Morning:
10°c
Gordon Ramsay ‘saved’ their soul food diner but then the real nightmare began
Rosamund Urwin and Lucy Tobin20 Aug 2009
The “soul food” restaurant hailed as Gordon Ramsay's biggest Kitchen Nightmares success has been forced to shut.
Momma Cherri's, one of the first restaurants to be “saved” by the celebrity chef, is now in the hands of administrators who asked staff to leave and changed the locks.
Owner Charita Jones, 54, said Ramsay's TV programme was initially good for trade but that she received no help after the programme aired in 2004.
“There is no aftercare to tell you how to deal with the business,” she said. “I upgraded to a much bigger property because of the initial demand when I should have stayed put.”
The restaurant in Brighton was put in administration in December 2007, but continued trading until last month under a licence held by a company set up by Mrs Jones's daughter, Katryna Thomas-Shell.
The two women initially tried to persuade a local businessman to pump money in to keep the restaurant afloat, but hopes of finding a saviour have since faded. Administrators Baker Tilly said they had not received any offers for the business.
Mrs Jones added: “Momma Cherri may be gone as a restaurant but the brand still exists. I will be back. I still think our concept is good — we are the only real soul-food restaurant in Britain.
“At weekends we were packed, 85 per cent of our trade came then, but we were losing money during the week. If the restaurant were to re-open, it would only be at the weekend.”
Momma Cherri's was originally considered to be one of the show's great success stories. Mrs Jones even published her own cookery book, Momma Cherri's Soul in a Bowl Cookbook.
This latest closure means that only five of the 22 restaurants which have appeared on the five UK series of Kitchen Nightmares are still open for business under the same ownership.
The picture is even bleaker in the US, where Ramsay, who earns an estimated £10 million a year from books and TV programmes, launched a version of Kitchen Nightmares in 2007.
Since then he has stamped his mark on 21 restaurants across America — but only four appear still to be open.
The rest have been sold, seized by tax inspectors or creditors, or stand empty with “for sale” signs on the door.
Several people on Ramsay's programme have condemned the US show, claiming the notoriety cameras brought forced them to close.
A spokesman for the chef said: “In Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon visits premises that are already in critical decline and offers practical advice on how to turn the businesses around.
“What he can't do is raise new finance, hire different personnel or enforce some of the fundamental changes he recommends. He makes it clear on the show that in the end it is up to the proprietors to make the changes that will turn around their businesses.”
Ramsay's own restaurant empire is also in trouble. Last month his company, Gordon Ramsay Holdings, reported an 87 per cent fall in profits. The 42-year-old was forced to sell his Ferrari and inject £5 million of his own money into the business to pay off debts.
Also gone down the pan
Love's fish restaurant, Brighton
Series Five, 2007. Formerly Ruby Tate's — Ramsay convinced them to change the name.
What Ramsay said: “Bad food at rip-off prices. It's almost like the chef has given up and fallen out of love with fish.”
What happened: Folded at the end of last year.
What owner Allan Love said: “Ramsay leaves a little guy in the s**t and just makes himself look great.”
Saracen's Cafe Bar, Chelmsford
Series Two, 2005. Formerly D-Place, renamed by Ramsay.
What Ramsay said: “I have never known a Frenchman to make such a s**t crème brûlée in all my life.”
What happened: Went into receivership.
Saracen's chef Philippe Blaise said: “We had so many people complaining [about the new menu].”
Black Pearl seafood restaurant, New York
Screened in US in September last year
What Ramsay said: “Disgusting” and said of its owner, “I've never met an individual so full of s**t in my life.”
What happened: Closed a month later.
What the owners said: Co-owner Dave Leonard described Ramsay as a “potty-mouthed teabag”. Owners claimed Ramsay's changes caused a 50 per cent drop in revenues.
Reader views (20)
Momma Cheries made the classic mistake of expanding too soon while riding on the publicity created by the show, she should have waited at least a year before considering expanding the resturant, and surely its common sense that the kind of food she provides would only appeal to tourists/day trippers who mainly flock to brighton at the weekends. Its not fair on gordon ramsey to be blamed on there poor judgement, he made mistakes and learnt the hard way and now so has momma cherie, do try again but don't make the same mistakes and remember its all about the food, service, and a good clean dining area/kitchen
- Simon, HEMEL, 21/08/2009 09:04
Report abuse
I like Ramsey's and how he turns failing business around using common sense and cleanliness. What are these morons doing handling food to be served to the public? Hooray, for clean good food restaurants.
- Mike, London, 21/08/2009 05:12
Report abuse
The restaurant had a great location and a lot of great publicity. It's downfall was that the food and service were shocking, I cannot imagine anyone visting twice and this, and this only will lead to the downfall of any restaurant.
- Marc, London, 20/08/2009 20:26
Report abuse
I went to Momma Cherri's just after the programme had aired with American friends. We were starving afterwards - the portions were tiny, the food was expensive, and the service was really really slow. The food tasted great but I never went back. I think Momma Cherri had a good thing going, but she got greedy - can't blame Gordon for that.
- Kim, brighton, 20/08/2009 18:29
Report abuse
Of course they will blame Ramsay - this is Bliar / Broon / Mandelspin's Britain where everything which goes wrong is someone else's fault.
They will probably sue Ramsay and win!
