Whites [DVD]

Deep in the Hertfordshire countryside, Thaxted Manor Hotel is home to The White House restaurant and it's resident head chef Roland White (Alan Davies). A former leading light of the London restaurant scene Roland is now a terminal slacker who relies on best friend and put upon sous chef Bib (Darren Boyd) to do all the hard work for him. With his brigade of staff including restaurant manager Caroline (Katherine Parkinson), dippy waitress Kiki (Isy Suttie), new apprentice Skoose (Stephen White) and hotel owner Celia (Maggie Steed) Roland is facing a difficult choice; to finally go for it and earn that first elusive Michelin star or just hide in his office and settle for the easy life.

The DVD of Whites contains all six episodes of the first series.

Episode 1:
Bib is working under masses of pressure, whilst Roland is taking his own time, away from service, to write a book that nobody has asked him to, much to the annoyance of restaurant manager Caroline. Spurred on by the news a publisher is coming to dinner with owner Celia, he sets about showing his worth as a top chef.

To assist his put-upon sous chef, he hires an apprentice Skoose. Bib is overjoyed. This, however, is short lived. Assisted by kooky waitress Kiki, the team pulls together under the pressure of a busy dinner service to keep it running smoothly, and impress the guests with their top quality food. Will they do it?

Episode 2:
Caroline is annoyed that Roland has yet again failed to update the menu and pushes him to come up with a new one. As Bib is so keen to introduce new dishes, Roland sees this as an opportunity and asks him to design the new menu.

Roland is troubled when celebrity chef Shay Marshall arrives at the hotel in his helicopter. He is one of Bib's heroes and Bib begins to model the new menu on Shay's unusual recipes. Shay's flirting with Caroline tips Roland over the edge and he confides in Bib his real reasons for disliking Shay. How will this affect the team, and how will Roland feel when Shay comes to dinner?

Episode 3:
A car convention takes place at Thaxted Manor.

Bib is under pressure from his wife as they are desperately trying for a baby. He races against time to make it to the fertility clinic, which is not easy when Skoose is lurking round every corner.

Skoose is put in charge and uses that position to his own advantage, much to the delight of Kiki. Roland is enamoured by a beautiful visitor to the hotel and sets about impressing her with his cooking skills - which Caroline certainly has something to say about.

Episode 4:
The White House restaurant undergoes a health and safety inspection. Roland is used to passing with flying colours with the help of a little bit of casual bribery. Not this time though as new inspector, Heather Critch, means he can't rely on his usual methods to pass. With Caroline and Celia on his case, he has to find another way to stop the restaurant from threat of closure.

Meanwhile, Bib is desperate for a holiday with his wife, which is only exasperated by borderline sociopath Skoose, and Kiki demonstrates her talents as the designated fire warden.

Episode 5:
Roland finally gets a chance in the spotlight when he is invited to do a spot on TV show, Sunday Chefs. It's just a pity he's chosen to do it on a day where they have a function for 300 people, much to the annoyance of Bib and Caroline.

Then when Roland chooses Skoose to be his TV 'sous chef', to the absolute delight of the young apprentice, Bib is driven close to the edge, until a chance meeting with an Australian restaurant owner makes him take a step back and consider his future.

Meanwhile, Robin and Caroline have made their own commitment to the future. How will Roland react to the news?

Episode 6:
Roland is feeling lost without Bib, who is planning his new life in Australia. Whilst the White House staff prepare their acts for the talent show, Roland begrudgingly interviews for a new sous chef, which he makes sure Bib knows about when he pops in to say his goodbyes.

Kiki is upset that Skoose refuses to perform at the party, whilst excitedly talking to Axel about his act, much to Skoose's frustration.

Meanwhile, Robin has to attend to a pig, leaving Caroline at the mercy of Celia's bartending. Will Caroline finally let her hair down? And will Roland have to perform on his own? With the party in full swing, drinks flowing, anything can happen.

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Deep in the Hertfordshire countryside Thaxted Manor Hotel is home to The White House restaurant and it's resident head chef Roland White (Alan Davies). A former leading light of the London restaurant scene Roland is now a terminal slacker who relies on best friend and put upon sous chef Bib (Darren Boyd) to do all the hard work for him. With his brigade of staff including restaurant manager Caroline (Katherine Parkinson), dippy waitress Kiki (Isy Suttie), new apprentice Skoose (Stephen White) and hotel owner Celia (Maggie Steed) Roland is facing a difficult choice; to finally go for it and earn that first elusive Michelin star or just hide in his office and settle for the easy life. ...Whites - Season 1 ( Whites - Season One )