Season Finale - Christina and Petrozza Go Head to Head
Wednesday, July 09 2008 | Comments (0)
All season, it seems, Christina and Petrozza have gone head to head, with Petrozza usually falling just short of the prize. In the season finale, they battle to the bitter end, for a dream job that is oh, so sweet.
Tonight's the NIGHT. The conclusion of Hell's Kitchen, Season Four. Will Gordon chose Louis Petrozza, the consistently good, experienced catering manager from Charlotte, NC? Or, is he looking for something more fresh - like 25 year old culinary student Christina Machamer, of St. Louis.
The final episode picks up with Petrozza and Christina choosing their teams. It came down to the final two, last week, before the credits rolled. Petrozza had the last pick, and he chose Jen. Jen told Petrozza that he made a good choice and that she'd be fighting for him tonight. And to the cameras, her ever over-confident attitude shined, "I know that why I was picked second to last was because of how strong of a leader I am, and they don't want to be out-shined by me in their kitchen, but that's gonna happen anyway." Christina breathed a sigh of relief that she would get Matty instead of Jen. "I don't like her, I don't trust her," stated Christina, fearing that Jen might have what it takes to sabotage anyone's game. She has confidence in Matt, as long as he's on his game tonight.
The chefs take their teams aside to give them the run-down of their menus, station assignments, and to share their overall vision of how things should go that evening. Petrozza has a lot of confidence. And his team is glad to work with such a nice individual, but he is not very organized. There is some fear about working with Jen, and the mutual feeling among Petrozza's team is that she'll be ok, if she just does her job and keeps her ego out of it.
Christina starts to give her assignments, and tells Matty that she's seen him do well, and not well in the past. She tells him that he will be working on the Risotto, and that he was her inspiration for that dish, based on the Risotto he made earlier in the season. He smiles, and tells her that she's earned his respect now, and he will now call her "chef."
She reveals to the cameras, though, that she made that up, and he bought it "hook, line, and sinker." She then assigns Corey, as her most talented chef, to the meat station, and Luross to the appetizers. She tells her team that she thinks that they can achieve what most strive for, and never see - a perfect shift.
While Christina is precise in her actions and in her vision, Petrozza is disorganized and manic. Jen tells him that he really needs to have everything written out for them. He produces his legal pad with a chicken-scratch menu on it. The other chefs sigh and hang their heads. It appears that it will be a long night working for the nice guy.
As the chefs start their prep in the kitchens, Christina and Petrozza are each called out to discuss some last minute snags in their renovations. Christina lets go of her vision, and tells the designer to just do whatever he can to make it look better, and get the job done on time. Petrozza's side has a missing upholsterer. And while he is out of the kitchen dealing with John, the designer, Jen pipes up. "Chef Ramsay...Will you write me a letter of recommendation?" Chef makes her repeat her request. He probably couldn't believe what he was hearing, since most everyone in both kitchens were focused on their jobs pertaining to that evening's service, and not on sucking up to Chef Ramsay. Tonight is not supposed to be about their personal advancement, but their commitment, as a team-player, to help a colleague realize their dreams.
Matty also doesn't seem to have his head in the game, as he gets mouthy and sassy in Christina's kitchen. Corey tells Christina that she has to get him to take this seriously, and to stop "f-ing" around. Christina tries to calm Matty and win him over, so he'll focus and commit to her efforts. And in case you were wondering when the real Jen-drama would begin...it does now. She begins to pull attitude with Petrozza, and has a negative comment for every request, as well as every compliment and offer for help. Can she just maintain a level of professionalism for just a few hours? Not likely.
At one hour to open, Christina and Petrozza present their meals to Chef Ramsay.
Christina is presenting a Beef Sliders Trio as her appetizer, among her entrees is her signature dish, the New York Strip Steak with Succotash, and her desert is a Tropical Sundae.
Christina created a menu that was simple enough for her staff to cook, yet elegant. Chef Ramsay gives her a few suggestions to perk up her menu with some small touches that show the hard work and delicate care that went in to cooking these dishes.
Petrozza is presenting a Lobster Strudel as his appetizer, and his entrees include a Filet Mignon with Risotto and Onion Rings. His dessert includes a Vanilla Souffle wiht a Whiskey Creme Anglaise. Chef Ramsay says that the inside of the Lobster Strudel, but he also gets compliments on the soufflé. Chef tells him that it is an impressive menu, yet it is risky.
Ramsay tells us that although Petrozza's menu is imaginative, it is dangerous. It could be so complicated that it causes problems. He adds that Christina's dishes are simpler than Petrozza's, but she can easily jazz them up a bit, and make them shine. Next, the chefs show off their dining rooms to Chef Ramsay.
Christina's is revealed, and it is, like her menu, simple and elegant. Big changes like adding really comfy chairs will make guests feel special, while small touches like the sconces which sport candles and summery flowers, add an L.A. flare to the theme, tying the dining room to the restaurant's locale.
Petrozza's restaurant is rustic yet elegant, and Ramsay comments on the balance of the colorful flowers on the tables with the brick walls and the fire place. Petrozza responds that he wanted the ladies to enjoy the soft touches, and the men to feel relaxed among the rustic elements.
