- 20 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Bonjour!
00:02They've dreamed of leaving it all behind.
00:05Look at this view, Brett.
00:06I can't believe we're here.
00:08Yay!
00:09Stunning.
00:10Now the chance to make it real begins.
00:13Welcome to the first bed and breakfast.
00:15We've got a guest arriving early.
00:17Lovely.
00:18Across three weeks, six couples will fight for the prize of a lifetime.
00:25Walking away with the keys to this extraordinary B&B
00:29in the heart of the French countryside.
00:33But only one couple will take them.
00:38Who wins this stunning prize lies in the hands of four expert judges
00:42from the world of hospitality.
00:46Eva Jonat, who's inspected hundreds of hotels for the prestigious AA.
00:51The competition has been so tough this week.
00:53Nicola Cross.
00:55Oh, snogging swans.
00:57Elite inspector for the exclusive B&B guide sawdays.
01:02Slightly chaotic, as they say up north.
01:06And award-winning B&B owners Andrew John and Brennan Street.
01:10Nobody's perfect.
01:11Nobody's perfect.
01:12Yeah.
01:13Well, nobody's perfect.
01:17Whoa!
01:19Hurry up.
01:20Come on.
01:21Look at her.
01:22Stop asking me questions.
01:23I've buzzed it all up again.
01:24Well, you haven't buzzed anything up.
01:26I'm flagging.
01:27Oh, God.
01:28Do they have a problem?
01:29Do they have a problem?
01:33I'm not sure if I was to tell this for them.
01:36Previously...
01:37Don't do... No!
01:38Why would you do that?
01:39Is it an eel or a swan?
01:42It was in at the deep end.
01:44We have a major issue here, don't we?
01:46...as three couples prepared rooms for inspection...
01:49A little bit of dust on the rain shower head.
01:51...before welcoming their very first guests.
01:55Oh!
01:56If there was rose petals, you would have seen me walking out the door.
01:58Yeah, I know.
01:59It's had a little bit of a faux pas.
02:01Gosh.
02:02They did drop the ball pretty, pretty badly.
02:14The sun is up and so are the hosts.
02:17Let's get cracking.
02:20Ready to battle for the dream they came here to win.
02:25I'm making little roses for the table because it's going to look really, really nice.
02:30I'll show you what I prepared earlier.
02:32It's like Blue Peter.
02:34I don't waste my evenings.
02:37We know we can do this.
02:39We know it's going to be hard.
02:41We've just got to do our best.
02:42I know we've got to concentrate on us.
02:44We're offering a complete all-round service.
02:47Yeah, but we're not worried about all the competitors.
02:49No.
02:50Because at the end of the day, we need to focus on us.
02:54Well, we had an issue yesterday and we...
02:56Can't worry about swimming like roses, kid.
02:57I don't worry about that.
02:58Can you do me one favour?
03:00Go on.
03:01Stop calling me kiddo.
03:02You call that to the kids.
03:04I'm older than you.
03:08Regardless of what happens, this is where we're going.
03:10Just get some quality of life back.
03:12Yeah, we're in a competition.
03:13We've got to fight for it.
03:14We're going to have a battle on our hands.
03:15And now we've got to take Le Plunge.
03:17Le...
03:18God.
03:19No?
03:20Wee-wee.
03:21Cibola.
03:22We spent a lot yesterday.
03:23I know.
03:24A lot.
03:25Like nearly half the budget.
03:27Seriously?
03:28Yeah, so we've got to really power it in a bit today.
03:31We're here to win.
03:32We're here to win.
03:33It's a competition at the end of the day.
03:34It is a competition.
03:35And we're definitely here to win it.
03:37A lot.
03:38Yep.
03:44Yesterday, the hosts welcomed their first guests.
03:47This morning, it's their debut in the kitchen for their very first breakfast.
03:52You need to be going down to the bakery.
03:54Yes.
03:55We want some croissants.
03:56Yeah.
03:57A pan of chocolates.
03:58Yeah.
03:59Some little bread rolls.
04:00Yeah.
04:01And then get one strawberry tart and one lemon tart or something.
04:03So when I put it in a basket, it looks really good.
04:05OK.
04:06That's if they sell them.
04:07Yeah.
04:08They're a bakery, love.
04:09They'll sell them.
04:12Michelle and Steve are working together for the first time in their lives.
04:16With an hour to go until guests and judges sit down to dine, Michelle is keeping things
04:22on track.
04:23I'm going to make some lovely little yoghurt pots.
04:26Michelle's little fruit compots, I think I'll call them.
04:29It's a typical French breakfast that we're going to do.
04:32So very relaxed, very chilled.
04:35Bonjour.
04:36Erm, four pan of chocolates and four croissants.
04:44Steve's no sense of timing really.
04:47He'll be down there and he'll be chatting to ladies behind the counter and like, even
04:52though he can't talk French.
04:54Did you make these?
04:55Did you make them?
04:56Bec, did you make these?
04:57Yeah, you, did you do them?
04:58No.
04:59It'll be fine.
05:00Steve will be fine.
05:01Hosts who use fresh and local ingredients at breakfast could score highly with the judges.
05:15Ooh, you come bearing gifts.
05:16How was the boulangerie?
05:17Busy.
05:18I bet it was.
05:19Do they have any nice things in there?
05:22Ooh, are they for a little sneaky treat for us?
05:28Feel that pain and turmoil yesterday.
05:31But with a background in sports nutrition, Rob and his wife Jackie also plan to play to
05:37their strengths today.
05:38All right, where are we at, huh?
05:39We are still going to do a continental breakfast, but we are going to try and just do a little
05:45bit of a healthy breakfast, hot option.
