'the restaurant' is back! [Archive] - Forums @ The Digital Fix

arma_uk

31-08-2008, 18:17

looking forward to this, been wondering if they were going to make a 2nd series for a while, and they are :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk37/unplaced.shtml#unplaced_restaurant

starts wednesday 10th at 8pm on bbc2, with episode 2 the following evening at the same time.

with this and the charley boorman thing, me & mrs arma are glad there's finally going to be something good to watch of an evening :)

annette_tr9

01-09-2008, 06:53

I loved the first series of this, hope this one is as good!

George vader

02-09-2008, 07:16

Excellent news, I loved the first series, almost as good as The Apprentice.

Blany

02-09-2008, 08:50

Brilliant. Let's hope there's no more creepy Mother and Son teams.

arma_uk

02-09-2008, 11:02

Brilliant. Let's hope there's no more creepy Mother and Son teams.

don't get your hopes up, lol :D -

The couples include newlyweds, old school chums, partners, mums and dads, a father and daughter and a mother and daughter.

rubbafish

10-09-2008, 15:47

And remember, it is all about the Moo-Neigh!

CRB

10-09-2008, 17:29

When is it starting, I was in one of the Restaurants when they were filming

mostly

10-09-2008, 19:31

oh dear me, goats cheese, cheese cake. This bunch of fools couldn't run the golden arches.

rubbafish

10-09-2008, 20:05

oh dear me, goats cheese, cheese cake. This bunch of fools couldn't run the golden arches.

I dunno, I could see some flashes of talent there. But there was no team that stood out. I think there could be some real disasterpieces to come, especially from the team who think flowers = hapiness for everyone!

arma_uk

11-09-2008, 07:11

thought it was a good start. seemed to give a hint at who would struggle in the forthcoming weeks. wasn't surprised that "tin of mango juice dessert" couple didn't get their restaurant. some very similar characters to the last series - the one from barnsley (with the funny eyes) in particular - martin of bravo!. the the welsh/chinese thing is concept is the same as that french/scottish one at windsor castle last time.

i think father/daughter team will go far (famous last words).
i think the "happy" people won't - people go to a restaurant to eat, they don't to be cheered up. do they?...

bosque

11-09-2008, 11:08

Kevb

11-09-2008, 11:26

The soup in the bread was very similar to a dish served in the last series of Hells Kitchen USA. It was pumpkin soup in a pumpkin.

The TGI Fridays bloke just took a meal from there an upped it a bit. Instead of beef steak he did pigeon breasts :lol:

Looks like they have gone for "Characters" this series like most of the other reality tv shows. Shame as it could have been a serious show but looks like its going to be car crash tv instead :(

Radiohead

11-09-2008, 12:01

The caribbeans had a bit of a shock. Sticking a can of mango juice in the microwave for 3 minutes and saying "that's our signature dish" seemd to be hoping for an affirmative action response from Raymond. One problem with that tactic: he's French.

:lol::lol::lol:

Summerisle

11-09-2008, 12:29

Thought the guy who did the goat's cheese cheesecake looked like a character out of a Wallace and Gromit film.

Richie

11-09-2008, 12:49

I didn't see last year's series but this looks like it'll be compulsive viewing. Looking forward to tonight's!

MrC

11-09-2008, 14:08

rubbafish

11-09-2008, 14:49

Now that soup in a loaf idea is typical indian street food and is a very clever idea. Take a loaf, cut in half, scoop out and fill crust with soup then give to customer with bread you just scooped out to dip in. There is no washing up, no rubbish, you eat the whole thing on the move. However, not having to do the washing up is not exactly a revolutionary idea in an eatery nowadays.

Ono

11-09-2008, 20:18

The dad totally screwed things up for his daughter tonight. Arrogant git too charging for drinks after customers decided to walk out after 2 and half hours waiting for food :lol:

The bloke at Sorbet's kitchen is going to struggle big time unless he grows a set and takes control of the kitchen :nuts: Maybe they should have let the male part of the relationship do that bit :suspect:

Squattie

12-09-2008, 07:51

"they would have been a lot worse off if I hadn't rolled over and taken it up the arse".

I guess they'll be showing that on the late night highlights show "The Restaurant - Open all hours" :lol:

Rabbi of Caerbannog

12-09-2008, 08:07

Is there any reason why that clown was not thrown off last night???

They had the easiest start on paper as every one had pre-ordered their food. How difficult is it to take a food order from Mr Smith; mark Mr Smith as Table 3; the seat Mr Smith at table 3 when they come in :nuts:

Had a bit of a grin when Raymond was grilling the couple who did not open because of the gas leak and serving cold food instead. They started squirming a little bit there I felt.

Ono

12-09-2008, 12:18

How difficult is it to take a food order from Mr Smith; mark Mr Smith as Table 3; the seat Mr Smith at table 3 when they come in :nuts:

They had no table plan I think! :nuts:

ajr90

12-09-2008, 20:38

Had a bit of a grin when Raymond was grilling the couple who did not open because of the gas leak and serving cold food instead. They started squirming a little bit there I felt.

:shrug:

He wasn't 'grilling' them, he appeared entirely sympathetic to their situation. Nor did they serve cold food at all - he asked them why they didn't do that, and they said they couldn't because they couldn't open at all without hot water, at which point Raymond said they were quite right and he was just testing them. Basically, they got a free pass.

Maybe you were just watching a different show from me.

martinb

12-09-2008, 22:00

wanted to punch the dithering old bloke when he started negotiating the bills, deserverd to be thrown out for the sheer cheek of it.

Radiohead

13-09-2008, 06:58

Agreed - what a muppet.

dwaine

13-09-2008, 17:49

Wasn't the "soup in a bun" idea just a rip-off of that "Breaking into Tesco" programme from earlier this year?

Enjoying this series too. :D

Mr Majestik

14-09-2008, 10:34

Wasn't the "soup in a bun" idea just a rip-off of that "Breaking into Tesco" programme from earlier this year?
. :D

And it was a rubbish idea on that too.

Really hate the fellas who had the gas leak. Are they a closet gay couple or what?

Radiohead

14-09-2008, 11:15

The one with the tattoos comes across as an arrogant tit. I'm not sure what the speccy one gets from the friendship, aside from being told to shut up.

:suspect:

arma_uk

14-09-2008, 11:53

And it was a rubbish idea on that too.

Really hate the fellas who had the gas leak. Are they a closet gay couple or what?

i reckon the speccy one is gay, but the love is unrequited - you can tell by the way he (4-eyes) looks at the other one.

this week, the posh dad/daughter combo fiasco was quite hard to watch :D, and i thought they might be winners. they have enough money to open their own restaurant by the looks of it, but it'll be interesting to see if they can get through the challenge next week.

tgi fridays man obviously/apparently has the restaurant management background so it'll be interesting to see how that couple fare...

the openly-gay couple are already questioning whether it's for them - i expect they'll be "out" (so to speak :D) within a week or two.

rubbafish

18-09-2008, 09:35

There is a shokcing amount of ineptitude but I think this week MOST of the teams did a pretty good job. I still can't believe the father/daughter decided to deal with just 13 customers. Yeah, the idea was sound but in a 4 hour service surely they could have done 10 twice in 2 hour blocks.

