107 - Finn McCool's
Airdate - 11/14/2007
During the winter, the prestigious town of West Hampton on New York’s Long Island becomes a quiet neighborhood community. Finn McCool’s is a family restaurant that is slowly dying. Owner Buddy is a retired policeman. Both of his sons work there. Jason is a manager and Brian is head chef. Buddy is fully aware that Brian cuts corners at the expense of the food’s quality. Jason butts heads with his brother as well. Buddy is hoping that Chef Ramsay will show the cocky Brian that he isn’t always right. On top of this, the business is in hundreds of thousands in debt.
Gordon arrives and thinks the outside of Finn McCool’s looks like a funeral parlor. The inside has no semblance of a family pub atmosphere. Waitress Carol is quick to point out that one of the problems is Brian’s arrogance. As the family argues, Gordon asks to try some food. Jason’s wife Melissa is a waitress. She tells Gordon that their clams are frozen. He instead orders the spring rolls, salmon and a shepherd’s pie.
Gordon deems the spring rolls as strange-looking. Brian is utterly shocked that this award-winning chef didn’t like them. Then the salmon is served with too much balsamic reduction sauce. Gordon notes that is a sure sign of an insecure chef. Yet the taste is worse. Gordon makes sure to inquire whether the shepherd’s pie has the same sauce. “It’s just a big ball of grease,” Gordon says when it is placed in front of him. He grimaces when he takes a bite and ends up regurgitating it in the men’s room. Buddy can only shake his head. Heading back into the kitchen, Gordon berates Brian for the food. Brian acts like he couldn’t care less.
Chef Ramsay takes to the West Hampton streets to consult with the local firemen about the reputation of Finn McCool’s. He hears that it is known for only serving fried food. When he invites the firemen to a dinner at his behest, they are not eager to come.
Returning to the restaurant’s kitchen, Gordon is appalled at the molding produce and the poor food storage. He confronts the family about their commitment to the business and challenges Buddy and the sons to help him clean the kitchen. Gordon puts on gloves and works alongside them.
That night, with a spotless kitchen, there are no customers for dinner. Thankfully, the firemen have decided to take up Gordon on his offer and they show up to eat. Gordon watches Brian work and questions when he last cooked with a fresh vegetable. “Last summer,” is Brian’s reply. When the clam casserole is baked with frozen clams, Brian confesses to Gordon that, even though he can purchase fresh clams, he chooses not to.