05:47Are we asking them what they want?
05:48Yeah, so I've made a list of everything.
05:51Erm, so on the list I've said about boiled eggs, poached, scrambled.
05:56So we're going to do the potatoes with a bit of salt, a bit of pepper, and then I was
06:01just going to quickly do the tomatoes, because obviously we don't want to do a hash brown
06:04or anything like that, do we?
06:06Sounds like a plan.
06:07Yesterday, Nicola and Roy prepared ahead, shopping for their breakfast menu at the
06:14local supermarket.
06:16French toast, bacon, maple syrup.
06:18Oh, hold on, hold on.
06:19We've got...
06:20Hold on, I can't read this fast.
06:21I can't read.
06:22I can't spell syrup.
06:24I can't spell syrup.
06:25S-Y-R.
06:26S-Y-R-U-P.
06:28And we do vegetarian eggs benedict.
06:32It's muffin, poached egg, holiday sauce.
06:36But with Roy's experience as a chef, the pressure's now on him to deliver.
06:45This is a lazy man's way of making hollandaise, because traditionally it's done by hand whisk.
06:54Nicola.
06:55What?
06:56I'm really struggling here with this cooker.
06:57The guests are starting to stir.
07:09We had a great night's sleep, actually, didn't we?
07:11Yep.
07:12I think I snored a bit, but apart from that, yeah.
07:14You snored a bit.
07:16Right, I think I'm ready.
07:18But they are not the only diners the hosts need to impress.
07:22The judges are on their way.
07:27And for them, the second B of B&B is the key to success.
07:34With our breakfast, probably in 99% of the reviews, they mention our breakfast.
07:40And absolutely, it brings people back.
07:43Hope I slept okay last night.
07:45Me too.
07:46Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
07:49And you've got to have a really exceptional breakfast.
07:53Hopefully, loafly sourced.
07:56You need to have a lot of choice.
07:59In a B&B, you want to make it look like home.
08:02Bonjour.
08:03Oh!
08:04Breakfast is served.
08:07I hope you weren't chatting to women and that's delayed yet.
08:10No.
08:11Honestly.
08:12The difference between a good breakfast and an excellent breakfast,
08:15it's the quality of the produce that the owners have chosen to serve.
08:20It's called bed and breakfast, so, of course,
08:22it's something that guests would be looking forward to.
08:29It's 9am.
08:31The guests are ready.
08:33Follow the bacon.
08:34Good morning.
08:35Good morning.
08:36How are you, folks?
08:37The tables are set.
08:42Right, ready?
08:43I've got to keep an eye on the potatoes.
08:44And the hosts have everything to prove.
08:48Oh.
08:49Did you get a tag?
08:50Did you only get one?
08:51No, I've pointed to some hotels.
08:53You didn't get it, then.
08:54Oh, you've let me down there.
08:56We should have had two of them.
08:59Don't forget the toaster muffins.
09:01I don't know how many we need.
09:05Oh, the top.
09:14moving.
09:20How do you get the Advoc soup?
09:21No, I think.
09:22How's the Speaker say that in New York?
09:23That's nice, you've had any things.
09:24How could I get one of these, you've managed to do so吗?
09:26I'm going to try on a bus.
09:27Do you have any new reunions that go off?
09:29How have you got on the bus?
09:30Thanks, Josh.
09:31As well as you're starting...
09:33Being in the during theировавluene
09:35Would you like any tea or coffee?
09:37For their first real taste of what the aspiring hosts can do.
09:42Good morning. Morning!
09:44I am loving the matching aprons.
09:48Doesn't that look pretty?
09:50I thought I got French traditional.
09:54You just need a guy on a bike with a string of onions.
09:58Michelle and Steve's hosting skills have already made an impression on judges.
10:03Come on in.
10:05That looks amazing.
10:07Right, well, we've set you both a place.
10:09There if you want to sit.
10:10And there you are, Nicola.
10:11Would you like to come and sit down?
10:13This morning, Nicola will be casting a critical eye on the ambience at the table
10:17with guests Sam and Alex.
10:19I really like breakfast to be shared at one table
10:23because that's the most sociable way of having breakfast.
10:26That creates sometimes absolute magic.
10:31Now, I think Steve's been up to his folding again,
10:34hasn't he?
10:35Oh, I am.
10:36What's that, Steve?
10:38What do you think it is?
10:39What does it look like?
10:40Is it a rose?
10:41Yes!
10:42Is it a rose?
10:43Rose for the ladies.
10:44LAUGHTER
10:45Would you like a pastry?
10:49Oh, I'd love one.
10:50You looked as if you were glaring at them meaningfully.
10:54LAUGHTER
10:54So everything you've got here is all from the local...
10:59It is.
11:00The bakery or the local supermarket, yeah, at the counters and everything, yeah?
11:05All local.
11:07Would you like a top-up of coffee?
11:08Sure.
11:09There we go.
11:10It was the Pope's name, Leo.
11:11LAUGHTER
11:11Right.
11:14There you go.
11:15You enjoy your coffee.
11:17Breakfast was lovely.
11:19It was beautifully presented.
11:21I was really, really pleased they decided to serve it in the kitchen
11:23and not in the dining room
11:25because it made it far less formal.
11:28The only problem with serving it in the kitchen
11:30is that then they're hovering a bit.
11:33Steve had been at his sculptures again
11:38and had made bits of kitchen roll into roses.
11:42When I first walked in, I thought,
11:43oh, someone's left an old snot rag on the table.
11:47But it was a rose.
11:50My rose fell over.
11:54LAUGHTER
11:54Yesterday, Ava praised Nicola and Roy's warm welcome
12:00checking in guests Alison and Janine.
