The Plonker Club

And now that we have met the contenders, lets go back to ringside for an introduction to the people who really matter, the one’s who actually know what is going on, the one’s who really dish it out…..

Gordon ‘You Know Who the F$#k He Is’ Ramsay – but FOX haven’t updated his profile from last season!

Gordon Ramsay - The Man With The Plan - Gordon Ramsay's Hells Kitchen Season 5

Hometown: London UK
Occupation: World Class Chef Scottish by birth, Gordon Ramsay was brought up in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-upon-Avon. His first career break came while playing football for Oxford United, where he was spotted by a Glasgow Rangers scout in a F.A. youth club match. After completing trials, he was signed by the Scottish champions at the age of 15. Three years later he had given up professional football and gone back to college to complete a course in hotel management.

Ramsay then moved to London, where he joined Chef Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey’s in Wandsworth. After a couple of years, he moved to Le Gavroche to work alongside Albert Roux. This was followed by three years of working in France in the kitchens of Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon. Here he was able to enhance his expertise in classic French cooking.

In October 1993, Ramsay became chef of the newly opened Aubergine where he won many accolades, including two Michelin stars within three years of its debut.

Chef Ramsay published his first cookbook, “Passion for Flavour,” in October 1996. His second book, “Passion for Seafood,” was published in May 1999. “A Chef for all Seasons” was published in September 2000, followed by “Just Desserts” in September 2001, “Secrets” in 2003, “Gordon Ramsay Makes it Easy” in 2005, “Gordon Ramsay’s Sunday Lunch” in 2006 and “Gordon Ramsay’s Fast Food.” His latest cookbook, “Gordon Ramsay’s Healthy Appetite,” was published in May 2008 and is the current No. 1 best seller in the U.K. To date, Ramsay has sold over 4 million cookbooks worldwide.

In 1998, at the age of 31, Ramsay set up his first wholly owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, on the former site of La Tante Claire in Chelsea. In 1991 the restaurant gained its third Michelin star in the “Michelin Red Guide Great Britain and Ireland.” Widely considered to be his flagship restaurant, Gordon Ramsay underwent a major refurbishment in 2006 and remains London’s most sought-after dining establishment.

In 1999, Ramsay opened Petrus in St. James. Within seven months the restaurant had won a Michelin star. After relocating to Knightsbridge in 2003, won its second Michelin star in January 2007. In October 2001, Ramsay opened Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, which gained a Michelin star in 2003.

At the beginning of October 2002, Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited took over the food and beverage operation at The Connaught Hotel with Angela Hartnett at the helm. Her restaurant, MENU, won its first Michelin star in January 2004, which it retained until GRH decided not to renew its contract with The Connaught in 2007. In 2003, Gordon Ramsay Holdings re-launched The Savoy Grill. The restaurant achieved its Michelin star in 2004. This was later followed with the opening of Boxwood Cafe at The Berkeley.Â

May 2004 saw Ramsay star in “Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares,” a series of four one-hour programs, later honored with two BAFTA Awards and an International Emmy. The program was launched simultaneously with the recipe book “Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Heaven.” Shortly after this, Ramsay was given two weeks to direct a group of celebrities toward Michelin-standard cooking in the hit ITV series HELL’S KITCHEN.

The following year confirmed Ramsay as a major television talent. A second season of “Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares” was followed by the very successful U.S. version of HELL’S KITCHEN for FOX. November saw the debut of “The F-Word,” a high-octane food show with cooking, food campaigns and celebrity guests. The action was set against the backdrop of a full, working kitchen, and over the course of the show, Ramsay and his brigade prepared a three-course menu for diners.

In May 2005, Ramsay opened Maze Grill in London’s Grosvenor Square with Jason Atherton. Winning instant acclaim and a host of awards, Maze showcases a flexible grazing menu focusing on French Cuisine with Asian influences in an informal and relaxed environment. In July 2005 Ramsay opened his first restaurant in Japan at The Conrad Tokyo. The year was rounded off with Gordon’s award of an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours list.

