Great British Menu
Encyclopedia
Great British Menu is a BBC
television series in which top British
chef
s compete for the chance to cook one course of a four course banquet. The first series banquet was for the Queen
on her 80th birthday. The second series was to cook for the British Ambassador to France at the British Embassy in Paris. The third series was to prepare a banquet to be held at the Gherkin
in London, hosted by Heston Blumenthal
. In the fourth series, chefs competed to cook at a celebratory dinner for British troops returning from Afghanistan
. The fifth series prize was to cook at a banquet hosted by the Prince of Wales
for outstanding local food suppliers. For all six series to date, the show's regular timeslot has been 6:30pm from Monday to Friday. For the first four series and the early part of the fifth, slightly different scheduling applied in Scotland, where the show did not air on Thursday and the weekly final was broadcast on Saturday. The music to the series was written by Daniel Pemberton
.
, the former BBC Royal correspondent, where by each week, two chefs from a region of the UK create a menu. In series three and four, both narrated by Bond but with no presenter, three chefs from a region of the UK create a menu; only the two with the best scores went through to the Friday judging. In series five and six, the fifth narrated by Bond while the sixth is narrated by Wendy Lloyd, three chefs from a region of the UK create a menu, with in kitchen judging undertaken by a past contestant chef; only the two with the best scores go through to the Friday judging.
In each series, the Friday show is when chefs present all courses of their menu to a judging panel, tasted and judged by Prue Leith
, Matthew Fort
and Oliver Peyton
. One chef each week goes through to the final, where the judges taste the dishes again and award them marks out of ten. The three dishes that have scored the highest for each course are then put to the public vote.
During the first series, it was decided that a chef could only win one course overall, therefore any chef who won the public vote for a particular course was then eliminated from any subsequent courses they had been shortlisted for. As the results for all four courses were announced on the same day, some chefs were eliminated under this rule after the public had voted for them. This system may have contributed to the subsequent result of chefs from each of the four countries of the UK being represented at the final banquet. During series two, this rule was dropped, as highlighted by Mark Hix
winning both the main course and dessert.
. All recipes have been published in a book by Dorling Kindersley
.
Fish course – pan-fried turbot with cockles and oxtail (recipe) – Bryn Williams
Main course – loin of roe venison with rosti, celeriac, cabbage, carrot and game gravy (recipe) – Nick Nairn
Dessert – custard tart with Garibaldi biscuit
s (recipe) – Marcus Wareing
edition of the series was shown. This involved the four winning chefs creating a four course Christmas dinner that viewers could prepare at home.
Unlike the original series, only one chef was able to be crowned the winner and there was no special prize at stake (i.e. the meal won't be cooked for The Queen). The final result was decided by the judges and a viewers' vote; 30p from calls made in order to vote was donated to Children in Need
.
2nd – Marcus Wareing (England), Nick Nairn (Scotland)
4th – Bryn Williams (Wales)
Fish course – whole poached wild salmon and duck egg dressing with wheaten bread and country butter (recipe) – Richard Corrigan
Main course – rabbit and crayfish stargazy pie (recipe) – Mark Hix
Dessert – perry jelly and summer fruits with elderflower ice cream (recipe) – Mark Hix
-designed "Gherkin
" building in London. The host was the chef Heston Blumenthal
and his guests included top chefs from around the world along with gourmets and celebrities who represent a cross section of modern Britain.
The series began with seven special programmes in which Great British Menu judge, Matthew Fort
, traveled around the UK, selecting the two chefs who will go through to represent their region in the competition.
Fish course - Organic salmon and smoked salmon with crab fritters and cockle 'popcorn' (recipe) - Stephen Terry
Main course – Dexter beef fillet, ox cheek, smoked potato puree and marrow bone (recipe) - Jason Atherton
Dessert – Strawberries with tarragon and black pepper honeycomb with burnt English cream surprise (recipe) - Glynn Purnell
The north region was split into north-east and north-west.
Fish course - Masala spiced Monkfish with red lentils, pickled carrots & coconut (recipe) - Glynn Purnell
Main Course - Lonk lamb Lancashire Hotpot, pickled red cabbage, carrots & leeks (recipe) - Nigel Haworth
Dessert - Treacle tart with Jersey clotted cream & raspberry ripple coulis (recipe) - Shaun Rankin
, Halton House
, along with series judges Matthew Fort, Prue Leith and Oliver Peyton. Fellow chefs Mark Hix, Marcus Wareing, Richard Corrigan and Bryn Williams, who mentored the chefs in the heats, also attended the event.