12:03Don't trip in that wee thing in the way out.
12:04I know.
12:05Now she's watching to see if that charm extends to the breakfast table.
12:11So the hot breakfast this morning is French toast
12:14with bacon and maple syrup, or there is eggs benedict.
12:19In terms of the cooked breakfast,
12:20the quality of the meat would be important
12:22how well the eggs are cooked as well.
12:24Do they offer a choice of eggs?
12:26Are they flexible?
12:27Have they got vegetarian options available, et cetera, as well?
12:30So breakfast is definitely key.
12:33I'm going to try the eggs benedict, please, veggie style.
12:38Eggs benedict, vegetarian.
12:40I'm going to try the French toast.
12:43Is the Hollandaise sauce homemade by Roy?
12:46It is, yes. He's just made it.
12:47I'll go for the eggs benedict.
12:48Yes, eggs benedict. No problem.
12:50OK.
12:51With you soon.
12:52What do you think of the spread,
12:54the selection they've chosen for us today?
12:56I think it's quite typical.
12:57Do you think the quality of the cheese
12:59is going to be up to French standards, or...?
13:01It's sliced, processed cheese, yeah.
13:06Is there any more bacon?
13:08I only put four on.
13:09I think that's a wee bit mean.
13:11A lot of water in that, really.
13:14I don't know.
13:14Would you have enough?
13:15Yeah, into the muffin.
13:16I'd give more than that in future.
13:22Yeah.
13:24OK. French toast.
13:28OK.
13:31What's that, more Hollandaise?
13:32It's a bit fluid.
13:33I think it could be a bit more emulsified.
13:37Nice.
13:38With the maple syrup.
13:41Mm, nice.
13:42Is it?
13:42Mm.
13:43I think they should have had a bigger breakfast.
13:46I do, too, but we're against time.
13:48No, but here, time doesn't matter,
13:49because I think if you're going to do it, do it properly.
13:51Yeah, yeah.
13:51Yeah.
13:53I know.
13:54You have to do it right.
13:55I am doing it right.
13:56People will wait for good food.
14:00I think it sort of set the bar quite high,
14:03seeing hosts wearing a professional uniform here,
14:06so expectations were high from the start.
14:09In terms of the cooked offering,
14:11the egg itself could have been a bit fuller,
14:14and the yolk wasn't, perhaps, as friendly as could be.
14:18The Hollandaise sauce wasn't quite as emulsified as expected as well.
14:26You huffing now?
14:27No.
14:28You want me to shut up now, don't you?
14:30No.
14:31Just please.
14:32You're like, shut up.
14:36A few slip-ups left Jackie and Rob on the back foot with judges yesterday.
14:41If you'd all like to take a seat.
14:42They'll need to prove to Andrew and Brennan and guests Joe and Karen
14:46they're back on track.
14:47We have decided to keep it within keeping with where we are in France,
14:53so it won't be a full English breakfast, I'm afraid.
14:56We have a selection of continental for you.
14:59We do have some hot items as well.
15:01Petty potatoes with some roasted vine tomatoes.
15:06And we have a selection of eggs, if you'd like.
15:09Poached eggs, scrambled egg, boiled eggs.
15:11Poached egg would be nice.
15:12A poached egg.
15:14I think what's really, really important between whatever type of breakfast
15:19you have is choosing what your theme is going to be.
15:22Are you going to have a USP with that?
15:25The eggs will come out fine.
15:26Your eggs always come out lovely.
15:28Just remember, with your poached eggs, to just pat them dry.
15:32So they're not wet.
15:33You need to make a choice and stick with it.
15:36Here we go, Karen.
15:37Oh, thank you.
15:38The plates are hot because they've been in there warmer.
15:40Wow, well done.
15:41So poached egg, potatoes, and some vine potatoes.
15:47Tomato ketchup, if anybody would like.
15:50What I would really like, please, is some salt and pepper.
15:53Of course, yes.
15:54That is downstairs.
15:55It should be up here, shouldn't it?
15:59You can tell that they've gone and got very good ingredients
16:03because the eggs are a lovely colour, really smooth texture,
16:06and the tomatoes are really tasty.
16:11It all looks very fresh as well, doesn't it?
16:13Yeah, really nice.
16:14Yeah.
16:15I have to give you compliments.
16:16The eggs are very well cooked.
16:17The tomatoes are lovely.
16:19You mentioned before that you wanted to go with health and well-being
16:23and the nutrition side.
16:24So would you feel nervous if you said that this is the way we're doing it?
16:29No, not really.
16:31Genuinely, I think we can all say we would not be put up
16:34if you said that this was going to be an absolutely health-driven breakfast.
16:39Yeah.
16:39In fact, I think for many people that would be hugely attractive.
16:43Yeah.
16:46As the guests head off to pack their cases,
16:49the hosts can reflect on their first breakfast of the competition.
16:53Thank you for a lovely breakfast.
16:55That was very nice.
16:56Appreciate it.
16:57We had a good breakfast.
16:58Yeah.
16:59Would you like a little hug?
17:00Oh, thank you.
17:01Come on.
17:01We've got to give ourselves a pat on the back.
17:04Would you like a hug?
17:05Come on.
17:06I think we've done really well.
17:08Of course we have.
17:08Oh, come here.
17:09You did well.
17:11Breakfast.
17:12Breakfast, isn't it?
17:13I kind of ain't no my job,
17:14and I hate people, you know, tell me what to do.
17:17But I knew it was OK.
17:19Did it make you cry?
17:20No.
17:21Well, you made me cry yesterday
17:22because you said about my room not being enough home furnishings,
17:26and I had to cry.
