I don’t know why Chef Ramsay had it out for me. I just don’t think we got along from Day One. His and my personality just didn’t mix. I’m a little bit stubborn; I didn’t kiss his ass like most people did. I need to hear a reason I’m doing stuff wrong, and I didn’t feel he gave me enough reasons for why he was so hard on me.
Why Sign Up For Hell?
I was in the electrical field for about a year and a half and a former Executive Chef for six or seven years. I kind of got dared to do Hell’s Kitchen. The ladies in the office said, “Hey Ben, you were a good chef, you’ve got a good personality – you need to try out.”
I thought, ‘No, I’ll never make it,’ but I went on my lunch break one day and sure enough three weeks later, I’m in LA.
The Nemesis
We were happy to see Matt go to the Red Team because he’s an idiot and nobody liked him. He didn’t offer anything to the team that we could use. Besides his signature dish and him making Chef Ramsay throw up with that weird pizza that he made, he just didn’t give the team any reason to have him stick around.
I’ve been asked the question many times: “Why did he perform better when cooking with the women’s team.” It’s all in the editing, my dear.
I had one bad night and I leave, while Matt screws up five or six weeks in a row, and he stays. He’s still there for 99 per cent dramatic reasons. I was fairly strong and did a lot of good stuff there. He just makes for good TV. People want to see more of that guy because he’s an idiot.
The Lamb To The Slaughter
I wouldn’t do anything differently. When you’re under those circumstances it’s all you can do to just grab the ropes and hang on. I’m not going to take back anything. I didn’t know there wasn’t any lamb left; I didn’t prep the lamb that day, so I had no clue how much was made.
Chef Ramsay was there screaming in my face, and I was like, “Hey Chef, are you done yet? Because I gotta finish service tonight.” I just didn’t have time for his yelling.
Chef Ramsay, Close And Personal
I think a lot of it is an act, but like I’ve been telling people – you put on that act for all his shows on the BBC and all the Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares, sooner or later it’s going to rub off into your personal life a bit.
I’m not going to say he’s a good person; I just didn’t get to know him on a personal level where I could make that call.
Always An Excuse
Chef said I always have an excuse…I don’t have an excuse, I just want a reason behind the madness, and he never gave me any reasons for his name calling or crude remarks. He was quick to scold, but never gave a reason. I just want a reason WHY so I can improve.
Misconceptions
That crap where Matt kept saying I was hiding behind Bobby, that’s pretty much the only thing that rubbed me the wrong way. Me and Bobby were good friends on that show, and that’s all that relationship was. We were both good, strong cooks in the kitchen. We stuck together. I don’t know if old Matti was jealous or if he just opened his mouth too much and said some stupid sh*t, but that’s all that was.
*****
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Hell’s Kitchen Chopping Block [1]
Song Over For American Idols [2]
People In Peril [4]
