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Great blog, Richard! I grew up in this business, cook in it now, and like you, have both the wonderful anticipatory feelings as well as the uneasiness that accompanies "Opening Night". I remember when my father opened one of our best restaurants, and the commercial dishwasher didn't come in until 2 WEEKS later. We were washing everything by hand, doing silverware until 3 a.m. It's all funny now, 25 years later, but you just DEAL with it. No excuses...just make it happen. As far as Michael is concerned, I don't care one bit what kind of skills he has...he is an arrogant punk that I wouldn't hire even if his last name was PUCK or BLAIS!! haha Seriously, I really see him as a kid who hasn't had his preverbial "chops" busted enough for him to think twice before he insults and humiliates others. TV makes cooks into rock stars, and it goes to the heads of some. You have to have a TEAM in the kitchen, guys...end of that story. I would rather hire Dave, the winner of Hell's Kitchen, simply because he is a true team player and never gives up. The Voltaggio brothers need a lesson in humility...BOTH of them. Hey, got to FLIP BURGER 2 weeks ago. Off the HOOK, my man! Be well, Richard. Mark

great blog...would love to see you on the food network with your own show...

Well said Richard.

"It's a great show."
The only reality, food show worth watching on TV!

Well said, Richard.

You know, it's been several years since I worked in a restaurant.

I still remember..hell, I can almost feel... that anticipation knot you get in your stomach as the dinner rush is about to begin. And that feeling when you're in the midst of it. Not the panicked in-the-weeds one, but the high of when everything is going right and your whole body and mind is doing a symphony of movement and thought.

Ahh, those were the days.

I would love to see a Restaurant Wars spin-off too but NBC already ran with that concept with The Chopping Block (w/ Marco Pierre White) which failed miserably and BBC2 & BBC America has The Restaurant which has done well and is up for another season.

I've watched both shows but and there's definitely room for improvement. A Bravo version would be great but what differences would set it apart from other shows with the same concept and make it a companion series to Top Chef?

So glad you got rid of that Kenneth Brown-like hairdo from your blog photo. The faux-hawk is so much more the Blais we know and love! Keep up the interesting perspective

My favorite part of the restaurant wars episode is the insight it gives. It shows the work we put in our food,it shows the passion, stress and all out balls to the wall kitchen life.

Last night my gf and i were watching the episode and she said "wow it sees so stress full", and i said "yea its my life" I love that she got to see a glimpse of my day to day life.

I think Michael V is an amazing chef and iv seen my tempers flare at times as well. I think it comes with the territory, Bryan V is a rare breed always calm and very quiet. But what i do think is surfacing is that they dont mesh in a kitchen there styles kind of clash, but at the end of the day i think they are the most talented.

We shall see what happens.

Richard, A couple weeks ago while visiting my daughter in Atlanta, she took me to your restaurant Flip. I flipped out! Each bite of my food was perfect, service was wonderful and the decor was great. The shake made me want to move back to Atlanta. Your restaurant wins any restaurant war in my view.

Will it be like rock star Inxs?
Where the fans can call in and Vote.
Can you take the restaurants on tour to different cities.
Will restaurants be open for more than one Night.
Can they produce revenue.
What are the ground rules....???
This could be the ultimate camp experiment.\
Can't wait would love to lead a team.

How many blog profile photos do you have?