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Search forChefs spurred on by a taste of success on restaurant TV show
Thursday, October 30, 2008, 06:46
But James Knight-Pacheco, 26, and Alasdair Hooper, 25, just missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime prize last night.
However, the pair, finalists in BBC2's The Restaurant, said their defeat would spur them on to greater achievements.
Millions of viewers watched them edged out by Michele English, 34, and Russell Clement, 30, who triumphed to join world-renowned chef Raymond Blanc in opening a new restaurant.
Last night's final was the culmination of eight shows in which amateur cooks were put through their paces to conjure up culinary delights and earn the right to run their own establishment.
The ultimate showdown saw them set off on the Orient Express in a challenge to cook for 40 discerning guests who included Raymond Blanc himself.
James and Alasdair described how they were disappointed at losing out in the battle of the tastebuds, but remained undaunted in their ambition to open a restaurant.
And they made such a good impression that Raymond Blanc has invited them to work in his own restaurant.
"We had a great time on the show and hope it will help us in the future," said Alasdair, "This has been an amazing experience, a fantastic journey and it was the realisation of a dream we've had for years.
"It can only lead to better things and we still hope to open a restaurant one day."
James added: "Obviously, we're incredibly disappointed not to have won, but we're so pleased for Michele and Russell and couldn't have lost to more formidable opponents. We are 100 per cent behind them and can't wait to go along to their opening night."
Alasdair was working as a cocktail waiter at Exeshed and James was a doorman at Timepiece when they applied for the show.
The two pals answered an advert in a catering magazine and thought appearing on television looked like a fun thing to do. They have always wanted to open their own restaurant.
Each week, they were given different challenges to complete. Any failure would have seen them booted off.
James Night-Pacheco, above left, and Alasdair Hooper, on their way back to London yesterday and, right, top chef Raymond Blanc OLIVER SANDERS EE291008_OS04_02
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