17:27Oh, love.
17:28It's OK.
17:29Why didn't you tell me that yesterday?
17:30Let's move on.
17:31OK.
17:33How was everything for you?
17:35Lovely.
17:36Well done.
17:37You're very welcome.
17:38I think it went extremely well, actually.
17:41I think it went better than I thought it was going to go.
17:43Yeah.
17:44Well done.
17:45That was really good.
17:46And your eggs were fabulous.
17:47That was all right.
17:48That was all right.
17:49No, they were really good.
17:53Every guest who stays at the B&Bs will be filling in feedback forms.
17:57Please write the following on a scale of one to five, one being very dissatisfied and five
18:02being very satisfied.
18:04And adding comments to the visitor books, which will be vital evidence for the judges in their final decisions.
18:10But they'll also be watching check-out very closely.
18:16Thank you for a lovely stay.
18:18You are very, very welcome.
18:19It's been an absolute pleasure to have you stay with us for our first night.
18:23It was lovely.
18:24Just a few minor things.
18:25Perfect.
18:26Tissues in the bedroom.
18:28Yeah, yeah, lovely.
18:29And a glass in the bathroom.
18:32Yes.
18:32So thank you very, very much.
18:33And thank you for all your lovely comments and your tips.
18:37Yeah, yeah.
18:38Have you any helpful feedback for us?
18:41No, I think you've done really well.
18:42Your hosting skills are magnificent.
18:44No, I think maybe once you get going, you'll get more local knowledge of where you're living.
18:48So you maybe get more local, maybe produce.
18:52But we said wherever you were, we'd come to you.
18:56Oh, thank you so much.
18:58And I say we really thoroughly enjoyed your company.
19:00Yeah, we enjoyed yours as well.
19:01Brilliant.
19:01We will meet up again.
19:03Thank you so much.
19:03Can I get a hug?
19:04Yes.
19:04Yay!
19:05And how was your stay?
19:09We had a lovely stay.
19:10Thank you very much.
19:10Oh, have you enjoyed it?
19:11Was the bed comfortable?
19:12Very comfortable.
19:13We did.
19:14We loved it.
19:14You've been lovely.
19:16It's absolutely...
19:17I'm not shaking you.
19:18I'm being a girl.
19:19Come on.
19:22See you later.
19:23See you again.
19:24Bye.
19:26You couldn't want a more welcoming couple.
19:28As hosts, I think they were exceptional.
19:31Lovely people.
19:32It's emotional when they say that, don't it?
19:35As the hosts say au revoir to their first guests and the judges, there's no chance for
19:43a breeder.
19:46As the next challenge is on their doorsteps.
19:50Oh, it's here.
19:53Oh, no.
19:54It's one of those again.
19:57Oh, the golden envelope.
20:00Come on.
20:01It feels heavy.
20:02Day two.
20:05Tonight, two rooms have been booked for one night each.
20:10You need to change over room one and prepare room two.
20:14You need to give your guests a welcome gift on arrival.
20:17The judge will inspect the rooms at 3pm.
20:19Oh.
20:20There you go.
20:21OK, we've got to get shopping.
20:24Let's go and do this.
20:24Let's do this.
20:26Right, come on.
20:30The challenge is designed to test how they cope with one of the most demanding tasks B&B owners
20:36face.
20:37The same-day changeover.
20:38The changeover can be quite stressful, especially if it's a tight changeover.
20:46They need to be really thorough to make sure it's absolutely squeaky clean and there's no
20:50evidence of anybody before.
20:53And they've got to be quick too.
20:54And today, the judges are switching B&Bs.
20:58Each team will have a fresh pair of eyes to impress come inspection time.
21:03We're off.
21:04The sun is shining.
21:06It's going to dry me washing.
21:07And we're going to crack on.
21:09The last thing you want is a guest walking through the door with the washing machine going.
21:14You're going to stay in an aspirational home.
21:16You don't want to see what downstairs are supposed to be doing.
21:25If you could maybe hoover downstairs.
21:29Yeah.
21:29I need to iron the sheets for this.
21:31And then I just need to go out and get a couple of bits because we need to get some more bedding.
21:35No worries.
21:39But with a life-changing prize up for grabs, the judges weren't going to make things easy.
21:43Today, there's a curveball.
21:50Is that my phone?
21:52Hello.
21:53Oh, so what time are you coming?
21:55Yeah.
21:56Yeah?
21:56Bit of news.
21:57What?
21:58We've got a guest arriving early.
21:59That's lovely.
22:01We'll welcome them with open arms.
22:03In rural France, the hosts are facing their first ever changeover.
22:17A key test of the competition with a luxury B&B at stake.
22:23Just put too much bubbles in here.
22:25So every time you go like this, it's just too foamy.
22:31I love that.
22:32It's just too foamy.
22:36And with guests arriving early, the race to be ready is on.
22:41Steve, that took one there.
22:42Steve, that took one there.
22:44It goes in there.
22:45Here.
22:45There's a sink in here.
22:48That's what we use that.
22:48And what did you put in it?
22:50Destroyed me.
22:51Because it's like a bubble bath.
22:52Look at this.
22:54I only put a little squirt in.
22:55No, you didn't.
22:56You put half a bottle in.
22:57No, I didn't.
22:58Honestly.
22:59Well, look at this.
22:59It can't talk, can't lie.
23:02I want it to be clean.
23:09We're wasting time.
23:10I'm going to clean the kitchen.
23:11No, but I've got another floor.
23:12I've got to do the floor again.
23:14Well, don't put anything in.
23:15I'm not going to.
23:16I've got a reset.
