The Chopping Block - (us) season 1 (2009)

Celebrated chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White (UK's "Hell's Kitchen") serves up a new original cooking competition series "The Chopping Block," in which the British Michelin star chef offers neophyte hopeful chefs/restaurateurs working in eight couples a chance to compete in America's greatest restaurant challenge.

First the two teams have to prepare dishes inspired by nature using herbs from the Central Park. Then they have to run a dinner service without any reservations.

The two teams, each consisting of two couples now, have first to prepare one entrée and one pasta dish in thirty minutes. Then they have to cook for Italians including Soprano's Vinnie Pastore and Federico Castelluccio.

In this episode Chef Marco challenges the two teams to serve breakfast and lunch.

Only three days remain for the remaining two teams to remodel the restaurants for a grand opening. Also, the teams visit an art gallery for inspiration before catering for an upscale event for socialites.

The finale has arrived and the remaining two couples remodel their area, make menu plans and prepare top-notch service for opening night, which will be attended by Piers Morgan, various celebrities and food critics.