Also, say what you like about the best mates team but that guy can cook. As for the flight attendants team of Ice Man & Maverick, some of their lines are classic. One stand out from last night is 'We have been in the bottom since we got here'. :doh:

douglasb

18-09-2008, 09:41

arma_uk

18-09-2008, 11:17

the male air stewards were standout hopeless again - they may have had a dream of opening a restaurant but they clearly have no idea. their "theme" is sorbet & seasons but the menu, for the 2nd week in succession, didn't reflect that - even after RB told them to change it :doh:

their hearts obviously aren't in it - i think they'll be first out.

cedge

18-09-2008, 11:20

Professional Masterchef > This.

It's been really interesting to watch people excel and push themselves in a way that's not car-crash TV. It's almost a new concept to watch people who are good at their job, have ambition and want to succeed.

Totally agree, have enjoyed masterchef and the decisions by the judges have been 99% spot on throughout. Some wonderful cooking.

Radiohead

18-09-2008, 11:31

Did anyone get the boot last night. Missed the last few minutes.

cedge

18-09-2008, 11:40

No....they go into the 'Challenge' with the Father/Daughter in tonight's episode.

rubbafish

18-09-2008, 11:41

Did anyone get the boot last night. Missed the last few minutes.

No, that happens tonight on the Challenge episode.

rubbafish

18-09-2008, 11:45

Totally agree, have enjoyed masterchef and the decisions by the judges have been 99% spot on throughout. Some wonderful cooking.

I disagree with this. I enjoy this show and think it is quality (although some of the 'professionals' in the early rounds made me cringe.) But I would say of the 3 semis this week, only once did they choose the right candidate and that was with Derek last night (who I think will win out right). As one of the losing guys said 'they said it was perfect... I guess perfect isn't enough'.

Radiohead

18-09-2008, 11:49

Ah - thank you

Ono

18-09-2008, 20:08

To be honest, the gay blokes had no chance today. They got placed in a service station with a KFC :thumbs:

Dad and daughter continue to be arrogant and couldn't even be arsed to cook the food for the photo.:oh-hum: I have a feeling daughter had hots for tattoo bloke though which will make his closet mincer mate happy :lol:

Oggie

18-09-2008, 20:13

I absolutely hated the gay couple and am glad they won't be in any future episodes.

rubbafish

18-09-2008, 20:21

Right choice I feel. Next week should be interesting as selling offal to the general public is difficult at the best of times!

Mr Majestik

18-09-2008, 20:39

Next week should be interesting as selling offal to the general public is difficult at the best of times!

They just need to make sausages and burgers. It'll be all gone in no time.

Right couple went tonight. Has anyone ever stopped at the services and thought "I could murder a sorbet".

bosque

18-09-2008, 21:14

This show isn't very PC. First to go were the only black couple, now it's the only gay couple. Is there a single parent among the surviving contestants ?

ajr90

18-09-2008, 23:14

This show isn't very PC. First to go were the only black couple, now it's the only gay couple. Is there a single parent among the surviving contestants ?

The openly gay couple are gone, I grant you; but the closeted gay couple are still there!

beaky

20-09-2008, 09:16

I felt very sorry for the couple that left, but they were clearly struggling with their own concept. If they decided after the first one that they needed to change it, as RB suggested, I think they could have been stronger.

Blue Goose deserved to go because they were lazy and didn't even bother cooking their own food to photograph :oh-hum: Plus he irritates me.

MaxNutter

20-09-2008, 11:37

there were reasons to ditch any one of them; blue goose for faking the photos, and no meat dish, sorbet and seasons for the kitchen mishaps, not listening to suggestions, and not doing their research, and the other team for not being prepared and messing up the advertising.

blue goose won through on the marketing side (thanks to the married couple's bloke), and the other team did the best food, leaving sorbet and seasons with no real plus-points, aside from the fact that they coped ok when one of them was ill. their inability to take on advice the episode earlier probably sealed their fate.

i agree, the dad out of blue goose is an arse.

Ono

20-09-2008, 12:30

Totally agree, have enjoyed masterchef and the decisions by the judges have been 99% spot on throughout. Some wonderful cooking.

Just to piggieback off this thread as it's not worth starting its own now - but I agree with the result for MC Pro's. Either Derek or Murray would have been good choices but Leon was a distant 3rd IMHO.

Have to say that the final dishes cooked - none were what I would call spectacular.

KennyVader

24-09-2008, 19:58

I am feeling really sorry for the Blue Goose girl. Her dad keeps mucking it up! And then he goes in front of Le Raymond and keeps saying things like "yeah that's a bit rubbish", "hmmm I should have done better". WTF! You have to have a bit of arrogance and belief in yourself on this kind of thing, even when you mess it up again. Don't sit there all negative and give Blanc a reason to kick you out!

And those two "childhood friends" lads, they are blooming hopeless, all they do is argue, but only ever about stuff not worth arguing about!

The stupid women that were all crying and hiding behind their partners at the sight of the pig. FFS! It's a restaurant! Go open a sweet shop if you can't bear to see a pig's head.

Oggie

24-09-2008, 20:08

bosque

24-09-2008, 20:22

WTF kind of greeting is "welcome to the madness"? I really get the impression this guy just isn't interested and wants to get kicked out. I feel sorry for his daughter, plus she is kind of cute in an odd chin kind of way.

I get the impression he feels he feels he's been thrown in the deep end having had no training in "front-of-house" whatsover and has been set up by the producers to look daft. This is why he sneers at the customers etc. Unfortunately it makes him come across as a ****.

Ono

24-09-2008, 21:29

Closet gay bloke couldn't even get front of house right with only 4 tables all night! :nuts: He seems the type who is high maintenance and probably just looks forward to the consoling hug from his mate each time they get criticised and he storms off in a huff. :lol:

Dad is a waste of space. The daughter should have entered the thing with her mum or her horse.

Anyone else think Wallace and Gromit bloke's Missues is kinda cute? :n0rty:

downhillbiker

25-09-2008, 02:32

Finally caught up with this all on Iplayer...

First off - Sorbet and Seasons was a crap, crap idea for a restaurant, and they both seemed far too weak-willed to run it. They didn't even stick to their garbage gimmick, and ignored advice. Secondly - I think of the remaining people, the dad in the Blue Goose is going to lose it for his daughter; he has NO idea about any part of FOH, running staff, when to comp items (the pay what you want episode was utterly embarassing), and he comes across as a total prick. That said, his daughter is a fool for using shop bought food and fobbing it off as her own in those photos.

I think the dopey guy from Ray White's is way too clueless to be a chef, flogging offal as non-specific pork meat is pretty low, and the fact he can't season food or make a decent cheese sauce is pretty damning.

Big surprise for me has been the family restaurant, Nel's. I must admit, the idea seemed crap to me, but they're absolutely taking the rest of them apart, and fair play to them. The two guys doing the fine dining are making an arse of it - the chef is wound far, far too tight, and the other guy has no managment skills, although his waiters seem like they're thicker than paint too, which doesn't help.

ajr90

25-09-2008, 10:03

I don't understand why the chaps at the Gallery still getting the cutlery wrong. It's simple - you lay out a full set to start with, then once they've ordered you take away the pieces they won't be using. It's not rocket science!

As for the Blue Goose, there lies a family that's bound to end up estranged by the time they're done. The dad simply isn't trying at all; possibly because he thinks they'll muck up anyway, so if he puts minimum effort in and they muck up, he won't feel too bad about it (whereas if he worked his arse off and they still mucked up, he'd be a lot more upset).

