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I dined at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen after years of watching the show. These 5 things surprised me most.

7 December 2024 at 06:27
A table set with silverware, a black plate topped with a gray napkin with a white-embroidered Hell's Kitchen logo, and wine, water, and cocktail glasses.
I had dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen restaurant in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

  • I dined at Hell's Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay's restaurant based on the show of the same name.
  • As a longtime fan of the TV show, I loved how closely the restaurant resembled the show's set.
  • I also thought the prices were surprisingly reasonable considering the high quality of the food.

As a kid, I couldn't get enough of reality competition shows. I never missed an episode of "American Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance" and loved the feel-good nature of the shows.

But when I got my first glimpse of a very different type of reality show β€” one where celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay shouted at contestants for overcooking scallops β€” I was hooked.

"Hell's Kitchen," which first premiered in the US on Fox in 2005 and is now in its 23rd season, follows chefs competing in various challenges in hopes of becoming a head chef at a restaurant.

It's since been nominated for five Emmys, and its star, Ramsay, even opened a chain of restaurants based on the show.

The restaurant has seven locations in places like Las Vegas, Miami, Washington, DC, and Lake Tahoe, though my husband and I had dinner at the one in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Here are five things that surprised me most about the experience.

I couldn't believe how much the restaurant resembled the show's set.
A busy restaurant with an open kitchen. The left half of the kitchen has red decor and the right half has blue decor.
The kitchen was visible from the dining area and had chefs broken up into red and blue "teams."

Stephanie Pitera Statile

When I walked into the restaurant, I was shocked by how familiar the main dining area looked. I felt as though I had stumbled onto the set of the show.

According to the restaurant's website, emulating the show was intentional. The kitchen, which was visible from the dining area, even had chefs broken up into red and blue "teams" β€” just like on the show.

The subtle theming was everywhere.
A man and a woman hold half-full Champagne glasses garnished with strawberries on pitchfork-themed toothpicks.
The show's signature pitchforks were even on our drinks.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

My husband and I ate at Hell's Kitchen as part of our anniversary celebration, so we were surprised with complimentary glasses of sparkling wine.

The glasses were topped with strawberries pierced with toothpicks shaped like pitchforks, a nod to the show's logo. The theming didn't stop there β€” the lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling were also shaped like pitchforks.

My favorite details were the bathroom doors marked with pitchforks resembling a "W" for women and an "M" for men.

During my visit, the chefs in the kitchen seemed much happier than they do on TV.
A giant, golden Hell's Kitchen restaurant logo that features the letters "H" and "K" with a pitchfork in the middle.
Unlike on the show, we didn't hear any yelling inside the restaurant.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

It's no secret that a lot of screaming happens on the set of "Hell's Kitchen."

At the restaurant of the same name, however, I was pleased to see the chefs laughing and chatting with each other as they prepared our meals.

As fun as it is to see Ramsay shout on TV, I was happy not to hear yelling during our dinner.

The menu actually featured many of the show's signature dishes.
Yellow risotto on a white plate, topped with fennel, a lobster tail, and basil.
I thoroughly enjoyed the lobster risotto.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

When I think of "Hell's Kitchen," I immediately think of dishes like beef Wellington, scallops, and risotto. They're cooked often on the show and are some of Ramsay's signatures.

I was pleasantly surprised to find all these items and more on the restaurant's menu. And, yes, the risotto certainly lived up to the hype.

Considering the high quality of the meal, I thought the prices were surprisingly fair.
A black plate with three scallops sitting in a swirl of puree and topped with lardons, fennel, and chives, and a cast-iron skillet of meatballs topped with cheese, croutons, basil, and red sauce.
I thought our meal at Hell's Kitchen was a great value.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

When we first made a reservation at Hell's Kitchen, I expected our meal would be quite expensive.

After all, my husband and I can easily spend $50 on dinner at our local diner, and this is a TV-famous restaurant serving some high-class dishes.

However, we got three appetizers, an entrΓ©e, and a dessert cocktail for $216, including tax and tip. Considering the quality of our meal and the immersive atmosphere, I thought this price was surprisingly fair.

Read the original article on Business Insider

12 surprising carry-on items you're not allowed to take through airport security

26 November 2024 at 09:35
magic 8 ball
You might be surprised to learn that everything from soup to a Magic 8 Ball are prohibited on the official TSA website.

The Image Party/Shutterstock

  • There are quite a few surprising things you can't bring on a plane via airport security.
  • Popular holiday items like snow globes and British Christmas crackers can't be packed in a carry-on.
  • Foam swords are not allowed in carry-on bags, but lightsabers are permitted.

If you're about to pack up and fly home for the holidays, it's always helpful to know what items you can β€” and can't β€” put in your carry-on bag.

The Thanksgiving travel season is expected to set new records this year, with AAA projecting that roughly 80 million people will travel for the holidays, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. However, before you hop on a flight, you might want to check you don't have any items that could slow you down at TSA.

The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, has a lengthy, searchable online Rolodex of items you can look through before packing your bags, and you might be surprised to learn that everything from large quantities of soup to Magic 8 Balls are prohibited in carry-on luggage on flights.

Here are 12 carry-on items you'd be surprised aren't allowed through airport security.

Leave the snow globes at home. They often contain more than the permitted amount of liquid for carrying on a plane.
christmas snowglobe holiday
Snow globes can go in carry-on luggage if they're tennis-ball size or less.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

According to the TSA, snow globes are allowed through if they are approximately tennis-ball size or less, and appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid. However, if you're bringing back a travel memento from a trip, it's usually a safe idea to pack it in your checked bag.Β 

Toys like the Magic 8 Ball that contain liquid are also not allowed in carry-on bags.
magic 8 ball
You might be surprised to learn that everything from soup to a Magic 8 Ball are prohibited on the official TSA website.

