Raymond Blanc = Senile Dementia

[myfishy]

Since when has a world renowned chef with numerous michelin stars had to resort to recipe cards

All geared for his money cows to win

[Minnie]

He has lost a lot of credibility by giving his name to that abomination

[Geordielad]

Like countless thousands of others who have followed this series, I am shocked and outraged at the outcome.......we have been conned into watching this believing it was a COOKING competition!!! As each week passed with the 2 fops (like extras from Brideshead Revisted) going through, it became apparant that they were there only for entertainment value....surely they couldn't win?  :drama:The Apprentice has a similar format; but at least the winner has to be able to make a profit.... or keep a lid on costs which is necessary in a successful viable business....but the 2 barmen who couldn't cook couldn't even manage that Week after week, the non-chef ordered in food., why wasn't this picked up on?  Chris used the produce from the garden in the final but daft lad bought in the veg and herbs!!! The Apprentice also asks "experts and observers" their opinions, why wasn't the sous chef asked to contribute his observations?As this was filmed during the summer, I wonder if anyone knows if their wonderful summer picnic concept themed restaurant is thriving in the midst of winter, or has it already been closed down? Maybe Sarah is too busy on maternity leave to be keeping an eye on costs, so they are flying by the seats of their pants STILL. There will be professional chefs out there who will be appalled at the mockery this series has made of their profession. If these 2 wanted to run a bar then they should have gone down  that route. We won't be watching IF another series is commisioned. JOKE.

[jedidjahjulia]

I've not watched it after last week as I thought the final was a jokle already, but from the comments here I gather that the worst couple eventually won. I never wanted either to win, but at least Chris was a good cook - it was his front of house that was horrible, but eventually in my opinion this is a cookery show and qhat mattewrs most is the food. But I guess I was wrong. I am sincerly glad I haven't wasted an hour of my evening watching this.
What was Raymond Blanc thinking, this is not good for his credibility. I'm in Bristol in february and am looking forward to going to this restaurant (if it's there) and being rude! 

[Minnie]

^^ Welcome to the forum Geordielad

[Bickley Chef]

I await the press release from Raymond explaining his decision.
 
The concept of the winning restaurant was lacking in feasibility. The chef JJ was not even capable of understanding the skill and knowledge to succeed in the industry and should not of even been put forward for the show (like about 6 other couples).

What was even more concerning was the way in which the TV producers pushed the rare and totally underdone beef by JJ, who put it in late and took it out early and just carved without checking or resting. Sarah was a total plonker on this.

What this show has managed to do is to self destruct and bring ridicule upon Raymond and his partners. The restaurant will not succeed with the couple but like past winners will be buoyed up from external professionals who will push the business forward until they decide to let them go.

The format was good in series one however this series has been a complete waste of air time with the subsequent result.

I feel sorry for Chris and was amazed at how he kept calm on being told the result. Unfortunately he didn't stand a chance as both Raymond's partners did not want to work with Nathan and that is the reason why they lost. A series died last night and the reason was down to PPP from the producers and Raymond himself.

[Minnie]

Welcome to the forum Bickley Chef

I don't know whether I am more disappointed, frustrated or plain furious at what they have done to what used to be a brilliant and unmissable show

[Whatever]

It was clearly a decision based around money than anything to do with the ability to cook - I think it is safe to assume that we all know JJ won't be doing anything near a hands on role with any business that invloves cooking.

I'm glad I stuck to my promise and didn't watch the final - I can't help but feel that the decision was made weeks before the final anyway.

It also make me wonder if the simmering down of coverage on the BBC is a direct result of exactly what happended here.

Raymond, Sarah and the other guy have a lot to answer too, and in my opinion they have made a mockery of the entire concept of the show.

Alarm bells rang for me the moment I saw the placement JJ & James were given, it was favourable to say the least, with spacious indoor and outdoor room including a huge kitchen and a sous chef that was prepared to do all the cooking.

Shame on you Raymond and co...

[jedidjahjulia]

It also make me wonder if the simmering down of coverage on the BBC is a direct result of exactly what happended here.

I hadn't thought of it like that but you could be right - maybe the producers felt they could not "sell" this decision so they cut down on coverage and decided to show us the incompetence as they could not cover it up. Then again, decisions on air time are mostof the time made a year ahead so they might as well had decided already to cut the second weekly show.

[azuremartini]

He has lost a lot of credibility by giving his name to that abomination

It would be nice to think so, but how many of Le Manoir's customers watch reality TV?  There will still be enough who see Raymond as a hero to keep him in the style to which he has become accustomed, I think.  Only a newspaper digging for dirt will change this.

Who fixed it for Itchy and Scratchy to be among the contestants, so who was in on it from the start?
Here's my polling options, what do you think?

Sarah
Sarah and Raymond
Sarah, Raymond and David
The above and the freelance production company
The above and the BBC

Personally, I don't think that the last is true.  I think that the BBC people realised what was going on either after the series was in the can, or at least only once it was too late and too costly to do anything about it.  That still raises questions about their quality control process, but I do believe that the Beeb tend to cock things up more than they manipulate them.  I wonder if they, and therefore the licence payers, have been had here.