Zayna Flaming Grill Kitchen Nightmares Update: From Crisis to Culinary Comeback
Zayna Flaming Grill was located on Redondo Beach, California. It was owned by Fay and her niece Brenda, who shared a dream of managing a business. Fay had 15 years of experience in running a successful food truck. Fay’s controlling behaviour hindered staff autonomy, while Brenda’s unserious attitude indicated lack of dedication for the restaurant.
Their tendency to view each other as niece and aunt rather than as partners endangered the restaurant. The constant arguments between them disrupted operations and drove away customers. Zayna Flaming Grill struggled with a hefty $120,000 debt, making it challenging to run operations smoothly. Did Ramsay improve the restaurant without risking the aunt-niece relationship? Find out in our Zayna Flaming Grill Kitchen Nightmares Update!
Key Takeaways
- Family Dynamics: The episode showcased how personal relationships impacted the restaurant’s operations, leading to significant changes.
- Menu Revamp: A focus on authentic Mediterranean cuisine revitalized the menu, attracting more customers.
- Customer Experience: Improvements in service and ambiance played a crucial role in the restaurant’s turnaround.
- Leadership Changes: Shifts in management style were necessary to bring order and success to the business.
Table of Content
Ramsay’s Initial Assessment of Zayna Flaming Grill
Before visiting the restaurant, Gordon met Brenda and Fay separately. Brenda told Gordon that they were equal partners in the business but she felt she wasn’t treated as one. Despite assisting Fay on the line, she wasn’t given much autonomy. It was clear that the restaurant ran smoothly in Fay’s absence. On the other hand, Fay felt that Brenda avoided kitchen duties. She preferred hanging out with friends rather than spending time in the kitchen. They both admitted that they would have fired the other if they were not family members.
At the restaurant, he found the sofa too soft and high-backed for its small size. It felt like being back to his grandma’s house. Nevertheless, he sat down to order. He rated the items as follows:
- Fava Beans: It appeared unappetizing with a large Z on top, covered in cream. It seemed as if someone had puked on the plate.
- Kibbi Rolls: Despite the restaurant’s claim that all dishes were freshly cooked, the rolls were pre-cooked.
- Zayna Combo Plates: Ramsay left the plate with two bites as the chicken tasted frozen and the beef kebab was bland. The rice was too dry for his preference.
- Mezze Sampler: The dips were excessively oily and Ramsay had to order a plate to pour out the excess.
Ramsay met the staff and expressed his disappointment about his dining experience. The owners dismissed his feedback as they were confident in their food quality. Fay complained about receiving no help despite rejecting it when offered. Tensions rose as family members blamed each other. This greatly upset Ramsay and he decided to leave to avoid further conflict.
Core Issues and Challenges at Zayna Flaming Grill
Ramsay decided to return in the evening to observe the dinner service. Many customers ordered hummus as a safe choice but were disappointed with its taste. It was excessively runny and oily for their preference. Gordon wanted to compare Zayna’s hummus with a nearby restaurant’s hummus. Upon tasting, customers preferred the store-bought dip over the freshly made hummus. When a customer complained about their dish being dry and rubbery, Brenda became dismissive of their comments. She remarked how everyone had turned into food critics, nitpicking without any reason.
Gordon had heard enough and decided to inspect the freezer. He found containers filled with a month’s worth of frozen food. Among them were leftovers without dates and freezer-burned items. Additionally, there was meat stewing in their blood and a surplus of frozen food.
Ramsay took Fay to the back kitchen to demonstrate the improper defrosting of food. She was prompted to taste the store-bought hummus and admitted that it was significantly better. Her methods were criticized by Gordon, who pointed out that the issues stemmed from her area.
Gordon and Owners of Zayna Flaming Grill
Fay continued to share her pain and expressed burnout from working alone. She expressed her love for cooking and desire to achieve success. Gordon advised her to change her attitude as success could only be achieved through this adjustment. He then spoke with Brenda about the restaurant’s issues who stayed defensive about the food quality. Ramsay shared what he did with the store-bought hummus. When Brenda heard this, she said she wanted to keep working in the business. She shared her willingness to make changes for the betterment of the business. That night, Brenda and Fay hugged and reconciled their differences.
Ramsay’s Improvement Plan at Zayna Flaming Grill
Gordon led a staff meeting to address issues in the freezer. They started pointing fingers at each other and it became apparent that Fay exerted excessive control. He delegated tasks among the staff to ensure smooth workflow in the restaurant. The restaurant opened for lunch without Fay, who observed from a van. As orders piled up, arguments erupted between staff members. Brenda mediated by working with Mark in the kitchen, while Amel and Victoria managed the front. Even though there were a few bumps along the way, the service went on without any major issues. Brenda was praised by Fay for her leadership skills.
Ramsay’s next task was cooking in the kitchen. They expressed unfamiliarity with fresh fish but were keen to learn new recipes. The staff noted key steps as Gordon cooked and grasped the significance of using fresh ingredients. They praised the flavours of the dishes after Gordon encouraged them to take a taste test. He revealed to the owners that the restaurant was unknown in town. Upon questioning, 75% of people did not recognize the restaurant.
He secured a prime advertising spot at Redondo Beach pier. There, the staff marketed the restaurant in matching t-shirts and offered samples of grilled food. Customers were impressed and complimented the dishes. The team revamped the restaurant within 24 hours. A vibrant beach theme with logo graffiti was revealed. New seats were added by removing the booths. The dinnerware was upgraded and new menu items were introduced. The staff embraced the changes, with Fay even hugging Gordon.
Relaunch of Zayna Flaming Grill
On the relaunch night, Brenda and Fay worked side by side. This technique enabled them to cook more meals and guarantee timely service. The kitchen staff moved in sync, maintaining a smooth flow as they worked together. Customers showered praises on the quality of service and thoroughly enjoyed their dining experience.
Fay became overwhelmed with an increasing number of orders. She stopped communicating and began doing things her own way. It was clear that she was accustomed to doing things her way. Delays in service were quite noticeable, even though the dishes were delicious. Brenda took charge and urged Fay to move away from her past methods. They promptly served delicious dishes, leading to a successful night’s end. The customers had numerous compliments for the food, and not a single dish was returned.
Conclusion
Fay failed to grasp that her demeanor at work could strain her relationships with family members. After Gordon’s visit, she reverted to her controlling and overbearing ways. It was clear that she had not internalized the lesson from her experiences. Most of the staff departed from the restaurant because of her behaviour. Brenda continued to maintain a degree of leadership within the restaurant.
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