Ep 2. Holiday: Impossible

Holiday season for restaurants is prime time; a period of excessive sales. However, some poorly managed diners can hardly get back on their feet after the season. In season 10 episode 2 of Restaurant: Impossible, Robert Irvine sets out to transform an Indian restaurant straddling on the brink of closure due to its disorganized management and bland cuisine.

Holiday: Impossible introduces Dhaba Kitchen, a restaurant bearing an unusual name that comes with a fascinating story. The owners, Sarah and Imran, an interracial couple, run the restaurant on their own. However, their lack of experience in the hospitality business is reflective in the unsatisfactory meals served to patrons. The couple, who have since divested all their resources into the restaurant, face losing their second investment after a previously failed business.

The situation at Dhaba Kitchen is worsened, having attained the negative attention of critics and online reviewers, who claim the food is overpriced and lacks the authentic Indian taste. The restaurant additionally suffers from organizational problems, lack of communication, and cluttered premises. The kitchen is small and unkempt, with the menu not consistent with the ambiance.

As the holiday season approaches, Dhaba Kitchen hopes to save its name, reputation, and business. Robert arrives at the restaurant with Chef Rohan, a professional chef and consultant. Rohan is an expert in Indian cuisine and is tasked with revamping the menu. They also call in an expediter, Elizabeth, to smoothen communication between the kitchen and serving staff.

Robert finds the premises disorganized, with cluttered storage and mixed supplies of food and utensils. He takes a tour of the kitchen and identifies problems relating to poor layout and unsafe storage of food. Robert also learns that Sarah and Imran have trouble managing the personnel, with a reliance on untrained staff who often ignore their commands.

To fix the situation, Robert leads a team of designers and builders to rework the interior décor. The dining areas receive customized seating- from booths to private tables- giving clients a cosmopolitan ambiance. The kitchen space is expanded, and a strategic plan is made to handle various cooking methods. Rohan introduces several recipes, incorporating the traditional Indian taste and feels they are appetizing. They also incorporate dishes that cater to diners with allergies and dietary restrictions.

During the holiday period, Dhaba Kitchen is bustling with activity. Staff remain focused, and the chefs prepare tasty meals in the kitchen. Rohan trains Imran and Sarah on how to manage their business effectively. The pair learn precious lessons on leadership and supervisory skills, with a remarkable transformation from uninformed managers to competent ones.

On the day of the opening, Dhaba Kitchen's clientele arrives, mixing and mingling as they await the newly recommended meals. The food does not disappoint, and customers applaud the restaurant's progress. Surprised and overjoyed, Sarah and Imran express their gratitude towards Robert and the team. They receive honest feedback from customers, who commend the new menu's authenticity and flavors, with patrons satisfied with portion sizes and pricing.

In conclusion, Holiday: Impossible is an episode that shows how a failing business can be turned around with the right help and dedication. Robert Irvine's intervention helped Dhaba Kitchen regain its reputation and hopefully, restore and grow the business even after the holidays.