#zeke's

[ryusxnka-moved]

Goodbye Shawlong, nice knowing you for 2 episodes my dude.

[kereeachan]

I think the “Zeke’s” episode of Kitchen Nightmares shows the worst of the “shareholders must profit maximally” line of thinking I’ve mentioned before. I mentioned the episode in that post but I think a full discussion of it really explains things.

Zeke’s was a well-loved neighborhood restaurant whose owner, Zeke, tragically died in Hurricane Katrina. Zeke was a huge part of the restaurant and had a huge effect on the atmosphere, one of the staff describes it was just having a good vibe to it and we see 2004 video of Zeke there, being very hands on in the dining room. It was bought by the Cortellos, Darryl and Ellen. They kept the name since it made “business sense” (aka Zeke’s was essentially a good brand).

The name was the only thing they kept other than some of the staff. They changed everything else. Cut staff, cut product, lesser quality ingredients on top of raised prices. The chefs feel utterly handcuffed in the kitchen--one suggests steamed clams and gets told “I don’t think that’s us” by Darryl. The staff have their pay cut and are told the Cortellos “can’t afford” raises right now. Short version: harsh cost cutting measures were implemented that have driven people away and now the place is not doing much business, and thus the Cortellos want to cut costs further. Meanwhile the restaurants’ regulars know they’re getting shortchanged and aren’t coming as often.

The entire episode is pretty much Ramsay point blank telling the Cortellos what they are doing wrong and the Cortellos pretty much just going “I disagree”. Some wrong moves:

Darryl is the one who makes the menu, not the chefs. Darryl has never trained as a chef.

Not using fresh seafood despite being in New Orleans.

Serving week-old lasagna as a special

Caring more about portion control and nickle and diming than about the food quality

Now the question is: why do the Cortellos disagree? Because they want to do as little as possible and spend as little as possible while making as much money as possible. The Cortellos’ standard of food is “edible enough to not be sent back” not “good food that is worth what we charge for it.” Darryl outright declares that week old lasagna to be “the best lasagna you’re going to get.” He later admits they wrap it (and freeze it) when it doesn’t sell to sell it later. 

The staff have been telling them these things for a long time and they did not listen. Ramsay had to trick them into trying food made from better ingredients by claiming he made it, before revealing it was made by their own chefs when not hamstrung by bad ingredients and bad recipes. Ramsay then does his usual of revamping the interior and even adds a fresh seafood boilhouse for the place to use for its seafood and to take some pressure off the kitchen.

However despite the episode ending on a happy note, later the Cortellos sold it, hoping Ramsay’s additions would net them a higher price for it. Yep. They essentially let him fix the place up for them just to get a higher value on the sale.

[gazettereview]

Zeke's After Kitchen Nightmares - 2017 Update -Read more at http://gazettereview.com/2017/12/zekes-kitchen-nightmares-update/ - http://gazettereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/zekes.jpg #Kitchennightmares, #Zeke'S #Entertainment

Zeke's After Kitchen Nightmares - 2017 Update

Zeke’s Before Kitchen Nightmares A Cajun/Creole restaurant in Metairie, Louisiana, Zeke’s offered a variety of dishes on their menu. Originally owned by a local icon named Zeke (hence the name), the business was bought by Ellen and Darryl Cortello following his untimely death in Hurricane K...

http://gazettereview.com/2017/12/zekes-kitchen-nightmares-update/

[anneabscission]

Signboard at Zeke's Drive-In by Christine Williams Via Flickr: Holga lens on an Olympus Pen E-P1

[hedderbecomesheather-blog]

Moment of Note

I had to leave Shelby’s apartment in order for her cleaning lady to do her thing uninterruptedly. I was asleep when Shelby left so I didn’t have a good idea of where anything was or where to go in order to write while getting enough exploration out of the area in the time frame that I have. Instead if googling I decided to start walking and see what I could find. Within 15 minutes,and without needing to make any turns, I found the cutest cafe called Zeke’s where I was enthusiastically greeted by the most charming and warm baristas that were so drastically contrasted to the coldgrey weather outside. The Ron Weasley Doppelganger behind the bar was happy to choose an english pasty for me as I was too tired to even consider making a decision about anything without caffeine in my system. Now I am sitting in this cafe reading a book in Pittsburgh and so happy to be here. 

[rustbeltjessie]

We’ll always have Zeke’s. by Jessie Lynn McMains

Montreal, September 2003. (Photo by Wred Fright.)

[thedogguru-blog]

New Post has been published on DogGuru.net

New Post has been published on http://dogguru.net/zekes-trick-show-your-wiener/

Zeke's Trick, Show your Wiener

Zeke the puppy shows his wiener! His best trick yet. Video Rating: 4 / 5

We taught Koda to show us his wiener! Best trick a dog can learn. He can’t show us his balls though, because he doesn’t have any anymore thanks to Joey. He t…