Episode Reminder
Arrogant owner who wont take Ramsay’s advice, food prices are too expensive and the restaurant has to find a new chef.
The Aftermath
May 2004, Rumours start circulating that the Walnut Tree is on the market, but owner Mattiolo said ‘The rumors are not true’, “I have not been approached by anyone (about buying the walnut tree)”. More Info
June 2005, Kitchen Nightmares revisited is screened, in the episode Ramsay interviews the public in the local area and finds most people find the prices are still too expensive, but the owner Mattiolo even on Ramsay’s strong suggestion refused to lower the prices as he was scared it would imply lower class food.
February 2007, The Walnut Tree closes. In a statement on their website the owner said he had been forced to closed the restaurant “pending some reorganization.” More Info
Status = Closed
But…..
June 2007, The Walnut Tree is sold to an unnamed party.
December 2007, The Walnut Tree is reopened under new management. The management has now decided to make the restaurant more affordable and is offering two courses for £15 and three for £20…. More Info
January 2008, A writer from the Caterer & Hotelkeeper publication visits for lunch and noted the resturant was packed, in his article he wrote “While Hill(the new manager) is in charge, there is no doubt the Walnut Tree will run and run.” More Info
Extra
Restaurant Website
Extra Reading
tnt:
August 2, 2008 at 10:23 pm
S**T 5 times
FU** 17 times
JESUS 5 times
P**S 2 times
D**K 1 time
Jensenbull:
September 13, 2008 at 2:21 am
Walnut Tree Inn is now open as a joint venture between Shau Hill and William Griffiths. Shaun Hill was previously a Michelin starred chef at the Merchant House Restaurant in Ludlow.
Chris:
December 9, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Italians should stick to cooking and not running things. They’re arrogant, bullheaded and just downright stupid.
Karen Davis Jones:
December 22, 2008 at 1:22 am
This was a shame as it seemed this owner did want to try and do a good job unlike so many others who are downright lazy slobs.
David:
January 15, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I thought the sous chef, Gary was super hott and would love to know where he has landed.
Ronny Henri:
January 20, 2009 at 11:56 pm
I wonder what happened with Stefano, he seemed to be a reasonable chef.
Too bad that the owner Francesco was such a dickhead..he should have listened to Gordon Ramsay, giving him good advice.
plaz:
June 1, 2009 at 8:28 am
i hope francesco is living on the streets crying himself to sleep every night wishing he would have taken ramsays advice!
Jay:
June 4, 2009 at 5:14 pm
70 pounds for an entree, and they have sand in their seafood stew!!! Is anyone surprised that they went out of business?
Peter:
June 6, 2009 at 12:06 pm
From http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/article240947.ece
Francesco and Enrica Mattioli claimed their episode made them look too pricey, leading to fewer bookings. Enrica said: “We really wish we had not done it. We are very angry.”
Franceso fought Gordon’s suggestion to lower his prices even after losing his Michelin star. Some people live in a fantasy.
jake:
July 2, 2009 at 1:17 pm
It’s insanity. They ask Ramsay for help, and when he offers, they refuse. Ramsay knows the restaurant business. He’s far more successful than the people calling him for help, but they butt heads with him.
chris:
July 17, 2009 at 3:54 pm
i could not believe it 70 pounds for entree he must have had his head up his arse and in the revisited episode quote ‘i am proud of what i am’ yes a stupid idiot who would not take advice of a world class chef who could have saved your business
Bill:
August 5, 2009 at 3:14 am
Oddly enough just watched revisited, and wondered what happened to the walnut tree. This answered it.
Its amazing how many people honestly think they know better, lets be honest, Gordon has how many successfull restaurants now?
Yet they blame it on the show that their business dropped, who was that other woman, that shut her place down and blamed it all on kitchen knightmares? Rediculous….
Josh:
August 12, 2009 at 12:34 am
Wow Francesco was so incredibly deluded. If you think he was bad in this episode just watch the last bit of the follow up in season two. He is most definitely the saddest case yet I have seen while watching this series. “I’m proud of what I am”. Proud of being what, a failed business owner?
I bet he still doesn’t understand why his restaurant went under, what a complete fool.
shelly:
September 25, 2009 at 5:54 am
Seems the Walnut Tree is alive and well, under new management (website still works and everything). Run by two blokes who run a nearby hotel.