Did anyone catch this glimpse of manic, but cosy family life last night??

It was the story of Chef, David or Richard Burton-Race, his wife Kim and their 6 wonderful children. God I can't believe I have forgotten his name, I can remember all the kids names?? Anyway - he was a 2* Michellin chef in a top restaurant in London - he decided to take a year out and move to France with his wife Kim [who was fabulous] and their 6 kids, Eve, Martha, Eliza, Charles, and 2 more girls [sorry my memory has failed me].

The programme went on to show a snapshot of their idyllic lives in France, followed by their return to Dartmouth where Cheffy and Kim decide to buy, open and run their own restaurant.

The kids are just gorgeous - Charles [about 5 or 6 yrs] the only boy, is a real character - as are the trio of teenage girls.

Can you imagine living with a Michellin star chef?? It would be my dream - anyhow the children started off by hating his cooking - they said everything 'stunk' and were just hilarious. They eventually developed a taste for real proper good food.

Near the end Cheffy made a Chocolate mousse with Charles, and when Dad asked Charles if he would like to be a chef - Charles said 'oh yes, as long as I get to lick the chocolate off the spoons!!' [don't you just love kids??]

anyway - they ended up buying a restaurant in Dartmouth called the Carved Angel - and the next 5 or 7 episodes follow the family through the renovation, opening and cooking of and in this restaurant - most of the family are involved and it is just a wonderful look into a family who are all just mad as hatters and so loving. It made me want to have 4 more children!!

We watched it Flip, I watched Year in France last year too - what a lovely family, its kinda how I imagine yours actually - with YOU as cheffy though!

I was quite pleased when I realised they had chosen Dartmouth for their venture - I was only looking across the River from Kingswear to the Naval College the other day, its such a gorgeous place, kinda like Stratford on Avon by the sea! Mr Q and I are going to try and book a table for a bit of a treat, I said to him, if I book now, I may ge a table for your birthday in July :D

Mr Q and I are going to try and book a table for a bit of a treat, I said to him, if I book now, I may ge a table for your birthday in July :D
Queeeeeenie - are you not far from Dartmouth then?? Oh My God - it not only looks an idllyic place, but The Carved Angel looks to be in a fantastic building - oh greeen Flip!!

Thank you about the thoughts of thinking we were like that - I just wish I had some girls and we may be. Bedlam, run ins, action men and lego at the table - but great nosh and loads of love!!

Queeeeeenie - are you not far from Dartmouth then?? Oh My God - it not only looks an idllyic place, but The Carved Angel looks to be in a fantastic building - oh greeen Flip!!

Thank you about the thoughts of thinking we were like that - I just wish I had some girls and we may be. Bedlam, run ins, action men and lego at the table - but great nosh and loads of love!!We are about 15 mins from Kingswear (which is the opposite side of the river and very very posh - must be why I like it there, some FAB houses, most with River access from their gardens and many of the houses are priced at over a million!!!!!), then you get the Ferry across the River Dart........if you drive round it takes AGES......

And I agree The Carved Angel is a beautiful building isnt it, I MUST investigate, I would love to take Mr Q there, its the nearest thang we have to Gordon!!!! and it makes a change to have a top chef that isnt in the City doesnt it!

I found this online Flip, thought you may be interested!

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/food_and_drink/reviews/story.jsp?story=559499

We are about 15 mins from Kingswear (which is the opposite side of the river and very very posh - must be why I like it there, some FAB houses, most with River access from their gardens and many of the houses are priced at over a million!!!!!), then you get the Ferry across the River Dart........if you drive round it takes AGES......

And I agree The Carved Angel is a beautiful building isnt it, I MUST investigate, I would love to take Mr Q there, its the nearest thang we have to Gordon!!!! and it makes a change to have a top chef that isnt in the City doesnt it!

I found this online Flip, thought you may be interested!

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/food_and_drink/reviews/story.jsp?story=559499 [/QUOTE]

Thanks Queeeeenie - I dare anyone to read that review and not come away starving??

But I see they have changed the name to the New Angel - as he didn't buy the name The Carved Angel? Shame - but no doubt it won't make a h'apporth of difference.

Have you booked yet???

Not yet Flip - I have sent an email, but I think as usual, I have left it too late for Feb 14th havent I?!?!?! :unsure: :laugh:

Ah well, we will have to go for a different date......

Im hoping he will have Sea Bass on the menu as both Mr Q and I want to try it (before I attempt cooking any of Mr Q's catches this summer).......

