So when BBC2 aired The Restaurant, a show that tested nine couples' staying power in the hospitality industry, sparks were guaranteed to fly.

 

Working and living together, the couples' every move was caught on camera including mistakes, tough decisions, arguments, tantrums plus all the highs and lows of running your own restaurant.

 

Each week the panel of inspectors; Raymond Blanc, Lee Cash, Sarah Willingham and John Lederer decided on the three weakest eateries and gave each couple a challenge to prove that their restaurant was good enough to remain open.

 

Two people who managed to keep their venue running until the end were runners-up Jess and Laura Tilli.

 

Speaking exclusively to EatOutMagazine.co.uk the twin sisters explain more about their experience on the programme, their love for cooking and why destringing runner beans helped get them where they are today.

 

Tell us about applying for the show and the process of selection:
We were really busy doing our kids' parties and we saw an advert on a website for the show. We both thought we needed a change of lifestyle and we had always dreamt of having our own little sandwich bar somewhere. We are very what you see is what you get kind of girls and think this is why we got through the audition process. We had a strong vision from the start and the concept for our restaurant, Brown & Green was pretty much sorted.

 

From the age of 15 we have worked in restaurants starting on the washing up then to waiting on tables and being kitchen assistants. We did our fair share of stints in bars and pubs in Brighton and Liverpool. The training we learnt here was invaluable and has set us up for a life in the industry. Although pulling a pint in Liverpool is a far cry from pouring a glass of Chianti at Le Manoir!

 

Our mum is a great cook and when we were little we would join in with the preparation, giving us rubbish jobs like peeling potatoes and destringing runner beans! I think this got us off to a great start though. I have always loved everything to do with food, the cooking, the eating and even the shopping for food. Laura and I love heading to Borough Market and picking up something really yummy to cook for dinner.

 

I (Jess) learnt how to cook 45 covers in one night as opposed to four and Laura learnt how to deal with customers. My cooking has definitely improved and I am much more willing to have a go at anything. But the main thing we both got out of the show is to not take things too seriously but make quick decisions and just go for it full pelt!

 

We are looking to open Brown & Green in the near future but obviously coming second, we missed out on the funding. We are going to have to be patient and either earn some serious cash or maybe find the right person to go into business with. The concept for Brown & Green will be exactly the same as this is what we believed in from the start. Initially, it will be just the two of us doing the setting up, but we have many willing friends who we know we could call on when we need them!

 

Our dream is now to open up near to where we live in South London or in our home town of Brighton. It will be smaller than the prize restaurant, which had 100 covers, so we can concentrate on getting how we want it. Brown & Green will continue to be a family friendly relaxed eating-place, where good friends can share great food. The food will be wholesome, nutritious, organic and locally sourced exactly like the staff. We can't wait!