The Restaurant series two
The judges
Raymond Blanc
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Born in Besan莽on, France in 1949, Raymond Blanc is acknowledged as one of the finest chefs in the world.
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His exquisite cooking has received tributes from every national and international guide to culinary excellence.
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Raymond Blanc arrived in England in 1972 to work as a waiter at the Rose Revived Restaurant near Witney. When the chef became ill he took over and two years later the restaurant gained entry into the Michelin Guide.
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At the age of 28 Raymond Blanc opened his first restaurant, Les Quat' Saisons in Summertown, Oxford. After just one year, the restaurant was named Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year and a host of other accolades including Michelin Stars and Pestle & Mortar awards followed.
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It was in 1984 that he fulfilled a personal vision, creating a hotel and restaurant in harmony when he opened Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Great Milton, Oxford.
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Le Manoir is the only country house hotel in the UK which has achieved two Michelin Stars for a total of 22 years.
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In 1986, Raymond opened his first Brasserie Blanc in Oxford - his aim was to be the best within the brasserie scene in England serving good quality, affordable food. He now has eight brasseries across the UK.
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Passionate about sharing his knowledge, in 1991, Raymond Blanc established his eponymous cookery school, welcoming both enthusiastic amateurs and professional cooks to the kitchen.
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The school provides the opportunity to develop their skills while learning some of Raymond's own kitchen secrets.
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Raymond has also written a host of best-selling cookery books.
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Inspector, Sarah Willingham
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Sarah is one of the youngest, most successful people in the food and leisure industry.
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She was recently acknowledged as one of the "35 most successful women under 35" in the UK, featured in the Courvoisier Top 500 and in Business Weekly's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2007.
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With two business degrees under her belt, the Staffordshire born, self-confessed foodie focused her attention on a career in restaurants and leisure.
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For over a decade Sarah has managed some of the biggest brands in the restaurant industry, from Planet Hollywood in France to Pizza Express International where she oversaw restaurant openings in 12 countries.
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In 2004 Sarah was part of a consortium which acquired The Bombay Bicycle Club in London. She swiftly turned it from a loss-making business into a profitable one and it is now the largest chain of Indian restaurants in the UK.
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Sarah is also an ambassador for a positive work-life balance, being the proud mother of two children.
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Inspector, David Moore
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David is the longstanding creative force behind London's Pied 脿 Terre restaurant which opened in 1991.
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He began his career under the leadership of Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons.
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His superlative Front of House management skills have taken him to some of the most illustrious dining establishments including The Box Tree in Ilkley, the Louis XV in Monaco and La Belle Otero in Cannes, France.
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It is a love of French haute cuisine that drives David forward.
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Since its launch, his restaurant has achieved two Michelin Stars. In 2007, he opened a sister restaurant, L'Autre Pied, with business partner Shane Osborn and Chef Marcus Eaves from Pied 脿 Terre.
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As befits a consummate Front of House professional, David prides himself on his attention to detail and can even be found rearranging objects in other restaurants to improve the aesthetic.
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Extolling the virtues of a well organised waiter station, he is an expert multi-tasker who insists on keeping an air of mystery in his restaurants, adding to the magic of the dining experience.
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KA
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