Jersey creates the picturesque backdrop for episode 4 of this year’s The Apprentice with Lord Sugar sending the contestants on an island treasure hunt to source nine uniquely Jersey items. The challenge takes the contestants across the length and breadth of our nine by five mile island, from historic Mont Orgueil Castle in the east, to our iconic La Corbière Lighthouse in the west.
From 30 kilograms of Jersey Royals to a seven foot surf board, Jersey Apple Brandy to a traditional Jersey ‘bachîn,’ used for making our delicious black butter, there was no corner of the island left undiscovered on this high-octane challenge.
So, if you’ve seen us on The Apprentice (if not, catch up here) and are intrigued to learn more about our charming island, along with some of the weird, wonderful and uniquely Jersey items that the teams were tasked with collecting, then read on.
Like what you see? Get excited for your very own trip with our four day Apprentice-inspired itinerary.
So, where is Jersey?
If you tuned into the episode and found yourself thinking ‘where on earth is Jersey?!’ then let us enlighten you.
Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, located 14 miles from the French Normandy Coast, but part of the British Isles.
Getting here is easy with flights taking around an hour or less from numerous UK airports, or you can hop aboard and travel by ferry from Poole or Portsmouth.
Sitting within the Common Travel Area, if you’re travelling from the U.K, you don’t even need a passport – just photo I.D will do.
Part 1.
Top 10 things to do in Jersey.
For an island of just nine by five miles, there are SO many things to see and do in Jersey, as The Apprentice contestants found out during their visit. Our beautiful and inviting island combines nature, a rich history, a unique culture and great food. If you’re thinking about a visit, here are our top 10 things to do – to inspire your planning!
- Explore Jersey’s otherworldly offshore reefs of Les Minquiers and Les Ecréhous by RIB or Kayak. Look out for dolphins and other wildlife along the way.
- Discover the true story of life during the German Occupation at the Jersey War Tunnels, and keep an eye out for the many fortifications that remain dotted along the island’s coastline from this time.
- Head to St. Ouen’s Bay, the island’s wonderfully willd west coast where you can surf, tuck into fresh-as-it gets seafood and watch the sun set, drink in hand, as the waves crash against the sea wall.
- Explore the charming harbour of Gorey, ending at medieval Mont Orgueil Castle, with views across to our neighbours on the french coast.
- Discover Jersey’s wild-swimming and sauna scene with over 24 stunning bays to choose from and the Sauna Society and Sandy Toes saunas popping up along the coastline.
Scroll on down to discover the rest of our top picks…
What items did The Apprentice cast have to find?
Lord Sugar tasked the two teams with collecting the following items as part of the Jersey scavenger hunt challenge:
- 24 fresh Jersey Wonders
- A dozen freshly shucked oysters
- Shackle: 16mm
- A Jersey (jumper)
- Apple Cider Brandy
- Bachîn: 35cm+
- 30kg Jersey Royals
- Sea salt glass jar – hand blown
- Surfboard: 7ft foam
Read on to find out some more about a few of the uniquely Jersey items on their list.
The cream of the crop.
Jersey Royals.
The Apprentice Cast had to get their hands on 30 kilograms of one of our most famous and sought after exports… Jersey Royals! These delectable, world-renowned potatoes are grown exclusively on the fertile slopes of the island. Our mineral-rich soil combined with the perfect amount of sunshine, rainfall and sea air, result in that oh-so-delicious flavour that is simply impossible to replicate. These delicious morsels usually start appearing on plates and in restaurants around the island from late March, so don’t miss out! Click below to discover how a right royal fluke brought these very special potatoes to our plates…
Royally good spots to sample our spuds.
Samphire
Relaxed yet polished, Samphire is more than just a place for special occasions. Paying homage to fresh produce, the team of dedicated chefs have created a series of contemporary menus and meticulously crafted plates, continuing through to the killer cocktail list with twists on the classics.
Mark Jordan at The Beach
Sitting on the island's south coast. close to the capital of St. Helier and just a stone's throw from St. Aubin's Harbour. With unrivalled views of the bay, diners enjoy top quality produce cooked simply and served in a relaxed, casual setting.
Sumas Restaurant
A boutique restaurant located on the east of the island overlooking Mont Orgueil Castle and the picturesque harbour of Gorey. Casual fine dining with seasonally changing menus, plenty of local shellfish and seafood on offer, as well as meat and vegetarian options. Fruits de mer platters will be available during the summer months.
The Bass & Lobster
We pride ourselves on two things; local food and great service. And we guarantee that the title dishes, bass and lobster, are served daily and the chef has local hidden treasures ready for your latest dining experience.
When it comes to board meetings, there’s only one kind we truly love here in Jersey – those that take place as the waves roll in over the golden sands of St. Ouen’s Bay. This might not be an environment that Lord Sugar’s recruits are familiar with, but they will have had to get au fait with the surf set here in Jersey during their island scavenger hunt as they went searching for a seven foot surf board. Discover more about the island’s long-standing surf culture, and some of the best breaks on the island.
A seven foot surf board.
Go with the flow.
Get shucked.
A dozen fresh Jersey oysters.
Washed clean by some of Europe’s biggest tides, oysters from Jersey are as about as fresh and delicious as they get. Lord Sugar tasked his recruits with collecting a dozen of these local delicacies during their Apprentice Jersey scavenger hunt. Grown mainly in the beds along the island’s south-east coast in the Royal Bay of Grouville and savoured in restaurants all around the island, make sure you crack one open on your next visit. Click below to discover 10 of the best places to eat Jersey oysters.
Part 2.
Top 10 things to do in Jersey.
- Stay at a one-of-a-kind Jersey Heritage let, like the stunning WW2 Radio Tower with its panoramic views out towards St. Ouen’s Bay and La Corbière Lighthouse.
- Discover the island’s incredible coastal paths. From Bouley Bay to Rozel, Grève de Lecq to Plémont Bay, the island’s undulating north coast will take your breath away in more ways than one!
- ‘Hang’ out with the apes and other animals at Jersey Zoo. Founded by Gerald Durrell in 1959, this conservation-led zoo is home to over 100 species of animals, many of which are endangered in the wild.
- Tuck into a delicious wood-fired pizza from Portelet Bay Cafe, a family-run beach shack and pizzeria on magical Portelet Bay.
- Explore Jersey’s Central Markets where you can pick up local produce aplenty – from fruit and veg to fresh crab, lobster and oysters washed clean by the Jersey’s gigantic tides.
Ready to plan your own Apprentice-inspired itinerary?
Fancy following in the footsteps of The Apprentice cast? We’ve put together a fabulous four-day itinerary based on the items the teams had to go and find in Jersey. From outdoor sauna sessions to sea swims, distillery tastings to sailing excursions, there is so much to see and do in our nine miles by five.