Del and Susan Quelcutti had a vision. After relocating from the UK to the small Spanish town of Setla, they invested everything into opening Quelcutti’s Tapas.
It was a family effort, Del and Susan managed the space while their children, Joe, Ruby, and Terry, helped run the bar and kitchen. From the outside, it looked like a tight-knit family working together to live the dream.
But things weren’t so rosy behind the scenes. The restaurant hadn’t turned a profit in over a year, and none of the family members were being paid. The kitchen was disorganized, the food lacked soul, and most of the focus had shifted to the bar—where drinks were given out freely, causing major revenue loss. Tensions within the family ran high, and no one knew who was truly in charge.
The Kitchen Nightmares Intervention
When Gordon Ramsay arrived in 2014 as part of the Kitchen Nightmares episode, he quickly realized the problems went deeper than just the menu. The food was bland and uninspired, the kitchen was chaotic, and the entire operation lacked leadership.
Joe ran the bar like a social club, often giving drinks away to friends, while Terry, the chef, lacked motivation and creativity.
Ramsay didn’t hold back. He revamped the entire menu, replacing the tired offerings with fresh, authentic tapas meant to appeal to tourists and locals alike. He transformed the restaurant’s dated decor into a vibrant and inviting space.
But perhaps most importantly, he sat the family down and addressed their emotional baggage head-on. Ramsay emphasized the importance of clear roles, professional boundaries, and the need for Del to step up as a leader.
The episode ended on a high note with a successful relaunch service and renewed energy among the family.
The Aftermath: A Short-Lived Revival
Following the show, there were signs of improvement. The family reported paying themselves a salary again, and the restaurant briefly experienced a surge in foot traffic. Online reviews reflected better food quality and a friendlier dining experience. However, the success didn’t last.
Joe, in particular, expressed dissatisfaction with the new direction. He felt that the tapas concept wasn’t unique in Setla, where similar eateries were already common.
He believed the bar was more crucial for local customers, but that focus undermined the structure Ramsay had put in place. Over time, the family slipped back into old habits. Roles became unclear, emotional conflicts resurfaced, and the momentum faded.
To learn more, watch this video summary: What Happened After Kitchen Nightmares?
Closing Time: Why Quelcutti’s Tapas Failed
By August 2015, just over a year after Ramsay’s visit, Quelcutti’s Tapas closed its doors. Joe was reportedly left with £25,000 in personal debt, and the restaurant quietly disappeared from the scene. Their official Facebook page went inactive, and no new ventures were launched by the family.
The downfall came from a mix of factors. The family couldn’t maintain the professional structure Ramsay introduced. They also lacked commitment to the new menu concept, feeling it didn’t fit the local market.
Most critically, the emotional tension between family members made it impossible to operate as a unified team. The show may have offered a second chance, but the will to change was never fully there.
Do you think Quelcutti’s Tapas could have survived if the family stuck to Ramsay’s plan?
What Happened to the Family?
Since the closure, there have been no public updates about the Quelcutti family. No new businesses have emerged, and the restaurant space has not been reopened under a new name.
Fans of the episode still discuss the family’s dynamic and the emotional weight of the episode, many considering it one of Ramsay’s most difficult cases.
What Other Restaurant Owners Can Learn
The story of Quelcutti’s Tapas is a reminder that no amount of celebrity help can save a business lacking internal alignment. Makeovers can boost visibility, but success requires sustained effort, especially from the people at the top.
For family businesses, setting clear boundaries and leadership roles is essential. Personal emotions, if left unchecked, can bleed into business decisions and cause long-term damage.
Another key takeaway is understanding the market.
Joe may have been right about tapas oversaturation, but rather than adjusting the concept gradually or innovating further, the family allowed their disagreement to stall progress altogether. In the end, the inability to adapt and collaborate sunk the ship.
🔹 TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Quelcutti’s Tapas closed in 2015, just a year after Gordon Ramsay’s intervention. Family conflict and poor leadership led to its downfall.
FAQs
Is Quelcutti’s Tapas still open?
No, Quelcutti’s Tapas permanently closed in August 2015, around a year after their Kitchen Nightmares episode aired.
What went wrong with Quelcutti’s Tapas after Kitchen Nightmares?
The main issues were internal family conflicts, a return to bad business habits, and resistance to Gordon Ramsay’s changes. Despite initial improvements, the team couldn’t maintain the structure needed for long-term success.
Did Gordon Ramsay’s intervention help at all?
Yes, initially. The restaurant saw improved customer feedback, financial relief, and a professional setup. However, the changes were short-lived due to lack of follow-through by the owners.
Where was Quelcutti’s Tapas located?
Quelcutti’s Tapas was located in Setla, Spain—a small town popular with British expats and tourists.
Are there any updates on the Quelcutti family?
No recent public updates have been made. Their official Facebook page has remained inactive since the closure.
Can I watch the episode featuring Quelcutti’s Tapas?
Yes, their story is featured in Costa del Nightmares, a UK spinoff of Kitchen Nightmares. You can find recaps and updates here.