In 2006, a third season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES aired in the U.K. and Season Two of FOX’s HELL’S KITCHEN ranked No. 1 in its time period among key demographics. In the U.K., a second season of “The F-Word” was screened in June and garnered strong ratings. In May, a range of Gordon Ramsay tableware became available through a partnership with Royal Doulton.

In October 2006 Ramsay’s autobiography, “Humble Pie,” was published by Harper Collins. The book, which gives an honest account of his life in and out of the kitchen, topped many of the best-seller charts.

Gordon Ramsay Holdings opened Cielo at the exclusive Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida in January 2007. In March, Ramsay opened his first pub, The Narrow in London’s Limehouse. Located on the banks of the Thames River, The Narrow serves classic British dishes in a relaxed setting.

The fifth international Gordon Ramsay restaurant opened in Ireland toward the end of the year at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt. Autumn also saw the launch of Ramsay’s second pub, The Devonshire, in Chiswick, and in November Gordon opened Maze at the Hilton Prague Old Town.

In October 2007 Quadrille published “Gordon Ramsay, 3 Star Chef”; a beautifully produced coffee table book containing 50 of Gordon’s signature dishes from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. October was also the month that saw the publication of “Playing with Fire,” Gordon’s follow up to “Humble Pie.” Published by HarperCollins, the book gives an insight into the success of the chef and his company Gordon Ramsay Holdings.

2008 is proving to be another busy year for Ramsay. January saw the re-opening of Chelsea’s classic neighborhood bistro, Foxtrot Oscar, on Royal Hospital Road, just a few doors away from Ramsay’s eponymous restaurant. In early February, Gordon Ramsay Holdings also added the stunning Victorian pub, The Warrington in Maida Vale, to its growing portfolio of pubs.

In March 2008, Ramsay opened his first restaurant in France at the legendary Trianon Palace & Spa, a 199-room hotel located just steps away from the famed Chateau de Versailles. March was also the month that Ramsay opened Plane Food at the newly built Richard Rogers-designed Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow Airport.

In April 2008 Maze Grill opened in London’s Grosvenor Square, directly adjacent to Maze. Inspired by the classic New York steak restaurants, Maze Grill serves a wide range of different breeds and cuts of meat and fish cooked over coal. The restaurant features a butcher’s block table where guests have the opportunity to watch the chefs at work.

This June saw the opening of Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles. This September, Ramsay, together with protege Angela Hartnett, will open York and Albany, located in a historic William Nash-designed building on the edge of Regent’s Park in London. It will be composed of a restaurant with a bar, a delicatessen and guest accommodations. Also, toward the end of the summer, Hartnett will open Murano, a fine-dining Italian restaurant in the heart of London’s Mayfair

Chef Scott – Man of Few Words and Head Coach of the Blue Team!

Scott - Head Coach of Blue Team - Gordon Ramsay's Hells Kitchen Season 5

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Sous Chef

Chef Gloria – Woman of Few Words and Head Coach of the Red Team

Gloria - Head Coach of Red Team - Gordon Ramsay's Hells Kitchen Season 5

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Sous Chef

Jean Phillipe – International Man of Mystery and only person without their own page of Fox’s Hells Kitchen Site!

Jean-Phillipe - Gordon Ramsay's Hells Kitchen Season 5

????

Remember Jan 29 on Fox
Which according to the counter on The Unofficial Gordon Ramsay Fansite is in 15 days 0 hours 30 minutes 58 seconds
www.fox.com/hellskitchen on the web
www.facebook.com/pages/Hells-Kitchen/13427984738 on Facebook

David Driscoll
Chief Plonker at The Plonker Club
The Unofficial Gordon Ramsay Fansite

www.theplonkerclub.com

Ding, Ding – Thanks to our sponsors for those kind words, also brought to you by http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/

Now back to ringside for the introductions – and it is back the blue corner – the second half of the All Boy team – Starting with;

J (yes that is what is says on the site!)

J Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Contestant

Hometown:
Clifton Park, NY
Age:
32
Occupation:
Food Court Chef
Experience:
First Clerk, Price Chopper
Executive Chef, Bluestone
Executive Sous Chef, Chestnut Ridge Country Club
Sous Chef, Kali’s Court

Kitchen Experience:
12 years

Culinary School:
Johnson and Wales University

Notes:
J fries chicken in a food court and is furious about it. Claiming to be held down by corporations, he dreams of opening his own restaurant where his talent will be appreciated. His dream restaurant would be modeled after Japanese culture because he believes they are appreciative and humble, something J may need to learn. He believes that he is never wrong in the kitchen. For him being a chef is more than just cooking, it is everything. This anal retentive clean freak anticipates his passion and talent will pay dividends in Hell’s Kitchen
Robert

Robert Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Contestant

Hometown:
Quogue, NY
Age:
29
Occupation:
Sous Chef
Experience:
Sous Chef, Q Restaurant
Sous Chef, Patio Restaurant
Sous Chef, Alies Cabin Vail Resorts

Kitchen Experience:
13 years

Culinary School:
American Culinary Academy

Notes:
Tipping the scales at almost 400 pounds, Robert loves himself, just as he is. Don’t let his size fool you. He is he light on his feet in the kitchen. He believes no one is better than him in the kitchen, and he never hesitates to let others know. He was given the nickname “Cuddles” by the women that work in his restaurant. Robert believes that the best compliment that any chef can receive is when a customer pops the notch on his belt after eating a really good meal. Robert is so determined he can win Hell’s Kitchen that he postponed his wedding at the last minute in order to participate!
Seth

Seth Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Contestant

Hometown:
New York, NY
Age:
27
Occupation:
Private Party Chef
Experience:
Private Dinner Chef, Stereo Estate
Private Dinner Chef, Private home in the Hamptons

Kitchen Experience:
6 years

Culinary School:
Lorenzo de Medici, Florence, Italy

Notes:
From Wall Street to the kitchen? Seth recently left his job working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to go after his dream of owning a restaurant. Seth has personally cooked for the most glamorous, lavish, extraordinary events in the Hamptons. He says that as soon as work is over, his chef coat comes off and he is ready to party! He says he is the nicest guy in the world, outside of the kitchen. Let’s see how if silver- spoon private chef can cook to Chef Ramsay’s standards.
Wil

Wil Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Contestant

Hometown:
Elgin, IL
Age:
27
Occupation:
Quality-Control Chef
Experience:
Regional Chef, Restaurants America, Inc., Red Star Taverns
Head Line Cook, Pina’s Place du Marche
Line Cook, Red Light Chicago
General Manager, Arby’s

Kitchen Experience:
10 years

Culinary School:
Elgin Community College
Kendall College

Notes:
Wil was a well-known whiz kid in the kitchen from the age of 6. Articles were written about him and he earned a lot of attention for his culinary ways at a young age. Now 26 years old, Wil still feels he is a whiz in the kitchen. He currently works as the regional chef for mall restaurants. He has been cooking all his life and says he is constantly trying to prove himself. Wil is ready to step up to the challenge in Hell’s Kitchen and show the world that he can do it.

Remember, Hell’s Kitchen and Chef Gordon Ramsay Hits the airwaves January 29 on Fox (and all good torrent programs a few hours later!) in fact, according to the counter at the Unofficial Gordon Ramsay Fansite Homepage (the Plonker Club.com) it is 15 days 9 hours 25 minutes 38 seconds.

Coming up next, the the real stars of the show – the supporting staff!

