Family-run restaurant in Warsash gets the Alex Polizzi treatment and prepares for prime-time TV

The Nook in Warsash will be one of the restaurants featured on new Channel 5 show, Peyton and Polizzi’s Restaurant Rescues, which is fronted by Alex and her brother-in-law Oliver Peyton.

The Nook’s owner Malcolm Goble said: ‘We got an email saying would we like to be on a restaurant TV show and we thought it would be good to get professional business advice from an industry heavyweight like Alex and would also get us some publicity.’

Malcolm has run the eatery with his wife Christine for four years but felt the place needed a facelift.

He said: ‘We were not in big trouble or anything like that but it was really good to be a part of and the team did some renovation and decoration which has lifted the place.

‘Alex also gave us tips on our signage and menus – like not having them laminated and instead printed on paper with today’s date which shows we change the menu each week which is really important to us.’

Malcolm and his team of two chefs source local produce in the area each week for their dishes.

The 40-year-old said: ‘I think it is so important to source locally and keep our farmers going and especially nowadays people like the fact their dinner has only come up the road.

‘We sit down and have dinner with our farmers so we know everything is free range and organic and in this area we have so much choice in terms of fresh meat and fish as well.’

Malcolm hopes the TV coverage will put his place on the map.

He added: ‘Like all restaurants round this time of year, it is hard especially all the chains that people go to and I think sometimes it is because people just don’t know we are here so hopefully this TV programme will go some way into raising awareness of where we are and what we are about as I am biased but I think we do really lovely dishes and offer a great service for our customers.’

The series started last week and The Nook’s episode will be shown on February 21 on Channel 5 at 9pm.