The owners of a Nottingham restaurant hope exposure on national TV will attract new diners during "tough times" for hospitality. Restaurateur Antony Crossman and nephew James Crossman, the executive chef at Paris, will be starring on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me: The Professionals next week.
The city centre restaurant will be catapulted into the spotlight in the TV cooking competition with a twist along with two country pubs, The Plough at Normanton-on-the Wolds, and the Red Lion in Thurgarton. The trio, which all have a reputation for excellent food, will go head-to-head on Wednesday July 20.
The impact of Covid closures, the rocketing cost of living and the war in Ukraine have all made prices rocket. Combined with a shortage of kitchen and front-of-house staff at pubs, restaurants and cafes across the UK, it's hard-going for all businesses in the industry.
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James will be showcasing what they serve at the romantic French restaurant in High Pavement. Antony said: "It's really hard for hospitality at the moment. Times are tough. Anything I can do for something we have put our heart and soul into and serves amazing food to get a few more people through the door is worth it.
"I want Nottingham to come and support us. We did it solely to get our name noticed even more. We know we serve amazing food, day in and day out, we just haven't got the customers. The cost of living isn't helping. The first thing that goes is a nice meal out.
"We enjoyed the experience - we had some laughs. James went a bit high risk. A chef always says if you're doing a special meal don't go with a soufflé, no one can guarantee six soufflés are all going to rise perfectly. He was extremely pleased how the menu went."
Diners will be able to try James' exact TV menu for themselves with an extra course thrown in. He will be serving up Lyonnaisse veloute with truffle sabayon, pan-roasted quail breast, a main of honey-roasted duck breast with shallot tarte tatin and Amarena cherries.
To finish there's a mouth-watering dessert of passionfruit soufflé with banana crisp, home-made dark chocolate ice cream and banana milkshake. The menu will be available on two Wednesdays following the show - on July 27 and August 3 for £25.95 which is £20 cheaper than the usual à la carte prices.
The Plough's executive chef and co-owner Mark Osborne was roped into the competition by general manager Becky Cassapi, without his knowledge. He said: "Becky was very quick to sort without me knowing. After a surprise phone call saying I’d applied - that’s when the penny dropped - I thought if nothing else it would showcase what we do at The Plough.
"We both went through Zoom chats to see how we fared being on camera. We both have great banter all day, every day, so it was just about being ourselves and how we work together. As the interviews went on we gained more confidence we’d get picked. It happened really quick after that, the next thing we knew, we were being filmed.
"It’s totally out of my comfort zone if I’m honest. Generally I’m just happy being in the kitchen doing what we do each day. We found out a couple of days before filming who we were up against as hospitality is a small world. It did make it easier that I knew the other contestants and their places.
"I’m hoping myself and Becky come across as honest people that enjoy what we do but can have a laugh at each other’s expense. From a business side it can only help with promoting The Plough."
Red Lion chef Kyme Howells was joined by general manager Gemma Carey on the show. He said: "What an experience! Dining at two fantastic restaurants and showcasing what we do at The Red Lion. There were laughs, tears and some amazing food!"
It's just a week ago since three other Nottingham restaurants appeared on the series. The Lobster Pot triumphed, with Annie's Burger Shack and The Wine Room sharing second place. Viewers can tune in to the next Nottinghamshire instalment on July 20 at 5pm.
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