Imagine Gordon Ramsay, but sneaky. In Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service, he doesn’t just barge in like he does on Kitchen Nightmares. Nope, he goes undercover first think hidden cameras and secret helpers to figure out what’s messing up these restaurants.
Then, boom, he pops out and fixes everything. It’s like a cooking superhero movie, and Episode 1, called “Parthenon,” is where it all begins.
This time, Gordon’s in Washington, D.C., at a Greek restaurant that’s been around forever—almost 40 years!
It’s called Parthenon, and it’s owned by a guy named Pete Gouskos, who’s from Greece for real. The place used to be super popular, but now? Not so much.
Sales are dropping, and Pete’s family who all work there are kinda losing it. Why? Pete loves his restaurant like it’s his kid, but he won’t let anyone else take over. Trouble’s brewing, and Gordon’s about to stir the pot! 🥄
Who’s Who at Parthenon? Meet the Family
Let’s break it down. Parthenon started back in 1989 when Pete and his buddy Steve Tsiolis opened it up. Pete’s from a Greek island called Zakynthos, and he brought all his yummy recipes to D.C.
People loved it even big shots from Congress and the White House used to eat there! But lately, it’s been more of a ghost town.
Here’s the family running the show:
- Pete Gouskos: The boss. He’s obsessed with keeping things the same and won’t let go.
- Susie Gouskos: Pete’s wife and the friendly hostess who greets everyone.
- Mikey Gouskos: Their son, 45, who’s the manager and cooks too. He’s got ideas, but Pete shuts him down.
- Stephanie Gouskos: Their daughter, who does the boring paperwork and tries to keep the peace.
- Stella: Mikey’s wife, a server who’s rooting for Mikey to take charge.
Pete’s the big problem here. He calls Parthenon his “baby” and doesn’t trust Mikey to run it, even though Mikey’s been trying to help for years.
Stephanie’s stuck playing referee, and the family’s fighting more than they’re cooking. Sales are tanking, and it’s a mess. 😬
Gordon Sneaks In: The Kitchen’s a Disaster! 😱
First things first, Gordon creeps into Parthenon at night to check it out. What he finds? Gross stuff. The kitchen’s dirty shelves are sticky, the grill’s still on (hello, fire hazard!), and the floor looks like a trash can exploded.
He even spots an old meat cutter that’s basically a germ party. Gordon does a bacteria test, and the score’s 5,550 when it should be under 30. Yikes! 🦠
Then he finds chicken sitting in blood eww and sets up cameras to look for rats. Guess what? He finds five of them chilling in the basement where the food’s stored. 🐀 The next day, he watches the lunch rush through his secret cams.
Pete’s bossing everyone around, Mikey’s annoyed, and the food looks sloppy. Customers aren’t happy either.
To test the food, Gordon sends in two pros from Hell’s Kitchen, Rock Harper and Sammi Tarantino, with hidden cameras.
They order lamb, but it’s so bad Gordon tells them not to eat it. That’s when he knows it’s time to stop hiding.
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Gordon Drops the Mask: Family Freakout Time
Bam! Gordon storms into the kitchen, and everyone’s like, “What?!” Pete’s sweating, the staff’s frozen, and Gordon’s mad. He shows them the dirty kitchen, the rats, and that nasty chicken.
He asks Pete why the food’s so bad, and Pete’s all, “It’s fresh!” Gordon’s not having it—he drags out the bloody chicken as proof.
Then he talks to Mikey, who says he’s just doing what Pete tells him. Gordon figures out Pete’s control freak vibe is the real issue.
He tries to get Pete to loosen up and trust Mikey, but Pete just walks off. Drama, drama, drama! 😮
Makeover Magic: Gordon Saves the Day 🛠️
Gordon’s not giving up. He brings his team to clean up the mess bye-bye rats and germs! 🧼 While that’s happening, he pulls Pete and Mikey aside for a serious chat.
He tells Pete, “Dude, you’ve gotta chill and let Mikey shine.” It takes a while, but Pete finally gets it. He’s been tough on Mikey and never said “I love you” or “Good job.” They hug it out, and it’s super sweet. 🥰
Back at the restaurant, Gordon’s crew turns the dingy dining room into a cool, modern Greek vibe. The family’s jaws drop when they see it Pete even hugs Gordon!
Then, Gordon unveils a new menu with just 18 items, all fresh and tasty. He teaches Mikey how to run the kitchen like a boss, and the family loves the new food. Oh, and plot twist—Susie admits she called Gordon for help because Pete was so stubborn. Sneaky, Susie! 😏
The grand reopening rocks Mikey’s in charge, customers are smiling, and Pete’s actually okay with it. Gordon leaves, happy with his work.
Parthenon Now: Back and Better Than Ever! 🎉
So, what’s up with Parthenon today? It’s killing it! Pete stepped back, Mikey took over, and now the place is packed.
They’re at 5510 Connecticut Avenue in D.C., and they’ve added cool stuff like catering and online ordering (there’s an app too!). Newbies get $10 off their first order, and there’s a 10% off code for later. 🤑
They’ve got a loyalty program eat there enough, and you score free food or discounts. Plus, they’re hosting fun events like football watch parties, comedy nights, and holiday specials.
They even teamed up with a local store to sell Greek olive oil. Reviews? 4.5 stars on Google (388 people chimed in) and 4.1 on TripAdvisor (131 reviews). People love the food and the fresh vibes. Gordon’s magic worked! ✨
What Went Down
Here’s the fast version of Episode 1:
| What Happened? | The Scoop |
|---|---|
| The Place | Parthenon, a Greek restaurant in D.C. |
| The Boss | Pete Gouskos, who wouldn’t let anyone change anything. |
| Family Fights | Pete vs. Mikey—control issues galore! |
| Gordon’s Spy Finds | Dirty kitchen, rats, bloody chicken—gross! |
| Big Reveal | Gordon shows up and calls them out. |
| Fix-Up Time | New look, clean kitchen, and a better menu. |
| Hug It Out | Pete and Mikey make up after Gordon’s talk. |
| Secret Helper | Susie was the one who got Gordon involved! |
| Today | Parthenon’s busy and awesome with Mikey leading. |
Final Thoughts
Wow, what a rollercoaster! Episode 1 of Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service had everything nasty surprises, family tears, and a happy ending.
Seeing Gordon sneak around was hilarious, and watching him turn Parthenon around was so satisfying.
The best part? The family figuring things out and the restaurant bouncing back. If you love food, drama, or just Gordon being Gordon, you’ve gotta watch this.
And if you’re near D.C., maybe swing by Parthenon—no rats, I promise! 😉 What do you think would you eat there? Let me know!
FAQs
What’s Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service about?
It’s Gordon going undercover to spy on struggling restaurants, then popping out to fix them up. So fun!
Which restaurant was in Episode 1?
Parthenon, a Greek place in Washington, D.C., run by Pete Gouskos and his family.
What was wrong with Parthenon?
The kitchen was filthy (rats included!), Pete wouldn’t let Mikey take over, and the food was a mess.
Who called Gordon to help?
Susie, Pete’s wife! She knew he needed a push and secretly got Gordon involved.
How’s Parthenon doing now?
Awesome! Mikey’s running it, they’ve got new stuff like apps and events, and people love it—4.5 stars on Google!
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