Southern Cuisine

I watch Hell's Kitchen now and again, but I clicked in pretty regular this season. We had a local culinary artist competing - Louis Petrozza of Charlotte, NC.

Call me biased, but I was pulling for Petrozza. He'd done the time. He'd earned his stripes.

Gordon Ramsay rode Petrozza hard from the start. Ramsay had issues with Petrozza's laid back style - or that's what he opted to focus on. Ramsay made comments about the Southern guy's slovenly habits in the kitchen. It seemed that Petrozza's messy stations were the worst of his problems. It was hard to argue with the quality of his cooking. He'd have been gone fast if he hadn't been great.

I didn't really think Petrozza had a chance. In addition to being Southern and not a curser, he also checked in at 47 years of age. Three big strikes.

The final cook off looked close. The TV crews slant that - of course. They don't want anyone to know who will win and who will walk off. In the end, it appeared that Petrozza had a better handle on his menu and kitchen staff.

Christina, of course, won. She got bleeped numerous times on the last episode and when she won. I guess it was F-ing great. She was also 25 years old, and Ramsay said he was looking toward the future. It's easier to handle a groupie, and a young'un has more years to give. This is nothing new in the workplace.

Congratulations to Christina. She did do a great job. I wish she'd refused to go the potty mouth route. That may stand her well with Ramsay and in the city. Here, we'll just keep Petrozza and his good attitude and good food. We'll even overlook and even celebrate that he's got a few miles under his belt.