The contestants were off to a sizzling start as the race to build the ruling restaurant began. A quiet dinner wasn't on any of the contestants' minds as they sized up their competition at The Stokehouse in Melbourne, one of Australia's best restaurants. They'd only have a mere eight and a half weeks to design, renovate and staff their restaurants before the all-important opening night.

After the first few days of frantic renovation, the couples are just realising that $50,000 won't get them far. It's going to take some meaty dollars to get their rundown restaurants into five-star shape, and they still have equipment to purchase, kitchens to install and staff to hire. To get the extra cash, couples must prepare a submission for The Bank that sells their dream restaurant concept.

After being granted the welcome extra cash, they were paid a visit from a not-so-welcome caller. Heritage Victoria arrived on the site's doorstep to ensure that the renovations didn't interfere with the heritage-listed building.

The five contending couples have had a tense week as the ultimate restaurant challenge heats up. You could cut the tension with a knife as Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide went up against each other in the second round of funding from The Bank. With $50,000 at stake, no one was leaving anything up to chance.

The five couples were put on their guard this week as Patrick Collins, one of The Bank's judges, conducted surprise spot checks of each of the restaurant sites. As Patrick made his rounds of each state it was apparent that there were still some noses out of joint after the last week's coveted $50,000 was granted to Brisbane.

The five couples are set for a few sleepless nights as they wait to find out which state will walk away with this week's $50,000 bonus. Post Patrick visit has shaken up quite a few of the couples. Some have taken his comments on board whilst others seem unperturbed. Who the winner will be is anyone's guess as the rules of the game have taken a complete change in direction.