Fish Course: Mackerel with gooseberries (recipe) - Kenny Atkinson
Main Course: Slow-cooked Aylesbury duck with duck fat chips and gravy (recipe) - Tom Kerridge
Dessert: Poached rhubarb with strawberry jelly, yellow man and lavender ice-cream (recipe) - Niall McKenna
, a National Trust
building, and broadcast on BBC1 on June 12, 2010. HRH the Prince of Wales was guest of honor along with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall. Regular series judges Matthew Fort
, Prue Leith
and Oliver Peyton
attended along with the chefs who'd acted as mentors and judges during the series, plus the producers of the food used in the final meals.
Fish Course: Sea Bass with Battered Soft Shell Crab - Aktar Islam
Main Course: Hog Roast - Tom Kerridge
Dessert: Taste of the Fairground - Paul Ainsworth
This result makes Tom Kerridge the first chef ever on the Great british Menu to cook the main course twice, as well as being the first chef to cook a Pork dish for the Main Course on the final menu.
and, in keeping with this years theme, will be a lavish street party.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television series in which top British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
chef
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
s compete for the chance to cook one course of a four course banquet. The first series banquet was for the Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
on her 80th birthday. The second series was to cook for the British Ambassador to France at the British Embassy in Paris. The third series was to prepare a banquet to be held at the Gherkin
30 St Mary Axe
30 St Mary Axe, the Swiss Re Building , is a skyscraper in London's main financial district, the City of London, completed in December 2003 and opened at the end of May 2004...
in London, hosted by Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal
Heston Marc Blumenthal OBE is an English chef and owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire voted Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2007 and 2009, and voted best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2005...
. In the fourth series, chefs competed to cook at a celebratory dinner for British troops returning from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. The fifth series prize was to cook at a banquet hosted by the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
for outstanding local food suppliers. For all six series to date, the show's regular timeslot has been 6:30pm from Monday to Friday. For the first four series and the early part of the fifth, slightly different scheduling applied in Scotland, where the show did not air on Thursday and the weekly final was broadcast on Saturday. The music to the series was written by Daniel Pemberton
Daniel Pemberton
Daniel Pemberton is an Ivor Novello winning and multi BAFTA-nominated English composer.He has composed title tunes and incidental music for countless award winning television series including Peep Show, Desperate Romantics, Occupation, Suburban Shootout, Hell's Kitchen, Great British Menu,...
.
Format
Series one and two were presented by Jennie BondJennie Bond
Jennifer "Jennie" Bond is an English journalist and television presenter. She worked for fourteen years as the BBC's royal correspondent. She has most recently hosted Cash in the Attic and narrated the five series programme, Great British Menu.-Early career:She was educated at St...
, the former BBC Royal correspondent, where by each week, two chefs from a region of the UK create a menu. In series three and four, both narrated by Bond but with no presenter, three chefs from a region of the UK create a menu; only the two with the best scores went through to the Friday judging. In series five and six, the fifth narrated by Bond while the sixth is narrated by Wendy Lloyd, three chefs from a region of the UK create a menu, with in kitchen judging undertaken by a past contestant chef; only the two with the best scores go through to the Friday judging.
In each series, the Friday show is when chefs present all courses of their menu to a judging panel, tasted and judged by Prue Leith
Prue Leith
Prudence Margaret Leith, CBE is a restaurateur, caterer, TV cook, broadcaster and cookery writer. She was born in South Africa, with her working life spent mostly in London, England....
, Matthew Fort
Matthew Fort
Matthew Fort is a British food writer and critic. Matthew Fort attended Eton College, and later Lancaster University. He has been the Food and Drink editor of The Guardian for over ten years. He also writes for Esquire, The Observer, Country Living, Decanter and Waitrose Food Illustrated...
and Oliver Peyton
Oliver Peyton
Oliver Peyton is an Irish restaurateur and judge on the BBC television series Great British Menu.- Biography :Oliver Peyton was born in Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland....
. One chef each week goes through to the final, where the judges taste the dishes again and award them marks out of ten. The three dishes that have scored the highest for each course are then put to the public vote.
During the first series, it was decided that a chef could only win one course overall, therefore any chef who won the public vote for a particular course was then eliminated from any subsequent courses they had been shortlisted for. As the results for all four courses were announced on the same day, some chefs were eliminated under this rule after the public had voted for them. This system may have contributed to the subsequent result of chefs from each of the four countries of the UK being represented at the final banquet. During series two, this rule was dropped, as highlighted by Mark Hix
Mark Hix
-Career:In April 2008 Hix opened Hix Oyster and Chop House, in the Farringdon area of London. He also opened Hix Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, Dorset and most recently Hix Soho in the West End...
winning both the main course and dessert.
