Walnut Tree regrets TV chef show (From Free Press Series)

Walnut Tree regrets TV chef show

THE owners of a famous Monmouthshire restaurant say a new TV programme featuring Gordon Ramsay has kippered them.

This month, The Walnut Tree Inn in Llandewi Skirrid, near Abergavenny, is to appear in Channel Four's series "Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares".

But Francesco and Enrica Mattioli(CORR), who own the restaurant, say they wish they had never taken part and claim the programme misrepresents their business.

The programme is billed as an insight into the inimitable chef as he helps to turn around struggling restaurants.

But Mrs Mattioli said the producers never told her the title of the series. She said: "When we signed the contract the programme didn't have a title - we would never have done it if we had known it was called "Kitchen Nightmares".

"Our kitchen is not a "nightmare", it has nothing in common with the other restaurants featured in the programme. All we wanted was help in finding a new chef. We feel totally misrepresented by the programme."

The Walnut Tree Inn has suffered a series of blows in recent times, losing its chef, Stephen Terry, and its Michelin star.

But Mrs Mattioli said that since their new chef, Spencer Ralps, joined the restaurant it was as good as ever.

"We are particularly angry that Mr Ramsay has publicly attacked our prices. All our food is top quality and fresh and our prices reflect that.

"It doesn't matter whether a restaurant is in London or Wales - if it's top quality then it's top quality and our customers appreciate that."

She said she felt very "naive" to have been taken in by the producers.

"They will not let us see the programme," she said. "So we just have to wait and see it when it airs."

A Channel 4 spokeswoman claimed that restaurant owners should have been aware of what a programme with Gordon Ramsay would involve.

"People in the trade would certainly know of Gordon Ramsay's reputation and the robust treatment that he would be offering," she said.

"The way in which restaurants were chosen was that the production company advertised in the trade press and restaurant magazines for people interested in taking part, along with a precis of the show."

And she added: "It is not unusual for a programme title not to have been chosen or for it to be changed quite close to transmission."

However, Mrs Mattioli denied they had contacted the producers to take part. "We were approached by them," she said.

The programme will be screened on Channel 4 at 9pm on May 11 and at 10pm on May 12, on S4C.