In August 2006, during our busiest week of the year, we were lucky enough to have Gordon Ramsay come by the restaurant. During the next 7 days we were to be part of his programme, Gordon Ramsay Kitchen nightmares series 3. The week was to be one of the most arduous, pain staking weeks for the staff at La Parra. During the week he set about changing the menus, staff positions and generally giving us all a kick up the rear.

For 18 months leading up to the Gordon visit since La Parra’s fluition on April 8th 2004 we had struggled to give our customers exactly what they wanted. Since opening we had always strived to deliver quality fresh local produce at value for money. It wasn’t until Gordon came that we realized we were trying too hard with gimmicks and modern twists. It just wasn’t working.

During the week he was here we looked through the menus we were preparing and started to get to work on how to make the place successful. Altering certain job descriptions in the kitchen gave us more control over the staff. We also started to eliminate certain dishes off the a la carte. Limiting the menu right down, bringing it back to basics really did work and it was popular.

The following three days consisted of learning Gordon’s new menu and trying it out on the packed restaurant terrace. Food was better, service quicker and 100% satisfied customers. We started to deliver food that was consistent and very tasty. The food now at La Parra is very simple, very fresh and very local. The food actually tastes like it should, not of the twists we would add to them.

In June 2007 Gordon returned to check up on us. The restaurant was packed to the rafters, full of people enjoying what we had worked so hard to achieve over the past year. We had followed Mr. Ramsay’s advice keeping it simple and fresh, it had worked. He was so pleased to see it busy. When he ordered of course he had to pick on us but hey, he’s Gordon. Did I really think it was going to be all smiles and handshakes? Probably not.