Chef Gordon Ramsay visits Cafe Hon in Baltimore, MD,owned by entrepreneur Denise Whiting based on the word Hon, a term of endearment. The idea being the restaurant hugs you when you get there. She trademarked the word Hon in order to make money on the Hon products and it alienated the local people. She threatened to go after anyone who used the word and there are anti hon stickers. Since the "Hon controversy" business has been down and she takes it out on the staff. Gordon stops by a local radio station first after hearing about the controversy. He discovers that the term hon is extremely important to the culture of the town from long before she opened the restaurant and that she had threatened legal action against other companies. He is told to look for a pink flamingo that is 60ft high!
Gordon arrives and is greeted by Debbie, the manager and meets the owner Denise. They sit down for a chat, she breaks down and says business is half of the previous year and she has invested the last of her money. She recognises that the problem is the trademarking of the word 'Hon' , the media got involved and people believe that she has stolen the name. Gordon meets the servers and sits down to try some food, he tries the Big Bay Club, English style Fish and Chips and the "Much Better Than Mom's" Meatloaf. On the club, the crab is delicious but the shrimps are stone cold and taste old. The fish and chips is greasy, the chips are full of fat, the fish dry and the soggy batter is coming away from the fish. The meatloaf is dreadful, there is no flavour, the broccoli is raw, the mash cold and the gravy over the top is thick and swamps the dish. Gordon discovers they are told by Denise that they can't season the fries.
Gordon watches an evening service, due to Gordon being there the place is full for the first time in a year. Denise comes in and shouts at them all and the food backs up as she insists on showing them how to cook and plate asparagus. Food is sent back for many reasons. She stops serving turkey, steaks, pot pie, catfish, french fries and sweet fries for various reasons leaving them nothing to serve. The customers become frustrated and leave, $800 of food is comped or discounted. Gordon calls a staff meeting to see how the staff feel, morale is low, they don't like the way they are spoken to and they don't like her management style. They are in fear of being fired if they tell her how they really feel. Manager Debbie calls her a "rude bitch" telling her she treats them like s***. They tell her she is negative, talks down to them and doesn't appreciate or trust them.
Gordon calls a meeting with local residents with Denise and Debbie listening in. They are angry about the 'Hon' trademarking, they think she is just after money and they have made a mockery of the citizens. They also think she is a bully as anyone using the word hon could be issued a cease and desist order and one resident has had a letter. Even the Maryland State Government had to go to her to approve use of the word hon in their ad campaign and she had creative control! The locals say they will think about returning if she abandons the trademark on 'Hon' as they believe that no one really owns it. Gordon revamps the restaurant and the menu. Gordon makes it clear it is important to reach out to the local area and they go to a local radio station for her to speak on air. She apologises and asks for forgiveness, she then gives the trademark back to the people by un trademarking the word.
What Happened Next: Reviews on Yelp are looking mostly negative but it is hard to tell if these ring true due to her bad reputation. Gordon revisited in May 2012 and discovers that residents have began to forgive her as she gave up the trademark on the word Hon. Gordon brands her burger delicious and she is given a commendation for her work in the community. The restaurant was packed with diners but it appears many are not going to forgive her so easily... In May 2013, the restaurant was renovated and redecorated. Reviews in 2015 appear to be mostly negative with negative comments on food quality and service.#
Extra Reading
http://www.cafehon.com/
Cafe Hon Yelp Reviews
Cafe Hon Facebook
Can Cafe Hon get to 2.0 from just so-so? Review
Restaurant review: Cafe Hon is hard not to like (Apr 2011)
Hampden restaurant blew it big time ? first by posting a racist photo, then by failing to offer a real apology
Hoots at a Hampden screening of Cafe Hon ?Kitchen Nightmares? episode
Denise Whiting Talks Kitchen Nightmares
With hon-troversy over, will Honfest flourish?
Tears, then hugs on Cafe Hon episode of 'Kitchen Nightmares'
Air date set for Cafe Hon 'Kitchen Nightmares' episode
Kitchen Nightmares Recap: Cafe Hon Hated By Baltimore
Cafe Hon on 'Kitchen Nightmares': Where Whiting will be watching
Iconic Cafe Hon Makes Changes After Being Featured On ?Kitchen Nightmares?
Gordon Heading Back to Cafe Hon
Gordon Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares' heading back to Cafe Hon
Gordon Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares' revisits Cafe Hon
Cafe Hon owner Denise Whiting drops her right to the 'Hon' trademark Hon trademark dead...or is it?
Apology accepted, hon Our view: Whiting does the right thing and deserves a second chance
Sorry, Hon, it's trademarked: Cafe owner owns rights to word
Dan Rodricks: You don't own me, hon Denise Whiting's crass effort to control use of a Baltimore regionalism
Whiting: Hon trademark taken out of context
Cafe Hon's owner is sorry for trademark controversy
'Hon' trademarker says she's sorry. Again
Cafe Hon owner: Trademark was about protecting a business, not co-opting a Baltimore tradition
Hon! Hon! Hon! Angry Baltimoreans defy restaurateur?s trademarking of local term
Demonstrators protest 'Hon' trademark in Hampden
Cafe Hon owner Denise Whiting gets a restraining order against protester
Catonsville man challenges Hon trademark
No one owns HON, hon Facebook Page
Boycott Cafe Hon Twitter Page
Boycott Cafe Hon Facebook Page
reff : http://www.kitchennightmaresblog.com/2012/06/us-season-5-cafe-hon.html
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