From Brad Courtemanche, Trumpet Gumbo is the story of a young chef who bursts into stardom. But does he have what it takes to succeed?
Chef Buddy Bontemps (Brandon Scales) recently won a reality television prize of owning his very own restaurant in New Orleans, but there’s a catch. The network insists that Buddy complete a mentorship program under Michelin-starred Chef Deluca (John Fiore)—think Gordon Ramsay but without a soul (if that’s even possible).
Though a star on the national stage, Buddy is a lowly grunt at Deluca’s restaurant. It’s clear that Deluca resists Buddy’s stardom and refuses to put him on the line. While in the back prepping for the evening dining, Buddy finally gets a chance to prove himself on garnish with Deluca’s only advice, “Don’t f**k this up!”
“Buddy finally gets a chance to prove himself on garnish with Deluca’s only advice, ‘Don’t f**k this up!'”
It appears the restaurant business is the last place where employees are treated with little dignity or respect. However, maybe in the ultra-competitive world of fine dining, there is no room for mistakes, and the military-like discipline is what separates Spago from McDonalds.
Courtemanche’s story plays around with the villain image of Deluca juxtaposed against Buddy’s desire to fulfill his dream, as he questions whether he wants that dream badly enough. Trumpet Gumbo centers on Buddy, played perfectly by Brandon Scales, who finds the will to break through inspired by the music of Buddy’s late father. The story succeeds in building the right amount of sympathy for Buddy just before putting him through the wringer. We then question whether Deluca’s “abuse” is warranted or not.
For those of us reality show junkies, Trumpet Gumbo might start off as an episode of Hell’s Kitchen but culminates in an understanding of the intestinal fortitude it takes to make our dreams a reality. Nothing of value is ever handed to us on a silver platter.
"…Think Gordon Ramsay but without a soul (if that's even possible)."
