Ep 7. Treading Water

In Restaurant: Impossible season 8 episode 7, named Treading Water, Chef Robert Irvine visits a family-owned restaurant in Oklahoma called the Pelican Grill. The restaurant has been open for over a decade, but the family has struggled to keep the business afloat. The restaurant's decor and menu are dated, with dishes that are not attracting customers.

Upon arriving, Chef Irvine meets with the restaurant owners, Troy and Cheryl, who are overwhelmed with the mounting debt and struggle to keep up with day-to-day operations. Their daughter, Kristin, is also a member of the staff, but she feels that her parents are not open to her modern ideas for the restaurant. The restaurant's challenges have placed a strain on their family relationships, and they need Chef Irvine's guidance to turn things around.

During his assessment of the restaurant, Chef Irvine discovers that the kitchen is not equipped with basic appliances such as a proper oven or freezer. The lack of standard cooking equipment has forced the family to rely on pre-packaged food, which is affecting the quality of the food they serve. Chef Irvine also sees that the bar area is underutilized, which is a lost opportunity for revenue.

For the restaurant's renovation, Chef Irvine enlists the help of local designers and contractors to modernize the Pelican Grill's decor, giving it a fresher look and feel. The designers introduce a nautical theme to the restaurant, with bright colors and updated furniture arrangements. They also expand the bar area, giving the restaurant a larger seating capacity.

In the kitchen, Chef Irvine and his team replace the old appliances with updated ones that allow for fresher and higher quality ingredients. They also rework the menu, integrating more flavorful and modern dishes. Chef Irvine teaches the staff how to properly prepare and plate dishes, so the food looks and tastes as good as it should.

During the soft opening, customers are excited about the changes to the Pelican Grill and seem to enjoy the new dishes. The restaurant is now poised to succeed with a modern look and feel, refocused menu, and better utilization of the bar area for added revenue.

Chef Irvine provides the family with a renewed sense of hope for their business and helps to bring the family closer together. By the end of the episode, the family is relieved to see positive changes in their restaurant and in their personal lives.