In this Restaurant Impossible episode, Robert Irvine visits Sweet Potato Cafe in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Sweet Potato Cafe is owned by couple Karen and Darell.
They have owned the restaurant for over 10 years.
It is a farm-to-table restaurant.
They both had worked in different industries until Karen decided to act on her passion for catering.
Darell later convinced her to open a restaurant instead.
They made a lot of errors that led to trouble with the IRS and the lights were cut off.
They have dipped into their retirement accounts and are struggling.
Their relationship is strained and they are miserable.
Robert arrives and surprises the owners, meeting them in the middle of service.
He finds it quaint but the furnishing is mismatched and there are holes in the walls.
Robert goes straight to the kitchen to meet the owners.
He quickly notices Karen is more vocal and doing all the work.
Darell is laughing with the staff not doing much.
Karen cannot answer when Robert asks what Darell does.
Back to the service, ticket times are up to 51 minutes.
Karen is struggling working on her own.
Robert shuts it down and orders from the menu.
He only likes the black bean burger.
Robert has issues with everything else.
He tells them it is not farm-to-table as they are using out of season vegetables.
Karen says she has lost her passion because she is doing too much.
They tell Robert that they are on social security.
They barely pay themselves $500 a month and are in $250,000 debt.
Karen does not feel supported and lets Darell know.
The design team of Tom and Lynn are brought in and they see how disconnected the space is.
They think that the structure is great but they just need to make the space cohesive.
Volunteers and staff empty out the space.
Robert talks with Darell in the empty space.
He tells him he needs to be in it doing 50% of the work as he is a co-owner.
They are reminded of their commitment to each other but Darell is still not showing any.
Robert checks in on the design team and they have stripped the fixtures.
They tell Robert their plans for the space.
After this he tries to get the couple to be honest with each other.
Karen lists out her expectations of Darell in the relationship and the business.
Darell finally has an epiphany as his father was as closed off.
Robert gives them the assignment to write their own epilogue of what they hope to get after the show.
The next day, Robert arrives and it is raining.
He meets with the couple in the kitchen and they tell Robert their proposed epilogue.
It is sweet but Robert reminds them they need the passion back in their business to follow through.
Robert checks in on the renovation space.
They are having a challenge with paint drying slowing because of the weather.
They also have to all work inside, almost on top of each other.
Robert works on inspiring Karen by using in-season food produce and what he can find in the kitchen to throw together a meal.
She is inspired by him working and loves the quick dish he makes.
He presents her with many in-season fresh ingredients and challenges her to make a creative dish on her own.
When he leaves her, he trains Darell on running the numbers side of the business and costing meals.
When they are done Karen has completed her task and Robert tastes her dish, loving it.
Darell is left to practise all he learned.
Robert takes Karen through various dishes that will be added to the menu.
They make a black bean burger with a twist, a pulled pork macaroni and cheese and a chicken pot pie.
The design team worked hard to meet the reopening time despite their setbacks.
By nighttime Darell and Karen are taken in and shown the new space.
It has been livened up with crisp colours and a warmth with a cohesive design that depicts the farm-to-table theme.
They love it all and are excited to let customers in.
Darell is trained on the POS system process so he can expedite and help in front of the house.
This will leave Karen to focus on cooking.
On relaunch, the customers love all the food and the new look to the restaurant.
What Happened Next at Sweet Potato Cafe?
After Robert’s visit, sales jumped 41%.
Darrell has kept his promise to Karen and is experimenting with her new menu.
They both have revitalised their marriage and are looking forward to the next 10 years together.
Sweet Potato Cafe is open.
Reviews are very positive with praise for the food and service.
Sweet Potato Cafe is Restaurant Impossible season 21 episode 5 and aired on 26th May 2022.
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Next episode - Grumpy's Diner
Previous episode - Giovanni's Italian Restaurant
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