Space Duck

25-09-2008, 10:43

ajr90

25-09-2008, 11:07

Liked the dim bloke sellin the dodgy pieces of 'pork' in the salad.. Raymond told him off for it but then he kinda of told another couple that they should have said "Brain" was in one of their dishes.... :P

So in other words do what dimwit did and only tell if asked :P

As I recall then, Raymond's point then was more that by putting the brain in the brawn they made it harder to sell, when what should've done was not add the brain in the first place (and it'd taste better that way too).

arma_uk

25-09-2008, 11:09

i'm not sure it was "on" to describe that salad as crispy pork, but it did seemingly work and most people enjoyed it. he's the one with no taste buds - chances that this chef will be over-seasoning his food next week? :D

selling offal is difficult because even the teams didn't believe in it - they could easily said, if asked what the brawn terrine (sp.?) was, something along the lines of "it's basically the meat from the head, but you wouldn't believe how gorgeous it tastes". everyone undersold it, from what i could see. apart from those who lied.

blue goose - their goose will be cooked pretty soon if dad doesn't get his act together. again he proved very difficult to watch, not only the "welcome to the madness" comment but when he said "are you going to leave a tip for the girls?" it was just cringeworthy. having numbers for specials up front and not telling the kitchen - wtf?

closet gay FoH man and his waitress was very "david brent" i thought. should have had a sign on his door saying "closet gay bloke invetigates" :)

i reckon RB had it spot on for blue goose and closet gay couple this week. my favourites, although the food looks a bit run-of-the-mill, are the family. mum gets on with it and dad is a great salesman / FoH.

avid fan

25-09-2008, 12:26

Don't really follow this too much, but other half is addicted. I have to admit, it makes great tv because of the characters they've brought together - following the Big Brother philosophy of getting those they know will make good tv (rather than, say, those with ability!:suspect:).

A creative comic writer couldn't have come up with some of the combinations. Top marks go to the (i) Gallery couple - I don't think it's been mentioned before, but my main aversion to them is the amount of sweat that's gone into their meals (literally:gag:), and (ii) the incompetant dad with cute (bar chin) daughter

Was going to post about the cute daughter and Wallace's missus, but beaten too it. I will say that Sarah Willingham is :thumbs::luv:

Symo

25-09-2008, 15:37

Anyone else think Wallace and Gromit bloke's Missues is kinda cute? :n0rty:

kinda Very!

Can't believe they're a couple but, seem really nice people.

rubbafish

25-09-2008, 15:57

Sorry but the show is almost a cutie free (apart from the slightly psychotic Micehelle in the Cheerful Soul). The side on view of Blue Goose Harriet is kinda scary. What is going on with that nose! But that aside, if True Provenance can get their heads around the fact that their venue is not their personal ideal but does look amazing, they could be on to something! I think it is between them and Nel's for the outright title.

megatron

25-09-2008, 17:03

Harriet is quite cute, even if someone has stolen her top lip. :(

Ono

25-09-2008, 20:02

Right decision tonight although it would have been the right decision if they had sacked the guys.

Space Duck

25-09-2008, 20:07

That was funny, the Bloke from Nel's "I Don't know why you bother talking to him...." and the bewildered hurt lover look on Alistairs face :lol:

DaveH

26-09-2008, 07:22

I'm surprised that the colleges agreed to allow this considering how full of themselves they seem to be, they allow the worst three couples to cater for them. It doesn't help that voiceover woman was cramming the word tradition down our throats every minute.

I thought all three were bad but the dad and daughter pair certainly couldn't hack it.
The pair which did cheap food and no special menu for the dons should be running a roadside cafe. The closet gay pair should be running a clothes boutique and the father should be running a funeral parlor.

bosque

26-09-2008, 07:41

The pair which did cheap food and no special menu for the dons should be running a roadside cafe. How cringe-worthy was it when they talked about a "Walter Riley" theme night, the bloke who brought tobacco to England. We had to wait for the juggler to correct them.

Richie

26-09-2008, 11:50

Harriet (after being eliminated): "What we can do is leave with our chins up!" :D

steford

26-09-2008, 12:14

I'm a recent convert to this - enjoying it. Seems to me the people closed down so far are those that have shown the least desire. The gay couple expected it to be easy and the father of the couple last night was just stuck in his own comfort zone despite his daughter's best efforts. Now the slackers are out I think it'll come down to food - meaning the thick couple out next (with potentially the couple at Nel's) and then organisation/planning meaning the two blokes who don't talk will be in there again soonish.

Richie

01-10-2008, 19:48

AAAAaArrrrghHHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!1111111
This winds me up even more than The Apprentice! :nuts:
Great entertainment!!!! :D
Such muppets!!!!!!!

Ono

02-10-2008, 06:06

My feeling about the challenge is that the Ray White couple will go. They seem nice enough but don't have a clue. I would rather have closed the restaurant than serve the tosh they did without the over. How hard is it to get some Old El Paso mix in and cook off some chicken and beef strips with peppers and onions FFS?! :nuts:

This is, of course, unless they fix it for the True Provenance couple to go as they wanted to quit anyway :suspect:

Rob

02-10-2008, 06:23

Carrot fajitas:lol:

CRB

02-10-2008, 06:56

There are hardly any couples in it that actually deserve to win. Granted The Cheerful Soul are good (I should know, I ate there on their "Sweden" night) but the others:

- The Gallery's cook is wasted on that muppet front of house and they hate each other
- Ray Whites has a cook from Deliverance
- Nells - she just cant cook
- Welsh Wok - just cant cook either
- True Provenance - theyve showed their heart isnt in it

bosque

02-10-2008, 08:51

My feeling about the challenge is that the Ray White couple will go. They seem nice enough but don't have a clue. I would rather have closed the restaurant than serve the tosh they did without the over. How hard is it to get some Old El Paso mix in and cook off some chicken and beef strips with peppers and onions FFS?! :nuts:

Are they some sort of wind-up couple anyway ? using Raymond Blanc's name for their road-side cafe and then serving up any old slop to their customers with a "yeah, that'll do attitude". His menu for tonight looks the worst yet.

ajw000

02-10-2008, 16:13

bit confused with scheduling here on my sky+ planner.

It says that tonights episode is the one that was meant to be on last night(1st october), and that the one that was on last night was recorded as the oxford uni cook-off from last thursday!

Thought it was football or something on bbc scotland that had thrown it off, but checked BBC2 england and the descriptions are the same?

Anyone else having this problem? It seems it's out by a day! Or is it my Sky box getting confused?

edit-actually the bbc schedule even says the one last night was the oxford one! Me confused! But the restaurant page has it differently!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/listings/index.shtml?service_id=4224&DAY=today
vs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00djpzy

Kevb

02-10-2008, 16:32

There are hardly any couples in it that actually deserve to win. Granted The Cheerful Soul are good (I should know, I ate there on their "Sweden" night) but the others:

- The Gallery's cook is wasted on that muppet front of house and they hate each other

The cook has cocked up a lot more than his mate at the front. He produced a bad signature disk in Ep1,Did'nt season his food, spent too much money on food on the university challenge, did'nt communicate to FOH on what was in the meals,decided to cook French food,wanted the menu's in French and cooked Coq Au Vin in white wine :D.

Only think I've seen FOH get wrong is drumming up customers in one episdoe and forgotten cutlery a few times. Problems seem to all stem from the kitchen IMO. Can't believe they got away with it again.:suspect:

MrC

02-10-2008, 16:52

Ray Whites has a cook from Deliverance

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Maybe he should stick his head in his oven?

Can't see them surviving tonights 'airline food' challenge.