Next, Chef Ramsay meets with both chefs for a last minute pep talk. He reminds them that for one of them, their next service will be as Executive Chef in his LA restaurant. It doesn't get any bigger, and he'll be watching them really carefully to see how they handle every ticket. At just minutes to opening, Christina and Petrozza try to pump up their teams. Matty is a little too calm, but he says that it is because he is focused.
Jean Philippe opens Hells' Kitchen. The winner of the position as Executive Chef in Ramsay's "London West Hollywood" will be determined not only by Gordon's scrutiny, but also by the customer reviews.
As their first appetizer orders come in, Christina gets compliments on her sliders from both customers and Chef Ramsay. On Petrozza's side, Bobby has trouble getting the complicated Lobster Strudels out quickly. Petrozza catches one that is cool in the middle, and he sends it back to Bobby to re-heat. Petrozza tells his team to touch and taste everything, that quality is everything. Bobby is committed to Petrozza's success, and he steps up his game and gets his appetizers out. They may have taken some extra time, but the customers love it.
Back on Christina's side, Luross was getting slammed with salad orders, so she pulls Matty in to help Luross. But Matty is like a fish out of water, asking stupid questions that any sous chef should know about salads. He gets some scrutiny from Gordon.
Petrozza's appetizers are flying out the door, and when he calls a firsse salad from Jen, she tells him that she is out of the necessary cheese. She claims that her station should have been better stocked. Then only moments later, Bobby tells them that he only has four strudels left, with five orders in. Petrozza is left to make a very tough decision. He is running out of appetizers, and his lack of organization and preparation is showing. Gordon prompts him to think of something fast, and Petrozza asks Bobby what he can do. Bobby says he can do a Lobster risotto, and that saves the lack of appetizers. Jen stretches existing ingredients to complete the salads, and they muddle through.
Christina's service is not going perfectly, either. One of her NY Strips is sent back, and she calls it for a re-fire. Corey was already slammed, so she enlists Matty, who was not as busy, to do the re-fire and the garnish while he stirs a risotto. But he is slipping up, and can't handle the added pressure. Christina gets the refire back out, and Gordon comments on how well she handled the pressure. Christina never missed a beat, and she got her kitchen to keep up their pace.
Back on Petrozza's side, his appetizers are finished, and he has moved on to entrees, but his complicated entrees are backing up on the line as he struggles to add the fancy touches to each dish. Finally he gets his team to help him plate the food, upon Gordon's suggestion, and his dishes finally make it out of the kitchen.
His guests are happy to finally have their meals.
Christina catches a raw fish coming from Matty's station. And when Ramsay calls him out on it, Matty starts mouthing off to Chef Ramsay, telling him to shut up. Ramsay tells him to get his act together or get out.
Petrozza has more Jen drama when she can't fry up a simple onion ring for her dish. Ramsay steps in, and tells her that she is being disrespectful with Petrozza, and he in turn tells Petrozza to get her under control. So, Petrozza tells her to shut up and cook.
Christina continues to have issues with her weak link, Matty. He sends her another raw fish. And with his raw fish, comes more raw attitude. He again tells Chef Ramsay to shut up. Ramsay tells Christina that she needs to tell Matty that he's out of there if screws up again, and he tells her that if she can't tell him, he will. He finally gets back on track, and she tells him that he is just two perfect risottos away from his last Hell's Kitchen service.
Both teams move on to deserts and everyone in the kitchen is smiling and sharing their meals.
At the end of the night, there were more highs than lows. Gordon tells Christina and Petrozza to say goodbye to their brigades and head back to the dorms. When they get back up there, Petrozza and Christina are left to themselves.
Ramsay pours over the comment cards and reviews the night. He has seen growth from both chefs. Each of them has talent, but the question is, who will make the best chef to lead his newest restaurant into the future. He is not only rewarding a job to a chef, he is taking a gamble that their talent will sufficient for one of his very high class, upscale, acclaimed restaurants. He too has a lot at stake.
Finally, Christina and Petrozza are called back down. Gordon again commends each of them on their talents, and tells them that he has gone back and forth on this many times. He says that his decision was very difficult. He then asks them each to step up to the double doors and place their hands on the handle. The final seconds before the the winning chef is revealed drags on for minutes and minutes, Finally, they are given their instructions. On the count of three they will turn their handle, and "open the door to their dreams."
Christina looks at Petrozza and says, "Good Luck, P." He looks at her and smiles. There is an obvious mutual respect among them, but Petrozza is surely hoping that THIS TIME he won't come in his traditional second place. Then Gordon gives the count.
One...Two...Three...and the winner is..
Christina!
And a teary eyed Christina descends the stairs to the celebration below.
Gordon reveals that he saw something special in her, right away. She has the most potential for a long term chef in one of his kitchens. And although the season had it's ups and downs from week to week, it ends with on a high, complete with a champagne guzzling Gordon Ramsay, and a champagne soaked cast of chefs that will no doubt all enjoy successful futures.
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