Ep 4. Olive Mill

The Restaurant Inspector is a gripping reality show that follows the expert advice of Fernando Peire, one of London's leading restaurateurs. In each episode, Fernando visits struggling restaurants across the UK and works with their owners to transform their business into a success.

In season 1 episode 4, we see Fernando visiting Olive Mill, a family-run restaurant in the heart of Lancashire. Olive Mill has been in business for over five years but has struggled to make a consistent profit. The restaurant's owners, Vicki and John, are passionate about food, but they lack the experience and business acumen needed to make their restaurant a success.

When Fernando first arrives at Olive Mill, he immediately spots some major flaws in the restaurant's layout and decor. He points out that the restaurant's entrance is very dull and uninviting, which is contributing to a lack of foot traffic. Once inside, Fernando is also disappointed to see that the restaurant's decor is very dated, with old-fashioned furniture and uninspired wall art. He quickly identifies these issues as key barriers to the restaurant's success and begins to develop a plan to transform Olive Mill's image.

Fernando is also quick to point out that the restaurant's menu is overly ambitious and varied. The menu features dishes from all over the world, including Thai curries, Italian pasta dishes, and Spanish paella. While Vicki and John are keen to show off their culinary skills, Fernando explains that this approach is confusing for customers and creates unnecessary waste. Instead, he advises the couple to focus on a smaller, more streamlined menu that showcases their strengths while appealing to local customers.

Throughout the episode, we see Fernando working closely with Vicki and John to implement these changes. He brings in top designers to revamp the restaurant's entrance and interiors, creating a more welcoming and modern environment. He also works with the kitchen team to create a new, more focused menu that features dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

As the episode unfolds, we see the transformation of Olive Mill into a thriving and popular local restaurant. Vicki and John are thrilled with the changes, and their business begins to attract more customers than ever before. At the end of the episode, Fernando returns to Olive Mill to see how the restaurant is faring and is delighted to see that his advice has made a real difference. The restaurant is busy, vibrant, and profitable, and Vicki and John credit Fernando with helping them turn their dream of running a successful restaurant into a reality.

Overall, season 1 episode 4 of The Restaurant Inspector is a compelling look at the challenges faced by many small business owners and the expert advice that can help turn things around. Through Fernando's guidance, Vicki and John are able to breathe new life into their struggling restaurant and create a thriving business that they can be proud of.