Restaurant Makeover
Most of the restaurants involved in the series were located in the Greater Toronto Area. It is hosted by chefs Brad Long, Rene Chauvin, Lynn Crawford, Massimo Capra, Corbin Tomaszeski, David Adjey, and Susur Lee along with designers Robin De Groot Meredith Heron, Cherie Nicole Stinson, Jessica Cotton, Glen Peloso, Brenda Bent, Cheryl Torrenueva, Lisa North, and Jonathan Furlong, who perform renovation makeovers on restaurants desiring transformation. The premise of the show is to challenge two restaurant professionals, one designer and one chef, to overhaul a struggling restaurant with a very limited budget and time. The pilot episode starred designer Robin De Groot and chef Brad Long in the Coco s Cafe.This has become so common that participating in Restaurant Makeover is increasingly seen as a kiss of death for failing restaurants. Originally the show would match funds provided by the restaurant owners up to $20,000; however, that decreased to just $15,000 as the show moved into its later seasons. Although the show s premise is to help struggling restaurants, a number of establishments have failed shortly after their makeover -- sometimes before the associated TV show has even aired, thus not allowing them to reap the benefits of added exposure.
Restaurant Makeover is a closed television series which airs as reruns on the Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada, as well as the Fine Living channel and Food Network in the United States, and over 16 countries worldwide. Unfortunately when working with restaurants that are in such dire straits that they are about to close their doors if something doesn t happen to drastically increase business, sometimes even a $40,000.00 , or later, $30,000.00 facelift can t help a business with one foot already in the grave. .