Exciting isnt it!

OMG Flippy - I have got a reservation - for Feb 14th (which to those that dont know, not only is it Valentines night, but its the anniversary of when Mr Q and I 1st met - I know, its sooooo tweee isnt it :sick: :laugh: ) at 8.30 - I am SO excited!!!!!!!!! I cant wait!!!!

Ohhhh I think I had perhaps better have a new frock.....dont you think :unsure: :devil:

Oh Queeenie, definately need a new frock for that.

I read the review and it sounds delish.
Have a wonderful time.

Oh Queeenie, definately need a new frock for that.

I read the review and it sounds delish.
Have a wonderful time.
Right - so if himself asks, Im telling him that YOU said I had to have a new frock Andrea......he will deal with you when he meets you in May :laugh: :devil: He is still reeling from me doing my "Fanny Scattercash" bit at Christmas!

I think you should have a new frock as well....it is a specially occasion after all :)

OMG - Queeeenie that is fabulous - I honestly thought you's left it too late, but woweeeeeeeee, cor blimey and yummy scrummy!!!!


New Frock?? Hmmm????? - well ...???, oh go on then - it is a pretty special occasion - for goodness sake don't spill any food down it though!!!

New Frock?? Hmmm????? - well ...???, oh go on then - it is a pretty special occasion - for goodness sake don't spill any food down it though!!!
Oh dont Flip - Im terrible like that, my dinner usually ends up dribbling on my boobs.........knowing me, I will make a real good impression by doing just that :wacko:

I try SO hard to be posh and it just doesnt happen :laugh:

Oh dont Flip - Im terrible like that, my dinner usually ends up dribbling on my boobs.........knowing me, I will make a real good impression by doing just that :wacko:

I try SO hard to be posh and it just doesnt happen :laugh:
Napkin over the chest a la toddler mode!!?? [just a suggestion??]


Don't forget it is on tonight!!!:cool2:

[Queeenie] Anyone - I don't know if you watched this - but I wondered what colours Kim was going to paint the upstairs and the downstairs restaurants?? If you happen by The New Angel - Queeenie would you take a peek for me - I am so nosey.

Actually John Burton-Race did a live web-chat immediately after the programme finished, I tried desperately to get on - I did eventually but there were so many questions I couldn't put my request in ....

... 'I love the show, your kids are just scrummy - do me a favour John, my mate Queeenie and Mr Q have booked a table on the 14th Feb - make a fuss over her please??'

That was in honour of your purple hair btw. But I was too late. :sad:

Ohhhh she used some colour pots and painted some testers on the wall last night...but I am RUBBISH at colours Flip, there were 3 downstairs, a very rich cream colour, a pinky/purply/raspberry, and a lovely green - OMG that sounds cack, but it looked FAB!

Next time we go to Dartmouth, I will take my camera and do some surveillance for you Flip - can you help me out if I get arrested?!?!?! :laugh:

Did you catch where they said they had bought the house - I wasnt sure if it was Kingsbridge or Kingswear, mind you, both are a bit nice!

Thanks for the purple honour - I am loving it this colour - I think that Jade and Lewie think I have taken leave of my senses though :wacko: :laugh: I dont think that their mum is quite as adventurous as I am!!!!

Did you catch where they said they had bought the house - I wasnt sure if it was Kingsbridge or Kingswear, mind you, both are a bit nice!


I listened intently and it was Kingsbridge - I knew cos you had said it was Kingsmere that was opposite, on t'other side of the harbour. But it was defo Kingsbridge and I remember them saying it would be about a 20 min drive for John to go to the restaurant.

Another thing that amazed me was that they are going to have to strengthen the floor of the kitchen as his kitchen is soooo heavy! Wow it is goning to be some kitchen!!!:shock:

I watched the end of this program and the cod that he'd caught looked lovely when he'd put the herb butter on.

But I had to laugh when the daughter scraped it off, and wouldn't eat any of it. So the daughters of top chefs can be fussy eaters too, its not just my kids:laugh:

Mr F and I watched it again last night and when they said that they made 17 and a half thousand pounds in the first week - his first response was 'let's open a restaurant'????

It does sound a lot doesn't it? But when you take into account the staff wages, the overheads, the food [and one's lobster bill was 300 quid], the mortgage etc - 17 1/2 thou quickly disappears.

Oh Queeenie I really am bottle greeen with envy at you going. The decor is fantastic and those chairs look fabulous.

We watched with delight last night too Flip........

