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Episodes
See Episode GuideAmbush: 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: 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?
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.
Ambush: A Taxing Situation
Chef Robert Irvine receives a heartbreaking plea from Megan, who owns the BFE Bar and Grill in Waynesboro, Ga. with her husband, Mike. The restaurant is deep in debt and their family is suffering, but when Robert shows up, he also finds out that the state suspended their liquor license for not paying their taxes. Robert quickly learns he will have to pick and choose what to fix: their reputation is in the dumps, they're understaffed, and food service is painfully slow. It's a fight to the finish as he desperately tries to fix as much as he can and the owners try to pay back their taxes before the grand reopening.
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.
Dying Diner
Robert Irvine steps back in time at a struggling retro joint in Escondido, Calif., called Rosie's Cafe. The owner of the ugly, disorganized restaurant is a young woman who has the passion but lacks experience. Robert has two days and $10,000 to make major changes before the restaurant has to close its doors for good.
Dying Diner
Robert Irvine steps back in time at a struggling retro joint in Escondido, Calif., called Rosie's Cafe. The owner of the ugly, disorganized restaurant is a young woman who has the passion but lacks experience. Robert has two days and $10,000 to make major changes before the restaurant has to close its doors for good.
Ambush: Fight to the Finish
Chef Robert Irvine is headed to New Kensington, Pa. to ambush Stacey, the owner of Stella's Dine-Inn Restaurant. Stacey's daughter reached out after witnessing constant, out-of-control fighting between her mother, who is desperate to keep the restaurant going in her late husband's memory, and her brother, Dom, who serves as the main cook. Robert must work hard to help this family from being torn apart while also facing design struggles with the very large restaurant space.
Fight at Filomena's
Robert Irvine heads to Costa Mesa, Calif., to help turn around the struggling Filomena's Italian Kitchen and Market. Despite a clean kitchen, an organized dining room and allegedly good food, the fiery owner, Linda, hasn't been able to pay herself one dime since the restaurant opened. Before Robert can do anything else, he first has to figure out the real problem with this restaurant and why it's in trouble.
Fight at Filomena's
Robert Irvine heads to Costa Mesa, Calif., to help turn around the struggling Filomena's Italian Kitchen and Market. Despite a clean kitchen, an organized dining room and allegedly good food, the fiery owner, Linda, hasn't been able to pay herself one dime since the restaurant opened. Before Robert can do anything else, he first has to figure out the real problem with this restaurant and why it's in trouble.
Ambush: Exercise Surprise
Chef Robert Irvine receives a desperate plea from Ayana, the oldest daughter of Luvina and Jameel, owners of So Natural Organic Restaurant and Market in Harker Heights, Texas. Luvina and Jameel opened the business because they are passionate about healthy food, but with zero restaurant experience, they've quickly fallen into debt and cannot afford to hire staff outside of their own family. After a disastrous lunch service test, Robert finds he must not only teach the owners efficient operating procedures but show them how to turn their okay-tasting healthy food into great food that just happens to be healthy.
Dying Diner
Robert Irvine steps back in time at a struggling retro joint in Escondido, Calif., called Rosie's Cafe. The owner of the ugly, disorganized restaurant is a young woman who has the passion but lacks experience. Robert has two days and $10,000 to make major changes before the restaurant has to close its doors for good.
Mom Finds Her Mojo
When Robert Irvine arrives at the Incredible Cafe in San Diego, he finds a restaurant that is anything but incredible. The kitchen is an abomination, and the woman who runs it is in crippling debt. It's up to Robert to reignite her passion or else the restaurant is doomed.
Mom Finds Her Mojo
When Robert Irvine arrives at the Incredible Cafe in San Diego, he finds a restaurant that is anything but incredible. The kitchen is an abomination, and the woman who runs it is in crippling debt. It's up to Robert to reignite her passion or else the restaurant is doomed.
Dying Diner
Robert Irvine steps back in time at a struggling retro joint in Escondido, Calif., called Rosie's Cafe. The owner of the ugly, disorganized restaurant is a young woman who has the passion but lacks experience. Robert has two days and $10,000 to make major changes before the restaurant has to close its doors for good.
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?
Dog and Pony Show
Chef Robert Irvine arrives at the Dog & Pony Ale House in Renton, Wash., where he meets the owner, Kristen. Despite Kristen's whit and smarts, she's being overwhelmed by a vocal group of customers who cause her to buy equipment and change the menu on a whim, trust issues with her staff and hundreds of thousands in debt owed to the IRS. Robert will have to give Kristen the tools she needs to toughen up and turn this confused bar into a place worthy of all its patrons, before the Dog & Pony is shut down and Kristen loses everything.
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.
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