Series one (2006)
The birthday meal for the Queen was on 17 June 2006 and for 300 people, so each dish created had to be suitable for a summer banquetBanquet
A banquet is a large meal or feast, complete with main courses and desserts. It usually serves a purpose such as a charitable gathering, a ceremony, or a celebration, and is often preceded or followed by speeches in honour of someone....
. All recipes have been published in a book by Dorling Kindersley
Dorling Kindersley
Dorling Kindersley is an international publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 51 languages. It is currently part of the Penguin Group....
.
Contestants
- John Burton RaceJohn Burton RaceJohn Burton Race is a British michelin starred chef, television personality and celebrity chef, made famous by the Channel 4 series French Leave and its sequel Return of the Chef and I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.-Biography:John Burton Race, successful Michelin Star chef, television...
and Michael CainesMichael CainesMichael Andrew Caines, MBE is an English chef, born in Exeter, Devon.He is currently head chef of Gidleigh Park in Devon, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, and developing the Abode hotels concept with Andrew Brownsword.-Biography:...
(won heat) represent the South West of England - Antony Worrall ThompsonAntony Worrall ThompsonHenry Antony Cardew Worrall Thompson is a British celebrity chef, television presenter and radio broadcaster.-Biography:...
and Galton BlackistonGalton BlackistonGalton Blackiston is an English chef, born in Norfolk. The restaurant of his hotel, Morston Hall, is Michelin starred and has 3 AA rosettes. It is on the north Norfolk coast, two miles from Blakeney...
(won heat) represent the MidlandsEnglish MidlandsThe Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
and the East of EnglandEast of EnglandThe East of England is one of the nine official regions of England. It was created in 1994 and was adopted for statistics from 1999. It includes the ceremonial counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Essex has the highest population in the region.Its... - Marcus WareingMarcus WareingMarcus Wareing , is an English chef, currently Chef Patron of "Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley" in Knightsbridge, and previously the Grill Room at the Savoy Hotel on the Strand....
(won heat) and Simon RimmerSimon RimmerSimon Rimmer is the resident chef on BBC2's Something for the Weekend, which first aired on Sunday 8 October 2006, and is also the face of cooking video website, Eat The Chef. He is married with two children...
represent the North of England - Paul RankinPaul RankinPaul Rankin is a Scottish born, Northern Irish celebrity chef from Ballywalter, County Down, Northern Ireland. Born in Glasgow, Scotland his parents moved back to Ballywater, where he grew up. This was stated when he was the subject of an episode of a short programme named Proud Parents on Channel...
and Richard CorriganRichard CorriganRichard Corrigan is an Irish chef born in Dublin but raised in Ballivor, County Meath.Corrigan achieved a Michelin Star in 1998 and has been awarded many other culinary accolades, including Outstanding London Chef at the London Restaurant Awards. He is Chef/Patron of Corrigans in Mayfair...
(won heat) represent Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west... - Tom LewisTom Lewis (chef)Tom Lewis is a Scottish chef at the Monachyle Mhor Hotel in Perthshire.He started his career as a chef in 1995, inspired by well known chef Nico Ladenis, whom he heard enthusing about food on Desert Island Discs, and David Wilson of the Peat Inn. By the end of 1996, the Monachyle Mhor Hotel had won...
and Nick NairnNick NairnNick Nairn is a Scottish celebrity chef.- Work :Nick Nairn is a chef, food consultant, television personality and spokesperson on diet, healthy eating and Scottish produce. Nick started his working life in the Merchant Navy, and having tasted food from all corners of the world, returned home to...
(won heat) represent ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... - Angela HartnettAngela HartnettAngela Hartnett MBE is an English Chef. A protégé of Gordon Ramsay who was made famous by her appearances on British television, she was Chef-Patron at The Connaught in London...
and Bryn WilliamsBryn WilliamsBryn Dwyfor Williams is a chef originally from Dinbych , North Wales. He is the head chef and sole proprietor of Odette's Restaurant, Primrose Hill, London...
(won heat) represent WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... - Gary RhodesGary RhodesGary Rhodes OBE is an English restaurateur, cookery writer, and chef, known for his love of British cuisine and distinctive spiked hair style ....
and Atul KochharAtul KochharAtul Kochhar is an Indian-born British chef. Born in Jamshedpur in northern India, Kochhar was trained and worked at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi.-Biography:In 1994, he was appointed head chef at the Tamarind restaurant, in Mayfair, London...
