Kitchen Nightmares Episode 5.06 Revisited #1

Chef Ramsay checks in on some of the biggest "Nightmares" he has ever faced. First he stops in at Cafe Hon in Hampden, Maryland, where the owner was trapped in a nasty battle with the community and the staff was ready to revolt.

Restaurateur Denise Whiting had trademarked the term "Hon," a colloquialism in Baltimore, and was threatening locals with lawsuits for using the word. But the name of her business was not the only problem. The food was atrocious, and her employees were fed up with her micromanagement.

She apologized to her staff for being overbearing and set about to change her relationship with her neighbors, who demanded she give up her trademark. She agreed and begged their forgiveness. Cafe Hon was relaunched with an updated décor, a fresh menu and an owner with a new attitude.

When Chef Ramsay revisits Cafe Hon one year later, he discovers people are no longer angry with Denise, who kept her word and gave up the trademark. The restaurant is packed with happy diners, the staff is pleased with their boss's change of heart, and Denise feels like she is part of the community again.

Next Chef Ramsay returns to Chiarella's Ristorante in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he'd first stopped by the eatery, owners Tommy and Dina DeFino were struggling to save their business and their marriage. They agreed that the food was outstanding but not on how to run the restaurant.

Chef Ramsay discovered they were in denial about the quality of their dishes. He also realized that Tommy was suffering from depression, and Dina was taking care of what he couldn't handle. She and her daughter begged him to regain his confidence and become the man he used to be. Tommy stepped up to the challenge and made his family proud.

Twelve months later, Gordon checks up on Chiarella's. Dina tells him business is up 20%, and she is hoping to get a liquor license to increase profits even more. Tommy has his confidence back and is finally happy again. Gordon is so pleased with the menu that he offers to personally pay for part of their liquor license.

On his final stop, Chef Ramsay pays a visit to Leone's in Montclair, New Jersey. When he first was there, owner Rose Leone was depending on her son Michael to run the restaurant. But he was lazy, showing up only a few hours a day and watching television at work. The staff complained that they had to run the restaurant.

After inspecting the kitchen and finding rotten food, Gordon shut the place down. He gave an embarrassed Michael some one-on-one cooking lessons and he turned the business around.

One year later Chef Ramsay hopes Michael kept his promise to "stay the course." The owner tells Gordon he's energized and the restaurant is thriving. But the staff reveals that Michael is actually still only working a few hours a day and watches TV across the street in the sports bar. Chef Ramsay is pleased with the food but calls Michael out on what his employees have to say. Michael promises to be a leader and show more commitment - only time will tell if he sticks to his word.