Tricks of the Restaurant Trade

Kate Quilton and chef Simon Rimmer investigate how consumers can get the best experience when dining out.

Cast:Simon Rimmer , Adam Pearson , Sophie Morgan , Kate Quilton , Seyi Rhodes , Luca Barbarossa , Yang-Hui He

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Episodio #1.1

Tue, Jan 5, 2016

The series begins by looking at burgers. How different are the patties used in high-end burgers from those that McDonalds serve? Plus reports on restaurant sales techniques such as up-selling and the 'golden table'.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Episodio #1.2

Tue, Jan 12, 2016

The team compare classic pizzas with less traditional alternatives - checking their nutritional values. Afternoon tea is examined and the team ask how much restaurants make by rushing diners?

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Episodio #1.3

Tue, Jan 19, 2016

Add a plot

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Episodio #1.4

Tue, Jan 26, 2016

Add a plot

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Episode #2.1

Mon, Nov 14, 2016

The show that investigates whether consumers are getting the best deal at their favourite eateries returns, finding out just how good the coffee really is at high-street chains.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Episode #2.2

Mon, Nov 21, 2016

The team go behind the scenes at a leading high-street sushi chain, where Kate Quilton asks how healthy the Japanese cuisine really is. She also examines what ingredients go into wasabi paste.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Episode #2.3

Mon, Nov 28, 2016

The team look at what is in some of the takeaway lunches sold by big name chains and investigating whether the salads and soups that many order as a healthier option are quite as healthy as we think.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Episode #2.4

Mon, Dec 5, 2016

Kate Quilton enlists the help of a group of taxi drivers to investigate why portion sizes seem to have got bigger. Simon Rimmer campaigns to bring the doggy bag to Britain to reduce the amount of food waste.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Episode #3.1

Mon, Oct 16, 2017

Sophie reveals why "fresh" and "handmade" don't always mean what we think. Simon explores how coffee chains are changing what we drink.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Episode #3.2

Mon, Oct 23, 2017

Sophie investigates children's menus. Simon discovers that fish and chips isn't as British as you may think. Plus cinema dining menus and the disappearance of the 125ml wine glass.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Episode #3.3

Mon, Oct 30, 2017

What does the growth of home delivery companies mean for consumers and restaurants? Simon exposes hidden sugar is restaurant dishes. Single-dish restaurants are examined.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Episode #3.4

Mon, Nov 6, 2017

Sophie gets some fans of the traditional British-style curry to try out the new wave of authentic Indian restaurants with are opening in the UK. Also, a look at how important restaurants have become to shopping centres.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Episode #3.5

Mon, Nov 13, 2017

Simon checks out the high-street trend for dessert bars. Why does American fast-food taste different on each side of the Atlantic? How do you undress a lobster?

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ Episode #3.6

Mon, Nov 20, 2017

Sophie tries out a healthier and cheaper steak - the flat iron steak. Simon meets the former builder who is the only British pizzaiolo in Italy's exclusive True Neapolitan Pizza Association.

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ Episode #4.1

Mon, Apr 30, 2018

Simon enters the secretive world of research and development at Starbucks. Adam explores the latest trend in bottled water. Sophie sips cocktails and the team look at restaurant apps.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ Episode #4.2

Mon, May 7, 2018

Simon unlocks the science of what happens to our taste buds during air travel. Adam explores food mashups such as sushi burgers and cronuts. Sophie looks at motorway services food.

3Season 4

S4.E3 ∙ Episode #4.3

Mon, May 14, 2018

Simon reveals the best restaurant special offers and proves that plenty of big chains are willing to give away food and drink for free. Also features a report on which are the healthiest chips.

4Season 4

S4.E4 ∙ Episode #4.4

Mon, May 21, 2018

Adam reveals the simple psychological trick used on menus to get diners to spend more. Simon explores healthier new food trends. Sophie asks if fruit juices are as healthy as people think.

5Season 4

S4.E5 ∙ Episode #4.5

Mon, May 28, 2018

Can Seyi Rhodes revive a meat dish that has fallen out of favour? The team explore the impact of social media on restaurants - from the power of TripAdvisor to online ordering from your restaurant table.

6Season 4

S4.E6 ∙ Episode #4.6

Mon, Jun 4, 2018

Sophie explores the latest developments in the battle between coffee and tea for hot drink dominance. Eating out for breakfast and the amount of salt in some desserts are also looked at.

1Season 5

S5.E1 ∙ Episode #5.1

Mon, May 13, 2019

Simon visits Wagamama's Noodle Lab to explore how innovation and customer feedback can dictate what ends up on our plates. Plus: monster milkshakes, waste food apps, how to cook the perfect fish and up-selling.

2Season 5

S5.E2 ∙ Episode #5.2

Mon, May 20, 2019

Simon discovers the challenges that Pizza Hut face in creating a vegan menu. Plus: the best high street meal deals. And the food trend that's bringing street food in from the cold: food halls.

3Season 5

S5.E3 ∙ Episode #5.3

Mon, May 27, 2019

The team check out calorie counts in restaurant meals. In-home delivery meal kits. Adam explores 'cakeage', where restaurants charge customers to eat their own celebration cakes.

4Season 5

S5.E4 ∙ Episode #5.4

Mon, Jun 3, 2019

Simon and Sophie discover that the cheese on your take-away pizza may not be what you think it is. A Glasgow family try home food delivery services.

5Season 5

S5.E5 ∙ Episode #5.5

Mon, Jun 10, 2019

The team head to the airport to look at food options a deals available. Sophie sees how are pubs and bars are catering for teetotal twenty-somethings. Plus, the cost of no shows.

6Season 5

S5.E6 ∙ Episode #5.6

Mon, Jun 17, 2019

Simon meets a community group making use of food waste. A look at how restaurants and coffee chains are catering for customers with allergies and can menus make us buy more.