the broadcast of the Lanterna episode many vegetarians including the Vegetrain society claimed they will now boycott Gordon Ramsay restaurants and food after the shown ill treatment of a vegetarian when they ‘accidentally’ gave him Parma Ham hidden underneath mozzarella and tomatoes on a pizza. More Info

[/Extra]
I have spent a fair bit of time trying to find out what has happened to this restaurant but I’ve yet to find anything definite, although it does look like it’s gone bust or moved, as a look in the British phone directory lists no businesses called ‘Lanterna’ in Letchworth.

If anyone who reads this article lives in the UK, or ideally London the easiest way to find out what happened would be to call the Doctor Clinic next door which is shown in the episode (see pic).

It’s called the “Garden City Surgery” and their contact details are located on their website @ http://www.gardencitysurgery.org.uk.
It would be greatly appreciated if someone could find out what happened to Lanterna for completeness sake.

[/Status] = M.I.A

D-Place

[/Episode Reminder]

Chef who lies about how he cooks his potatoes.
Closed by end of the episode

Momma Cherri’s Soul Food Shack

[/Episode Reminder]

Big mouthed American lady selling ‘Soul food’.

[/The Aftermath]

March 2006, Charita Jones (Momma Cherri) opened Momma Cherri’s Big House just a short walk away from the Soul Food Shack, which allows 110 covers over a 3 story building. More Info

May 2007, Charita Jones releases her first cook book entitled ‘Momma Cherri’s Soul in a Bowl Cookbook’ to mostly positive reviews. Amazon.

November 2006, Gordon Ramsay returns to film the revisited episode, while he found that the business had become extremely successful he was shocked by how much the quality of the food had dropped to incorporate the large number of customers, and he later compared Momma Cherri’s to a fast food joint.

November 2007, BBC News reports Charita Jones fears the restaurant may close because it has become too big to handle. More Info

January 2008, The Daily Mail reports Momma Cherri is closing, ‘unable to deal with spiraling costs and debts of £200,000′ and after getting legal advice Charita has put the company into administration. Charita said she had been sending letters to Ramsay asking for help but her letters have gone answered. More Info

January 2008, CatererSearch reports Charita Jones’ 28 year old daughter Katryna has reached an agreement with the administrators and will now be running the business instead of her mother. More Info

[/Status] = Under Administration

[/Extra]
Restaurant Website

La Riviera

[/Episode Reminder]

Multi-Millionaire who brought KFC to the Scots opens restaurant, French chef who over garnishes his food.

[/The Aftermath]

Late 2005, La Riveria renames to Abstract

May 2006, Abstract is named ‘Scottish New Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Chef Awards. More Info

June 2006, The owner of Abstract opens a sister restaurant a few steps away called Contrast to provide more simpler food.

October 2006, Abstract was named the most stylish restaurant in Scotland at the Scottish Style Awards. More Info

December 2006, Ramsay returns to do a revisited episodes, and is surprised Abstract are yet to win a Michelin star, he suggests if they keep it simple they will get a star.

January 2007, Abstract gains a Michelin star. More Info

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Restaurant Website

Season 3

Oscar’s

[/Episode Reminder]

Chef with a drinking problem cooking for his Mums’ restaurant.

[/The Aftermath]

October 2005, the owner Maura Dooris sold Oscar’s, the Evening Standard quoted Maura saying
‘The one good thing about Gordon coming was that he brought the drink problem out into the open and I’m very thankful for that,’ she said. ‘We’ve now got help for Lenin. It was a shock when he collapsed but we need more people to talk openly about this sort of thing.’
More info

February 2006, The Daily Star publishes an article about ex-chef Lenin Moore. In the article Lenin thanks Ramsay for saving his life, and he further thanks Gordon for arranging for him to get into rehab and get specialist help from one of his friends. More Info

[/Status] = Sold

Sandgate Hotel

[/Episode Reminder]

Faulty towers-esque hotel, with far too many managers.
[/The Aftermath]

XX 2006, Sandgate Hotel closes down and reopened under new management. More Info.

May 2006, The Sandgate Hotel is completely refurbished. More Info

Feburary 2008, This is kent reports Sandgate Hotel has reopened the restaruant under the name of 829. Rebecca Crutchley the new manager was quoted saying “It’s never been owned by anyone who’s ever understood it properly and we’ve never lost the Gordon Ramsay image.” Rebecca has made a point of sourcing local produce in the hope it will attract customers. More Info.

[/Status] = Sold

[/Extra]
Restaruant Website
Need more information if anyone has any!

Clubway-41

[/Episode Reminder]

Bumbling old chef dating a much younger girl.
Clubway-41 renamed Jackson’s

[/The Aftermath]

March 2006, The Citizen reports chef Nigel Lloyd has left Jackson’s, stating he had left for ‘personal reasons’, and is contemplating an offer to join the workforce at Ramsay’s Claridges restaurant. Although currently he is working at the Pleasure Beach employee canteen. More Info

May 2006, In an article published by This is Lancashire both the Tourism chief Janes Seddon and owner of Jackson’s Dave Jackson claim Gordon Ramsay was unfair in his portryal of the former restaraunt of the year. Dave also claimed that on the night of the relaunch of Jackson’s he did not do any of the cooking, instead Gordon Ramsay’s crew did all the cookng. More Info.

November 2006, The Citizen reports Jackson’s restaurant has closed, ” Dave Jackson failed to revive his business and it has closed six months after the program was aired.” More Info

[/Status] = Closed

La Gondola

[/Episode Reminder]

Lady buys restaurant because she has fond memories of it.

[/The Aftermath]

June 2007, Chef Steve Straughan resigned two weeks after filming, saying he could not handle the star’s new menu. More Info.

