Ep 20. Chatterbox

In season 2 episode 20 of Restaurant: Impossible, Chef Robert Irvine visits the Chatterbox, a family-owned restaurant in Windham, New Hampshire. The Chatterbox has been a staple in the community for over 17 years, but the owners, Gail and her daughter Melissa, are struggling to keep the restaurant afloat. Their lack of experience in the restaurant industry has led to poor management and a lackluster menu that no longer appeals to customers.

When Chef Robert arrives, he meets a stressed-out staff who are overworked and underpaid, leading to a high turnover rate. The decor of the restaurant is outdated and uninviting, with a cluttered and disorganized kitchen that makes it difficult for the chefs to work efficiently. Despite the challenges, Chef Robert is determined to help the Chatterbox thrive and become a successful restaurant once again.

To start, Chef Robert observes a dinner service to get an understanding of the problems plaguing the restaurant. He quickly identifies the main issues: the lack of communication between the staff and the disorganized kitchen. Chef Robert sits down with Gail and Melissa to discuss their goals and vision for the restaurant, and he learns that they want to modernize the menu and improve the overall atmosphere of the restaurant.

Chef Robert sets to work implementing changes to the menu, emphasizing fresh and locally sourced ingredients that reflect the New England area. He also works with the chefs to streamline the kitchen and create a more efficient workspace, allowing for faster and more consistent food preparation. To improve communication between the staff, Chef Robert implements a staff meeting prior to every shift to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

In addition to the kitchen and menu changes, Chef Robert makes aesthetic changes to the Chatterbox. The outdated decor is replaced with a modern and inviting space that better reflects the atmosphere that Gail and Melissa want for their restaurant. The staff is also given new uniforms to create a unified and professional look.

Throughout the episode, the Chatterbox staff works tirelessly alongside Chef Robert to make the necessary changes. Despite initial resistance from some staff members, they ultimately come to appreciate the changes and take pride in the newly updated restaurant.

At the end of the episode, Chef Robert reveals the newly transformed Chatterbox to Gail and Melissa. They are impressed with the changes made and are excited to start a new chapter in the restaurant's history. With a renewed spirit and solid plan in place, the Chatterbox is on track to becoming a thriving restaurant once again.

Overall, season 2 episode 20 of Restaurant: Impossible shows the challenges that family-owned restaurants face and the effort it takes to turn them around. Chef Robert Irvine's expertise and leadership help the Chatterbox overcome their obstacles and rediscover their love for the restaurant industry.