With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Waitress Fired From Amy's Baking Company Explains What Happened Behind The Scenes Of Epic TV Meltdown
Though the owners at Amy's Baking Company might not have the slightest clue as to how to handle social media, their (former) staff sure does. Katy Cipriano, an Amy's waitress who was fired on an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares," described what happened behind the scenes on an AMA with the folks over at Reddit, and some of her commentary is golden.
The thread is quite long, but some of the highlights include the fact that the servers were never allowed to touch the POS system and weren't given the opportunity to so much as try any of the restaurant's food. (Standard practice is to either give a steep discount so servers can get to know the menu and can make recommendations, or to offer it to them for free as part of their training.) Says Cipriano:
"they never let me try their food and i never felt like paying for it out of my own pocket so i have actually never tasted anything from there...the restaurant i work at now feeds me daily and lets me try just about all of their dishes. that way, i feel i am able to better connect to my customers when talking about the food. not sure why Amy's didn't let me try their food [without paying.]"
Cipriano didn't even last a month at the restaurant and ended up getting fired during the filming of the episode. She was fired for asking Amy three words after the chef (or, uh, "chef") told her which order was ready: "Are you sure?" It sounds like Cipriano was happy to leave: Why would you want to stick around if the owners were taking away your tips, especially if you're only being paid $8/hour at a bakery (where by the way, she never saw anything being baked)?Cipriano gave some insight into how the production went down:
Support for LAist comes from
"they cut it off short but the first night, after samy brutally yelled at and laid his hands on that one customer, the cops did end up being called and everyone had to leave the restaurant and the producers had to pay for everyone's meals. crazzzyyy."
Seems like a pretty toxic work environment. That's not to say that the owners were always whackadoodles, as they appeared to be on their recent local news interview:
"i think the show just brought out Amy's inner demonic soul. and i never really had the chance to talk to gordon after i left. honestly i just dont get how or why they still have a business."
Cipriano was fired not long after the 24:45-minute mark on the episode. And you can watch Ramsay confront the owners of the restaurant over the way that they treat their staff—including Cipriano—at the 34:30-minute mark of the full "Kitchen Nightmares" episode:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
Best of LAist