23:20Early check-ins are a reality of B&B life, and for the judges, keeping calm under pressure
23:26is a must.
23:27The time's against us, and Roy's had to go shopping on his own, so I just have to crack
23:33on and just use brand new bed, and it hasn't been through the machine, but I can't wait
23:39for two hours for the washing machine to go and get it dried, so I just have to make do
23:44before I've got it.
23:46I think I've been hard on in the last 24 hours.
23:49This morning, I criticised this breakfast, and it's time, and it's getting everything right.
23:53It is stressful.
23:58No.
24:00Sugar.
24:02Put a slight, like a, not a burn mark, but an outline of the iron, which isn't going to
24:06come out now, so I'm just going to turn the sheet round so it's at the bottom of the bed,
24:11and let's hope the guests don't, yeah, notice.
24:17For hosts with no hospitality experience, mistakes are to be expected, but learning from
24:23them is what really counts in this competition.
24:27Where you be?
24:28I just quickly whizz out to the shops, because they shut in ten minutes for their break.
24:32I've quickly whizzed around to get the sheets.
24:35Unfortunately, I forgot the duvet covers.
24:36So you need to whizz down there, so I have the iron on, and then I can quickly get them
24:40done.
24:41The rest of the beddings will be done.
24:42It's just literally two duvet covers to go on.
24:44So it's now 20 to 2.
24:47I need to be ready for when these guests turn up, and you need to be gone.
24:50Yeah.
24:50As well as presenting two immaculate rooms, the hosts have also been tasked with providing
24:59a welcome gift for their guests.
25:02Let's go and have a look.
25:04Are you sure you know what an orchard looks like?
25:07We'll be looking in a welcome gift, the thought that's gone into it.
25:11Yeah.
25:11Locally sourced, or natural, picked in the garden, or home-baked.
25:17And make lemon drizzle cake.
25:20It doesn't matter if the guests are coming an hour early, this cake is being made.
25:24But their little gift is going to be the little recipe for this, and some flowers, which is
25:29nice and personal, I think.
25:31Yeah.
25:31You're all good, yeah.
25:33It's a lovely day out there.
25:34Yeah.
25:35And there's some fresh mint growing out there.
25:37So, I think we could make some lovely fresh mint tea.
25:40Yeah.
25:40And the guests could sit on the patio, and maybe just have a little chat.
25:44Sounds like a plan.
25:44Sounds like a plan.
25:46I think just using what they've got around them is going to be great, and it's how they
25:51do that.
25:52You know, whether it's just the most beautiful posy of flowers, or maybe they've baked something
25:57using raspberries that are on a bush in the garden.
26:00And for me, it's going to be the way in which they implement it.
26:04Let's just split up and have a look.
26:07There's a pear tree.
26:08Oh, get some.
26:09No, they're not big enough.
26:12Listen, if we just get figs then, see if there's hope on these trees.
26:16If not, come and pick some of these.
26:17Let's just use these.
26:19Figs are hard, but not as hard as this.
26:22Yeah, but let's just put them out anyway.
26:23Yeah.
26:24You're like a nice fig.
26:25Oh, yeah, but they're about that size.
26:27No, they're not like this.
26:28They're not that big.
26:29Yeah.
26:29No, they're not.
26:30They're not me in a carton.
26:31What, you have in a packet?
26:33They're dates.
26:34Well, that's what I mean, dates.
26:36They're figs.
26:38Yeah, figs is different.
26:42Right, come on, Steve.
26:43Let's pick some flowers.
26:47But for all the hosts, time is running out.
26:51Why's it taking you for so long?
26:53Oh, hello.
26:55In about three shops, and I could get up with these normal white ones.
26:59Yep, that's absolutely fine.
27:00Well done.
27:01Mission accomplished.
27:03Accomplished.
27:03Well done.
27:05As the judges are on their way.
27:07Right, I'm still going to put the figs out.
27:09Are you going to put these in a dish or some of them?
27:11Just do whatever you want to do.
27:12Well, let's just get them in.
27:14Yeah?
27:14Are we done?
27:15No.
27:16I'll put them in a vase in here.
27:17Wait, wait.
27:17No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
27:19Wait.
27:20And with everything to play for, no one wants to slip up now.
27:24I've got bins.
27:26We know our mistakes, but whether we learn from them or not is another thing.
27:30What time are we on?
27:31Quarter?
27:32Michelle's like she's on steroids.
27:34She just needs to...
27:36She just needs to calm down a little bit, that's all.
27:39The hosts have pulled out the stops.
27:44Hello.
27:45Bonjour.
27:46I'm Nicola.
27:47I'm one of the judges.
27:48Hello, I'm Nicola as well.
27:49Oh, come on.
27:50Come on in.
27:53But now the welcome is over, the scrutiny begins.
27:57Oh, it smells gorgeous.
28:00What sort of cake is it?
28:01Lemon drizzle cake.
28:02So you made it?
28:04Yes.
28:04I thought Roy was the chef.
28:06He is the chef, but I do like to cook a lot.
28:08At home, I do all the cooking.
28:11He doesn't want to cook at home.
28:12No, I don't blame you.
28:13Well, he probably does sometimes, but I don't let him.
28:16Let's show you this room, Nicola.
28:18The rooms are under the judges' microscopes,
28:21and at this stage in the competition, there is nowhere to hide.
28:26They've got to remove, forensically, all evidence
28:30of the people who've been in the room before.
28:32So you need to put your specs on if you're over a certain age,
28:35and they need to be really thorough.
28:38We always use 100% cotton.
28:41It's a pretty duvet cover, actually.
28:44Lovely.
28:45Got a nice bin.
