Alex Polizzi: Chefs on Trial - Season 1

Alex tackles the Gilpin, a fine-dining hotel in the Lake District. This much-loved family-run business is desperate to find a new executive head chef. After months of fruitless searching, the Cunliffe family have failed to find the right person who will care as much about their business as they do. They've now turned to Alex for help and are offering up to a six-figure salary for the right candidate.

Over a week, Alex will offer up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. As well as testing their technical cooking skills, all candidates will have a face-to-face interview and a chance to cook a signature dish that shows off their best work. But at the end of the week, only one can get the job.

The next three candidates are put through the gruelling hands-on interview process. Their first test is of their butchery skills, as they are presented with a traditional saddle of hogget. Italian chef Michael surprises the family with his unusual approach. But will it be enough to beat Hrishikesh's 'east meets west' fusion approach to fine cuisine? Competition is intense, as only one will be selected to go through to the final interview at the end of the week.

There is only one place left in the final, and the pressure is on for the final three candidates. They kick off by plucking and preparing a partridge fit for a fine-dining menu. 24-year-old Pierre Koffmann protege Ben is on a mission to gain a Michelin Star in his own right and impresses with his theatrical creations, whereas Simon has to convince them he really wants the job with his job-hopping CV.

It's the final. Over the week, Alex offered up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. Three were selected to go through to a final interview.

The finalists' challenge is to produce a three-course fine-dining menu for a restaurant full of regular and discerning diners. They will also have to manage a brigade of chefs testing not only their cooking skills but also their ability to run a kitchen. With the promise of up to a six-figure salary on offer, the kitchen is at boiling point.

At the end of the night, Alex and the owners will select one candidate to become their new executive head chef.

Alex tackles the Miners Arms, a gastropub in the Forest of Dean. Mario and Karen Constantinides have found it impossible to find a new head chef to help them transform their menu from good pub grub to adestination restaurant. They've now turned to Alex for help to find the right person.

Over a week, Alex will offer up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. As well as testing their technical cooking skills, all candidates will have a face-to-face interview and a chance to cook a signature dish that shows off their culinary flair. But at the end of the week, only one can get the job.

In the previous episode, the first successful candidate was put through to the final. This time, the next three candidates are put through the gruelling hands-on interview process.

Their first test is about local ingredients, and the chefs are presented with the little-used ingredient of kid meat. It's David versus Goliath as 21-year-old Joshua is pitted against 48-year-old events chef Leslie. Also in the mix is local boy David, who hopes his understanding of the area will push him through. This round is far from clear-cut as a confident Leslie clashes with owner Mario and questions are asked about young Joshua's experience.

Competition is intense, as only one will be selected to go through to the final interview at the end of the week.

With another successful candidate selected in the previous episode, the final three candidates are ready to be put through the gruelling interview process.

This time, the candidates are faced with wild boar for their skills test. Welshman Matt proves to be cool and well prepared, but is his food too fancy for a gastropub? Family man Adam suddenly changes direction with his signature dish - will this risky move make or break his chance to get through to the next interview? There's only one place left in the final, and the pressure is on.

The finalists' challenge is to produce a three-course menu embracing local ingredients for a restaurant full of regular diners. They will also have to manage a brigade of chefs, testing not only their cooking skills but also their ability to run a kitchen. With the promise of a head chef position on offer, the tension in the kitchen is high. With both candidates neck and neck after the starter and main course, it all rests on the dessert. One candidate fails to initially impress with the underwhelming choice of cheesecake, which tastes surprisingly good, whereas the other produces an intricate chocolate feast for the eyes - but it fails to taste of chocolate.

At the end of the night, Alex and the owners will select one candidate to become their new head chef.

Alex tackles Amélies, a harbour-side seafood restaurant in the picturesque town of Porthleven in Cornwall. Owner Sam Sheffield Dunstan gave up a high-flying career in London five years ago to fulfil a lifetime ambition of opening a restaurant. However, her dream is turning into a nightmare as she has failed to attract the right head chef to such a remote location. She's now turned to Alex in desperation to help find the right person.

Over a week, Alex will offer up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. As well as testing their technical cooking skills, all candidates will have a face-to-face interview and a chance to cook a signature dish which shows off their culinary flair. But at the end of the week only one can get the job.

