Welcome! Thanks for joining me at the table as we dive into Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars Season 2 premiere recap. This season, the famously fiery Gordon Ramsay, known for shows such as Hell’s Kitchen, has taken on a challenger. Restaurateur and entrepreneur Lisa Vanderpump claimed a seat at the table. During the premiere, titled “Pitch For Your Life,” Gordon and Lisa will select food and beverage entrepreneurs to join their teams. Here’s everything you need to know about Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars Season 2 premiere.
A twist for the contestants
A group of hopefuls awaited Gordon’s arrival as he began his search for the next big thing in the beverage and food industry. These entrepreneurs better buckle up because Gordon is no joke. And Season 2 is filming in England for a change of pace.
After Gordon arrived by helicopter, he hopped in a Rolls Royce. “I’m looking for a food star with tenacity, determination, but more importantly, the hunger to succeed,” Gordon said. And waiting in the limo was his competition- Lisa. You better buckle up, Gordon. The Vanderpump Rules and Vanderpump Villa star doesn’t play.
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In her confessional, Lisa admitted that she doesn’t find Gordon “overbearing.” As a successful businesswoman in her own right, she isn’t intimidated. She has opened over 30 bars and restaurants and has a line of vodka and wine. Lisa is ready “to kick Ramsay in the *ss.” Okay then!
Gordon and Lisa walked out to applause and screams from the contestants. Each competitor will pitch their idea to Lisa and Gordon. If they impress Lisa, they join Team Vanderpump. If their pitch excites Gordon, they will be added to Team Ramsay. Each team will have only seven contestants.
The entrepreneurs who fail will be sent home. Those on Team Ramsay and Team Vanderpump will be put through cut-throat, intensive business training. Oh, and the winner will receive $250,000. Not too shabby!
Gordon asked Lisa what she considered most important for her team. Lisa wants “character and product.” But Gordon wants his team to “be desperate for success.”
Now is the big moment for Jeff, whose company is called E-Fish. His company connects fishermen to chefs in restaurants and consumers through an online marketplace. Lisa passed because she was concerned about how it could grow. Jeff insisted to Gordon that he “was born to be on Food Stars.” But Gordon also turned him down.
A saucy contestant
Next up was Ali from Denver, Colorado. She has a company called Chin Dribblin’. Ali needs to be on a team just for that name. She has a line of specialty Asian-fusion sauces, and she has been working in kitchens since she was a teenager. Her sauces are gluten-free and vegan.
Ali revealed that her passion comes from her mom. Last year, her mother passed away. They shared a love of cooking, and she boosted Ali’s confidence.
As she approached Lisa and Gordon with some sauce shots, she tripped. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt and recovered nicely. The trio did a passionfruit sweet chili sauce shot.
Gordon immediately felt the heat, and his eyes started watering. When Gordon told Lisa how “strong” the sauce was, she quipped, “I’ve swallowed a lot worse.”
Lisa was impressed with Ali’s profit per sauce and her projected sales for next year. Her goal? To have her sauces in every single grocery store. Lisa wanted Ali on her team, but Gordon did, too. Finally, Ali joined Team Ramsay.
Lisa continues to build her team
Erica pitched her baby food line, Globowl, which featured international flavors. She is passionate about children eating good, quality food. For the tasting, Gordon went all in and sat at the kiddie table. Lisa reluctantly joined him. The company is fairly new, so Gordon was concerned about the business’ being unproven. He turned Erica down, but Lisa added her to Team Vanderpump.
Then the duo met Kamal, who has a retro-cookie line called Magic Middles. He loved it in the 90s and bought the trademark of the discontinued brand. Kamal wants to add a bunch of new flavors. He has extensive experience as a baker and has owned a donut shop for 15 years. Once again, Gordon declined to offer Kamal a spot. But Lisa did.
Next up was Maria Laura, who owns SquareEat. She moved from Bolivia to Miami, Florida to pursue her dreams. Her product is a “superfood” in a square shape. Lisa asked how many squares would equal a meal. Maria replied that four squares constitute a meal. Gordon spit out his drink when he heard that each square cost almost $3.00 retail.
Right now, her company is operating at a loss. While Gordon tried to reject her, Maria told Gordon, “Don’t be square.” He was stunned when Maria landed on Team Vanderpump. Lisa is going to keep Gordon on his toes.
An inspiring hopeful gives the duo faith
The next contestant came in with boxing gloves and kicked over two kickbox stands. Something tells me that Gordon better pick him. He served Gordon and Lisa