Restaurant winners open new venue

Winners of the BBC's Restaurant programme with Raymond Blanc

A couple who won a restaurant in a television contest have opened the doors of their new business.

Jeremy and Jane Hooper, from Devon, beat off competition from eight couples in the BBC Two series The Restaurant.

Eight At The Thatch, which is in Thame, Oxfordshire, is backed by the show's judge, French chef Raymond Blanc.

The Hoopers impressed the programme's judges with eight course menus, but will not introduce them to their restaurant until early next year.

Mr Hooper, 33, a former Royal Marines Commando based at RMB Chivenor, said: "There have been a few people worried whether we will be able to handle the eight course menu."

We're not looking for fame and fortune Jane Cooper

In the meantime the couple will serve more conventional fare.

Mrs Hooper, 29, who is expecting their first child in March, said they are getting settled into their new home in Thame.

She added: "The best thing is that we're not celebrities, we're not looking for fame and fortune.

"We're looking to start a family in a nice town with a nice business that is productive and keeps us going."

The couple had to undertake a number of challenges for the prize of starting a new food venture.

Raymond Blanc's hotel and restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, is near Oxford.

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