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 rtunity
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 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.
