The Apprentice - Any one for the last of the Blinis?

You have to wonder what the reaction of companies who are approached to take part in 'The Apprentice' is. “Yeah we get a chance to be on TV but oh dear we are expected to attend a dreary party and eat the worst canapés ever made.” Apparently the good outweighs the bad as there seems to be a steady stream of top companies lining up.

Of all the events ever hosted by Apprentice candidates last night’s two would have to be among the worst. Nick put it best when he said of the boys’ bear arms and spotty backs “some of the elderly ladies may be appreciative but for the younger ones it was just a turn-off.” An expanse of dodgy flesh on display, tragic props adoring the room and the guests were still expected to eat cheese on a stick! Sounds hellish to me!

In the case of the girls at least the service was not too bad and thankfully they avoided the obvious pit-fall of themed outfits. It was the food which let them down by using crap ingredients and making ridiculously large brushetta which were impossible to eat. There would be no return business here but there doesn’t have to be so all credit to Yasmina - she played a good game.

Yasmina is clearly a total dictator in action (just call me chef!) but for this challenge it worked. There was no chicken in some of the chicken wraps and some hair thrown in for good measure but they still came away with a profit of over £600. She is definitely one to watch.

Generally we saw more of the boys last night with barely a word from the women apart from Chef and Kate. James is still in it in spite of his "I can taste success in my spit in the morning" comment. "Did you taste it this morning" enquired Nick, "Aah no" came the response. Combine his obvious verbal difficulties with the fact that the other boys just don’t seem to like him and you have to wonder how long he will be around. Phil ‘the talker’ Taylor is also clearly annoying Sralan and Nick in particular with his constant moaning so he will have to watch himself while Gobby Ben from Northern Ireland will need to watch his boardroom etiquette.

Most embarrassing moment of the challenge: There is lots of competition here but the prize must go Kate for her sales pitch to the prospective clients. I am not sure if she was covering herself a bit in case they lost the challenge or if she is just a bit clueless but my money is on the latter! "I have heard of Blinis!"

Deluded highlight of the week: Poor old Rocky confidently predicted in the middle of last night’s show that he would be here until the end.

I’m watching you: My pick in the office Apprentice sweep got his first real mention last night but for all the wrong reasons. Apparently there are no hiding places this year and Nick described Noorul Choudhury as a non-participant in the task, "You didn’t serve people, they just took it off the tray." Looks like Noorul will have to up his game dramatically if my €5 investment has any chance of paying off.

Bree Treacy