28:46Yep.
28:47Glue brush.
28:48Mm-hmm.
28:49It's lovely and clean.
28:50Clean as a whistle.
28:52Just the one glass.
28:54Yeah, because there's just one single person staying in the room.
28:57Ah, I didn't realise that.
29:00Lovely.
29:01Oh, you're fine.
29:01I really liked the fresh flowers and then a little posy
29:07and then a recipe for the cake of the day.
29:10That was very sweet.
29:13I think they managed today and the challenges
29:15that were thrown at them really, really well,
29:18with aplomb.
29:19Bonjour.
29:22Bonjour.
29:23Bonjour.
29:23Oh, no, it's you too much.
29:25Oh, my gosh.
29:25Shut the door.
29:26We're not that bad.
29:28Come on, now.
29:29We're not that bad.
29:30I know.
29:31Eh?
29:32Give me a love.
29:33We do a love.
29:34Yeah, good.
29:35There we go.
29:36Give me a love.
29:37So, this is the pigeonery.
29:41Yes.
29:41Excellent.
29:42Really cute, isn't it?
29:44Oh, beautiful.
29:45And let me guess.
29:46A little bird told us you like folding things.
29:49I've got too much time on me.
29:52Obviously.
29:53So, what gift have you left for the guests?
29:55Right, well, we've picked these beautiful flowers
29:57and then we've been picking the figs.
30:01They're baby peaches, aren't they?
30:02They are.
30:02But then they're not alive.
30:05Right.
30:05Right, okay.
30:07I'm not sure whether from a health and safety point of view
30:11it's permitted to use those.
30:14But for future, a really lovely idea.
30:16The idea is brilliant.
30:17Yeah, no.
30:19Right, we're going to leave you to it.
30:20Enjoy.
30:22We'll be looking to make sure everything that has been cleaned
30:26has been cleaned to a good standard.
30:28You might miss the tiniest bit of dust on a countertop
30:31or you might not polish all the watermarks off.
30:34That's really not as important as it having been cleaned.
30:38Check for cleanliness.
30:39Check for everything.
30:42There's no hand towel, as I can see.
30:45They are a hand towel in the swans.
30:48Yeah, I'm not sure how I feel about towel art.
30:55Showers, very good.
30:57A few watermarks.
31:00So, having dusted on top of the shower head,
31:04which, you know, they're new to it as well,
31:07so they just need to be told.
31:09Hello.
31:15Hello.
31:16Must be Rob.
31:17I am.
31:17Hi, I'm Eva, one of the judges.
31:19Hi, Eva.
31:19Lovely to meet you.
31:20Lovely to meet you too, yes.
31:21Please come on in.
31:22Sure, thank you.
31:24Are you about ready?
31:25We are about ready.
31:26Just a few final touches.
31:28Was that your mission for the day?
31:30Yeah.
31:31Here.
31:32Yeah.
31:33Did you find what you were looking for?
31:34We did, we did.
31:35Well, I was thought of.
31:36Yeah.
31:37It would do.
31:38It's better than having sheets that have been marked by the iron.
31:41Oh, right, yeah.
31:42Oh, by the iron.
31:44I sent this lovely man here on a mission.
31:46All right.
31:46He's accomplished my mission.
31:48Yes.
31:48So, I take that has to go into the bedroom for the next guest then?
31:52Yeah.
31:52Yeah.
31:52Which is, I'm going to quickly iron them.
31:54So, I'm going to leave you in the lovely, capable hands of Rob.
31:58Yeah, we'll have a look at the bathrooms there.
32:00Yeah.
32:00A change of a day is a busy day.
32:05It's about starting fresh.
32:06Everything will have to be cleaned.
32:07The bathroom will have to be refreshed with new towels.
32:10Everything cleaned up.
32:11And the room should be in a pristine condition for the arriving guests.
32:15I can see that you've really got the eye for detail.
32:18Well, you and Jackie.
32:19Maybe more Jackie.
32:19To be fair, that's Jackie's work.
32:22I can't take the credit for that.
32:23Jackie made sure everything was fashion.
32:24Yeah, yeah.
32:25She's brilliant at that.
32:26It's time for me to do a more thorough inspection of the bedroom and bathroom.
32:30No problem at all.
32:31I'll leave you to it.
32:31Perfect.
32:32And then you know where we are.
32:33No worries.
32:38Sorry.
32:40Sorry.
32:42I've got the other one.
32:47Jackie and Rob did well today.
32:48It's been a very overwhelming day for them, but I found that there is scope to improve
32:53the cleanliness standards in some area.
32:55The room and bathrooms weren't dirty, but I did find a few lapses in terms of this dusting
32:59in some areas due to something where we could see an improvement in quality moving forward.
33:05The inspection may be over, but the challenge is far from done, as the early guests are arriving.
33:17So we've got guests arriving early and you're ready?
33:19Absolutely ready.
33:20We are about ready.
33:21Just a few final touches.
33:23How did it feel that you suddenly had an early guest today?
33:26We're all over it.
33:27And the judges will be looking to see who will keep a cool head when the real task comes knocking.
33:36Right, we've got the wine out ready.
33:38You never know who's going to turn up on time or not.
33:41It is a pressure, pressure point.
33:43And when the door knocks, you are on show.
33:47The competition to win a B&B in France is heating up.
34:00Hello.
34:01Hello.
34:02Welcome.
34:03The hosts are facing a true test of B&B life, the early guest check-in.
34:08Hello.
34:10Hello.
34:10Welcome.
34:12And the judges are watching to see who can stay calm under pressure.
34:17Bonjour.
34:18Bonjour.
34:18Hello.