Much more entertaining than last year thanks to some smart editing of comments :thumbs:

Big A

02-10-2008, 17:19

so what happened to the winners from last year? any updates

CRB

02-10-2008, 17:31

so what happened to the winners from last year? any updates

Looks like they opened a real restaurant ...

http://www.thametoday.co.uk/news/TV-Restaurant-winners-to-open.3395197.jp

matthoulb

02-10-2008, 20:30

The guys face when he lost the restaurant was really quite funny!

DuncanSWardle

02-10-2008, 20:35

The guys face when he lost the restaurant was really quite funny!

His comment about the Chinese guy was priceless though

CRB

02-10-2008, 20:59

I've worked it out - True Provenance is going to win. Has to. it's the only restaurant that (a) Raymond Blanc likes the concept of and (b) they can cook !

rubbafish

02-10-2008, 22:14

His comment about the Chinese guy was priceless though

From a northern lad who couldn't cook Lancashire Hotpot... bloody funny.

Ono

03-10-2008, 06:53

Shame. They were comedy and she was cute in a funny way.

Anyway, next week. Running a takeaway service. Chinese guy should have an advantage.

cjanderson

03-10-2008, 07:04

I've worked it out - True Provenance is going to win. Has to. it's the only restaurant that (a) Raymond Blanc likes the concept of and (b) they can cook !

yep, its either them or perhaps the mother and her hubby.

who else is there

the welsh wok - nope
the not gay friends - well he can cook i suppose
the rest of the week this week, soul comforts - actually they seem okay

So i'll go for true prov or the last one for the final 2.

And soul comfort to win. less risky than family with a small baby (ie a repeat of last years fiasco)

They may have opened a restuarant last year but it closed quite quickly as they wanted to spend time with their new baby.

goTimmygo

03-10-2008, 10:24

So glad to see Ray White's close. The bloke was just mental. Reminded me of the hitch hiker from Something About Mary - "7 second abs"!!!

arma_uk

03-10-2008, 11:30

...And soul comfort to win...

cheerful soul? :thinking: :D:dork:

Wendell Armbruster

03-10-2008, 13:33

ajr90

03-10-2008, 17:49

He spelled pears as pairs - as in, I have a pair of pears that need paring. I think he sums up England today.

I thought the clip they showed of him composing the menu was even worse.

"How do you spell entree?"

"E, N, T..."

"*starts typing*"

"No, E! E!"

:oh-hum:

Napoleon

03-10-2008, 18:14

AAAAaArrrrghHHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!1111111
This winds me up even more than The Apprentice! :nuts:
Great entertainment!!!! :D
Such muppets!!!!!!!

Intelligent reality shows invariably provide more worthwhile entertainment than those primarily aimed at the morons,a la Big Brother.

bosque

03-10-2008, 18:21

I'm watching this for two reasons - Sarah and Willingham. Oh, and that creepy incompetent forever in the shadow of his mate, the muscly one with tattoo, is the funniest, cringiest thing on TV. He spelled pears as pairs - as in, I have a pair of pears that need paring. I think he sums up England today.

I'm sure the one with the tattoo has finally cottoned on to the fact that his best mate (an "art" student) is not the sharpest tool in the box and is probably looking for a way out of the nightmare.

Ono

03-10-2008, 19:30

I'm sure the one with the tattoo has finally cottoned on to the fact that his best mate (an "art" student) is not the sharpest tool in the box and is probably looking for a way out of the nightmare.

Not sure he's cottoned on that he also wants to bum him though.

downhillbiker

05-10-2008, 16:23

Iplayered the last ep just now - bloody glad to see that big idiot get the boot. His total inability to cook is astonishing. All you need to cook fajitas is a hob, and that's what he had... how did he **** up so badly?! Really annoyed me that he had the cheek to say he was getting wound up by people moaning about the food - it was *****, it was not restaurant quality, hell, it was barely kids' birthday party quality.

When he served the carrot wraps, I knew he was going - the crap effort with the airline slop just confirmed it (it said he was trying to keep his costs down... why?! It's first class food, if anything, that would have been the opportunity to go a bit OTT with the budget to make it shine!)

I think True Provenance will win, purely because of the keep-it-simple with good quality ingredients concept - really weird to think he used to work for TGI Fridays! Of the others... Gallery has a good chef, front of house is a total plank, and they both sweat too much - thought he ****** up a bit helping in the challenge too. Welsh Wok is a **** concept, he's a weak chef, and can't cook rice?! Any student can cook rice! Nel's food is poor, the whole concept is a bit naff and cheap (although bizarrely, they seem to be loaded? Flying first class, he went to Cambridge?). The Cheerful Soul is the only other contender for me, but I have no idea what their concept is any more...

steford

05-10-2008, 16:50

Loved the "I grew up in Lancashire and I was so excited ... but when it arrived my heart sank, I thought, I've got a boeuf bourguignon". Classic.

They are all really poor teams though IMHO.

Ono

08-10-2008, 20:10

The tosser who was being obnoxious in the restaurant tonight :oh-hum:

Hope he is vilified now that his arrogant face has been splashed all over the place.

morantic

08-10-2008, 20:29

That bloke was a complete tool, I really wanted the massive chef to come out and lamp him one.

ajr90

08-10-2008, 21:12

I bet the only reason the bloke was being such a tosser was because he thought "Hey, they're filming this, right? I bet if I act like a complete arsehole then I'll definitely get on the telly! Brilliant!" I hope he's ashamed of himself.

Also, is it just me or is Raymond getting grumpier every week? I reckon he's bricking it due to the increasing realisation that he's going to go into business with one set of these muppets. Cheerful Soul seem to be edging it at the moment, even if their branding, visually, is appalling.

steford

08-10-2008, 21:29

If they'd not done the frozen chips they'd have walked it - still not sure anyone's up to it though. Nel's looks like the last place on earth I'd want to eat apart from the "Mexican Buffet" last week.

downhillbiker

08-10-2008, 22:35

Cheerful Soul is certainly looking on point - as has been said, if they'd used proper chips, then they would have got RotW again. Still no idea what their concept is though? **** branding? Their sign is hideous, and they use chalk markers on the windows. Gag.

Nel's reminds me of Messy Joe's on the IT Crowd... I don't get them at all, there's no way Blanc is going to work with a chef who - by her own admission - isn't a chef!

KennyVader

09-10-2008, 00:31

Also, is it just me or is Raymond getting grumpier every week? I reckon he's bricking it due to the increasing realisation that he's going to go into business with one set of these muppets. Cheerful Soul seem to be edging it at the moment, even if their branding, visually, is appalling.

I bet he's been reading his contract small print to see if he can get out of the restaurant deal :lol:

I don't like the two sidekick judges, including the woman judge that everyone seems to like, they both seem like arrogant tossers to me, who often just diss the contestants just for the sake of it. Which I know is their job to an extent but they still bug me. Nick and Margaret on the Apprentice are much better at the sidekick judge role.

And yes I would like to say that I hope that knobster that was bitching about the potted crab is proud of himself but unfortunately he probably is. Thoroughly obnoxious individual. The only saving grace is he probably doesn't get to eat out much as you could see the people with him especially the women were completely embarassed to be there, so I doubt they'll rush to join him for dinner again in a hurry.

megatron

09-10-2008, 01:41

If the customers can leave without paying, they should have turfed the knobhead out as soon as he got mouthy.

Space Duck

09-10-2008, 07:48

That was certainly not a nice part of the show to watch. You could tell he was doing it for show, actually switched over to supernanny to see if we could learn some tips on how to deal with his vile behaviour, only to switch back and see the party leaving and the restaurant clapping :D

HUZZAH!!!