Mr Q is seriously considering trying to flog any sea bass he gets this year to him!!!! and he was also mumbling on about getting lobster pots and a little boat - I think he sees himself as no 1 fisherman and making a few quid.......

I thought the finished restaurant was lovely - not too fussy and pretentious (sp?) like some can be....... and guess what, one of the chaps that was there on opening night was Mr Q's old MD.....LOL

I didnt like his manager, so was quite pleased he went, Im a bit gutted though, cos had I known he was looking for a front of house manager I would have applied for it - that would have been right up my street!!!!

I am getting very excited about going there......cant wait, and I will give you all the gory details dont worry!

I didnt like his manager, so was quite pleased he went, Im a bit gutted though, cos had I known he was looking for a front of house manager I would have applied for it - that would have been right up my street!!!!

I am getting very excited about going there......cant wait, and I will give you all the gory details dont worry!
Take your CV Queeeenie - I honestly can see you in that position. I was glad the pompous sneering slimeball went too - he was far too far up his own bottom, in fact he was so far up he could check his own tonsils.

Seriously - if you fancy it, campaign for Queeenie to be front of house manager!! Send letters, piccies of you and the mad family, piccies of Mr Q's catch [could be onto soemthing there] and bombard the Burton Rice's with letters of reference, begging, funnies, etc etc etc. You never know they may need another one soonish.

Hello all,

I've been reading your posts with interest regarding John Burton Race and the series The Return of The Chef.

I was friendly with JBR and his family before the move to Dartmouth and thought I'd give you a bit of insider info....

[Text removed by Haydon - Please ensure you read the forum rules (http://www.survivor-online.co.uk/forum_rules.shtml) before posting such replies]

Take it from me... I know all the people involved.

and like the Murphys you're not bitter!!!!!!!!

I find your post offensive, in the fact that you have discussed private matters of the family - im not ass licking here, I have no time for ANYONE who "kiss and tells"....this is private business and it is not YOUR place to discuss the Burton Race family in public........in my opinion!

ALL chefs are like John, I know, I have worked for many of them, and it is very RARE to come across a chef that isnt a cross between Gordon/John/The Devil!!!!!

[editted out by Haydon as quoting from post above]

I have not discussed any private matters of the family….even if I had he has invited cameras into his own home for a documentary featuring his family so he and his family are therefore fair game.

I am a little confused that ‘it’s not my place to discuss the Burton Race family in public’ when it’s seems to be the subject of this chat room.

I don’t think that County Court Judgements count as ‘private business.’ Anyone can look them up and the whole reason they are there is to prevent other people from being defrauded.

I’m sorry that you find my post offensive, however I can guarantee that every thing in it is the truth and I was merely replying to what I find offensive and regard it's not your place to do – casting judgements over a person whom none of you know, who was not interested in being on television and was just helping a friend out who really needed it.

oooo middle bridge were you the front of house manager?? sorry if I called you a pompous sneering slimeball - oops!!

But you have to look it from the viewers POV - we see nothing of what has happened before, and all I can see is a huge and chaotic, busy but very loving family with a Dad who is a bit like me in the kitchen. With a very understanding wife. [in my case a very understanding husband].

I didn't get to read your points - and frankly I am quite glad I didn't. I think sometimes when people feel aggrievied spilling their side is only natural - but it never does them any good. My old Nan always said to me, keep quiet and the truth will out in the end. Maybe it will and maybe it won't, and if it does - then good and if it doesn't - then one has to become a better and bigger person to overcome that.

I can only have my POV on this programme on what I see, what I see I like, no actually I love. I am madly passionate about family life and cooking - so Return of the Chef is like Coronation street and Pop Idol rolled into one [yes OK I love soaps and sad reality progs too!!].

Do stick around and have your say by all means - but as Haydon says you must read the rules - but I am interested in what you do have to say, if you are able to keep personal stuff to one side?

Well said Flip.......

Middle bridge, I hope you do stick around, just to get to know US a bit better and then perhaps you will understand our posting points of view.......

I appreciate your comments about the BR family allowing cameras into their lives, and yes they must expect to come under some sort of scrutiny, but I do feel very strongly that there were things you said that are not your place to say......I dont like "gossip mongers" and "kiss and tell" stories that you get in the gutter press, so that is probably why I feel this way about your post!
Personally, I think the BR family is FAB, we all have a few skeletons in our cupboards, even me, although most of the peeps on here KNOW mine now anyway :blush: :laugh:

So I will leave you with something to think about..................

