Restaurant owner alleges Philippe Etchebest caused financial loss of 12,000 euros in "Nightmare in the Kitchen" scenario
Restaurateur Relives "Kitchen Nightmare," Claims $12,000 Loss From M6 Show Appearance
Let's get real, folks. Fourteen grand down the drain, all thanks to a stint on that cooking show, "Kitchen Nightmare." That's what Alexander Bravi, the owner of "Le Jardin des 4 saisons" in Albi, Tarn, is complaining about after they filmed an episode of M6's popular culinary series. You might know it better as "Nightmare in the Kitchen."
Alexander got a visit from chef Philippe Etchebest, who was there to help him out, right? Well, Alexander ain't exactly happy camping. He says the production crew's intervention cost him a stunning 12,000 euros in lost revenue during the 15 days he shut down the place. Guess he needed that time to jazz up the menu and give everything a good clean. Hell, they even revamped the kitchen and upgraded some old gear!
So why the sour grapes? Maybe it's because Etchebest wasn't all that praiseworthy. He called Alexander's cooking not so generously portioned, but Anna, have a look at those Google reviews! They're anything but stingy!
Alexander takes issue with more than just the chef's comments. Wagging his finger, he says Etchebest showed up on a Monday, the restaurant's usual day off. naturally, the joint was empty. Add to that, he only had an hour to prepare for the prime-time service M6 filled the place with! That's usually more like four hours, ya feel me?
When Le Parisien reached out to M6, they acted all surprised, saying they always warn restaurateurs about possible consequences from those four or five days of closure. Alexander, however, admitted he reached out to the show for help, hoping it'd give his joint a bit more buzz. Here's hoping the episode airs soon and Alexander forgets all about that 12,000 euro hit to his bank account - not exactly a major media scandal, but still a pretty hefty chunk of change.
Enrichment Data:
Alexander Bravi, the proprietor of "Le Jardin des 4 saisons" in Albi, France, claims to suffer financial consequences from his TV appearance on M6's "Nightmare in the Kitchen":
- Significant Financial Loss: Bravi asserts a loss of approximately 12,000 euros in revenue due to the 15 days of closure following the filming.
- Resources Allocation: During the closure, resources were used intensively to implement changes suggested by Etchebest, such as a new menu and improved kitchen equipment[1][3].
- Disagreements with Philippe Etchebest: Bravi disputes some of Etchebest's critiques, especially regarding the generous nature of his dishes, pointing to favorable customer reviews that highlight satisfying portions[3].
- Staff Departure: A key staff member, server Mathieu, who is also a friend, resigned after the show, further complicating matters[2][4].
- Despite the financial loss of €12,000 during the filming of M6's "Nightmare in the Kitchen," Alexander Bravi, the chef at "Le Jardin des 4 saisons," aimed to benefit from the show's entertainment value and hoped it would generate additional business.
- tuning the kitchen into an attractive dining venue for filming "Nightmare in the Kitchen" came with a price tag, requiring Alexander to invest resources for a new menu, kitchen revamp, and upgraded equipment, furthering his financial woes.
- Bravi has expressed his dissatisfaction with certain criticisms given by chef Philippe Etchebest, especially regarding the portion sizes, as he had received positive feedback about generous helpings in numerous Google reviews.
