Russell Norman stars in new BBC Two pub and restaurant show
The six-part series called The Restaurateur will follow six start-up businesses in one-hour episodes, including one pub, as they aim to create successful businesses.
Norman believes that first-time restaurateurs fail because they either don’t know or choose to ignore the rules of the restaurant business.
"Russell will share his rulebook with six first-timers over the critical months that will seal the fate of their business; those leading up to launch and the period directly after opening," said a BBC Two statement. "But will these passionate wannabes be willing or able to follow Russell’s guidance and beat the 50/50 odds of failure?"
The Restaurateur will air on 29 January. Norman, who co-founded tapas chain Polpo as well as Polpetto, Spuntino and Mishkin’s opened his first pub the Ape & Bird on Shaftesbury Avenue, central London last November.
Before launching his own businesses, of which he plans three more this year, Norman was operations director for Caprice Holdings, helping launch Scott’s, J Sheekey Oyster Bar and The Club at The Ivy.
The Restaurant War
BBC2 has also commissioned another programme called The Restaurant War, which will feature Great British Menu winners and top British chefs Aiden Bryne and Simon Rogan battling it out to try and open the first Michelin-starred retaurant in Manchester in 30 years.
Rogan will transform the Midland Hotel to "attract Manchester high society" while less than a mile away Bryne will create a "vast, glitzy warehouse conversion".
"I am delighted to bring three new faces, Russell Norman, Aiden Bryne and Simon Rogan to BBC Two," said Alison Kirkham, commissioning editor, features and formats.
"Both of these new programmes will show the real challenges facing the food business and the real passion behind those who are keeping the industry thriving."
