Restaurant Express, Season 1: Top Moments of Episode 4
Get an inside look at the contestants' challenges and relive the most-memorable moments from the fourth episode of Food Network's Restaurant Express, Season 1.
"In order to survive this dog-eat-dog industry, you have to do something special," Robert tells the finalists, who've met him in Newport Beach, Calif., for a concession stand cook-off. They'll each prepare the same three items — a burger, a dessert and something on a stick — but with their own signature twists. To promote their stands, each will film a commercial, but only the best will be used as a marketing tool to attract customers.
Advantage: Adam
Adam's commercial combines a necessary humility with a subtle brag about his culinary experience, and Robert ultimately announces that he's won the advantage this week, meaning Adam's commercial will play at the top of the pier as guests enter. It's up to the other competitors to find ways of marketing their stands to passers-by.
Kid-Friendly Focus
Just as Jan is searching for her culinary niche on the pier, Robert advises her to consider the effects dining with children has on parents. She decides to offer a primarily kid-friendly menu, and it pays off — children ask for her Strawberry Milkshakes while their parents prefer her cheeseburger. "Kids love it," Robert says of her shake. "She's being very smart."
Say It with Signs
Since his station is at the very end of the pier, Eric opts to hang up signs touting his eatery, MF Tasty, along the pier, even in front of his competitors' booths. This ignites an argument between him and Patrick, but ultimately Eric's approach works, as one customer notes, "I saw the signs for MF Tasty, and they brought us over."
Marketing Miss
Despite insistence from Robert, Patrick invests little time or effort into a marketing strategy, deciding instead to top each of his menu items with miniature paper umbrellas. "I thought that if everyone saw my umbrellas walking around, then they'd ask where they came from," he tells Robert. Perhaps Patrick's larger issue came in the form of his food, which Robert finds greasy and in need of flavor.
Home-Run Burger
"I'm taking a risk making this burger because it's very unique," Seonkyoung admits of her Korean-inspired creation. "I need to find a way to get people to come to my booth." She ultimately draws in a crowd by giving away samples from her menu, and they successfully entice customers to buy her burger. Robert tastes the final product and deems it "truly, truly spectacular."
Fish Flop
Although the commercial succeeds in drawing customers to Adam's station, not many are enticed by his menu, especially his Shrimp and Salmon Burger. "I think they were disappointed to see a fish burger and not a classic burger," Robert tells him. "I really liked your burger, but on a beach, I don't think I would have chosen it."
Well-Executed
"Even though your commercial let me down, you were really smart with your marketing to get people to your stand. The signs paid off," Robert tells Eric before announcing that the latter has won this week's challenge.
Bowing Out
Before Robert announces whether Patrick or Adam will be sent home, Patrick tells him, "If it's my time to go, I appreciate all of the knowledge that you've given me," which Robert interprets as a sign of acquiescence. It turns out, however, that it is the end of the road for Patrick, who hasn't delivered strong profits this week.
