FIRST DATES OPENS NEW RESTAURANT ON CHANNEL 4, MEET THE NEW TEAM

Channel 4 and Twenty Twenty Productions have revealed the city of Bath will be the new filming location for the famous First Dates restaurant, set to become the romantic hot-spot at the heart of the BAFTA-winning dating series.

Returning for a brand-new series after 10 years of matchmaking on screen, maître d’ Fred Sirieix and his team of cupids will be hoping sparks fly between a new line-up of blind daters at The Botanist bar & restaurant in Bath.

The new location won’t be all that’s changing about the series. Along with a striking new restaurant home, the tenth anniversary season will launch brand-new cast members, a format refresh, and some of the most unforgettable dating moments the show has ever featured.

Maître d’ Fred Sirieix and his team have helped match up hundreds of couples in that time, leading to a host of engagements, marriages and even a baby. Such is the popularity of the show that a spin off, First Dates Hotel, was launched in 2017, seeing daters travel to luxurious hotels in France and Italy in the hope of finding their soulmate.

Fred

Merlin

Aoife

Aoife has worked in restaurants for most of her adult life purely because she loves the social aspect and getting to know people from all walks of life – the ‘Oprah of the industry’ if you will!.

She is a self-confessed theatre geek and is currently learning Italian because ‘she loves how theatrical it is’. Aoife will always go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to make customers feel comfortable and happy – hope they leave having had the best experience possible.

Kofi

Kofi is an experienced waiter at bars and restaurants across London and he loves nothing more than seeing the potential romance on shift and will try whatever he can to “wing man” his dates by sometimes bringing out complimentary desserts for them to share. He is also a keen wine enthusiast and dreams of one day becoming a sommelier, and is hoping the First Dates Restaurant will teach him a thing or two.

Cici

Jamie

Jamie is a skilled bartender with a passion for cocktails and prides himself on his excellent customer service. He combines an extensive knowledge of mixology with a past record of delivering high-end service standards in a five-star environment.

Originally from Bath, Jamie has been in the hospitality industry since he left school, and moved to London a couple of years ago to pursue his dream of serving A-listers at the Savoy – which he did right up until joining the First Dates Restaurant this year.

Francesca

For the tenth anniversary, First Dates are welcoming familiar face Francesca who viewers may recognise from First Dates Hotel. Francesca, from Italy, has over 20 years experience in the business; starting out as a sommelier and now working as a Hotel Manager.

Having worked in Bath during her time in the UK when she was younger, she is delighted to be returning to the ‘most romantic restaurant in the most romantic city.’

First Dates Tuesday 2nd January at 10pm on Channel 4.