The Secret Garden

Before Gordon's Arrival
PEOPLE

Michel, Owner/Chef

Sammy, Waitress

Jane, Waitress

Devon, Cook

Michel is a French chef who owns The Secret Garden. Even he admits he has a temper. Some of the staff says the place is geared towards older people. Michel says he is about $320,000 in debt and as such, needs Gordon's help.

First Impressions
Gordon walks up to the restaurant and finds the doors locked, but finally finds an entrance. The dining room is completely empty. He goes into the kitchen and finally finds the entire staff. Gordon doesn't like the decor at all.

Food Ordered
Strawberry and Shrimp, Beef filet stuffed with Roquefort

Impressions of the Food
Strawberry and Shrimp-Gordon takes one bite and declares it disgusting. He says the shrimp is undercooked and cold

Roquefort Filet-Gordon says the steak is "tough as old boots", the carrots are raw, and the potatoes are too greasy

Gordon goes into the kitchen, and though Jane tries to defend him. Gordon berates Michel for being arrogant and lazy. Devon remarks that he's never seen anyone talk to Michel like that.

First Dinner Service
Gordon inspects the kitchen, and finds it is dirty. There is so much mold, even the surfaces have been permeated by mold, and there are maggots. Michel arrives and Gordon berates him again. Michel implies that maybe Gordon's restaurants are less than perfect, and starts listing the great chefs he's worked for. Gordon knows these chefs, and says none of them would ever keep their kitchen like that. Michel and the cooks clean the kitchen. There is a light crowd in the dining room. Michel says the service is slow because in France, people spend 3 hours at a restaurant and dining is a leisurely experience. Michel also tries to do too much on his own, and doesn't trust Devon and the other cooks. Michel then leaves the kitchen and schmoozes the customers.

Reflections
Gordon tells Michel loves himself more than his restaurant. Gordon believes Michel is capable of more, and challenges him to show some passion.

Remainder of the Visit
Gordon arrives early and makes the restaurant appear closed and foreclosed upon. Michel arrives and sees through the ruse, and is angry at Gordon over the stunt. Nonetheless, Gordon teaches the cooks some new dishes. The next night, the dining room is much more crowded, and Gordon puts his new dishes on the menu. The customers overwhelmingly approve of the specials. The kitchen starts strong, but starts slowing down. The specials sell out, and there becomes a disconnect between the kitchen and wait staff, who keep selling it. Gordon realizes there is no leader for the front of house. Jane can't take it anymore and walks out. Eventually, Michel shuts down the kitchen. Gordon addresses the staff and points out the lack of communication.

Restaurant & Menu Remodel
Gordon clears the dining room decor himself, despite Michel's protests. Then the design team redoes the restaurant and with much less clutter. Michel is skeptical, and says it doesn't feel like The Secret Garden anymore. Gordon also redesigns the menu, Michel is again skeptical.

Final Service
Gordon says he will fill the dining room and he's invited a food critic. Michel is nervous. To make matters worse, a bus with 24 people shows up, which Gordon did not plan. Michel and the kitchen handle it well, but then the food critic arrives. She tries the food and says the fish was salty. Michel goes to her himself and offers to make something else, and blames Gordon because it was his menu, and says the new menu is no better. Michel decides to make her something from his old menu. Gordon gets angry and again berates how dirty his kitchen was. Gordon takes off his chef's jacket and walks out for some air, and considers walking away. Instead, Gordon puts his chef jacket back on. Michel decides to make the food critic another item from the new menu, and this time she liked it. Michel goes into the dining room, and sees that people actually like Gordon's new menu. Gordon has one more talk with Michel. Michel decides to give Gordon's new menu a chance. Michel names Jane the Manager.

After Gordon's Departure
Michel eventually expressed regret for participating in Kitchen Nightmares, and brought back parts of his old menu. He sold The Secret Garden in 2015, reportedly as the result of a divorce. The Secret Garden closed under its next owner, and now the space is occupied by "M on High Street". Michel now owns another restaurant, called The Cave

Production Notes
TBA

Trivia
TBA