‘Restaurant: Impossible’ to film in Nampa. Wanna go? Prepare to swallow COVID rules
A celebrity chef is headed to Nampa to chronicle a culinary rescue, and Idahoans are invited to join the action.
But they’ll need to be prepared for COVID-19 health precautions — the type that weren’t always popular in Canyon County even at the height of the pandemic.
Robert Irvine, star of “Restaurant: Impossible,” will bring his reality series to Island Kine Grinds, 140 Caldwell Blvd. Filming will take place May 24 and 25.
Never seen the show? Basically, Irvine, 56, swoops into a struggling restaurant with a $10,000 renovation budget to “save America’s most desperate restaurants from impending failure in just two days.”
Two events have been posted on Irvine’s official Facebook page. One is for people who want to help with renovations. (Those are paid positions.) Another is for diners who want to chow down at a lunch or dinner.
Both situations will require participants to take a COVID test in advance, according to the instructions, and mandate that masks will be worn on set at all times. For diners, “once the service starts and you get your food, you will be able to take them off.”
Thanks to that last part, at least a few Idahoans ought to show up, right? At least for a free lunch? And a chance to be on TV?
One of only a handful of Hawaiian restaurants in the Boise area, Island Kine Grinds rates 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp. Customers on the restaurant’s Facebook page have been posting their support about the Food Network filming.
“What a super cool thing to happen to such a nice family-(run) business!” wrote one commenter. “They have been through so much! God bless you!”
Interested in doing a little painting or swinging a hammer? There are two renovation shifts: 1 p.m. May 24 and 10:30 a.m. May 25. Instructions: “Email reservationsimpossible@gmail.com by MAY 20TH, at 12:00PM (PST) with your full name, email address, cell number and any pertinent skill set / related profession (ex: plumber or painter). Please use the following subject line: 2016 / ISLAND KINE GRINDS Volunteer.”
(Note: No idea why it says “2016” — it just does.)
Want to eat instead? There are two meals: 11 a.m. May 24 and 7 p.m. May 25. Note: No guests younger than 8 will be allowed. Instructions: “Come dine with us and be one of the first patrons to see the newly renovated space. If you are interested in making a reservation at ISLAND KINE GRINDS for either service, please email the Restaurant: Impossible production at: reservationsimpossible@gmail.com by MAY 20TH at 12:00pm (PST). Please use the following in your subject line: 2016 / ISLAND KINE GRINDS RESERVATIONS.
“PLEASE NOTE: Production will be covering the cost of the LUNCH meal but is NOT covering the cost of your GRAND RE-OPENING meal — you will be responsible for paying your own bill. Reservations are first come, first served by email and we CANNOT guarantee everyone who responds will get a table. If you are selected, you will receive a confirmation email close to the date of the dinner.
“... Please include your contact information (full name, email address, cell number) your party size (number of people at your table) and the names of the people in your party.”
For full information on opportunities at the filming in Idaho, check out the two event pages linked from the Chef Robert Irvine Facebook account.
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 3:26 PM.