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.
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!
The pitch of a lifetime
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 sea-moss gel, and it was an immediate no from both. Then came a flurry of contestants that made Lisa and Gordon almost lose faith in humanity.
Then Kyson presented his line of cutlery, Kal’s Kitchen Collection. He was nervous but soldiered on. He revealed that he had a stutter as a child which impacted his ability to speak. It also limited his interaction with his friends and family. Sadly, he was bullied his entire childhood.
He was so passionate about his idea that he broke down in tears. Gordon gave him a tissue, and Lisa told him that he was tougher than he thought. Gordon wasn’t impressed with the product, but he was with Kyson. Both Lisa and Gordon want Kyson on their team. So, who did he choose? He picked Team Ramsay, and Gordon gave him a big hug.
Team Vanderpump continues to fill up
Lisa’s team was filling up more quickly than Team Ramsay. Next up was 21-year-old Roman. He has a gourmet pretzel line, and this is his third business. Both legends enjoyed the pretzels and dips. Lisa was impressed, and Roman joined Team Vanderpump.
Nicholas, who has an urban winery called Mural City, also nabbed a spot on Lisa’s team. Meanwhile, Peri has coasters that enhance the taste of beverages. It uses quantum physics…somehow. Sorry, science isn’t my jam. She also joined Team Vanderpump. Gordon could not believe that Lisa selected these contestants.
Team Ramsay is on fire
Tyler is from Arkansas, and his company is called Lite-Rite Charcoal Grills. His grills light quickly. Poor Tyler is a one-man show. He personally delivered grills all across the country. Once again, Gordon questioned how this business would grow and expand. Lisa turned him down, but Gordon added him to Team Ramsay.
Andrew pitched next. His product, Hot Drops, is a fermented condiment brand. Of course, Lisa and Gordon didn’t turn down a Blood Mary. Andrew believed in his business so much that he quit his job so that he could be on the show. Welcome to Team Ramsay, Andrew!
Then we have Shan Liu. She has a line of artisanal syrups for cocktails. She has 50 flavors, but Lisa wasn’t vibing with it. Gordon was, and she joined his team.
Two colorful contestants pitch their businesses
Liz has a line of freeze-dried candies. She sported a jaunty blue top hat and pink jacket. Her product is doing well on social media, and Gordon liked her drive. She joined Team Ramsay.
Next up was Jess, ready to dazzle with her wine line, Whiny Baby. Her product was designed for Gen Z consumers. Gordon felt that the market was too saturated. Admittedly, Lisa had some doubts. But because of Jess’ energy and knowledge about Gen Z, she was the final addition to Team Vanderpump.
Who is the final contestant to join Team Ramsay?
Gordon has one slot left, and two contestants remain. Cody is the CEO of Kara Water. His company turns air into drinking water. A unit costs $5,000. Gordon gave a yes, but not for this season! Tricky, tricky!
Last but not least was Rose. Her line, Twisted Dough, is a ready-to-eat protein dessert in dough form. She lost her first business and was still emotional about it. Her company has a great profit margin and is on track to do $3 million in sales. Gordon applauded her fighting spirit. She is the final member of Team Ramsay.
The teams
Team Ramsay:
- Ali
- Kyson
- Tyler
- Andrew
- Shan Liu
- Liz
- Rose
Team Vanderpump
- Erica
- Kamal
- Maria Laura
- Roman
- Nicholas
- Peri
- Jess
Now let’s see if Gordon and Lisa chose wisely.
Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars airs on Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET on FOX.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY THE SEASON 2 PREMIERE OF GORDON RAMSAY FOOD STARS? WHO HAS THE STRONGER TEAM? WHICH PRODUCT DID YOU LIKE THE MOST?
