The Restaurant: Season 3 (2007)

In the show Raymond Blanc puts nine couples through their paces to see if they have what it takes to run their own restaurant. More than 1,000 new restaurants open every year in Britain; unfortunately, approximately 50% close within two years.

The Restaurant features couples, some of whom have little or no experience other than cooking at home and throwing dinner parties, but whose dream is to run their own eatery. They have to create their perfect restaurant and then open the doors to the paying public. Their first crucial decision – who will take on the kitchen and who is best equipped to run the front of house?

It's a dream that many couples have entertained. Secretly perhaps we all think we could run a restaurant. It's so simple. Lots of us can cook. We have all been to restaurants. We all think we know what people like to eat. If only we had the money and the opportunity. For one couple this programme will realise that dream.

During the eight-week series every decision, every mistake the couples make, every argument they have, will be caught on camera. They are working and living together 24-hours a day, under enormous pressure. Each of the nine couples takes over an empty restaurant, makes it their own and will open their doors to the paying public.

Every week each restaurant is visited by Raymond's panel of "inspectors" – restaurant industry experts Lee Cash, Sarah Willingham and John Lederer. Raymond will then select the three restaurants he judges to be the worst performing and they will be given a tough specific challenge. They must prove in this challenge that they are good enough to stay open.

Each week, one of the restaurants will be eliminated from the competition by Raymond, acting as judge and advised by his panel. The restaurant that fails the challenge will have its doors shut. Raymond's decision is the one that counts. By the end of the series just one couple and one restaurant will be left.

The winning couple will be given the opportunity to set up a brand new restaurant, financially backed and personally supported by Raymond Blanc.


Seen it: Yes 60 min. 29/10/2009 1. The Pitch
	Raymond Blanc is on the hunt for a couple to back in a brand new restaurant venture.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 5/11/2009 2. The Chain
	The seven couples left in the competition must run three leading chain restaurants.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 12/11/2009 3. Opening Night
	Six couples attempt to show their restaurant concepts work on opening night.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 19/11/2009 4. The Seasonal Ingredient
	The five remaining couples must use local produce to prepare dishes for a farmers market.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 26/11/2009 5. The Cake
	The four remaining couples must serve afternoon tea at a dance with over 100 attendees.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 3/12/2009 6. The Singles
	The couples must create a romantic takeaway dinner for two and cater a singles night.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 10/12/2009 7. The Demo
	It is the semi-finals, and Raymond Blanc heaps on the pressure in order to choose two couples to compete in the final. Firstly the three remaining couples hold a cookery masterclass in their restaurants. This doesn't go well for JJ and James, who don't attract a single student. Then the couples deliver what they believe is their final service in front of Raymond. Just when they think it is results time, Raymond delivers an extra challenge - one which ends in tears and the closure of a restaurant.
Seen it: Yes 60 min. 17/12/2009 8. The Banquet
	It's the final. Raymond Blanc and his two investors Sarah Willingham and David Moore must decide which of the remaining two couples will become their new business partners - but first a huge challenge lies ahead. After masterclasses in fine dining and service, the couples must serve up a prestigious banquet for Lord and Lady Arran at their stately home in Devonshire. Raymond, Sarah and David are there to watch the proceedings, and to finally decide who will win the opportunity of a lifetime.

	Noah Huntley	Self - Narrator
	Raymond Blanc	Self
	Sarah Willingham	Self - Restaurant Inspector
	David Moore	Self - Restaurant Inspector