(won heat) represent South East of England
Final result
Starter – smoked salmon with Irish soda bread, woodland sorrel and cress (recipe) – Richard CorriganFish course – pan-fried turbot with cockles and oxtail (recipe) – Bryn Williams
Main course – loin of roe venison with rosti, celeriac, cabbage, carrot and game gravy (recipe) – Nick Nairn
Dessert – custard tart with Garibaldi biscuit
Garibaldi biscuit
The Garibaldi biscuit consists of currants squashed between two thin, oblong biscuits - a currant sandwich. In this recipe, it has elements in common with the Eccles cake....
s (recipe) – Marcus Wareing
Great British Christmas Menu
From 11–15 December 2006, a special ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
edition of the series was shown. This involved the four winning chefs creating a four course Christmas dinner that viewers could prepare at home.
Unlike the original series, only one chef was able to be crowned the winner and there was no special prize at stake (i.e. the meal won't be cooked for The Queen). The final result was decided by the judges and a viewers' vote; 30p from calls made in order to vote was donated to Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
.
Final result
1st – Richard Corrigan (Northern Ireland)2nd – Marcus Wareing (England), Nick Nairn (Scotland)
4th – Bryn Williams (Wales)
Series two (2007)
Series two started broadcasting on 2 April 2007. The format was the same as before, with the winning chefs from each region from series one taking on new challengers. The final menu was cooked at the British Embassy in Paris at an Ambassadors Dinner.Contestants
- Week 1 – 2 April to 6 April – Galton Blackiston and Sat BainsSat BainsSat Bains is a chef and restaurateur from Derby, England. He runs Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms, the only Michelin starred restaurant in Nottingham....
(won heat) represent the Midlands and the East of England - Week 2 – 9 April to 13 April – Bryn Williams (won heat) and Matt TebbuttMatt TebbuttMatt Tebbutt is a chef based in Wales, UK and is a well known food TV presenter. Born in High Wycombe in 1973, Matt Tebbutt moved to South Wales at the age of six months and so considers himself an honorary Welshman...
represent Wales - Week 3 – 16 April to 20 April – Nick Nairn and Jeremy Lee (won heat) represent Scotland
- Week 4 – 23 April to 27 April – Richard CorriganRichard CorriganRichard Corrigan is an Irish chef born in Dublin but raised in Ballivor, County Meath.Corrigan achieved a Michelin Star in 1998 and has been awarded many other culinary accolades, including Outstanding London Chef at the London Restaurant Awards. He is Chef/Patron of Corrigans in Mayfair...
(won heat) and Noel McMeelNoel McMeelNoel McMeel is an Irish chef who is executive head chef at Lough Erne Golf Resort and Hotel in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. He describes his cooking as "modern Irish cuisine".-Personal life:...
represent Northern Ireland - Week 5 – 30 April to 4 May – Atul Kochhar (won heat) and Stuart GilliesStuart GilliesStuart Gillies is an English chef. He is currently head chef at the Gordon Ramsay-owned Boxwood Café and will be Chef Patron at the reopened Savoy Hotel in October 2010....
represent the South East of England - Week 6 – 7 May to 11 May – Michael Caines and Mark Hix (won heat) represent the South West of England
- Week 7 – 14 May to 18 May – Marcus Wareing and Mark BroadbentMark BroadbentMark Broadbent is a chef who competed on Great British Menu, and beat reigning champion of the north, Marcus Wareing, but failed to reach Paris....
(won heat) represent the North of England
Final result
Starter – ham, egg and peas (recipe) – Sat BainsFish course – whole poached wild salmon and duck egg dressing with wheaten bread and country butter (recipe) – Richard Corrigan
Main course – rabbit and crayfish stargazy pie (recipe) – Mark Hix
Dessert – perry jelly and summer fruits with elderflower ice cream (recipe) – Mark Hix
Series three (2008)
Series three began broadcasting on 17 March 2008. The chefs competed for the opportunity to cook a four-course dinner held in June 2008, at the restaurant at the top of the iconic Norman FosterNorman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank
Norman Robert Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank, OM is a British architect whose company maintains an international design practice, Foster + Partners....
-designed "Gherkin
30 St Mary Axe
30 St Mary Axe, the Swiss Re Building , is a skyscraper in London's main financial district, the City of London, completed in December 2003 and opened at the end of May 2004...
" building in London. The host was the chef Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal
Heston Marc Blumenthal OBE is an English chef and owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire voted Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2007 and 2009, and voted best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2005...
and his guests included top chefs from around the world along with gourmets and celebrities who represent a cross section of modern Britain.
