Comments on: Nine questions to ask Fifteen Melbourne

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 15:45:33 +0000

Yeah, you’re right Ed. I saw the show for the first time last night when I switched over after Inspector Rex. I couldn’t believe there were two ads during one break that used the kids to promote different sponsors. I wonder if the kids get royalties? More likely it’s part of the contract they sign.

By: DrReb

DrReb — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:46:28 +0000

Really interesting questions and comments Ed. I’ll be fascinated to see where this takes you and what you find. And while 15 certainly gives some people a break and they benefit from it by launching a career, there are also those whose hopes are dashed, and those who merely through the process they are subjected to are exploited by the TV show. So there are some ethical questions there to be explored. I think not letting Downes in is a gross mistake. If the review is bad, they need to address the problems. One bad review from Downes will not empty the booking ledger. And I don’t give a toss about your typos.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 04:48:02 +0000

Tim, there are plenty of other people helping out disanvataged kids through kitchen but they don’t have a TV show as free advertising. they also are not lining their pockets. The objection is not to the concept but the lack of transparncy. hence, I ask these questions. And as a disclosure, as a journalist, i may just make a little money out of it along the way. I can’t help that. its my job.
I do wonder if there will be a series two. tmorrow I’ll check out the ratings.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 04:36:46 +0000

Grammar Police, sorry you were consigned to my junk. I can’t imagine why. Look at the bigger picture with this story. I do make 100% of my money from freelance writing and am quite aware of the rules. What you need to realise that a blog isn’t a newspaper with a brigade of subtors. I snatch a few minutes here and there to post and to get the stories up. No surprise thatsometimes in the rush that my proof reading sucks. You’ll find plenty of other typos etc in my other 398 entries.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 04:31:09 +0000

Adrian, perhaps they do fear Stephen more. I do recall AA Gill being thrown out by by Marco Pierre White for wearing bicycle clips. A Gill is more enterainment tha serious reviewing. fay i think is quite scary.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 04:16:43 +0000

Fifteen in London didn’t have a problem with Fay Maschler or AA Gill doing reviews when it first opened. Perhaps they fear Stephen Downes more…

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 02:55:19 +0000

Matt, Stephen was kicked out because they were worries about a a bad review thatis all. He has a tough reputation but his reviews are fair. The digging has begun. And more will follow…

Andrew, you are right there is a smell and hopefully its source will be found.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 02:44:30 +0000

Ed, you questions seem fair and reasonable, and have raised some interesting points I hadn’t considered. I also agree with AOF, that the mainstream media silence is deafening.

Oh I smell some controversy here. The smell is not as appealing as a well cooked meal, but it sure draws me in like one!

I doubt much will come of it though, as I think many people are only interested in the feel good aspect of the production. Given the great quality and price-point of other local restaurants, I doubt people would think about much else WRT Fifteen….nor spend their valuable time and money eating there.

Hopefully some answers to your questions will still be heard. Maybe a little more controversy will be heard underground too

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:23:00 +0000

So why exactly did Stephen Downes get kicked out ? He seems to make a habit of that… For good reason, or just because they can’t handle the flack ?

Personally I couldn’t care less about the details as long as food is great, the service genuine, and the price is right But I’m all for investigations… so search on.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 20:27:23 +0000

I’m not surprised they barred Downes. Not because his reviews are negative, just because they’re not very good.

As a business idea, Fifteen is a beaut. The telly show generates huge interest amongst a lot of people who don’t generally do “fine dining”. The reservation book is chockers. When interest starts to wane, along comes series two! This is a better idea than My Restaurant Rules because series two of that is a different restaurant. Meanwhile the first one disappears and no one really notices.

Another bonus for Fifteen is that they won’t have to rely on repeat customers, because they are tapping into the vast majority of the population who normally wouldn’t dream of spending $250 on dinner for two. So even if it’s a bit crap (which, by the way, I’m sure it isn’t), there’s a constant stream of new customers. It’s not like people will stay away like they would a “normal” restaurant.

Although some people are no doubt lining their pockets through this venture, I don’t necessarily think they deserve a kicking. The fact is, they are giving some pretty disadvantaged people a chance. So it’s not entirely selfish; at worst it’s a bit opportunistic. People are making lots of money elsewhere and giving nothing at all back (have you ever eaten on Hardware St? It’s always bustling, and not because of the food quality).