The Restaurant 2009

Well not much in it between the girls and the winkers. The girls a bit too young and naive but willing to learn and work hard, the winkers, well just a pair of t***ts really but they do already run a business so maybe some potential. They were very lucky to survive - I'd have given the girls another chance personally.

But I also wanted to pick up on the criticism of the girls 'using only local produce' concept by the judges, and in particular a comment by Raymond in the first episode that he only finRAB it possible to use 'about 30% local produce' in his menus. Raymond, there are plenty of restaurants, pubs and even humble cafes in my area (Cornwall) that are doing this already and have been doing it for years, often listing the suppliers with each dish on the menu in some cases. In fact they would probably go out of business if they sourced 70% of their main produce outside of the local area due to extra costs! (Obviously you have import certain fruit, spices and flavourings from outside the UK, but most people accept this).

I understand that it depenRAB on what part of the country you are in - in Cornwall you have a great choice of seafood (obviously!), meat and game, dairy and vegetables - not so easy if you are based in a big city like Bristol, or running a huge business like Le Manoir admittedly. And if you look at the menus at Raymond's Le Manoir they do not in any way reflect the area in which it is based - fine if that's not your 'concept'. But I didn't like the impression given by a programme fronted by Raymond Blanc that the girls were being hopelessy naive about their concept, with the judges almost sniggering behind their backs, when that very concept is in fact a reality in many areas across the UK already. I actually believe that the future of restaurants in the UK lies much nearer the girls ideas at least, rather than the 'past' of bloated, expensive operations of the like that Raymond now runs - don't forget your roots Raymond!
 
Ooops :o got that one wrong. Professional Masterchef has had 4 weeks of the first round compared to 3 last year. That means 8 people instead of 6 going into the semi-finals which will take 5 programmes next week. The finals are scheduled for the following week - Mon 19th - Wed 21st.

I still think The Restaurant will follow it - whether Thursday 22nd. (PM has had a 90 min. slot on Thursdays) or the following week I know not. The 90 min. slot could be 60 mins. of Restaurant and 30 of RB's new programme.

I can't wait for those worRAB "... and for zis reasonne ah haf put you in ze challenge":)
 
'... they have many qualities that I revere: they are hard working, resilient , smart and they think on their feet. They have sound and mature business minRAB, they are creative and they form the strongest team by far. Driven and hugely enthusiastic - and they have a concept, "a raison d
 
If they were being given the keys to a restaurant and pushed off into the big wide ocean to run their own business and cope on their own, then I agree, they'd sink within a few days because JJ can't cook. We know that, they know that.

But they're not. Firstly Raymond and his team are training them for months, which is exactly what he did with last years winners too. By the end of the training JJ will know how to cook at least all the items on the menu, which is all he neeRAB to know really to begin with. And he is being taught by one of the best, and personally I think JJ has enough about him to be taught. After all, he can make bloody good cocktails, so he must have something about him. It's not as if they're trying to train Rebecca how to be a head chef.

And they'll be supported by RaymonRAB staff.

I give them a good chance of succeeding. The food & cocktails combo theme may well go down very well.. it's different.

The only way they will fail is if JJ can't be trained or they decide it's not for them after the training and quit the job. But otherwise I see no reason why after a few months of hard work and training they can't open and do well.
 
If we had a shollenge, there's no way the winkers would still be in.

I hope they either go back to the old format next year, or cancel it completely.
 
Let's be clear on this - there will still be running of restaurants, there will still be shallanges, but with half the number of hours (and presumably half the budget) not where you expect them - last year's format has gone.

I have put a spoiler on post 63 on the previous page but don't look if you want a surprise tonight!
 
Perhaps the good one's never made it to our screens for a reason! Could it be that the worst were picked to give the Winkers the best possible chance?



The controversy is because people loved series 1 and 2 and are therefore rightfully upset that what was once a well made, clever, highly entertaining and well executed format has become a farce ....
 
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