The series began with seven special programmes in which Great British Menu judge, Matthew Fort
Matthew Fort
Matthew Fort is a British food writer and critic. Matthew Fort attended Eton College, and later Lancaster University. He has been the Food and Drink editor of The Guardian for over ten years. He also writes for Esquire, The Observer, Country Living, Decanter and Waitrose Food Illustrated...
, traveled around the UK, selecting the two chefs who will go through to represent their region in the competition.
Contestants
- Southwest: Richard GuestRichard GuestRichard Guest is an artist and short story author. Educated at the Slade School of Art 1986-1990, he began his writing career with two operas, The Swiss Admiral's Trousers and The Maginot Line which were staged at the Slade School of Fine Art and the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith...
, Chris Horridge, Elisha CarterElisha CarterElisha Carter is a British chef who appeared in the BBC television series Great British Menu in 2008. He is Head Chef at the The Landau restaurant located in The Langham, London.-Biography:...
and Chris Wicks - Northern Ireland: Danny Millar, Noel McMeel, Liz Moore and Nick PriceNick PriceNicholas Raymond Leige Price is a South African-Zimbabwean Professional golfer and an inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Rankings.-Background:...
- London and the South-east: Jason AthertonJason AthertonJason Atherton , is an English chef. He was the Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin starred Maze in London until 30 April 2010.-Biography:...
, Jake Watkins, Adebola Adeshina and Atul KochharAtul KochharAtul Kochhar is an Indian-born British chef. Born in Jamshedpur in northern India, Kochhar was trained and worked at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi.-Biography:In 1994, he was appointed head chef at the Tamarind restaurant, in Mayfair, London... - Wales: Angela HartnettAngela HartnettAngela Hartnett MBE is an English Chef. A protégé of Gordon Ramsay who was made famous by her appearances on British television, she was Chef-Patron at The Connaught in London...
, Chris Chown, Stephen TerryStephen TerryStephen Terry is a professional chef from Wales, who was taught by Marco Pierre White and currently owns, and is Head Chef at, the Hardwick Restaurant in Abergavenny, Wales.The Hardwick was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating in 2011....
and James SommerinJames SommerinJames Sommerin is a Welsh-born Michelin-starred chef.Born in Caerleon, Sommerin baked with his grandmother on Saturdays as a child... - North: Mark BroadbentMark BroadbentMark Broadbent is a chef who competed on Great British Menu, and beat reigning champion of the north, Marcus Wareing, but failed to reach Paris....
, Michael Wignall, Nigel Haworth and Anthony FlinnAnthony FlinnAnthony Flinn is a British chef, born in Liverpool in 1980, and now based in Leeds. After studying at Huddersfield Technical College, he worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Lords of the Manor, in Gloucestershire, for two years. Moving on to Barcelona, despite not speaking a word of Spanish,... - Scotland: Michael Smith, Matthew Gray, Tony SinghTony SinghTony Singh is an Indian television director, producer and actor.His works as a director include the television series Banegi Apni Baat, Just Mohabbat, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Jabb Love Hua, Left Right Left, Jhoome Jiiya Re, Choti Bahu, Bhaskar Bharti and Baat Hamari Pakki Hai. All of these are in...
and Tom KitchinTom KitchinTom Kitchin, is a Scottish chef and owner of restaurant The Kitchin, where he became the youngest winner of a Michelin star. He had previously worked with several Michelin starred chefs including Alain Ducasse and Pierre Koffmann.-Career:... - Central region: Aaron Patterson, Sat BainsSat BainsSat Bains is a chef and restaurateur from Derby, England. He runs Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms, the only Michelin starred restaurant in Nottingham....
, Rupert Rowley and Glynn PurnellGlynn PurnellGlynn Purnell is an English chef and restauranteur. Described by the Birmingham Post as "undoubtably the finest chef to hail from Chelmsley Wood", he is the proprietor and Head Chef at Purnell's restaurant in Birmingham, England, which was awarded a Michelin star in January 2009.-Life and...