July 2007, CatererSearch reports La Gondola has gone bust. “Ramsay’s advice and the TV publicity gave the restaurant an initial boost but now further cash flow difficulties have forced a closure.” More Info

[/Status] = Sold

[/Extra]
Website
Need more info if anyone has it.

Season 4

La Parra de Burriana

[/Episode Reminder]

British chef opens a restaurant in Spain, pisses off the local donkey community.

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Website

The Fenwick Arms

[/Episode Reminder]

Old couple, the gent has a thing for plates.

[/The Aftermath]

None really, after a bit of research I found a bloggers recent review, which was quite negative. Blog
Otherwise it’s still seems to be doing okay.

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Website
Real Gravy Website

Rococo

[/Episode Reminder]

Ex-Michelin star holder who still lives in the past.
Rococo was renamed Maggie’s

[/The Aftermath]

December 2006, The Lynn News publishes an article saying since the Kitchen Nightmare program has aired he (Nick Anderson) has become a more successful businessman and has nearly wiped out his £100,000 debt. More Info

September 2007, Maggie’s closed on September 26 and the owner Nick Anderson was forced to file for bankruptcy.
Nick Anderson said afterwards in an interview with Lynn News “our investors said they would be prepared to take the restaurant forward. They know it is a good business which is generating a profit. They want to see the business survive”

October 2007, On the 12th of October Maggie’s reopened propped up by the investors. More Info.

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Bloggers indepth review of Maggie’s
More Reviews
Radio interview with owner Nick Anderson

Morgan’s

[/Episode Reminder]

Mother and two daughters who run a restaurant in a ex-antique shop.

[/The Aftermath]

December 2006, Philip Lee ex-head chef of Morgan’s was jailed for 9 months for stealing cheques from a former employer and cashing them at a pawnbroker. His former boss at the Viper Lounge whom he was stealing from commented regarding Kitchen Nightmare;

“I haven’t seen the show yet but I’m surprised to hear that Gordon Ramsay criticised him for being a bad chef, because if there’s one thing he could do it was cook.” - “But he’s still a thief and I’ll be happy if I never clap eyes on him again.” More Info.

December 2006, the owner of Morgan’s Sandy Morgan says she is afraid her restaurant will become the victim of crime due to it’s increase in popularity. Sandra arranges police protection for her family, however the restaurant runs trouble free and has a record takings over Christmas. More Info

February 2007, Morgan’s is put on the market for sale at £99,000, the Liverpool Echo reports “owner Sandra Morgan said business was still good, but she was exhausted after three years in the catering industry and wanted to put her feet up.”, “daughter Laura Kelly, who also runs the restaurant, wants to go to drama school.” More Info

[/Status] = Unknown

[/Extra]
Reviews for Morgan’s are still mediocre at best
I can’t find any confirmation if it sold or not, it’s still listed in the phone directory but if anyone knows anything further help would be appreciated.

Season 5

Ruby Tate’s

[/Episode Reminder]

Failed actor who doesn’t like fish opens fish restaurant.
Renamed “Love’s Fish Restaurant”

[/The Aftermath]

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Owner Allan Loves’ IMDB profile
Restaurant Website
His houses’ real estate sale advertising material.
Reviews are mostly postive.
Love’s Fish Facebook Profile

Piccolo Teatro

[/Episode Reminder]

Spoiled brat goes to the meat eating capital of the world and opens a veggie restaurant.
Closed by end of Episode.

[/The Aftermath]

February 2008, The Daily Express reports Gordon Ramsay has offered a job to ex-chef India Innes. She was initially given a two week work experience at his Knightsbridge restaurant, The Boxwood Cafe. The placement went so well that Gordon has now offered her a full-time job. More Info

[/Status] = Closed

[/Extra]
Extra reading
Restaurant Website lists the business as closed and for sale

The Priory

[/Episode Reminder]

Convent turned into a restaurant.
The Priory is renamed ‘The Priory Grill’

[/The Aftermath]

Date unkown 2007, BarNun is opened. More Info

November 2007, New Head Chef is appointed. More Info

November 2007, The Guardian publishes an article in which the owner of the Priory claims certain scenes and events were created for good TV. More Info

[/Status] = Still Open

[/Extra]
Restaurant Website
Extra Reading

The Fish and Anchor

[/Episode Reminder]

Married Couple who can’t stop squabbling

[/The Aftermath]

November 2007, The IcWales publishes an article in which the owners of Fish and Anchor thank Gordon for saving their business. More Info.

[/Status] = Still Open
[/Extra]
Restaurant Website
Fake review shown in the episode.
More suspiciously good reviews

Curry Lounge

[/Episode Reminder]

Elaborate Indian Curry house.

[/The Aftermath]

November 2007, Channel4 publishes an article in which the owner Arfan Razak thanks Gordon for helping him get back to the basics, although he still disagrees over Gordon’s comments about the design and style of his restaurant. More Info.

[/Status] = Still Open

The Granary

[/Episode Reminder]

Ex-Cons working in the kitchen.

[/The Aftermath]

January 2008, The Granary is destroyed in a suspicious fire. The Independent reports “Investigators suspect arson after an earlier unsuccessful attempt to burn down the Grade II-listed restaurant was captured on CCTV a fortnight previously. The police suggested it could be the work of a Ramsay obsessive with a grudge.” More Info

[/Status] = Destroyed.

[/Extra]
Extra Reading about fire
More reading about fire

Summary

Throughout the current 5 seasons 22 restaurants have been visited.
Out of these only 9 are still open under the same owners.

So if you plan to have your restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares you have less then a 50% chance of being saved, good luck.

If anyone has updates or more news on any of the restaurants I’d very thankful if you post here or email me.
Images are used under ‘fair use’, the timelines are constructed based on news reports and are not necessarily correct.

Go here for NEW updates on the restaurants