In the first heat, the first successful candidate was put through to the final. Now the next three candidates are put through the gruelling hands-on interview process.

After failing to impress with a soggy starter, amiable Irishman Barry hopes to impress with a daring main course of hare and rainbow pasta. Can experienced chef Paul stop talking long enough to convince owner Sam he is the right fit for her restaurant, and will 20-year-old Chris's fearless decision to put a duo of lamb on a seafood restaurant menu prove to be his undoing?

Competition is intense, as only one will be selected to go through to the final interview.

Two successful candidates have been selected. Now the next three candidates are put through the gruelling hands-on interview process.

This time, the candidates are faced with cooking fish in a wood-fired oven and all three chefs struggle with the heat and their timings. Portuguese fisherwoman Celia impresses with her cuttlefish stew but is her roasted octopus a step too far? Charming Frenchman Fabien fails to tell his sea bass from his sea bream but wows the judges with his main course. Robert proves to be cool in the kitchen but struggles to take criticism. There's only one place left in the final and the pressure is on.

It's the final at Amelies, a seafood restaurant in the Cornish coastal town of Porthleven. Over the week, Alex offered up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. Three were selected to go through to a final interview. Owner Sam is upset to discover that two finalists have decided her restaurant is too remote to continue with the interview process, so Alex jumps in to redo the shortlist.

Their challenge is a tough one - to produce a three-course wedding menu to be tested by a restaurant full of Sam's family and friends. They will also have to manage a brigade of chefs, testing not only their cooking skills but also their ability to run a kitchen.

As service continues, the cracks begin to show with a disastrously burnt main course and an undercooked pear dessert. It's all hands on deck if the hungry diners are going to be fed. The pressure begins to take its toll on Sam - should she make her decision based on her head or her heart?

At the end of the night, one candidate will be selected to become the new head chef - and it's a tough decision.

Alex tackles Potli, an Indian market food restaurant in London's Hammersmith. Owners Jay and Uttam have endured an agonising six-month search for a new head chef to help take their first steps towards opening a small chain of restaurants. They've now turned to Alex for help to find the right person.

Over a week, Alex will offer up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. As well as demonstrating their technical cooking skills, all candidates will have a face-to-face interview and a chance to cook a signature dish which shows off their culinary flair. But at the end of the week only one can get the job.

Yesterday's interview had an unexpected result and the pressure is on Alex to find an outstanding candidate. The next three candidates are put through the gruelling hands-on interview process. Who will identify the correct three nuts to make an authentic korma? Indian cuisine novice Stuart is full of surprises with his signature dish. Will Kuldeep's celebrity chef training be enough to demonstrate now is his time to shine? With expectations high, the chefs need to be as confident with their profit margins as with their cooking.

Competition is tough, as only one will be selected to go through to the final interview at the end of the week.

Alex continues her mission with Potli, an Indian market restaurant in London's Hammersmith, whose owners are desperate to find a head chef to help realise their ambition of expanding a restaurant chain. In theprevious episode, another successful candidate was selected. Here, the last three candidates are put through the gruelling hands-on interview process.

The tandoor skill test puts chefs immediately under pressure to produce an authentic tandoori chicken. Can Bindi's infectious enthusiasm and years of home cooking fit into a professional kitchen or will her lack or restaurant know-how be her undoing?

Mark is the most experienced candidate but has no professional experience of cooking Indian food - however, maybe his maverick fusion approach could be just what they need. And when it comes to costs, who will be bang on the money?

There is only one place left in the final and the pressure is on.

It's the final at Potli, a restaurant serving Indian market food in the heart of Hammersmith. Over the week, Alex has offered up nine candidates to be put through a rigorous interview process. It's now the final interview. With just two candidates having secured their places, it's back to the shortlist to give one chef a golden opportunity.

Their challenge is the ultimate test - to produce an authentic three-course menu to be tested by a restaurant full of owners Jay and Uttam's toughest critics... their loyal regulars. The candidates also have to manage a brigade of chefs testing not only their cooking skills but also their ability to run a kitchen.

When true expectations come to light, it calls for a tough early decision to be made. Will an Indian variation of fish and chips delight or dismay? Can an out-of-this-world dessert be enough to sweeten the deal? And can the chefs work together to run a smooth service and satisfy the owners' and diners' demands?

At the end of the night, one candidate will be selected to become the new head chef - and it's a tough decision.