Heats
- Central region: Sat Bains vs Glynn Purnell (Winner)
- Wales: Angela Hartnett vs Stephen Terry (Winner)
- North of England: Nigel Haworth (Winner) vs Anthony Flinn
- Scotland: Tom Kitchin (Winner) vs Matt Gray
- Northern Ireland: Danny Millar (Winner) vs Noel McMeel
- South-West: Chris Horridge (Winner) vs Elisha Carter
- South-East: Jason Atherton (Winner) vs Atul Kochhar
Final result
Starter – Bacon, lettuce and tomato with Croque Monsieur (recipe) - Jason AthertonFish course - Organic salmon and smoked salmon with crab fritters and cockle 'popcorn' (recipe) - Stephen Terry
Main course – Dexter beef fillet, ox cheek, smoked potato puree and marrow bone (recipe) - Jason Atherton
Dessert – Strawberries with tarragon and black pepper honeycomb with burnt English cream surprise (recipe) - Glynn Purnell
Series four (2009)
Series four began on 30 March 2009 and revolved around cooking a meal for British soldiers returning from the War in Afghanistan. A chef from a previous series came back in this series to act as a mentor, giving the two chefs from their region guidance and advice. They were in the kitchen and acted as an unofficial 4th judge.The north region was split into north-east and north-west.
Heats
- Central: Glynn Purnell (won heat) vs Daniel Clifford
Sat BainsSat BainsSat Bains is a chef and restaurateur from Derby, England. He runs Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms, the only Michelin starred restaurant in Nottingham....
as mentor - Scotland: Tom Kitchin (won heat) vs Alan Murchison
Jeremy Lee as mentor - North East: Kenny Atkinson (won heat) vs Ian Matfin
Marcus Wareing as mentor - Northern Ireland: Danny Millar (won heat) vs Clare Smyth
Richard Corrigan as mentor - South West: Shaun RankinShaun RankinShaun Rankin is the Michelin-starred chef of the Bohemia restaurant in St Helier, Jersey.-Career:Rankin has said that he always wanted to be a chef, and set out to become one at the age of 14...
(won heat) vs Nathan Outlaw
Mark Hix as mentor - Wales: James Sommerin (won heat) vs Stephen TerryStephen TerryStephen Terry is a professional chef from Wales, who was taught by Marco Pierre White and currently owns, and is Head Chef at, the Hardwick Restaurant in Abergavenny, Wales.The Hardwick was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating in 2011....
Bryn Williams as mentor - North West: Nigel Haworth (won heat) vs Aiden ByrneAiden ByrneAiden Byrne is head chef and owner of The Collingwood, a bar and restaurant in West Kirby. and of The Church Green in Lymm, Cheshire. He also runs the British Grill in the Craxton Wood hotel near Chester....
Marcus Wareing as mentor - South East: Tristan Welch (won heat) vs Mark SargeantMark SargeantMark Sargeant , is an English chef, formerly head chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin starred restaurant at Claridge's in London.-Early life:...
Jason Atherton as mentor
Final Result
Starter - Salad of Aberdeen Angus beef, carrots, horseradish & Shetland Black potatoes (recipe) - Kenny AtkinsonFish course - Masala spiced Monkfish with red lentils, pickled carrots & coconut (recipe) - Glynn Purnell
Main Course - Lonk lamb Lancashire Hotpot, pickled red cabbage, carrots & leeks (recipe) - Nigel Haworth
Dessert - Treacle tart with Jersey clotted cream & raspberry ripple coulis (recipe) - Shaun Rankin
Shaun Rankin
Shaun Rankin is the Michelin-starred chef of the Bohemia restaurant in St Helier, Jersey.-Career:Rankin has said that he always wanted to be a chef, and set out to become one at the age of 14...
The Banquet
The final episode of the series was broadcast on BBC2 on Tuesday 16 June where the Banquet was held for 100 military personnel in the Officers' Mess at RAF HaltonRAF Halton
RAF Halton is one of the largest Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom, located near the village of Halton near Wendover, Buckinghamshire.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton.-History:...
, Halton House
Halton House
thumb|right|300px|Halton House, BuckinghamshireHalton House is a country house situated in the Chiltern Hills above the village of Halton in Buckinghamshire, England. It was built for Alfred de Rothschild between 1880 and 1883...
, along with series judges Matthew Fort, Prue Leith and Oliver Peyton. Fellow chefs Mark Hix, Marcus Wareing, Richard Corrigan and Bryn Williams, who mentored the chefs in the heats, also attended the event.