- St, London, 20/08/2009 17:42
Report abuse
Ramsey kick started this failing business and gave it a new lease of life.It was not his job to permanently mentor it's progress or steer it's future on a day to day basis.
As with every business,sensible planning is essential at all times and the closure looks like a classic case of "let's believe our own hype and over-extend ourselves".
It's tough- but there you have it.
- William Grierson, Kimpton-UK, 20/08/2009 16:21
Report abuse
I can honestly say, I had eaten at this restaurant a few times, before and after Gordon had done his makeover. Before it was a dirty, unclean restaurant with lacklustre warm or cold uninspiring food, with not a hint of "soul". After Gordon's visit, it got even worse. Am now living in South London with a huge carribean population, and you can buy the BEST "soul" food in the world from a stall/van/restaurant or cafe, that is 100% better that moma cherri's muck the she peddaled. I am glad that this distgusting "restaurant" has now gone. Is it any wonder that no backers were found to save this complete failure. Don't blame Gordon for your lack of effort.
- Gavin, london/brighton, 20/08/2009 15:02
Report abuse
no wonder some of the cafes go broke , cod and chips cuppa tea £10 in a lot of cafes, i go to a greek cafe great food cod and chips tea £5 and a good menu if you want it reasonable pricesn not 3 star but good clean grub
- Londoner432, london uk, 20/08/2009 14:50
Report abuse
I am no fan of Mr Ramsey but no one forced these restuarants to take part in the series.
We seemed to be adopting a blame culture in the UK without looking in our own back yard first.
- S. London, London, 20/08/2009 14:15
Report abuse
They took on the risk of expanding and with the change in the economy it failed. Perhaps the advice they were given was either not taken on board or not well implemented? Although I am not a fan of Gordon Ramsay, he can't be blamed for this or other restaurants closing down.
@Reuben Camara, Principality of Morecombe...
Settle down. Your persistent, whingeing comments about the Government at every opportunity on here is very boring.
- Mrmugambo, London, England, 20/08/2009 14:10
Report abuse
The fact that the majority of these resturants were failing before they appeared on the show, says a lot. Why can't people take responsibility for their own mistakes.Maybe Mrs Jones has squandered all the money she has made and not invested it into the business. I mean it's not that difficult to advertise these days.You can't go wrong with a good old fashioned chip shop, kebab or pizza.
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London, 20/08/2009 14:00
Report abuse
Come on Charita, I think you deserve what's happened. YOU decided to upgrade to a bigger property and then to moan that you received no aftercare to assist you with the business, what planet are you on. As the owner, did you not think it was your responsibility to either gain knowledge in that field or employ someone that knew what to do?
I agree that when I'm watching the show diners flood thru the door just because Gordon Ramsay is in town, he does offer great advice, but he is not there to bottle feed you once the cameras stop rolling.
- Juney, South London, 20/08/2009 13:56
Report abuse
I have to say I am not surprised at all. I had the misfortune to visit the place 3 years ago and I was sorely disappointed. The food was microwaved rubbish. The much vaunted 'soul in a bowl' was inferior and too expensive and the ambience was virtually nil. I would be extremely surprised if they ever got returnees. with Brighton being a mecca for day trippers from London as well as tourists from abroad, Mommas was always going to get good weekend trade by those who wanted to experience the place so famously turned around by Gordon Ramsey. But I would wager that very few would have recommended their friends to try it for themselves.
- Knowitall, London, 20/08/2009 13:51
Report abuse
What a cheek!! It was his job to turn them around and set them on the path to success not run their businesses as a GR franchise. I tried Momma Cherri twice after the GR treatment and each occaision I left disappointed - terrible food, over crowding and staff who basically didn't know what they were there for. I'm surprised they managed to carry on for as long as they did. Don't blame Ramsay
- Karen Reynolds, London, UK, 20/08/2009 13:38
Report abuse
@Bella, London "Perhaps providing food from a mobile van".
Have no fear! The UK will be relying on soup kitchens on the streets if Gormless Brown, Jackboot Straw, Meddlesum, Prescott and Blunkett remain in power for very much longer.
- Reuben Camara, Principality of Morecambe, EUSSR, 20/08/2009 11:52
Report abuse
Does anyone know if these restaurants are paid to appear in this show or are they simply "saved" and rely on the free publicity?
- Melanie, milton keynes, bucks, 20/08/2009 10:59
Report abuse
Bankers must think Ramsey is one of them: making millions off "sub prime" restaurants which then collapse leaving many of their owners bankrupt.
- Mike, London, 20/08/2009 10:53
Report abuse
Sorry Mr Love but you seem to blame everyone but yourself for your restaurants demise. As soon as Gordon left your restuarant reverted back to the same kind of tatty diner you had before. You loved the idea of running a restaurant but did have a clue how to run a business. Your fault me thinks not Gordons.
- Donny, Brighton, 20/08/2009 10:45
Report abuse
Obviously these people have forgotten that the reason they called in someone to help in the first place was because they were utterly clueless. I'm no fan of Ramsey's but it strikes me that it's a lot easier to blame someone else than to look at your own shortcomings.
- Bob, Cheam, 20/08/2009 09:40
Report abuse
What a shame. The credit crunch has caused so much grief and people cannot afford to keep eating out. Perhaps providing food from a mobile van would be a better option. Overheads would be less and people would get to sample her lovely food.
- Bella, London, 20/08/2009 08:36
Report abuse