The Man certainly needs a slap.

bosque

09-10-2008, 08:13

They should have reported him to the police as going off without paying.

dwaine

09-10-2008, 08:22

I wondered how much of it was down to editing. Who's to say the food was great?

People would, I guess, in that situation, knowing that they're being filmed would just smile and beam away no matter what the food was like.

I thought she handled it particularly badly - you've pretty much reached the point of no return when someone claims your food is "the s word", so she should've just firmly asked him and his party to leave then, rather than give him further opportunites to rant and rave.

Space Duck

09-10-2008, 09:55

Yeah but not every one is as forthright as you Dwaine :)

The incident obviously threw her as, you know... decent folk don't ask like that... they bitch quietly at the table and then don't leave a tip :lol:

MrC

09-10-2008, 12:48

I thought she handled it particularly badly

Agreed.

What she should have done is gone into the kitchen, squatted over a plate and 'curled one down' , then returned to the table pushing the plate into 'I'll play up to cameras even though I'm a little xxxx' mans face, whilst shouting at the top of her voice "now thats XXXX!!"

Would have made great entertainment but alas, would still not have won them restaurant of the week :thumbs:

KennyVader

09-10-2008, 13:19

Agreed.

What she should have done is gone into the kitchen, squatted over a plate and 'curled one down' , then returned to the table pushing the plate into 'I'll play up to cameras even though I'm a little xxxx' mans face, whilst shouting at the top of her voice "now thats XXXX!!"

Would have made great entertainment but alas, would still not have won them restaurant of the week :thumbs:

:lol:

That would have made Le Raymond say "mon dieu!" I'm sure

deanos

09-10-2008, 14:40

The winners of last year didnt last long, no wonder they arnt mentioned and the head chef was sacked :suspect:

http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2008/05/03/320656/blancs-the-restaurant-winners-quit-after-seven-months.html

http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2008/05/02/320653/head-chef-sacked-at-raymond-blancs-reality-tv-programme-winners-restaurant.html

arma_uk

10-10-2008, 06:34

only just caught up wth wednesday's programme - that tit who complained loudly should have been asked to leave immediately. other diners should not have been subjected to it. i did wonder if he was a plant by the producers / rb to see how the woman handled a difficult customer.

last night's challenge was a close one - nel's seem to do a good job with the batty old woman but the closet gays deserved to go for (again) lack of planning and another faux pas with wine. kept in i think because the chef is the only contestant left who can actually cook. (did anyone notice that moment just before he left to fetch more chairs? looked like they stole a kiss only half caught on camera :))

cedge

10-10-2008, 07:08

I think the right people went as they had no confidence in their ability where as the Gallery Chef like you say is probably the best chef left in the competition.

Why or why did they both go back to get the chairs the 1st time, it only needs one person so one person could of stayed to set it all up!

avid fan

10-10-2008, 07:27

Why or why did they both go back to get the chairs the 1st time, it only needs one person so one person could of stayed to set it all up!

I don't understand why they couldn't just send one of the girls? - would that have been against the rules?

I think that, it it was completely fair, the 2 closet gay blokes should have gone for the ridiculously late timing and nicking the host's wine - but they're too good value to go, so I'm glad they're still around.

I'm also immensely happy that the welsh wok pair disappeared - he seems a nice enough bloke, and probably good within his niche, but that woman really grates - such a sour face she looks like she's permanently sucking lemons:gag:.

I think the start of the show was probably 'Mrs Spencer', the second for 'Whatever happened to Baby Jane?'. I was amazed about her fussiness for the meal to look absolutely immaculate - only for her to turn out like a clown in a partially inflatable dress:nuts::thinking:.

She did seem to mellow throughout the evening though and seemed pretty charming by the end. Loved the masterstroke with hiding the placemats under the plates as they were served:clap:

arma_uk

10-10-2008, 11:22

I'm also immensely happy that the welsh wok pair disappeared - he seems a nice enough bloke, and probably good within his niche, but that woman really grates - such a sour face she looks like she's permanently sucking lemons:gag:

she reminds me of those "scream" masks :D

Wendell Armbruster

10-10-2008, 15:37

. . . that tit who complained loudly should have been asked to leave immediately. other diners should not have been subjected to it. i did wonder if he was a plant by the producers / rb to see how the woman handled a difficult customer . . .

Absolutement! as Ray White would say. I reckon zat guy was a plant, testing that couple's resilience and, er, provenance. Apparently, things in these 'restaurants' are not quite as they seem. Even so, this is a classy reality show and the rather reticent Cheerful Souls look like shoe-ins. Can't wait for the two blokes to get closed down.

downhillbiker

12-10-2008, 01:01

Certainly the right call. The bloke from the Welsh Wok is way too lacking in self confidence, in addition to the fact he over-cooked the lamb, didn't make enough mash, and made a starter that nobody seemed to eat, look terrible too.

The boys cocked up, but their food and service was spot on - the gaff with the wine was stupid though. Nel's impressed for the first time ever, although I think she is still too plain in her restaurant cooking.

goTimmygo

12-10-2008, 15:18

Woman from Nel's is very aggressive and closes down completely when she is faced with a challenge that takes her out of her comfort zone. But the hubby is sound and level headed and knows how to handle her, so they make a good team. I would stick him with the closet poofer chef and they would be great!

downhillbiker

16-10-2008, 00:19

I think this is between True Provenance, and if the two guys can sort themselves out (and the front of house lad doesn't have a heart attack!), then the Gallery could be in with a punt, as Raymond thinks the chef is really good. Although the guy in Provenance totally failing to boil an egg once, and then doing it badly again, before being told how to season food by Blanc = epic fail.

Tonight showed that The Cheerful Soul woman is way too emotional (second time she's broken down in tears, and the trailer for tomorrow's show seems to point to it happening again), and that the food in Nel's is a sack of ****. She seems to be too unhappy to go out of her comfort zone, and just keeps knocking out dull, dull food in the restaurant, despite whatever she does in the challenges (dinner party last week, risotto at the food demo this week).

I really want the two guys to get it together, because if the front of house was as good as the kitchen, then they would walk it - front of house is not hard to get right.

Richie

16-10-2008, 00:34

This was so good! :D
It's so annoying that one member of each pair seems to be really good and other crap!
I thought the 'Cheerful' couple were definantly going to win but now with all her emotional outbursts it's all crumbling! Silly 'mare!

megatron

16-10-2008, 00:45

The Gallery front of house is hopeless so I think they have no chance. Nels school dinners doesn't seem to go down well with Raymond, so their out too.

Down to the other 2 really.

KennyVader

16-10-2008, 00:48

Yeah it's a shame, the Gallery chef always seems to create food that looks really really good AND he produces it quickly and calmly too. It's his buddy out front that consistently lets him down :(.

downhillbiker

16-10-2008, 01:14

I must admit, I did think 'bloody hell' when I heard he had heart problems, he must be teetering on the brink of death during all of these challenges!

arma_uk

16-10-2008, 07:08

I think this is between True Provenance, and if the two guys can sort themselves out (and the front of house lad doesn't have a heart attack!), then the Gallery could be in with a punt, as Raymond thinks the chef is really good.

i agree.
closet boys always have a shout because raymond could/would put a manager in to whichever restaurant that wins. top chef = guaranteed good food, FOH problems easy to sort out, whereas with a bad chef you'll never get repeat custom. if they lose, my money would be on true provenance with raymond blanc employing closet chef at his own restaurant.

steford

16-10-2008, 08:34

Yeah it's a shame, the Gallery chef always seems to create food that looks really really good AND he produces it quickly and calmly too. It's his buddy out front that consistently lets him down :(.

