The owners and chefs at a restaurant will go head to head with other Sussex restaurateurs on an episode of a hit TV show.

Jack Southan and Will Dennard will host their rivals at their restaurant Med, in Little East Street, Brighton, in an episode of Come Dine With Me: The Professionals which airs this week.

Med will take on Ami Bistro, in Worthing, and The Fat Greek Taverna in a Sussex showdown.

Filmed over five full days, Med was the third restaurant to host their guests and said the experience was “a lot of fun”.

“We’re a small plates restaurant, so we treated the other two restaurants to an array of different dishes to try,” said Will, Med’s other co-chef and co-owner.

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“The camera crew really get into the nitty gritty of professional kitchen life. It takes a while to get used to them being there, and they don’t miss a trick.”

Since the show was filmed in late 2022, The Fat Greek Taverna in Portland Road, Worthing, has closed down. Jack and Will say this is one of many restaurants affected by the challenges facing the beleaguered hospitality industry.

“Independent restaurants are fighting for survival at the moment, and it’s a real shame that out of the three of us appearing on the show, one has already closed down,” said co-owner and chef Jack.

“Eye-watering increases on energy bills, food and wine costs, and rent and VAT increases means restaurants are struggling to stay afloat. We really need the support of local diners in order to keep going. Times have never been this tough, and once your favourite local restaurant is gone – it’s gone.”

Med has since evolved its concept since filming took place and has built an open kitchen in the upstairs dining room. 

"If you drop by now, you’ll actually get to see Will and I cooking – there’s nowhere for us to hide anymore.” said Jack. “People can drop by for a few plates of food and some of our delicious cocktails, and we’re right by the beach too. We look forward to hopefully welcoming some new guests after the show is aired.”

  • The Channel 4 show airs at 5pm on Thursday, May 23.