661751 Fri Oct 23 11:08:47 -0700 2009 18 33 Food Media and News 0 5125557 New series starts on BBC next week. Similar format to the previous two. Fri Oct 23 11:08:47 -0700 2009 154102 Harters 1 5127404 Thanks, Harters. Assume we in the U.S. will have to wait a little longer for it. BTW, do you know if the winners of season 2 ever opened a restaurant with the host? Sat Oct 24 08:55:20 -0700 2009 5125557 52642 intuitive eggplant 2 5127545 Yep. Opened in the summer: http://www.hub-uk.com/interesting03/the-restaurant-winners.htm Looking at the map, I see I pass nearby on my infrequent trips to the south east so may be able to pop in for lunch if the time is right. Sat Oct 24 10:13:16 -0700 2009 5127404 154102 Harters 1 5127607 I enjoy watching the series, but the ultimate point does not seem that successful, so far. The couple from the first season gave up their restaurant after a few months. The second season winners were delayed in starting their restaurant due to the bad economy. Kind of like Next Food Network Star. Not many "stars" are created. Sat Oct 24 10:48:33 -0700 2009 5125557 126101 Antilope 1 5129467 I enjoy this show and look forward to its return on BBC-America, unfortunately it doesn't come until the Spring. Sun Oct 25 11:12:59 -0700 2009 5125557 15357 Justpaula 2 5183638 I hope someone lets us know when it starts. I don't watch much BBC america, but loved that show last season. I did crack me up (as an american) that they felt the need to subtitle Raymond Blanc often, while leaving the Brits unsubtitled. This, of course, makes sense in the UK, but here, I found RB *much* easier to understand than a few of the contestants (loved the woman who kept pronouncing it Sir Walter Reilly). Sun Nov 15 13:59:08 -0800 2009 5129467 56762 LulusMom 3 5183746 Interesting that they subtitle RB for you - they don't here. But then he speaks much better English than I do French. I recall a thread discussing the first series when a number of Americans had difficulty understanding some of our regional accents. But then, when I visit the US, I'm often asked if I'm from New Zealand. And, no, my accent is nothing like the Kiwi one. I think we probably struggle less with American accents as there's so many on TV imports and film. Sun Nov 15 14:42:49 -0800 2009 5183638 154102 Harters 4 5184047 I like to think I understand most British accents (my first MIL was from Southampton, my current in-laws from Scotland - lord knows where the next batch will be from - kidding!). I've been to visit many times, but there were some accents on that particular series I found I couldn't follow. Never had a problem with RB. But VERY odd that they don't subtitle him for you but do for us. Now, I can see confusing an Aussie accent with a Kiwi accent, but never a Brit with a Kiwi. I think some americans just think anything from the empire sounds the same (therefore V. Beckham sounds like Prince C). Sun Nov 15 17:07:42 -0800 2009 5183746 56762 LulusMom 1 5141115 So are they changing the format this season so that they don't get their own restaurants? I was surprised that Raymond didn't cut the team that just layed out some bad smoked salmon like he did last season with the team that just mixed mango puree with cream. Thu Oct 29 14:04:14 -0700 2009 5125557 214010 gyc 2 5141168 Well, he was right to cut the ones trying to open a tin with a knife. And, yes, I'm surprised he didnt also cut the smoked salmon couple . But then, mum & son had no clue about the concept of their restaurant - for heaven's sake, they have weeks if not months to prepare from when they first apply to when they actually start filming. And it does look as if they may be changing the format. Next week seems to have them all cooking at chain restaurants. Had to admire the bottle of the hospital chef if cooking Raymond's signature choccie fondant - even if he did overcook it. But arent there some absolutely useless cooks! I mean - absolutely useless. Thu Oct 29 14:21:36 -0700 2009 5141115 154102 Harters 1 5162886 Ahha. On to the restaurants. Thought this weeks challenge of working in a chain restaurant was good and certainly showed up those for whom there is probably no glimmer of hope. Nice to see local mini-chain, Tampopo, feature alongside the big players (Mrs H vaguely knows the company's founder as they both used to work for the same employer). Sat Nov 07 04:54:34 -0800 2009 5125557 154102 Harters 2 5164543 The episode was certainly very interesting, and a good way to judge how the contestants would handle the pressure of running their own