Chef Zdeněk Pohlreich returned to television screens for the third episode of the reality series Ano, šéfe!, heading to the Central Bohemian town of Jince to rescue the struggling restaurant Malý Janek, according to FTV Prima. The venue, operating as part of a local brewery, found itself on the brink of bankruptcy under the ownership of former politician Jiří Janeček, who admitted he did not call the abrasive culinary expert for help himself, according to FTV Prima reporting.
Why the Brewery Restaurant in Jince Struggled Under Pandemic Pressures
Janeček launched his hospitality venture during a difficult period, telling the production team that starting a business in 2020 right in the middle of COVID-19 lockdowns severely crippled his brewery plans, according to FTV Prima. Pohlreich assessed the situation by pointing out the timing, noting that pandemic restrictions derailed initial efforts and pushed the business toward massive debt, as reported by FTV Prima. Regular local patrons, rather than the owner, ultimately initiated the call to bring the famous chef in to inspect the failing kitchen operations, according to FTV Prima.
The Reality Check: Menus, Mascot Dogs, and Culinary Shortcomings
An inspection of the restaurant’s menu revealed an overwhelming amount of cluttered information spanning a small space, accompanied by the owner’s dachshund wandering freely across the dining room floor, according to FTV Prima. Pohlreich criticized the establishment for being stuck six years in the past, noting that while an all-you-can-drink offer for 490 crowns might distract some customers, the food quality failed to impress, according to FTV Prima. Food tastings yielded harsh feedback from the host, who stated that a salad contained excessive dressing, traditional pork roast sat in standing water resembling amateur cooking, and the brewery goulash tasted like military rations from decades ago, according to FTV Prima.
A Colonel in the Kitchen and Staff Turnover Frustrations
Inside the kitchen, Pohlreich discovered that another namesake, a cook named Zdeněk holding the military rank of colonel, directed the stove operations with skills far removed from professional standards, according to FTV Prima. Commenting on the owner’s political past, Pohlreich quipped that Prague remained in roughly the same shape as the restaurant’s kitchen, according to FTV Prima. Janeček frequently relied on excuses regarding external factors, prompting Pohlreich to note that the owner acted as a professional complainer while staff members struggled through a tense dinner service alongside a self-described hysterical kitchen assistant named Katka, according to FTV Prima.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Malý Janek restaurant featured on Ano, šéfe!?
Former politician Jiří Janeček owns the establishment in Jince, according to FTV Prima.
Why did the restaurant fall into deep financial trouble?
The business suffered heavily from launching right at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted initial brewery and restaurant plans, according to FTV Prima.
When and where does the third episode air?
The premiere episode airs on September 10 at 21:30 on Prima, with streaming availability a week in advance on prima+, according to FTV Prima.
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