Series five (2010)
Series five began on 6 April 2010 with a double episode. In this series, the participating chefs were challenged to find food producers they had not previously used, basing their search around a National Trust property in their region, with the aim to source as many of their ingredients as possible from the property itself or the surrounding area. The banquet was for producers of British food and Prince Charles was the guest of honour.Heats
This year saw a change in the format of the heats. Instead of only two chefs being present for all the heats for their region, as in previous years, in this year three chefs compete in the 'courses' section of their heats, with two going forward to cook for the judges in the 'judging' episode. As in series four, a previous participant returned each week, but with the added responsibility of scoring each chef's four courses. The chef with the lowest score at the end of the 'courses' episodes is eliminated, and the remaining two cook for the judges.- Scotland: Alan Murchison (winner), Tony SinghTony Singh (chef)Tony Singh is a Sikh chef based in Edinburgh. He first appeared on Ready Steady Cook in June 2008. He owns the Oloroso roof top bar and restaurant and has opened a modern bistro called Tony's Table...
and Michael Smith. Judge/mentor - Tom KitchinTom KitchinTom Kitchin, is a Scottish chef and owner of restaurant The Kitchin, where he became the youngest winner of a Michelin star. He had previously worked with several Michelin starred chefs including Alain Ducasse and Pierre Koffmann.-Career:... - North West: Lisa Allen (winner), Johnnie Mountain and Aiden Byrne. Judge/mentor - Marcus WareingMarcus WareingMarcus Wareing , is an English chef, currently Chef Patron of "Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley" in Knightsbridge, and previously the Grill Room at the Savoy Hotel on the Strand....
. - Central: Will Holland (winner), Daniel Clifford and Richard Bainbridge. Judge/mentor - Glynn PurnellGlynn PurnellGlynn Purnell is an English chef and restauranteur. Described by the Birmingham Post as "undoubtably the finest chef to hail from Chelmsley Wood", he is the proprietor and Head Chef at Purnell's restaurant in Birmingham, England, which was awarded a Michelin star in January 2009.-Life and...
. - South West: Nathan Outlaw (winner), John Hooker and Henry Herbert. Judge/mentor - Michael CainesMichael CainesMichael Andrew Caines, MBE is an English chef, born in Exeter, Devon.He is currently head chef of Gidleigh Park in Devon, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, and developing the Abode hotels concept with Andrew Brownsword.-Biography:...
. - North East: Kenny Atkinson (winner), Lee Bennett and Tim Bilton. Judge/mentor - Nigel Haworth.
- Wales: Aled Williams (winner), Richard Davies and James Sommerin. Judge/mentor - Stephen TerryStephen TerryStephen Terry is a professional chef from Wales, who was taught by Marco Pierre White and currently owns, and is Head Chef at, the Hardwick Restaurant in Abergavenny, Wales.The Hardwick was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating in 2011....
. - Northern Ireland: Niall McKenna (winner), Derek Creagh and Brian McCann. Judge/mentor - Richard CorriganRichard CorriganRichard Corrigan is an Irish chef born in Dublin but raised in Ballivor, County Meath.Corrigan achieved a Michelin Star in 1998 and has been awarded many other culinary accolades, including Outstanding London Chef at the London Restaurant Awards. He is Chef/Patron of Corrigans in Mayfair...
. - London and South East: Tom Kerridge (winner), Anthony Demetre and Tristan Welch. Judge/mentor - Jason AthertonJason AthertonJason Atherton , is an English chef. He was the Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin starred Maze in London until 30 April 2010.-Biography:...
.
Final Week
In the final week running up to the Banquet the chefs cook one course per day but instead of being ranked first to eighth place the top three chefs were all given a possible dish at the banquet thus allowing the judges to have more choice when choosing the menu at the end of the week.Final Result
Starter: Wild rabbit and leek turnover with piccalilli (recipe) - Lisa AllenFish Course: Mackerel with gooseberries (recipe) - Kenny Atkinson
Main Course: Slow-cooked Aylesbury duck with duck fat chips and gravy (recipe) - Tom Kerridge
Dessert: Poached rhubarb with strawberry jelly, yellow man and lavender ice-cream (recipe) - Niall McKenna
The Banquet
The banquet was held in the Bath Assembly RoomsBath Assembly Rooms
The Bath Assembly Rooms, designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769, are a set of elegant assembly rooms located in the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath in England which are now open to the public as a visitor attraction...
, a National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
building, and broadcast on BBC1 on June 12, 2010. HRH the Prince of Wales was guest of honor along with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall. Regular series judges Matthew Fort
Matthew Fort
Matthew Fort is a British food writer and critic. Matthew Fort attended Eton College, and later Lancaster University. He has been the Food and Drink editor of The Guardian for over ten years. He also writes for Esquire, The Observer, Country Living, Decanter and Waitrose Food Illustrated...
