Guru Life restaurant appears on Channel 7’s Kitchen Nightmares

A Sunshine Coast couple said tensions became so heated during filming of their Kitchen Nightmares episode the most fiery segments couldn’t be aired. Here’s what went down behind the scenes.

Sunshine Coast restaurant owners who were grilled about their business on Channel 7’s Kitchen Nightmares have said arguments became so tense parts of their segment couldn’t be aired.

Guru Life owners Jonny Bundellu and Kate O’Reilly said there were several clashes between them and international chef Colin Fassnidge in his new reality cooking program.

The show lifts the lid on Australian restaurants on the brink of collapse, with Mr Fassnidge aiming to turn them around in five days.

With bills piling up and peak trading hours left deserted, the engaged couple decided to take the plunge into reality television.

Mr Bundellu said he “butted heads” with Mr Fassnidge and said the show’s fast pace led to confrontations that couldn’t be aired.

Kate O'Reilly and Jonny Bundellu of Guru Life restaurant. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Jonny can be pretty difficult to argue with, they definitely clashed a bit,” Ms O’Reilly said about her fiance.

The pair said it was hard to adjust to the whirlwind filming, with the owners were left guessing what was coming next.

Kate O'Reilly and Jonny Bundellu of Guru Life restaurant. Picture: Patrick Woods.

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Mr Bundellu said he and the international chef “had a scrap” at times, feeling like it was like someone “squirting salt into the wound” after three tough years of trading.

Ms O’Reilly said the pair originally began a coffee roastery under the name Guru Life, with the business evolving over the last six years into a garden restaurant in the hinterland.

The couple said Covid, staff shortages and floods took a toll before they decided to take a run at Kitchen Nightmares to revive the restaurant.

Ms O’Reilly said they both appreciated Mr Fassnidge’s mentorship throughout their episode, setting their differences aside and activating strategies including simple comfort dishes to improve their menu.

Guru Life’s segment will feature in Kitchen Nightmares at 7.30pm Wednesday, October 18.

Originally published as Guru Life restaurant appears on Channel 7’s Kitchen Nightmares