FANCY RUNNING YOUR OWN RESTAURANT?
(25 January 2007)

Incredibly there are over 1000 new restaurants that open every year in Britain, more than any other kind of business, unfortunately 900 close within a year. It’s a dream that every couple has entertained. Why? Because secretly we all think we could do it. It’s so simple. Lots of us can cook, we’ve all been to restaurants and we all think we know what people like to eat, if only we had the money and the opportunity. For nine couples that opportunity has arrived. Britain’s most celebrated restaurateur Raymond Blanc is going to give them a chance to make their dream come true.

The Restaurant is a brand new television event for BBC2 in 2007. It will feature nine couples whose dream is to run their own eatery. They have to create their perfect restaurant and then open the doors to the paying public. Every decision, every mistake they make, every argument they have, will be caught on camera. They are working and living together 24 hours a day.

Every week each restaurant is visited by Raymond Blanc's two inspectors. Drawing on their feedback and his own observations, Raymond selects the three poorest performing restaurants and sets them a specific challenge. One of these restaurants will be closed at the end of the week.

After seven weeks just one couple and one restaurant is left open. The winners get a prize that money can not buy - they will go into the restaurant business with Raymond and run their own place.

The show is looking for people who are passionate about food and the catering industry but who perhaps haven't had the opportunity or finances to set up their own restaurant. As for the demographic of the 9 couples, the producers want to accurately represent the UK; regionally, socially, ethnically and through culinary specialities.

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/restaurant for an application form.