The chef is also a dick though. Thinks he runs the place and is better than he really is. Their lack of communication is down to him being too aggressive and the other bloke being to timid.

ajr90

16-10-2008, 14:57

The Gallery front of house is hopeless so I think they have no chance. Nels school dinners doesn't seem to go down well with Raymond, so their out too.

Down to the other 2 really.

(Actually, in case people don't watch the 'coming next' clips, I'd better spoiler this. It's what I think might happen.)

Except, I get the feeling that tonight we'll see the surprise closure of the Cheerful Soul after Michele starts crying and walks out again - we've seen several times Raymond get really grumpy if people don't take criticism, so she may just push him too far.

My prediction: The Gallery to win - after which Raymond will parachute in a new FoH person to help Ali out/replace him. Reasons being, Cheerful Soul appears out, Nel's is clearly out because Raymond doesn't think she can cook, and True Provenance will be out because they have trouble pulling in the clients - and can't boil an egg!

Symo

16-10-2008, 15:04

The chef is also a dick though. Thinks he runs the place and is better than he really is. Their lack of communication is down to him being too aggressive and the other bloke being to timid.

Exactly. Most of dodgy-heart-boy's problems are down to lack of communication from his "partner".

He is, obviously, a gifted and knowledgable chef but, he's almost autistic when he's cooking. Really showed up in last night's demo section. He quietly got on producing something fantastic looking but, utterly failed to engage with his audience.

True Provenance are going to walk it I think...

Wendell Armbruster

16-10-2008, 15:43

He is, obviously, a gifted and knowledgable chef but, he's almost autistic when he's cooking. Really showed up in last night's demo section. He quietly got on producing something fantastic looking but, utterly failed to engage with his audience.

Symo, you've got this chap nailed perfectly. The only word I would delete is 'almost.' Autistic sums him up brilliantly, if I may say so. I'm so keen on this show that I tried booking Ray's place this weekend - on Sunday the best they could offer me was £640 for D,B&B. Oh these recessionary times, they make you cry, don't they?

Symo

16-10-2008, 15:51

Symo, you've got this chap nailed perfectly. The only word I would delete is 'almost.' Autistic sums him up brilliantly, if I may say so. I'm so keen on this show that I tried booking Ray's place this weekend - on Sunday the best they could offer me was £640 for D,B&B. Oh these recessionary times, they make you cry, don't they?

£640! All you can eat I presume...;)

megatron

16-10-2008, 16:48

My prediction: The Gallery to win - after which Raymond will parachute in a new FoH person to help Ali out/replace him. Reasons being, Cheerful Soul appears out, Nel's is clearly out because Raymond doesn't think she can cook, and True Provenance will be out because they have trouble pulling in the clients - and can't boil an egg!

That wouldn't be really fair as the point of the show is to find business partners and not just a chef?

KennyVader

16-10-2008, 20:00

Deadly dull episode tonight I thought. Seems like Raymond forgot the name of the show ... "the cookbook" should be the "xtra faxtor" type spin-off show on BBC3 that only the hardcore turn over to watch, not the main event.

Not fussed that Nel's is closed though. I thought her bloke was good at looking after the punters, but she was nothing special at all, in fact she was miserable half the time.

Richie

16-10-2008, 20:07

Deadly dull? I thought it was fantastic tonight! So much comedy! :D
Right decision too. Yay sour faced smug Nel is gone!

loujareth

16-10-2008, 22:53

Trying to watch this on iplayer but its not there :(

MrC

17-10-2008, 06:51

Zut Alors! How can a cookbook with recipies you can't follow and full of spelin ewors be declared the winner?!!

The 'closet gays' have now become the 'Ferrari' of the competition. Unless they start serving dog xxxx sandwiches they can't lose!

I expect the 'Tearful Soul' to implode and depart by next week.

Very entertaining :thumbs:

cjanderson

17-10-2008, 06:59

well i assume correcting the spelling mistakes would be a very easy fix, its hardly a critisism on their cooking is it?

giving people 11 hours to do anything is always a recipie (ho ho) for lack of time to proof read.

its a hard one to call, soul comfort seems the likely winners if she can stop crying and True Provenance don't seem to do much wrong. But the mates (apparently James gf's dad posts on digispy in the rest thread there) seem to be the best chef but he's not got someone with him who is as passionate about it all as he is.

arma_uk

17-10-2008, 11:17

i don't think cheerfoul soul will win, i still reckon it'll be true provenance.

raymond doesn't like the "tearful soul", and he picked up that she's not passionate about food with their cookbook - no mention of food on the cover, (apparently) little mention of food in the pitch. she's weak and can't take criticism.

closet boys - well, if they win it then it'll be a travesty of the whole series. sure, he's a good chef but as a team they're useless. they do seem to respond to the criticism though and have, throughout the series, improved slightly when they've been told they need to step it up a gear. however, it's about the team, not the chef, so in fairness they shouldn't win. otherwise why not call the whole thing "masterchef"?

true provenance. they have a good/strong concept, one that RB would feel strong about (IMHO). they work as a proper team, with chef man supporting wifey up front when needed. communication also seems good. their only problem has been lack of custom, which if i remember when mentioned by the narrator was put down to their poor location. chef man also did very well in last night's task on the demo, and they brought in a high percentage of bookings from the flyers.

Wendell Armbruster

17-10-2008, 11:29

I started off thinking the Cheerful Souls would win but now I've come to loath their self-centredness, their belief that they offer life solutions as well as food, their egos that allows them to put themselves on the cover of their book (Blanc really blanched at that). I also hate her hair and her grinding Janet Street-Porter accent.

The gays (sorry, the guys) are looking distressingly like winners now, if only Alastair could spell and behave less like Ricky Gervais, and they might give True Provs a run for their milk-fed, free-range Brentford smugs.

I'm upset that La Willingham and that creepy David don't have more to do.

Mr Majestik

17-10-2008, 11:59

I've got my money on True Providence. Noticed how Raymond went to help in the kitchen the other night and just sat there grumpy for the other restraunts.

downhillbiker

18-10-2008, 02:27

I liked tonight's show! It had photography in it...

Nel's closing was the right call - their parting shot summed it up for me (having a poke at the others saying they're not restaurateurs, and that chefs are replaceable... bit rich considering she's a useless chef, and they both seem like pretentious ******* with delusions of grandeur). Their photographs were an exercise in turd polishing, from the ugly food to the garish props, and the result was a hideous rag of a cookbook - the way they were short with the graphic designer ****** me off too.

The Gallery had the best photos by miles, largely because the chef's food is pristine, the props his chum with the dodgy ticker chose also helped a lot. Shame he can't spell. It's never the full package with them, the chef looks more fed up every week. Be interesting to see if they **** up yet again in the normal task, but I reckon they could win now.

Cheerful Soul... photos looked nice, but really, the cover looked like something you'd produce after teaching yourself MS Publisher from a magazine. Horrific - and there were no photos of food on the cover (the ones inside looked great!). She is such a wet fart too - cried again, for no reason really.

What was the point having True Provenance there at the end? Just to look smug? They bore the hell out of me.

downhillbiker

18-10-2008, 02:28

beaky

23-10-2008, 07:08

Well I'm not surprised there are no comments - that was a pretty pointless episode :lol:

TP were crazy. They were warned, they ignored it. To serve boiled...sorry, sautéd cabbage was :cuckoo:

martinb

23-10-2008, 07:54

seemed a bit mean to throw True Provenence a group of 10 vegetarians/vegans whilst the others only had a single customer to cater for.

cedge

23-10-2008, 07:58

That's not quite right........TCS had a table with 3 seliacs(sp?) and The Gallery had a young seliac (sp?) plus a table of fine dining critics!

