Big Chef Takes on Little Chef

Little Chef has been an iconic British brand for decades, serving up no-nonsense fast food to the nation's hungry travellers. But 50 years down the road the chain is in trouble. Britain's palate has moved forward while its motorway cuisine is stuck in reverse. Enter Heston Blumenthal: one of the world's most well-known chefs and master of culinary arts. Can the creator of bacon and egg ice cream be the change the chain is looking for? He'll have to be. The company went bust in 2007 and needs a dramatic rebranding if its re-launch is going to last the distance. But can a man used to serving soundtracks of the sea with his fish suppers be able to turn out hearty tucker for less than a tenner? The heat is on for Heston.

Heston says he's honoured to have a hand in turning around the fortunes of an iconic British institution. But the Little Chef workers are less convinced by the partnership. Well those who've heard of him anyway. "He's a scientist chef that does experiments," offers a Geordie waiter. "Didn't he make ice cream out of bacon and eggs?" suggests another. And then there's the infamous snail porridge. "I'm not sure people are ready for snail porridge in Little Chef," muses one manager. "They weren't ready for muesli." Heston pops in for lunch to check out the food and isn't impressed with the massive menu. There's reference to Thailand, America... everywhere other than Britain," he chides. "This is the menu of a company in a panic." Heston opts for a selection of dishes but isn't impressed by anything on offer, apart, that is, from the eggs. "It doesn't taste of anything," he exclaims in amazement. "How do you do that?"