34:19And still deliver a warm welcome.
34:24This is your room for the evening.
34:26Very pretty.
34:28So I hope it's to your liking.
34:30And then this is your ensuite.
34:35Oh, wow.
34:36Beautiful.
34:38It's a beautiful day out there and there's a beautiful garden out there.
34:41So if you'd like to have a seat out there and then I'll bring you some drinks.
34:46Perfect.
34:46Sounds good.
34:46No, I look forward to it.
34:50Jackie was perhaps a bit nervous today.
34:52The guests arrived early, but sadly it is something that they will have to get used to.
34:56So we'll go about there?
34:58Yeah.
34:59But it's only day two and I think there is potential in there.
35:02Their enthusiasm really made up for the little lapses.
35:06Oh, wow.
35:08So it's just a little welcome gift for you.
35:10Oh, look at that.
35:11We have some fresh mint.
35:13Yeah.
35:13And we just have a few French delicacies.
35:16Yeah.
35:16Please enjoy.
35:17It looks stunning.
35:19You're welcome.
35:20Enjoy.
35:22It's actually really nice.
35:23Yeah.
35:23It sort of goes with the whole atmosphere.
35:25Yeah.
35:25Doesn't it?
35:26Yeah.
35:27No, I think it's right.
35:27It's really soothing, relaxing.
35:29A bit like a day spa.
35:30And this is your room for the night.
35:38Oh, charming.
35:39Yeah.
35:39Yeah, nice.
35:40And it's nice and airy.
35:41Yes, on sweet bath.
35:43The Wi-Fi code's there for you.
35:44The water station for you.
35:45Yeah.
35:46And there's a little homemade gift from us as well.
35:48Oh, bless you.
35:49It's flowers from the garden and the recipe for my lemon cake, which hopefully you'll enjoy shortly.
35:55There you are.
35:56You're very welcome.
35:57Thank you very much.
35:57There we go.
35:58I said the word.
35:58Yeah.
36:00My first impressions of Nicola and Roy, very warm, very friendly, very open-hearted.
36:09Got a really good first impression, actually.
36:12Genuine folk.
36:13We always call this part the chef's share.
36:16You can't really serve it, so who else can eat it?
36:19The chef.
36:23That looks wonderful.
36:25Is that OK?
36:26Not too much, not too little.
36:27No, it's perfect.
36:29I'm going to just check that it's not, you know, going to poison your guests or anything.
36:34Absolutely.
36:35I agree, Nicola.
36:35Can you join us?
36:36Yeah, well, Dale.
36:37Join us in about 10 minutes.
36:38Is that OK?
36:39Yeah.
36:39Brilliant.
36:40All righty.
36:43Is it good?
36:45Mmm.
36:46Mmm.
36:47Lovely.
36:47Still warm and really lemony.
36:50Mmm.
36:51Absolutely lovely.
36:51It's a nice touch.
36:53Yes.
36:58Steve, tell them what it's called, the pisionary.
37:00And it's called a pisionary.
37:01Right, so come and have a look.
37:03Enter them in a boudoir.
37:07Ooh.
37:08Ooh la la.
37:09At least we'll fit in there, me and you.
37:11Absolutely.
37:12That's nice, isn't it?
37:15Went out early this morning and picked some nice, lovely white flowers.
37:19And did you pick these as well?
37:21Right, yeah.
37:22This is one of our welcome gifts, but the figs, Michelle picked them a bit early because they're
37:26not ripe enough yet, so you can't eat them at all.
37:29Is it a bit hard?
37:31Does it look more like something you'd find off a castrated cat?
37:34Yeah, yeah.
37:37I'm sure they're peaches.
37:38Maybe leave them here and come back in a month or two.
37:42They might be ripe, but the thought was there and bless them.
37:46It's all open if you want to open your windows.
37:48So Steve thinks he's going to stand there with his trunk some, but I said no.
37:52Put these little fairy balls.
37:56I'm really, really impressed.
37:58I mean, who can't be bowled over by their energy?
38:03Yeah.
38:03Right, we shall leave you to it then.
38:05Thank you very much.
38:08Headcases.
38:10In a nice way.
38:11In a very nice way.
38:12She's funny.
38:13I think we're going to get on.
38:13I feel quite at home with headcases.
38:19Soon there are more guest check-ins.
38:23We have guests arriving.
38:24And another round of guided tours and welcome gifts.
38:28It's a nice double for you.
38:29Yeah, and we've got an en suite for you as well.
38:32Yeah.
38:32We have lemon cake downstairs you can come and enjoy.
38:35And that's a recipe if you ever wish to make it.
38:37This is your bathroom and it will just be for your personal use.
38:42Really?
38:43There will be nobody sharing the bathroom with you.
38:44That's fantastic.
38:45So, thank you.
38:47Can we go downstairs and do this?
38:49Of course you can.
38:49Yeah.
38:50Can we show you where's the house?
38:51Oh, lovely.
38:53I love the swan.
38:54The hosts have given their all.
38:57Thanks, Jimmy.
38:58Take care.
38:58To make an impression with their guests.
39:03But only the judges decide who is edging ahead in the competition.
39:07As day two draws to a close, it's time to return to the judges' HQ.
39:14What an afternoon.
39:17What an afternoon indeed.
39:19Wow.
39:20The scores on the doors have moved yet again.
39:25Well, we got to go to Michelle and Steve.
39:29Wow, what a couple.
39:30They've obviously worked in separate jobs.
39:33But now that they're able to do something together, it's a joy for them.
39:37They were completely ready for the early arrival.
39:40They weren't phased in the slightest.