Not sure whether I saw any of their previously disatisfied customers eating though.....

beaky

23-10-2008, 07:58

seemed a bit mean to throw True Provenence a group of 10 vegetarians/vegans whilst the others only had a single customer to cater for.

Vegetarians are pretty easy to cater for - the vegans are a bit more difficult, but there were only two and they were warned in the email.

The Gallery had a table of food critics and also a coeliac. The Cheerful Soul had a coeliac IIRC, so they had the easiest job.

cedge

23-10-2008, 07:59

seemed a bit mean to throw True Provenence a group of 10 vegetarians/vegans whilst the others only had a single customer to cater for.

TBH, TP had 4 hours to come up with a special vegan/vegetarian option and just didn't bother. They didn't need to come up with a full menu, just one starter, main, desert would of sufficed rather than just cabbage!

Wendell Armbruster

23-10-2008, 12:43

Frankly, if I were cooking at Smugs, Brentford, and suddenly got a table of veggies and vegans, courtesy of M. Blanc, I would have politely shown them the door and I would also hope Blanc would have seen the sense in that. After all, if you are a proper restaurant serving lammikins and piglets, you need proper notice if you are to properly serve humanoid ruminants. I've sometimes been asked when booking by phone if I have any allergies or dietary requirements and that should become the norm. I think that group of faddies and fakirs should have gone to a proper veggie restaurant. I know this was a devilish test by Blanc but throwing that lot out and saying, "Bugger off to parsnip heaven you lot, I've got a restaurant to run," would have been the sensible course of action.

Richie

23-10-2008, 15:03

Not if they wanted to stay in business it's not! :nuts:

But I do agree, what kind of vegan would go to that restaurant anyway? Just stupid.

It was a bit of a pointless episode really, just designed to drag it out this week.

cjanderson

23-10-2008, 20:20

why would 10 veggies go to a big meat eating restaurant :nuts:

i cried at end of tonights, was sorry for the lady of the couple. And James crying was sweet :D

So annoying couple or the boys? i reckon the boys.

Richie

23-10-2008, 20:32

i cried at end of tonightsme too! :suspect:

bosque

23-10-2008, 22:09

i cried at end of tonights, was sorry for the lady of the couple. And James crying was sweet :D

At least she gets to see her little boy again, when he arrived at their cafe last night he looked as though he'd never expected to see his mum and dad ever again !

Wendell Armbruster

24-10-2008, 06:58

Next week's show is aboard the Orient Express train. "I've managed to get you the best," boasted Raymond in the trailer last night. I think it is my public duty to point out that Raymond's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons is actually owned by Orient-Express Hotels. Funny that. I thought advertising wasn't allowed on the BBC. Still a great show, though.

avid fan

24-10-2008, 06:58

MrC

24-10-2008, 07:54

I initially quite liked the bald bloke - but as the series went on his sycophancy towards Raymond Blanc seemed to get more and more evident.

His comment last night that their time in the garden was 'magical' :gag:was the last straw and I was glad in the end to see him go (although I thought the sickly sweet couple would be the ones).

Closet gays to win. They make me smile :thumbs::thumbs:

'Baldy' forgot the oldest trick in the book; when asked by 'Raymuund' whether 'onestlee' he would make a good business partner he should have lied like a good un :cuckoo: Thought wifey was gonna lynch him.

'Ferrari' boys all the way for me. Or should that be 'Fehwawi'.......

BTW The wife wants me to state, quite controversially I may add, that they were always going to win as there's no female to worry about going on maternity leave :suspect:

beaky

24-10-2008, 08:41

TP chef shot himself in the foot when he answered 'no'. But it seemed he'd lost all his motivation and confidence towards the end.

I like the two lads and want to see them win. They make me giggle. Alistair is so much like David Brent it's not funny :D

cjanderson

24-10-2008, 10:43

suppose the final would have no drama with the happy couple AND the baldy couple as both are nice, okay, pleasant people, with the blokes being fairly competent and the baldy wife being a better host.

But now we have more of a dramatic final - the safe choice of the happy couple or the wildcard of the 2 blokes (fab cook, slightly less good FoH)

loujareth

24-10-2008, 11:55

Think the boys have really improved through the series, didn't like them at first but they are trying so hard. I also feel they are running a week behind everyone else because of the closure they had on the first night opening.

I was surprised at TP man's honesty and my hubby said, there might be a few people along the way in his 15 year career who he may have sacked and are glad to see his downfall.

Have enjoyed this series more than the first, will miss it.

Richie

24-10-2008, 13:09

Whatsherface (the business woman who helps Raymond) obviously likes The Gallery guys a lot and they have improved in leaps and bounds over the series. As she said they are like a blank canvas and could be great. I don't mind who wins as I think the final is actually between the two best couples.

cjanderson

24-10-2008, 13:24

Think the boys have really improved through the series, didn't like them at first but they are trying so hard. I also feel they are running a week behind everyone else because of the closure they had on the first night opening.

they have also had a heart attack of a parent to cope with and a possible heart problem with the other one. not sure anyone else has had such issues?

themightyboosh

24-10-2008, 13:56

Closet gays to win. They make me smile :thumbs::thumbs:

LOL the non-gays as the wife and I call them. I think they make a lovely couple.

Described as schoolboy friends the other day, I misheard it as school boyfriends... freudian

Maybe they'll finally elope when they win :)

And that nicey nicey woman looks like she might crack at any moment and quite possibly go on a kill crazy rampage

steford

24-10-2008, 14:12

LOL the non-gays as the wife and I call them. I think they make a lovely couple.

Described as schoolboy friends the other day, I misheard it as school boyfriends... freudian

Maybe they'll finally elope when they win :)

And that nicey nicey woman looks like she might crack at any moment and quite possibly go on a kill crazy rampage

Her husband too if he could drum up the energy and enthusiasm.

The burger flipping bloke with the ears had become a complete arse I thought. Using the word "magical" was laughable as mentioned above.

why would 10 veggies go to a big meat eating restaurant :nuts:

Very true. I would never go in somewhere and expect them to do me something. I'd have probably taken 1 look at their menu and decided against it. As burger flipping ears bloke said he did the best he could for the vegans as he had absolutely nothing in stock - despite spending 92% of his budget on food!!

George vader

25-10-2008, 07:48

Acccording to a friend of mine the winners run Blancs new restaurant at Cabot Circus in Bristol, and yes the idiot did blab out who the winners were :mad:

downhillbiker

26-10-2008, 23:58

Thought that was the right call - big ears really failed a lot over the two episodes, while I felt the Gallery did pretty well. Cheerful Soul are really doing my head in now, the chef seems wet, and his wife annoys the living **** out of me - she ALWAYS tries to deflect blame (on Thursday, the service problems were the waiters' fault, for example).

I would hope and expect that the Gallery Boys win it, I still can't see Blanc going into business with the woman from Cheerful Soul.

douglasb

27-10-2008, 10:02

KennyVader

27-10-2008, 12:14

themightyboosh

28-10-2008, 12:28

No don't be fooled! I've been playing that game for a few weeks and last episode he closed the restaurant of the people sat to his left even though on the preview trailer he was most definitely looking to his right!

CRB

28-10-2008, 12:30

The editing on this program is very well done so I'm sure they've thought of that before, I had thought of that possibility too.

