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7 Episodes 1993 - 1993
Episode 1
29 mins
Gareth Blackstock is chef of the prestigious restaurant Le Château Anglais. He is notorious for trying to motivate his personnel by insulting them and making witty remarks. The manager of the Château has a shocking announcement. The budget for the kitchen has to be reduced by 15 percent. He suggests firing one of the commis and tells Blackstock there will be no new sous-chef hired. Angrily Gareth refuses to cooperate and decides to sell his expensive house. To avoid moving, his wife Janice has a idea: hire somebody who will work for free. Then an old classmate suddenly shows up in the restaurant. It's Everton Stonehead and he thinks he has a proposal Gareth can't refuse.
Episode 2
29 mins
Le Château is still making losses and Gareth is offered the option to buy the place. As it was their lifelong dream to have their own restaurant, Janice and Gareth decide to do it. Janice will be manager and taking care of the finances because, he has to admit it, Gareth is no good with money. To finance the place however some sacrifices have to be made; the expensive house and the expensive car got to go and economical principles have to be introduced into the kitchen. Janice and Gareth also have to visit a bank manager for a loan. Janice fears the worst as Gareth absolutely despises banks.
Episode 3
29 mins
Gareth and Janice are in financial trouble. Several people have shown interest in Linden Cottage, but nobody is willing to pay the asking price. They can't accept a lower offer, because all the money is needed to buy Le Chateau. Janice has arranged for Gareth to do an interview with a journalist from the Cotswold Reporter. Janice warns they don't seem to have much interest for the restaurant however. Meanwhile Everton loses a plaster. It could either be in the blanquette de veau, the ravioli or the pies.
Episode 4
29 mins
Albert Roux, the renowned English chef, has announced he will have lunch at Le Chateau and Gareth does everything within his power to ensure Roux will have nothing to complain about. He spends an entire free day perfecting his salmon mousse and takes special care in selecting the finest ingredients. There's one problem, he can't find unpasteurized Stilton anywhere. His cheese seller Sebastian tells him no one makes it anymore and he can't get it anywhere. Further investigation leads Gareth to a farm that still makes the rare cheese. The police however have a rather shocking message for him.
Episode 5
28 mins
Janice wants more publicity for the restaurant and orders Gareth to do some interviews with newspaper journalists on his day off. She has also arranged for Gareth to appear on television in an episode of Kitchens Live. Gareth fears his staff won't be able to work with all the equipment, but Janice ensures it will not be Ben-Hur. In fact, director Kevin tells him they only need a camera, even operated from outside the kitchen. Is England prepared for the way Gareth treats his personnel?
Episode 6
29 mins
Lola brings back a plate of food untouched. After the staff find out there's nothing wrong with it, a black man suddenly barges into the kitchen. He refuses to pay anything. He thinks the food is arty-crafty, too expensive, that the portions are too small and he dislikes the French names on the menu. It's Justin Blackstock, Gareth's estranged father. After a diner at home, he claims Gareth is unable to cook Jamaican food. Although he knows nothing about it, Gareth decides to serve only Caribbean food at Le Chateau next Friday. Everton, an expert in this type of cuisine, thinks this will be his chance to prove himself. Lucinda, Piers and Otto make fun of him.
Episode 7
29 mins
Janice is concerned about the financial situation of Le Chateau. She thinks the kitchen orders are phenomenal. As example she gives him the bill of herb supplier Mrs. Courtenay, who conveniently is just bringing supplies so Gareth can kick her out. Janice also wants the restaurant open at Christmas and she and Gareth start looking for turkeys. She thinks she can do a better job on the price and arranges a blind test. Meanwhile Everton, Lucinda, Piers and Otto think about what they would have done on their day off if it had not been taken away.