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Robert Irvine's Top Recipes 25 Photos
Check out fan-favorite dishes, like cheesy lasagna, juicy pulled pork and sweet nachos, from Robert.
Before-and-After Reveals 17 Photos
Check out some of the most-awe-inspiring transformations.
Robert's Work, Revisited
Hear from past owners to find out how their businesses are today.
Mission: Demolition 11 Photos
It's no surprise that Robert is a pro at wielding a sledgehammer.
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Episodes
See Episode GuideAmbush: Cray, Cray
Chef Robert Irvine receives a pressing plea from Jamie, best friend of Cray Eatery and Drinkery's owner Crystal in Columbus, Ohio. Crystal opened Cray after being inspired by infused liquors from Cambodia, but her lack of experience and dismissive nature have led to her being unable to pay bills and begging for free labor from friends. Robert soon discovers that the restaurant is also unclean, the food service is slow, and the liquor infusions are nauseating. While the restaurant concept is unique, Robert must find a way to solve all of its other problems and help Crystal put her failures behind her.
Ambush: Son Sneak Attack
Chef Robert Irvine's next mission takes him to Lake Arrowhead Sports Grill in Blue Jay, Calif., where Konner, son of owners Keith and Karen, begs Robert for help. To Konnor, it seems that everything is falling apart: the five-year-old business, his parents' marriage, his dad's interest in the restaurant, and his mom's health. Robert must uncover the heart of the issues and help rebuild this family that has lost its way.
Ambush: Third Ambush Is the Charm
Chef Robert Irvine receives a heart-wrenching plea from Yianni, the son of the owner of Broad Street Bistro in North Versailles, Pa. Owner Tasso has only had the restaurant for a year and a half, but he's struggling to keep it afloat as it is dirty and dark with subpar food and a helpless staff. Tasso's wife, Kathy, is unhappy with all of the time he spends at the restaurant, and Yianni, a trained chef, tried to help out but his father would not listen. After ambushing both Kathy and Tasso, Robert plans a third surprise ambush that will keep everyone guessing.
Prescription for Failure
Chef Robert Irvine is in for a taste of nostalgia when he's challenged to fix an old-fashioned lunch counter located inside a family-owned pharmacy. Purchased by Tony more than 50 years ago, Lyon's Pharmacy of Elkton has been a staple in the tight-knit Maryland community, but Tony's daughter Marybeth, a pharmacist by trade, has been struggling to keep it afloat since her father passed away last year. With old, rotted floors and hours needed to restock the pharmacy shelves, Robert needs the full support of the community to pitch in and save a piece of their town's history.
Double Trouble
24-year-old Frankie is torn between his family's two Italian restaurants in Summerville, S.C., and he convinces Chef Robert Irvine to help him save both. Tackling twice the work without any extra time, Robert must get the family and the design team to focus on this double-sized mission.
When Life Gives You Lemons ...
Chef Robert Irvine's in for a 2-in-1 challenge when he's tasked with fixing the Zest Bistro, located inside the Lemon Tree Grocer in Downers Grove, Ill. Best friends Shaun and Tim opened their gourmet grocery store with a full-service bistro almost five years ago, and now both sides of the business are failing and the debts are climbing high. In just two days, Robert will need to reorganize the grocery store, renovate the bistro and ease the growing tension between the owners.
Ambush: Facing Fears
Chef Robert Irvine is called to the Cape Horn Family Restaurant in Red Lion, Pa. after receiving a plea for help from the owner Joni's husband, Barry. Joni is having trouble paying the bills and has lost control of her staff, but after Robert installs hidden cameras he realizes it's Joni herself who needs work. As Robert navigates a rollercoaster of emotions with Joni, he aims to help her face her fears and repair her self-confidence in order to change her staff and, more importantly, herself.
Ambush: In Robert We Trust
After receiving a plea for help from an employee, Chef Robert Irvine and his team head to Peppino's Ristorante Italiano in Oviedo, Fla. Owners Susan and Luigi bought the restaurant hoping that their son, Nato, would eventually take over, but they feel they can't trust him due to his poor work ethic and attitude. With just two days and $10,000, Robert has his hands full with updating the decades-old menu, service, and decor, as well as figuring out whether Nato is even capable of running the business.
