BBC Two, Wednesdays at 8pm. [1] Website

The second series of this entertaining show is now on its way. It follows the Apprentice in its concepts but instead of our lovable Sir Allan Sugar, feature restaurateur Monsieur Raymond Blanc, the owner of a two Michelin Star restaurant as well as a chain of restaurants around the UK. Participants are couples who are trying to fulfil their dream of running a restaurant and, as is the case in this, in partnership with Raymond. Every week two worst performing couples face a challenge where they compete against each other having the rest of the couples helping them out.

After the first episode, in which Raymond selected the couples to compete for the grand prise, the series now got really started. In the second episode the couples were given their restaurants and they had a week to prepare the premises, train their staff and get everything else  ready for the opening night. The participants are from all walks of life, recruitment consultants to pizzeria supervisors and from married couples to father and daughter.

When you follow the couples, you can’t but wonder sometimes whether they really want to run a restaurant or just play restaurateur in a playground. Many, or most, of them clearly haven’t done their homework at all. From the couple opening a restaurant promoting provenance and not being able to tell the origin of their food to father and daughter couple who were clever enough to get their opening night customers’ orders in advance and not knowing who had ordered what, or where they were sitting, on the night.

The only couple who appeared to be competent enough to actually run a restaurant weren’t able to open at all after a gas leak was detected only few hours before the grand opening. It will be interesting to see whether they will be able to perform as well when the customers are in as they are in their preparations.

It’s not too late to get into the series and it is definitely worth watching. Plenty of drama,  tears, joy and laughs ahead waiting for you!