It's interesting to see how the program is put together, you can get an idea of this from Michell & Russell's own blog on the making of the series.

downhillbiker

28-10-2008, 23:23

The photography direction is very well done... really makes the whole series feel considerably less **** than other reality shows.

The way Blanc looks in the trailer is definitely not the same as when he looks in the actual "I'm closing your restaurant" bit, I remember thinking it was nice that it didn't do that. I've been trying to remember if it's actually just the same bit of film they play in every trailer, but forget to look.

Mr Majestik

29-10-2008, 08:40

What i want to know is... How come it's always sunny? I seem to remember this summer being a complete wash out but it's sunny every day on this show.

douglasb

29-10-2008, 08:42

It is all filmed in a studio. And everyone is just acting. It's TV's latest scam to make shows more 'interesting'.

deanos

29-10-2008, 08:48

Am I the only person who noticed that the editing of the trailer for the finals gave away the result?

It's all to do with where the two couples are sitting and what way Raymond looks when he says "And I am going to opan a restaurant wiz ... you."

"When do the winners know they have won?

Because there is a gap between the end of filming and the transmission of the programme, it is important that the winners' identity is kept secret. For that reason two endings are filmed. Raymond Blanc writes down the name of the couple he has chosen to win. That document is lodged with an independent law firm. Raymond's decision is revealed to the finalists just before transmission of the final programme
"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/restaurant/about/

Richie

29-10-2008, 20:01

That was an annoyingly sudden ending.

KennyVader

29-10-2008, 20:03

Yeah, I was shocked at how it just ended, no closing words from Raymond or anything.

Boooooooooo at the decision.

MaxNutter

29-10-2008, 20:05

shocker! felt sure it was going to go the other way ...

cjanderson

29-10-2008, 20:54

suppose neither couple could give a good reaction as they filmed it both ways. The winners at the end, that was clearly a few months later (maybe the last few days)

disappointed by the decision, why go for boring and safe over exciting.

CRB

29-10-2008, 22:57

Yep was a very quick and sudden ending, very poor (non) wrap-up. That said, have enjoyed the series immensely.

"why go for a boring and safe over exciting" ? Because that's business, and no business would purposely take such a risk.

downhillbiker

29-10-2008, 23:21

Really, really rubbish ending in my opinion. Raymond wanted them to go all out, and the Cheerful Soul chef goes for cold buffet? His wife's front of house is dire too, and she comes across as intensely ditzy and annoying - they're both as wet as the ******* ocean too.

I still have no idea what the point of the Cheerful Soul was?

cedge

30-10-2008, 06:34

Very poor ending/choice. So to win you just have to play it safe, don't work as a team or support the other member of your team.

Very Surprised that the chaps didn't win as apart from a couple of mistakes which can be improved on they put in a great effort of trying to raise the bar for the occassion, to entertain the people, offer a diverse selection of cheese and drinks whilst working together and supporting each other and almost pull off an exciting menu. :shrug:

CRB

30-10-2008, 07:19

Acccording to a friend of mine the winners run Blancs new restaurant at Cabot Circus in Bristol, and yes the idiot did blab out who the winners were :mad:

Is this true ? Hasn't it just opened ?

bosque

30-10-2008, 07:52

The last programme was edited to make you assume The Gallery would win. We never did hear why Raymond Blanc thought the other lot were the better bet to go into business with, and she looks as though she hates the Frenchmen as well. No red wine ?!?

deanos

30-10-2008, 08:10

They are on breakfast telly now

MrC

30-10-2008, 09:11

Gutted. Can't believe it. 'De boys' were groomed for a beautiful french marriage with Blanc, only to be dumped at the altar.

Cheerful Souls :lol::lol:

They both had faces, to coin a phrase "like a bulldog licking xxxx of a nettle"

Much better series than last year, due to better contestant selection and comment editing.

Message to BBC; can we please have 'Deliverance man' on Masterchef? :clap:

CRB

30-10-2008, 09:22

BTW The wife wants me to state, quite controversially I may add, that they were always going to win as there's no female to worry about going on maternity leave :suspect:

Ce n'est pas vrai !

Wendell Armbruster

30-10-2008, 09:33

I also felt the ending was a little strange, the victim perhaps of the losers skulking off into a hissy fit somewhere on the M40. I did think Blanc chose within his comfort zone - ie, a man and a woman, not a rather strange all-male duo.

On a previous post, I mentioned the fact that Orient Express own the majority share in Blanc's hotel-restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. This last episode, set aboard the Orient Express train, was a blatant piece of advertising that the BBC should be ashamed of. Then I noticed the name of the producer of The Restaurant - Mandy Sherwood. Now, this might be coincidence but Orient Express hotels was founded and owned by James Sherwood. I think we should learn more about this.

loujareth

30-10-2008, 12:21

Did some tv research the other week, asking me questions about what I would change for the next series so I thnk theres def going to be another.

KennyVader

30-10-2008, 13:51

I also felt the ending was a little strange, the victim perhaps of the losers skulking off into a hissy fit somewhere on the M40. I did think Blanc chose within his comfort zone - ie, a man and a woman, not a rather strange all-male duo.

You're probably right ... the boys probably went off on one when they found out, or maybe they've stopped being friends between the train ride being filmed and the winner being announced, so they couldn't get them on camera.

Still would have liked Raymond to say a few words about why he chose the safe couple (despite the bloke's dodgy shirt/jumper when back at Raymond's kitchen table).

On a previous post, I mentioned the fact that Orient Express own the majority share in Blanc's hotel-restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. This last episode, set aboard the Orient Express train, was a blatant piece of advertising that the BBC should be ashamed of. Then I noticed the name of the producer of The Restaurant - Mandy Sherwood. Now, this might be coincidence but Orient Express hotels was founded and owned by James Sherwood. I think we should learn more about this.

Welcome to TV world. It's all dodgy deals like that, who you know not what you know, etc.

arma_uk

30-10-2008, 16:18

it was a surprise result for me & mrs arma.

it looked all along like closet boys were favoured by RB, and they did pick up the baton and run with it when challenged. cheerful souls played safe, although the sorbet was a bit of a risk, and despite still - adamantly - refusing to accept that they made a bad decision with the wine (what if you don't like white?), they were still picked.

i assume that it came down to the fact that closet chef couldn't cook down to a price, whereas the other one could. however, with mrs cheerful always on the defensive and stubborn about their ideas / decisions, i can't see it being a happy partnership for long. i still have visions of that godawful cookbook they did - i'm amazed that they won.

right, time to read back through this thread and see where i tipped them to win (although i'm sure i also tipped the gallery and true provenance!)

edit:
lol!!! in fact i never tipped cheerful soul to win. i even said if the gallery won that it would be a travesty!
i don't think cheerfoul soul will win, i still reckon it'll be true provenance.
i think the "happy" people won't - people go to a restaurant to eat, they don't to be cheered up. do they?....

shows how much i know!! :D

tipicus

30-10-2008, 16:42

I was a bit surprised that Russell and Crystal Tips won it but then again looking back across the entire series they did come across as the most consistent of the teams which counts for a lot. Just a shame they were so horribly twee with it, I certainly wouldn't choose to eat at their restaurant.

Turns out that Blanc is giving the boys three months' training at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons to help them brush up their skills and I think with a bit of discipline under their belts they'll do well.

alsemail

30-10-2008, 17:34

I thought "the boys" as a duo were hopeless. The chef could cook but the other guy was disorganised and generally useless. Their lack of communication for a team was also shocking.
If it was my money I'd have chucked the whole idea as I wouldn't want any of them running a place on my tab.