Kitchen Nightmares Australia will premiere Wednesday, 12 October, on Channel Seven and 7plus.
Outspoken and award-winning Colin Fassnidge will not hold back as he serves up tough love to restaurants around Australia flirting with failure.
Visiting a different struggling restaurant each week, Fassnidge will uncover why these establishments are on the brink of collapse, before relaunching them in only five days.
On the journey to each restaurant’s relaunch, Fassnidge uses his culinary expertise to discover their inherent problems and offer solutions to put them back on their feet. From offering ways for the restaurants to improve the food they serve, to insider advice on tips to refine the way they run their kitchens and their overall business strategy, Fassnidge aims to send each owner on the way to a brighter future.
As a celebrated chef, Fassnidge has over 32 years of restaurant experience. Trained by Raymond Blanc, Fassnidge has worked alongside the original Kitchen Nightmares legend, Gordon Ramsay, and has chef-owned several awarded and critically acclaimed restaurants.
See also: Kitchen Nightmares Australia: Everything you need to know
Having appeared as a judge and mentor on Seven’s home cooking hit, My Kitchen Rules, for nine seasons, Colin continues to demonstrate his deep passion for food and the restaurant industry.
What can we expect to see when watching Kitchen Nightmares Australia?
“Viewers can expect to see raw television. Each episode has a lot of heart and quite a bit of tough love,” Fassnidge said.
What has been the biggest shock walking into these kitchens?
“It was a real eye opener to see people who have abandoned all hygiene and safety standards, and still think it is okay to operate and serve food to the public. It is f***ing
disgusting. I couldn’t really censor myself. What we uncover is going to be quite shocking,” Fassnidge added.
The restaurants
Mumma Jo’s Diner
Mumma Jo’s Diner is a busted-up, broken- down American-style diner in Wallerawang, NSW. With bad attitudes and even worse food, will Colin be able to serve this owner a reality check in just five days?
Guru Life
It’s not all good vibes at Guru Life in Rosemount, Queensland. Owner Jonny loves to party behind the counter instead of working, meaning he and his long-suffering
fiancé, Katie, are drowning in debt and their restaurant is going downhill fast.
Café Martini
It’s unpalatable food served with a side of denial when Colin gets stuck in a time warp at the daggy Café Martini in Wangaratta, Victoria. Husband and wife team, Mark and Belinda, have owned the restaurant for years and have seen a revolving door of chefs but still won’t make any changes.
Cooks @ Corrigan’s
Colin heads to Batemans Bay, NSW to help resort owner Andrew with an angry chef and a failing restaurant. When he arrives, other major problems are uncovered, including Andrew’s true motives.
Café De Vie
CaféDe Vie in Homebush, NSW is a classic case of the worst restaurant in the best street. With a plethora of foot traffic, Colin’s left scratching his head as to why this place
is serving terrible food. Going behind the counter, Colin discovers a disgusting kitchen and an owner at war with her chef.
Araucaria
Experienced chef Anthony and his partner Lauren operate a restaurant in Winmalee, NSW at the foot of the Blue Mountains. While it’s an idyllic location, but customers
can’t find the restaurant as it backs onto a pokies room: a huge problem for a pair who only took on their lease 11 months ago and aren’t making enough money to pay
the staff wages.
Kitchen Nightmares Australia premieres 7.30pm Wednesday, 12 October on Channel 7 and 7plus.