39:43However, the swans were so elaborate today that there wasn't a hand towel in the bathroom
39:48because he'd had to use all the linen.
39:50My goodness.
39:51Oh, I think he saw on our faces that I don't approve.
39:55Oh, well, you got them prepared for my arrival tomorrow then because it's not for me.
40:00You've ruined the swan.
40:01It's dead.
40:02It's dead.
40:03It's the swan race.
40:03It's the swan.
40:04Hold on, look.
40:04I'll revive it.
40:07I genuinely felt warm in their company.
40:10They welcomed us as if we were long-lost friends and they proceeded to do that with all the guests.
40:17I did drop a tip that, you know, some guests would like to, like, stay and have a conversation,
40:23maybe have an evening with you.
40:24But then on the other hand, you'll have other guests who want to be quiet
40:28and just enjoy the quietness of the surroundings.
40:32And it's a fine line, isn't it?
40:34How beautiful is this?
40:37Eh, it's posh and all, isn't it?
40:37It's lovely, isn't it?
40:38Oh, it's like over 50s Love Island, isn't it, this one?
40:44So Nicola had the joy of...
40:46Roy and Nicola.
40:47Your namesake.
40:48Exactly.
40:49So tell us about Roy and Nicola's...
40:53Early arrival by the first lot of guests.
40:56Very good.
40:56...which they handled beautifully.
40:58They didn't really bat an eyelid.
41:01Have you any plans for dinner this evening?
41:03Do you want us to look up anywhere and book things for you or...?
41:06How's your French?
41:08Erm...
41:08Ask me another question!
41:12What did you think about their teamwork?
41:15Because I thought they were so strong on day one.
41:17Very much so.
41:18They're definitely a team.
41:20I'd like to see that consistency.
41:21There's no awkwardness between them.
41:24They are definitely working as a team.
41:25So how were the rooms?
41:27Did they get the turn of...?
41:28I really liked...
41:29I liked the room very, very much.
41:32And the room was clean.
41:33I thought it had everything everyone could need.
41:36Did they...
41:36Nice bedside lights.
41:37Did they have some bins in the bathroom?
41:39They had a bin in the bathroom.
41:40They did.
41:41Oh, so they did notice.
41:42So they'd taken on board what you said.
41:45The other challenge was a welcome gift.
41:47So what did they present?
41:49It's a handwritten recipe of the cake that they've eaten that day.
41:54Oh, really?
41:55That day was lemon drizzle.
41:56Great idea.
41:57Yeah, it was a good idea.
41:59Thank you very much.
42:00Is the cake homemade?
42:01Yes, it's homemade this morning.
42:03It's lemon drizzle cake.
42:04And this is the recipe?
42:05Yes, the recipe I give you upstairs, yeah.
42:07Okay, enjoy.
42:08Thank you very much.
42:09Bye-bye.
42:12It already...
42:13I get the sense that there's a calmness to everything.
42:15Very calm, yeah.
42:17Which is a bit of a contrast with my experience today, actually.
42:21You met Rob and Jackie.
42:23Well, it's been quite an eventful time, I think, for Rob and Jackie since the start,
42:27because as we discussed yesterday, they had some issues with the bedding, missing bedding.
42:32And so, on arrival today, I found out that I had to buy some fresh duvet covers.
42:39No way.
42:40Yeah.
42:41So when I inspected the bedroom, the bed, obviously, weren't made just yet.
42:46Bless them.
42:47Would you like a glass of wine?
42:51Now you're talking.
42:54I don't know if it was the stress, but I felt like Jackie was a bit, maybe, overwhelmed.
42:59Yeah, I think Jackie in particular seems to be flustering a lot, which is a shame, because
43:06she is so...
43:07So lovely.
43:08So lovely.
43:09She comes from a good place.
43:10Yeah, it really does.
43:11She's trying to do well, and she really wants to help, but I think it's about finding that
43:15balance.
43:16Yeah, I absolutely agree with you, and you're kind of rooting for them, and you want them
43:21to go, just stop, take a deep breath, and start again in an orderly fashion.
43:27But then how many times can we keep on telling them this?
43:31I think tomorrow with them will be a big tell.
43:36The hosts are learning fast and starting to find their stride, and the spirit of competition
43:42is taking hold.
43:44We've had a few issues to deal with today.
43:47We'll see what challenges are set for us tomorrow.
43:50And go from there.
43:51And see what happens.
43:53I think the more and more we get into the competition, we're enjoying it more.
43:57Yes, there's going to be a few more curveballs, but hey, it's not what life's about.
44:02Do you bother you to think you've got under-right things?
44:06I think it's the train that counts, and I knew that it looked good, and it was a talking
44:12point.
44:14But with the keys to their future on the line, the stakes are rising.
44:19The competition is ramping up.
44:21There are no clear favourites at the moment, because they're all offering something.
44:25I think tomorrow's going to be the big telling day.
44:27Tomorrow's going to be really exciting.
44:28The competition goes wild, because there is a full house of guests.
44:32It's going to keep them on their toes.
44:36Next time...
44:37Bounce on that one, and then bounce on that one.
44:40Slightly chaotic.
44:42Full houses cause chaos.
44:44I noticed I didn't have a sheet on my bed.
44:46Look, if you'd tried to blag it, we'd have known.
44:49And an evening meal service...
44:50Well, it's got a bit of a kick.
44:52I don't like spicy food.
44:54Tests who is thriving.
44:56They're going to be finished, and it looks really bad.
44:58And who is just surviving?
45:00You're doing great, Jackie.
45:01No, I'm not.
45:02Lesson learned.
45:03Don't do a curry in France.
45:05Don't do a curry in France.
Be the first to comment