, Prue Leith
Prue Leith
Prudence Margaret Leith, CBE is a restaurateur, caterer, TV cook, broadcaster and cookery writer. She was born in South Africa, with her working life spent mostly in London, England....
and Oliver Peyton
Oliver Peyton
Oliver Peyton is an Irish restaurateur and judge on the BBC television series Great British Menu.- Biography :Oliver Peyton was born in Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland....
attended along with the chefs who'd acted as mentors and judges during the series, plus the producers of the food used in the final meals.
Series six (2011)
Series six of The Great British Menu started on 4th April 2011. The theme for this series is sharing and communities , with chefs being asked to cook food that encourages people to come together to enjoy food. During the series, chefs will visit and cook for a number of community groups.Heats
- North East: Andrew Pern (won heat), Stephanie Moon and Tim Bilton. Judge/mentor - Nigel Haworth
- Northern Ireland: Chris Fearon (won heat), Chris Bell and Brian McCann. Judge/mentor - Richard CorriganRichard CorriganRichard Corrigan is an Irish chef born in Dublin but raised in Ballivor, County Meath.Corrigan achieved a Michelin Star in 1998 and has been awarded many other culinary accolades, including Outstanding London Chef at the London Restaurant Awards. He is Chef/Patron of Corrigans in Mayfair...
- North West: Lisa Allen (won heat), Johnnie Mountain and Bruno Birkbeck. Judge/mentor - Marcus WareingMarcus WareingMarcus Wareing , is an English chef, currently Chef Patron of "Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley" in Knightsbridge, and previously the Grill Room at the Savoy Hotel on the Strand....
- Central: Aktar Islam (won heat), Richard Bainbridge and Sue Ellis. Judge/mentor - Glynn PurnellGlynn PurnellGlynn Purnell is an English chef and restauranteur. Described by the Birmingham Post as "undoubtably the finest chef to hail from Chelmsley Wood", he is the proprietor and Head Chef at Purnell's restaurant in Birmingham, England, which was awarded a Michelin star in January 2009.-Life and...
- South West: Paul Ainsworth (won heat), Andre Garrett and John Hooker. Judge/mentor - Michael CainesMichael CainesMichael Andrew Caines, MBE is an English chef, born in Exeter, Devon.He is currently head chef of Gidleigh Park in Devon, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, and developing the Abode hotels concept with Andrew Brownsword.-Biography:...
- Scotland: Michael Smith (won heat), Tony SinghTony Singh (chef)Tony Singh is a Sikh chef based in Edinburgh. He first appeared on Ready Steady Cook in June 2008. He owns the Oloroso roof top bar and restaurant and has opened a modern bistro called Tony's Table...
and Philip Carnegie. Judge/mentor - Alan MurchisonAlan MurchisonAlan Murchison is a Michelin-starred Scottish chef and restaurateur living and working in England.-Career:Alan has always been in the restaurant business taking up his first post in the kitchen as a porter at the age of 14... - Wales: Hywel Jones (won heat), Aled Williams and Gareth Jones. Judge/mentor - Angela HartnettAngela HartnettAngela Hartnett MBE is an English Chef. A protégé of Gordon Ramsay who was made famous by her appearances on British television, she was Chef-Patron at The Connaught in London...
- London and South East: Tom Kerridge (won heat), Tom AikensTom AikensTom Aikens is an English chef.-Early life:Aikens was born in Norwich in 1970 into a family of wine merchants. The Aikens family had a converted barn in the Auvergne region of France where the chef would spend his early summers...
and Phil Thompson. Judge/mentor - Jason AthertonJason AthertonJason Atherton , is an English chef. He was the Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin starred Maze in London until 30 April 2010.-Biography:...
Final Week
In the final week running up to the Banquet the chefs cook one course per day but instead of being ranked first to eighth place the top three chefs were all given a possible dish at the banquet thus allowing the judges to have more choice when choosing the menu at the end of the week.Final Result
Starter: Season, Shake and Curry On Coronation Chicken - Chris FearonFish Course: Sea Bass with Battered Soft Shell Crab - Aktar Islam
Main Course: Hog Roast - Tom Kerridge
Dessert: Taste of the Fairground - Paul Ainsworth
This result makes Tom Kerridge the first chef ever on the Great british Menu to cook the main course twice, as well as being the first chef to cook a Pork dish for the Main Course on the final menu.
The Banquet
The banquet for series six is to be held at Leadenhall MarketLeadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market is a covered market in the City of London, located at Gracechurch Street but with vehicular access also available via Whittington Avenue to the north and Lime Street to the south and east and additional pedestrian access via a number of narrow passageways.-History:The market dates...
and, in keeping with this years theme, will be a lavish street party.