The Image Party/Shutterstock

When it comes to Magic 8 Balls, the future is clear: Leave them at home, or put them in your checked bag.Β 

"For carry-on bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball Β and it told us… Outlook not so good," TSA wrote on its official website. "For checked bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us… It is certain!"

Christmas crackers are not allowed on planes because they could create a loud popping sound, disturbing the flight.
Christmas cracker
Crackers are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags.

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

If you're traveling to or from the UK around the holidays, you might want to avoid packing this traditional British Christmas item. TSA guidelines state that "English Christmas crackers" are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags.Β 

Made from a cardboard tube wrapped in brightly colored paper, crackers contain small gifts that come out when pulled on either end. When both ends of the cracker are pulled, there is a bang.

That's because, inside, there are two strips of card, attached to each end of the cracker. The two pieces of card have a slight overlap that is treated with gunpowder. When each end of the cracker is pulled, friction is generated where the card overlaps, creating a small explosion on the part containing gunpowder.

A US Transportation Security Administration spokesman told Airport Parking and Hotels that these items are prohibited from flying in checked or carry-on bags.

"They are flammable and should not be brought on airplanes. They fall in the same category as sparklers and fireworks," they said.

You can bring snacks on a plane, but a large quantity of soup is prohibited in carry-on luggage.
white bean soup in a tupperware container with a purple lid
Any quantity of liquid larger than 3.4 fluid ounces is not allowed in carry-on luggage.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Soup is allowed on flights if you are carrying less than or equal to 3.4 fluid ounces, but any amount larger than that is prohibited in carry-on bags, the TSA reported.

If you plan on cooking at your destination, cast-iron cookware should be packed in your checked luggage.
Cast Iron Skillet
A cast-iron skillet is not allowed in carry-on luggage.

Marie C Fields/Shutterstock

Cast-iron cookware, such as skillets and pans, are not allowed in carry-on luggage. While the TSA website does not expand on why these items are prohibited, heavy cast-iron items could cause serious injuries or damage if used as a weapon.

Other types of pots and pans are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

You're not allowed to pack alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol in carry-on bags or checked luggage.
Alcohol
There are limits on alcoholic beverages when traveling by plane.

Vicky Gosselin/Shutterstock

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol, or over 140 proof, are also prohibited from both carry-on and checked bags.

Some high-percentage alcohols that would be affected by this ban include Hapsburg Absinthe XC, Sunset Very Strong Rum, Devil's Springs Vodka 160, and Golden Grain 190, which contains 95% alcohol by volume.

Alcoholic beverages that contain more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to no more than 5 liters and no more than 3.4 liquid ounces in carry-on bags.

They might not be lethal, but foam toy swords can't come in your carry-on.
A family playing with foam toy swords in public park together
Foam toy swords should be packed in checked luggage.

vgajic/Getty Images

The TSA prohibits foam toy swords from being brought on planes in carry-on bags, but they can be packed in checked bags.

That being said, lightsabers are allowed to be brought on board, per TSA guidelines.Β 

Similarly, squirt guns, Nerf guns, or other items that resemble realistic firearms or weapons are prohibited in carry-on bags.
vidcon 2019 nerf guns
Replicas of guns and explosives are not allowed in carry-on luggage.

Tom Vickers/MOVI Inc

The TSA recommends that you pack these items in your checked bags, instead. The agency also notes that "replicas of explosives, such as hand grenades, are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage."

Water guns packed in a carry-on should be emptied of all liquid, or contain less than the 3.4 ounces allowed through security.Β 

TSA officers also have the option to prohibit or confiscate any item that goes through the security screening checkpoint "if they believe it poses a security threat," TSA guidelines state.

Nail scissors are allowed, but regular scissors need to be checked in a bag.
scissors
Scissors could be used as a weapon or could injure workers.

Fiskars

Anything that could be used as a weapon is usually banned from carry-on bags, and full-sized scissors are no exception.

TSA's website states that scissors are allowed in your carry-on, but must be less than 4 inches in length from the pivot point and wrapped or sheathed securely "to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors."

This could come as a surprise, but you can't travel with fertilizer.
gardening
Fertilizer is considered a hazardous material.

Associated Press/Ross Dettman

TSA guidelines explain that fertilizer is not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. The Street reported that this is because fertilizer is deemed a hazardous material, as it can be flammable and could be a risk for explosion.Β 

Gel-filled heating pads are also not allowed in carry-on luggage, since the gel in heating pads is liquid.
heating pad
A heating pad should be packed in your checked luggage.

Shutterstock

TSA guidelines state that gel-filled heating pads are not permitted in carry-on bags but can be checked. Electric heating pads that do not contain gel or liquid are not restricted in any way.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is prohibited from being brought on a plane in a carry-on or in a checked bag.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone
Galaxy Note 7 phones and refurbished versions were banned from flights.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

After a series of dangerous incidents in which the phones overheated, Samsung recalled the devices on September 15, 2016, and again on October 13, 2016. The Department of Transportation issued a 2016 statement banning both recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones and refurbished versions.

"We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority," then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in 2016. "We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."

"The fire hazard with the original Note 7 and with the replacement Note 7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall," said US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) chairman Elliot F. Kaye. "I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It's the right thing to do and the safest thing to do."

In a December 2016 statement, Samsung said 93% of recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones had been returned, but that the company was rolling out a software update that month that would render the phones unusable.

"Consumer safety remains our highest priority," it said in the statement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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