David Driscoll
Chief Plonker at The Plonker Club
The Unofficial Gordon Ramsay Fansite

www.theplonkerclub.com

Ding, Ding, and now over to our announcer – and now to introduce the other challengers, fighting out of the blue corner (again, no mention of their weight) from ………

The Plonker Club counter says that it is only 15 days 20 hours 34 minutes 26 seconds until Gordon Ramsay puts the latest group of wannabe head chefs through Hell in order to futher their careers, but mostly for our entertainment.

The Official Fox website (http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/) is now slowly releasing more information as the start date (Jan 29) draws closer – and now we have been fully introduced to Gordon Ramsay’s next willing victims.

As we stated when introducing the women’s team (in the red corner!), Hell’s Kitchen will start with two teams, sperated on the basis of gender, so now it is over to the first four men from the blue team

Ben

Ben Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Contestant

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Age: 26
Occupation: Executive Sous Chef
Experience:
Club Chef, Club at Symphony Center
Sous Chef, Rhapsody Restaurant
Executive Sous Chef, Bistro 110
Chef De Cuisine, Holly’s American Bistro
Head Chef, Diversey Yacht Club
Kitchen Experience:
8 1/2 years
Culinary School:
Kendall College
Notes:
Food comes first and foremost in the life of this native Chicagoan. Ben is the self-proclaimed “hoss” in the kitchen- a real workhorse. A former boarding school kid, Ben has developed a successful career involving his passion: food. Ben lights up when in the kitchen and demands excellence from himself and those around him. If his co-workers cannot handle the pressure of the kitchen, he will tell them to go back to Denny’s. Ben expects to excel in Hell’s Kitchen.
Charlie

Charlie Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Season 5 Contestant

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 24
Occupation: Prep Chef
Experience:
2nd Chef, Soirees Catering
Kitchen Supervisor, House of Blues

Kitchen Experience:
Almost 9 years

Culinary School:
Western Culinary Institute

Notes:
At times, people have been intimidated by Charlie’s unorthodox appearance but he loves the challenge of making people warm up to him. If Chef Ramsay can get past his facade, Charlie thinks he’ll see him for the chef that he is. After finishing culinary school in Oregon, Charlie moved back to his home in Las Vegas. With his newly learned technique and theory firmly planted in his head, Charlie feels he’s a natural in the kitchen.
Danny

Danny Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen

Hometown: Edgewater, FL
Age: 23
Occupation: Executive Chef
Experience:
Sous Chef, Flip Flops Grill & Chill
Sous Chef, Chase’s on the Beach
Line Cook, Ophelia’s Pasta House
Line Cook, The Old Salty Dog

Kitchen Experience:
8 years

Culinary School:
Sarasota County Technical Institute

Notes:
Danny calls himself a redneck that hunts, fishes, and doesn’t care what people think of him. At just 23 years old, Danny has already proven himself in the kitchen, winning the hearts and stomachs of his customers. This self-proclaimed ladies man feels he’ll run circles around anyone and is not afraid to go after Chef Ramsay.
Giovanni

Giovanni Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen

Hometown: Destin, FL
Age: 37
Occupation: Executive Chef
Experience:
Executive Chef, Creehan’s Copper Grill
Executive Chef, Marina Cafe
Executive Chef, Chops

Kitchen Experience:
20 years

Culinary School:
Culinary Institute of America

Notes:
Giovanni has cooked his way to the title of Executive Chef, which allows him the ability to be the pompous, arrogant person that he is. He wants everything done in a timely manner, and he wants it done right. If things are not done right in his kitchen, he will do whatever it takes to get his point across. Despite his strong personality, he hates serious confrontation because he is afraid he will do something he will later regret. Giovanni came to Hell’s Kitchen because he knows he is the best, and he knows he can handle anything Chef Ramsay throws at him.

Round two, introducing the rest of the blue team will be coming shortly (after these words from our sponsors)

David Driscoll
Chief Plonker at The Plonker Club
The Unofficial Gordon Ramsay Fansite
www.theplonkerclub.com