A Glasgow restaurant will feature on a brand new episode of Come Dine With Me: The Professionals, and have praised the amazing experience they had with the production crew on set.
Amore d'Italia is run by couple Magda and Luca Lo Bianco, and is based in the Dennistoun area of Glasgow. The duo split the work between Luca handling the restaurant overall, and Magda focusing on the social media side of the show, as well as her own dessert business.
READ MORE - Love Island bosses announce two new series of ITV2 dating show in the new year
Magda spoke to Glasgow Live earlier today about her experience filming with the Channel 4 crew, and how the restaurant were called up for the show in the first place.
The 37-year-old said: "I applied for the show after my sister sent me the link that said they were looking for professional chefs to appear on the show. Of course I cleared it with my husband Luca before we went for it, but we both love the programme so much that it was a hard opportunity to pass up.
"We were informed very last minute that the show had accepted our application, so it was a mad rush to prepare menus, prep staff and make sure everything was perfect for their arrival.
"The crew did say Glasgow was their favourite place to film so far, but maybe they just say that to everyone! Glasgow has such a different mentality though, so they could be being truthful - I think the friendly and inviting approach the city has makes everyone feel welcome."
Magda spoke through the stages the restaurant faced before filming began, and highlighted that her initial stresses melted away once the filming crew turned up.
Magda continued: "There were three stages to the process before we were chosen. First, we were both phoned seperately, to have a quick chat about the business, why we applied and so on.
"Then we were called over Zoom together so they could see our faces, and the meeting was recorded to be sent over to the bosses so they could decide if we made it to the filming stage.
"Then we were called, nine days before the filming date, to let us know we had been successful, and let me tell you, that part was stressful! But the stress went away once filming began, everyone was so nice and helpful."
Magda even pointed out one cameraman in particular for his way to keep people at ease during the process. She added: "One of the cameramen, his name was Charlie, had such an infectious laugh and really helped calm all the nerves.
"The production team were incredible at keeping everyone happy, and I can't thank them enough for all they done when they were here.
"We are just so excited to see how the episode pans out. It'll be so surreal to watch!"
Magda and Luca's Come Dine With Me: The Professionals episode will run on Friday July 22 at 5pm on Channel 4. The series is currently running each weekday at 5pm on the same channel, with the next episode on tonight at 5pm.
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
READ NEXT:
Outlander star Sam Heughan to appear in Glasgow for 'Highlanders' convention
The Bridge: Race To A Fortune resumes tonight with Glasgow contestant in battle
Robbie Williams to perform in Glasgow for first time in five years in new tour
Billie Eilish makes £1K food order from Glasgow restaurant for OVO Hydro crew
Sam Heughan to star in tonight's episode of Channel 4 drama Suspect
