Gordon Ramsay To Showcase North End's La Galleria 33 On ‘Kitchen Nightmares’

Rita and Lisa DiPietrantonio both felt it was an excellent experience to have Chef Gordon Ramsay come into their restaurant with his crew.

They learned a lot and appreciate the advice Gordon provided. And that’s where the sisters’ agreement ends.

Rita, who describes herself as an extrovert, said she loved every minute and was bereft when the crew left.

“I cried,” she confessed. “The day they packed up I went running down the street just so I could watch them as long as possible.”

Rita said she is an extremely “warm” person.

“I get very attached to people,” she said. “I was attached to Chef Gordon and his crew. I still miss them.”

Lisa, on the other hand, did not cry when she and Rita had the restaurant back to themselves.

In fact, she said privacy is important to her and that there were times during the work Gordon and his crew did last May that were trying.

“They went on a journey with us and I’m thankful for all the help we received,” Lisa said. “But there were cameras everywhere – constant surveillance – and I felt I could never escape.”

Chef Gordon Ramsay will showcase conflicts and resolutions for La Galleria 33 in a two-part series on Fox’s ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ beginning October 26 at 8:00 p.m. and concluding November 2 at the same time.

How it came about

The sisters explained that a casting team from Fox News contacted them and said they were scouting in the area for a restaurant to feature on 'Kitchen Nightmares."

Once the team walked into La Galleria 33, members knew it would be perfect for the program.

“This restaurant has a lot of dynamics that they knew would provide drama,” Rita said. “For starters, it’s owned by two sisters with very different personalities and ideas.”

Those aren’t the only aspects that provide good theatre.

Rita’s ex-husband and his two brothers are the cooks; she and Lisa have had issues with some of their workers; and have often disagreed on various issues in the seven years they’ve been in business together.

“At one point, we didn’t have a good staff,” Lisa said. “My sister liked some: I liked others. There was a lot of clashing and it seemed everything was a battlefield.”

What happened in May

“Chef Ramsay came and, since it’s television, the crew set up situations they knew would get reactions,” Rita said.

“Everything was exaggerated for effect,” Lisa explained. “Things we had become used to were suddenly brought to life.”

That’s how the sisters learned, however.

“Chef Ramsay helped by making us realize that we don’t have to settle for mediocrity,” Rita said.

Their lips are sealed

What happened will remain “top secret” until the premiere next week.

What the sisters have confessed on a blog titled “Life Before KN” is that the process was definitely tough but they put their trust in Gordon Ramsay and “let his crew take us on what would be a very emotional yet invigorating journey.”

And Lisa said this week that the greatest part of the experience was that Gordon Ramsay “motivated us and made us passionate again.”

As for when the show finally airs, she is not sure she wants to watch the first part that highlights the conflicts.

Lisa said she will definitely watch the second one in November that deals with the resolutions.

Rita, however, knows she will watch every second.

“I will be glued to the tv with popcorn and a cup of coffee,” she said.