Campania is an Italian restaurant located in a Fairlawn, NJ strip mall. Owner Joe bought it eighteen months ago but it is now on the brink of closing. The wait staff and cooks have a fun time playing practical jokes and they are always goofing around. Yet the kitchen is in serious trouble. The locks on the refrigerator doors are broken and the oven is only used to store linens.

Gordon arrives, meets Joe, and hears the staff’s antics from the kitchen. He’s served a disappointing meal, and discusses it with Joe and the head chef, Gene. Joe is now convinced it was wrong of him to appear on the show.

Gordon checks the refrigerators and finds one of the first problems causing financial debt -- they are overstocked with food. With no customers to cook for, this is a waste of money. Gordon doubts Joe’s restaurant management skills. He would like him to treat the restaurant like a serious business.

Gordon observes a dinner service and realizes the staff acts like a high school cooking class. He lets them know that the party’s over. There are too many of them. Some of the staff is sent home. Gordon greets the guests while the cooks are overwhelmed. The waitresses are busy flirting and giggling in the kitchen as the customers wait for their food to arrive. With no service, a customer even goes so far as to order a pizza delivery to his table.

Examining the fish plates, Gordon refuses to serve them to diners. Most of the guests leave with leftover food since the portions served are so large. Gordon sits with Joe to review the night. The portion sizes are another waste of money. Joe is angry that Gordon mentions this in front of customers.

Gordon meets Joe’s wife and sons. She confides to Gordon that if the restaurant folds, they will lose everything -- including their house. Gordon gives her his word that he will turn it around.

The cooks get a much-needed lesson in food presentation. Gordon presents a recipe for meatballs that will make them the restaurant’s signature dish. The team holds a promotion for the restaurant at a market. They give out samples of “New Jersey’s best meatballs” to a satisfied crowd.

Joe confides to Gordon that he has lost $120,000 in eighteen months and owes his purveyors another $80,000. “Don’t take it personally. Just take it seriously,” Gordon advises.