Gordon Ramsay came to save struggling restaurant 10 miles away but now I'm facing a kitchen nightmare
An Arizona restaurant was mistakenly associated with a struggling eatery that appeared on one of Gordon Ramsay's TV shows, resulting in a slew of online hate.
Caffe Boa, in Tempe, shares the same name as a restaurant just 10 miles away in nearby Ahwatukee.
Late last month the Ahwatukee restaurant, owned by Patrick Larson, appeared on Fox's newest show ' Gordon Ramsay 's Secret Service'.
As a result of the exposure, and the problems exposed by Ramsay, online users left negative reviews for Caffe Boa - but on the wrong review page.
Owners of the Tempe restaurant Jessalyn Italiano and Zachary Powell have been on a warpath to curb negative reviews for fear it will affect their business.
The two restaurants were opened by the same owner in the 90s, but the partners then split in 1996 and the two have operated independently from each other since.
The premise of the show involves the celebrity chef going undercover at struggling restaurants to save them with renovations while addressing ongoing problems.
According to Italiano, who spoke with AZCentral about the problem, they were informed that Ramsay was filming at the other restaurant earlier this year.
Italiano was told via a friend that the star chef had been spotted in Ahwatukee. She said she had forgotten about the whole thing until the reviews rolled in.
The episode aired on May 28, with negative reviews starting to appear on the Tempe restaurant's Google profile thereafter.
One said: 'Owner says he can't wait for AI to take over the servers. He's basically as disgusting as his kitchen.'
Another added: 'I've never encountered an owner so hostile, angry, and downright unpleasant.
'The atmosphere is ruined by his attitude alone - he clearly needs a complete change in how he treats both customers and staff.'
Others have appeared that just gave a one star review without leaving any additional comments.
Italiano told the outlet: 'There were some really specific details that just didn't make sense for us, and it was concerning.
'But as soon as we were able to view the episode, it's in the first five minutes, that word for word, it's coming from Gordon Ramsay.'
The episode aired on May 28, with negative reviews starting to appear on the Tempe restaurant's Google profile thereafter
Reviews also mentioned the interactions between the owner and his wife, which lines up with one of the concerns highlighted in the episode. Italiano and Powell are also not married.
A description of the show on Fox's website says: 'Gordon exposes the toxic working relationship between the married co-owners of an Italian bistro.'
Confusion surrounding the two restaurants has resulted in mistaken reservations or takeout orders, Italiano added.
The two are now worried the unsubstantiated reviews might have an affect on their business, Powell added: 'It's on the TV show, so it doesn't ever go away.'
Italiano had attempted damage control earlier this month with a statement to the restaurant's Facebook page.
It said: 'We understand the impact that media exposure can have and recognize the challenges faced by our counterparts in Ahwatukee.
'However, it's essential to note that the Gordon Ramsay episode pertains solely to the Ahwatukee location.
'Our Tempe restaurant was not involved in the show and operates under separate ownership and management.'
Larson told ABC15 prior to filming: 'I knew that there were certain things that were not in place, that needed to be in place to kind of take us to the next level.
'And if somebody like Gordon Ramsay, or if were to happen to be some other personality, celebrity chef, wants to help us, then I'm willing to take that help in, I guess, in any regardless of what it might cost me to start, as far as you know, public humiliation, or what have you.'
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