In Babylon on New York’s Long Island, Peter’s is a family-run Italian restaurant that is in trouble. It used to be one of the top establishments in the neighborhood, but now the business is losing money. Tina is the owner, but her brother Peter gets all the glory as the manager on the floor. Chef Gordon Ramsay comes to meet the family and staff. He sits down for lunch and is appalled not only by the bad food but by the loud fighting.

Gordon inspects the kitchen. He finds mold, stale food and a leaky freezer. Peter blames the cooking staff, and Gordon accuses him of acting like “a f***ing baby.” Head chef Robert and sous chef John start cleaning, which allows Gordon to focus on the night’s dinner service. Robert complains to Gordon about the poor equipment he is forced to use. Most things don’t work. Peter spends money on himself and not on his business.

In the dining room, Gordon notices that Peter is giving away free food and wine to numerous tables. This is more profit going out the window. A bill collector makes an unexpected visit into the kitchen, and Peter makes a show of throwing the guy out of the restaurant in front of the customers. They continue arguing on the street as the patrons and staff watch in horror.

Gordon sits down for a private chat with Tina, and she admits that Peter takes money from the till when she can’t break even. The next day, Gordon tries an experiment. He has Peter and his father run the kitchen while Tina and her mother oversee the dining room. The staff laughs. Gordon packs the dining room. As the tickets come in, Peter panics and can’t function with the improperly working stoves. Tina and Gordon continue to call out orders. An hour into lunch and nothing has been served. Peter demands someone bring him drinks, and Gordon tells him off. Then Gordon dismisses Peter from the building as the rest of the staff takes over service.

On day four of Gordon’s visit, he shows off the new kitchen equipment that he had installed overnight. He has invested in new plates, a full stove and a proper refrigerator. Tina weeps. Gordon introduces them to a new menu he has designed with fresh, “family style” dishes. Even Peter can’t help hugging him.

That afternoon, Gordon gathers the staff before the re-launch. They are interrupted by another bill collector, whom Peter punches. It takes all the chefs to restrain him. After the bill collector leaves, Peter cannot control his rage. Gordon takes him outside to try to cool him off. Yet time is running out for the night’s re-launch. Gordon corrals everyone again with a pep talk.