None of us are flawless.......................

All gone quiet here..... interesting last few posts - looks like someone rumbled the manager! what a laugh... still, takes all kinds.... wonder what Middle Bridge means... Hmmmmmm... can anyone shed any light?

Programme was a bit dull last wek, I thought.. hopefully they can jazz it up a bit...

Programme was a bit dull last wek, I thought.. hopefully they can jazz it up a bit...

Hi chefwatcher [I will say a proper hi in the intro thread tho].

I missed this weeks programme and I am really cross with myself - cos I love it. How was it dull - give us a resume - please!

And I only remembered last night Queeeeeenieeeee!!!

You went on Monday night for a meal with Mr Q - how was it, what did you eat [detailed descriptions please], what were the staff like, did you see JBR, and dare I ask ... how much???

Please queeenie please please please let me know.:thumbsup:

Oh and did you dribble down your new frock??:shocking:

I didnt go Flip, I was soooooo disappointed, I had to cancel as on Monday when I got up I was really poorly and spent the day in my bed (between dashing to the loo to be sick) :cry:

Mr Q has promised that as soon as I get myself sorted (long story, but I have been signed off work for 2 weeks) and back to a normal diet we will book up again and have a night out......:D

We both want to try the seabass - I havent had seabass since I was a teenager, I would like to be able to cook it being as himself catches them fresh, so I will be watching John like a hawk over the next few episodes - I have already cooked a roast chicken in the same way he did and it was fabby!!!!

Oh Queeenie - poor you, I am so sorry you didn't make it - just you make sure he re-books and you have your own individual Valentines night sometime soon???

And I am sorry you feel pants - I know the feeling I am only just starting to make a comeback after nearly 3 weeks of feeling utterly pants.

Do me a favour though - when you do go - please tell me you both won't have the sea bass - you can never ever have the same meal - you both gotta have different things and different starters too - so that you have at least 4 different dishes to tell me about. Yeah - I know Q that this meal is not about me - but I am soooooooooooooooooo far away I feel like I am part of yours and Mr Q's night out [oh ever so discreet me].

And if Mr Q catches sea bass - it has gotta be free - so just experiement with it - it is so easy and just like any other fish - just grill, or oven bake it as is - nothing added nothing taken away - it will blow your taste buds off this planet.

KEep me updated??

silly me - doh!!

I thought I missed it and I didn't, it was on tonight, oh LOL at the kids - they still don't like Dad's cooking.

And oooo eldest Eve has done a runner from the restaurant and home and gone to Reading to be with her b/f - she doesn't like her parents does she??

I really like Olivia - she has that naive quality, trying to be grown up but still very much a little one underneath, she reminds me of me - always in the wrong place at the wrong time - getting caught and doing the punishment!!

And Queenie - the sea bass just walks out of the place - did you see it tonight?? You really have to cultivate Mr Q's sea bass fishing skills so he can catch loads and sell them to our mate JBR!!:)

I watched it tonight, and when Mr A. goes fishing and sometimes (not alot lately though) comes home with a seabass, I do cook it and it tastes delicious.
Although it doesn't look like the ones on the plates in that restaurant.:laugh:

I watched it tonight, and when Mr A. goes fishing and sometimes (not alot lately though) comes home with a seabass, I do cook it and it tastes delicious.
Although it doesn't look like the ones on the plates in that restaurant.:laugh:

Well it will be you I will be calling on Andrea.....you will be getting a pm saying "heeeeeeeeeeeelp!!!!!!" as soon as Mr Q starts going fishing again - he doesnt go much in the winter - us Leos like the warm sun on our bones :D but he has started mumbling about "sorting the shed and my fishing stuff out" and "mmmm think I need a new tackle bag".....he got a complimentary tackle bag when I bought him his Bruce and Walker rod, but he says its not big enough!


Back O.T......... I watched again with glee - I was chuckling at the kids and the junk food, John had managed to "wean" them off it when they were in France, although Kim is a devil for buying it when she does the shop (anyone would think I KNEW them wouldnt they, the way I am going on :laugh::laugh:)

I can see why Eve has done a runner back to Reading, its a metropollis compared to Dartmouth...... Dartmouth is a beautiful place, when I 1st went there, the only way I could describe it is Stratford on Avon by the sea, but this was in reference to the architecture and buildings, the night life etc is a lot different......Dartmouth is packed to the rafters with very rich old people :laugh:........ its the place you dream of retiring to, not a place for teenagers to be honest!