• Air date: 09 Mar '16 6 episodes
      Turning around a failing restaurant is a daunting challenge under the best of circumstances. Attempting to do it in just two days with only $10,000 may be impossible, but that's exactly ...
  • List of Episodes (6)
    • 1. Ambush: Faded Star

      09 Mar '16
      Chef Robert Irvine heads to Starlite Restaurant and Pizza in West Orange, N.J. after receiving a plea from the owner Patty's son. Patty has worked there since she was 13 years old and considers it home, but hasn't made a profit in almost ten years despite cashing in her retirement and mortgaging her home. When Robert arrives, he finds an extremely dirty kitchen and an old-school staff that is completely unwilling to change, including Patty herself. Will Robert be able to return this beloved rest
    • 2. Ambush: Beneath the Surface

      16 Mar '16
      For his next mission, Chef Robert Irvine responds to a call from Tamara, whose mother Raquel owns De Rican Chef in Virginia Beach, Va. Raquel wanted a restaurant that specialized in authentic Puerto Rican food and expanded her business with help from her son, Reuben, but they are barely making a profit and their relationship is suffering. As Robert tries to get to the bottom of their problems, Raquel drops a bombshell about why she has lost her passion, leading Robert to try to heal the family a
    • 3. Ambush: A Taxing Situation

      23 Mar '16
      Chef Robert Irvine receives a heartbreaking plea from Megan, who owns the BFE Bar and Grill in Waynesboro, Ga. with her husband, Mike. The restaurant is deep in debt and their family is suffering, but when Robert shows up, he also finds out that the state suspended their liquor license for not paying their taxes. Robert quickly learns he will have to pick and choose what to fix: their reputation is in the dumps, they're understaffed, and food service is painfully slow. It's a fight to the finish
    • 4. Ambush: In Robert We Trust

      30 Mar '16
      After receiving a plea for help from an employee, Chef Robert Irvine and his team head to Peppino's Ristorante Italiano in Oviedo, Fla. Owners Susan and Luigi bought the restaurant hoping that their son, Nato, would eventually take over, but they feel they can't trust him due to his poor work ethic and attitude. With just two days and $10,000, Robert has his hands full with updating the decades-old menu, service, and decor, as well as figuring out whether Nato is even capable of running the busi
    • 5. Ambush: Out of Control

      13 Apr '16
      Sarah and Justin only opened SiP Bistro in Holly Springs, N.C. three years ago, but their business is already hurting. Though Sarah has a background in hotel and restaurant management, her husband, Justin, is demeaning to the entire staff and hasn't allowed his wife to take control or make decisions. On top of trying to mend their relationship and negotiate a healthy balance of control, Chef Robert Irvine and his team must also do a full dining room renovation and find a way to make the extremel
    • 6. Ambush: Exercise Surprise

      20 Apr '16
      Chef Robert Irvine receives a desperate plea from Ayana, the oldest daughter of Luvina and Jameel, owners of So Natural Organic Restaurant and Market in Harker Heights, Texas. Luvina and Jameel opened the business because they are passionate about healthy food, but with zero restaurant experience, they've quickly fallen into debt and cannot afford to hire staff outside of their own family. After a disastrous lunch service test, Robert finds he must not only teach the owners efficient operating p