Going Down with the Ship
Three years ago, Gigi opened Gigi's Music Cafe in Sunrise, Fla., but now, her bad business decisions are bringing down the business and taking her daughter Semone with it. Chef Robert Irvine has his hands full, between the books being a complete mess, the lackluster service, the reliance on the microwave in the kitchen and an owner who doesn't seem to realize that her business is failing. An unexpected boat trip may be what Gigi needs to wake up and turn her sinking ship around.
Ambush: Breakfast Break-In
For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine ambushes Jodi, the owner of Theresa's Restaurant in Bradenton, Fla., after her friend and banker, Miriam, puts out a call for help. Robert quickly learns that Jodi is her own worst enemy, and must deal with her micromanaging ways, a kitchen staff threatening a walkout, and the surprises that greet the design team.
The Ambush
Normally, struggling restaurant owners know well in advance when Chef Robert Irvine and his team are coming, but this is not a normal mission. To get a truer picture of the problems facing the restaurant, Robert ambushes the owners of Tornatore's Pizzeria in Orlando, Florida, and no one -- the owners, the design team, the crew, not even Robert himself -- knows what's to come.
Chocolate: Impossible
Ken opened up Cocoamoda, a French Bistro with an event space and chocolate boutique, seven years ago in the small town of Calvert, Texas. After failing to attract a following from the major cities, he's now deeply in debt, but refuses to advertise or cater to the local community. Ken's daughter calls in Chef Robert Irvine, hoping that the fellow Brit can help her stubborn father see how much help his business really needs.
Ambush: Stay... Or Go?
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Ellendale's Restaurant in Nashville after former employees reach out for help. The restaurant has become rundown, and owner Julie's management style has left the staff frustrated and unmotivated. The employees see the potential in this historic Nashville staple, but Julie isn't the type to ask for help and is worried about how being on TV will affect her restaurant's reputation. Time is ticking away, so Robert begins to worry: will she let him stay and help, or will she make him go?
WhaBah Steakhouse
At over 4,000 square feet, WhaBah Steakhouse in Bowling Green, Ky., presents Robert with his biggest challenge yet! The eight-year-old restaurant/music venue made more than a million dollars in its first year, but the owner has hit the wall and is now facing bankruptcy. Robert and his team will have to turn the owner's spirits around and tackle the many challenges of this supersized space in just two days.
Ambush: Eyes on the Surprise
Chef Robert Irvine receives a plea from Stephanie, the bar manager of the Copper Still CD Vodka Lounge and Eatery in Crestwood, Ill., which hasn't turned a profit since opening eight months ago. Owner Christina has put her heart and soul into the restaurant, but its failure has strained her marriage with her husband, Dominic. When Robert attempts a double ambush by showing up unannounced, Stephanie is furious she wasn't included and refuses to help. Robert must work alone to solve the financial problems, marital woes, and also deal with an unexpected theft.
Ambush: Beneath the Surface
For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine responds to a call from Tamara, whose mother Raquel owns De Rican Chef in Virginia Beach, Va. Raquel wanted a restaurant that specialized in authentic Puerto Rican food and expanded her business with help from her son, Reuben, but they are barely making a profit and their relationship is suffering. As Robert tries to get to the bottom of their problems, Raquel drops a bombshell about why she has lost her passion, leading Robert to try to heal the family and restore Raquel's love for her special piece of home.
Ambush: Special Delivery
For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine heads to La Casa Bianca in Whitehouse Station, N.J. to give the owner, Paul, the surprise of a lifetime. Paul's daughter, Megan, reached out to Robert for help after noticing the restaurant floundering and her father losing his passion for the business. It's up to Robert to help reignite Paul's fire and get him back in the game!
Ambush: Faded Star
Chef Robert Irvine heads to Starlite Restaurant and Pizza in West Orange, N.J. after receiving a plea from the owner Patty's son. Patty has worked there since she was 13 years old and considers it home, but hasn't made a profit in almost ten years despite cashing in her retirement and mortgaging her home. When Robert arrives, he finds an extremely dirty kitchen and an old-school staff that is completely unwilling to change, including Patty herself. Will Robert be able to return this beloved restaurant to its former glory, or will the Starlite shine no more?
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