Új ételek, új éttermek

Simple a reality TV concept connecting Dragon's Den (investors looking for a project) with Hell's Kitchen (a behind-the-scenes look at the management of a wannabe restaurant). The first season makes the mistake of having a repetitive format, there is a minor focus on the business side of the required investment (ROI, financial analysis, salaries, locations, rentals, etc.) and too much space for a (however nice) host at the expense of the restaurant owners and investors. Also, the concepts are confusing and conflict with each other, while some prospects are asking just for “a few pennies“ to move from a successful food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant and possibly launch a franchise, while others are after a “Michelin" restaurant. Both concepts require a completely different approach, different investors, different skills. The first series is supported mainly by the participants themselves. The second series kept only the basic idea, but otherwise changed almost everything: format, course, selection, stress tests, simply everything. Suddenly, it's one class better and more interesting, because in each episode, one fine-dining concept runs independently of another, where a chefs with experience from top restaurants mostly try to stand on their own feet, and one of them tries to move up from his food truck. The former can cook, but struggle with running a restaurant, the behind-the-scenes work beyond cooking and with numbers. The others generally already have experience with how it works with suppliers, the financial side, etc. But without exception, they are surprised that just taking the few meals from the food truck into the restaurant and raising the price of a burger is not enough, as they also have to rely on their team and have to make money from drinks, and that it is not possible to handle one order after another like in a food truck, etc. I could still imagine slightly more space for torturing them with numbers, but at the end of the day, everything comes down to the dreams and ambitions of the contenders rather than about peeking under the cover of the investor's side of things. Unfortunately, we need to do some research on Google to find out whether the investment deal was a success or not. The good thing is that you will know where to go on your next visit to London. | S1: 3/5 | S2: 4/5 | (2019.10.30)