restaurants. I would say that the pairs that were assigned to the Asian stir-fry chain, especially the bartending duo, drew the short end of the stick. Wok frying technique, especially being able to handle the high heat from the special wok burners, definitely takes some practice, and seemed much harder than making pizzas or rolling sushi. I was very impressed that the other chef was able to handle it with such ease, although it might've been expected since he's one of the few contestants that actually has professional kitchen experience. I will be looking forward to the next episode since we'll actually be able to see how each of the groups handle their own restaurants. Sun Nov 08 00:02:17 -0800 2009 5162886 214010 gyc 1 5178064 I like the new format, dispensing with the "challenge". I always thought that was just stringing things out for the sake of another programme. This is much tighter. As for last night, another obvious decision. The two girls were pretty clueless - as all three judges had pointed out, they had a concept that was all but impossible to make work. Of course, it's possible (and very desirable, IMO) for a place to try to source locally raised produce - but you simply cannot do it if you want ALL local produce. But, even worse was their delivery. OK, it was a problem having the oven break so they couldnt take cooked food out as samples. But then when they decided to have the goats cheese crostini thingy, they use French not local goats cheese - unbelievable that they couldnt source something local in a city as large as Bristol. And then chaos when it came to the evening service. Next week, it has to be the two bar guys. Useless. Just bloody useless. Fri Nov 13 04:51:58 -0800 2009 5125557 154102 Harters 1 5178537 I watched the first 2 seasons recently and enjoyed them. I will have to start watching season 3 before I read the rest of this thread. I figured it was a typical "Reality" show outcome like the "Apprentice" in the USA where the winner doesn't really work for Trump....most of the time... Fri Nov 13 08:05:29 -0800 2009 5125557 41782 ylsf 1 5197922 I suspect there were at least two couples breathing a deep sigh of relief this week. The two bar guys continued to be useless, as did the two women doing "westernised Nigerian" food. Both saved by the two soldiers deciding they didnt want to continue, so Raymond's decision was made for him. But you'd really have to say that, amongst all of them, there really isnt a restaurant you'd want to go and eat in. And, more to the point, there certainly isnt one you think of investing in. I'd thought the "Rags to Riches" guys would probably go all the way and, whilst the food is good, the front of house guy is such an unpleasant shit, I'll not be surprised if a customer doesnt give him a Glasgow Kiss or similar. Sat Nov 21 04:27:34 -0800 2009 5125557 154102 Harters 1 5209998 The sheer dismalness of this continues. Not only would you never even consider investing in any of these couples, you'd never consider eating in any of their restauants. Unless: 1) you were pissed out of your head and 2) it was for a large bet. And, even then, if it was me, I'd never be able to tell you, so you didnt lose respect for me. But out of this awfulness, an oil slick of something truly crap rose to the surface. The "westernised Nigerian" decided to to put on a fairly standard Brit BBQ - steak, sausages and the like. Concept completely lost. And for their "special guests" (a rugby team) they did, as requested, a carb. free meal. That's carb free as in WITH pasta, potato salad and loads of bread. Thu Nov 26 13:23:08 -0800 2009 5125557 154102 Harters 2 5210073 It's a shame about Barney and Badger. It seemed like they had the complete package and they would've been the only couple any sane person would even consider opening a restaurant with. They might as well scrap the series for lack of a single worthy winner. Thu Nov 26 14:32:37 -0800 2009 5209998 214010 gyc 3 5210510 I was really sad that those two had to go :( I like the Front Room couple, but they seem not to be able to handle the pressure. Thu Nov 26 22:45:19 -0800 2009 5210073 112034 spellweaver16 4 5210599 It's got to be between "Rags to Riches" and the "Front Room". Hasn't it? At least both chefs appear to be able to cook reasonably well. It's FoH that lets them down. But I agree about Barney & Badger. Badger was everything you expect from the owner of a good local place - from the warm welcome when you arrive to the handshake when you leave. Fri Nov 27 03:30:27 -0800 2009 5210510 154102 Harters