Great British Menu
It's the National Finals of Great British Menu. Over the past eight weeks, chefs from across the UK have been challenged to create dishes that showcase contemporary cuisine and demonstrate the transformation in British food during the Queen's historic reign. Now, the winning chefs from each region will return to cook their dishes again in the hope of making it onto the final banquet menu.
Before cooking starts, the eight regional champions are called to London's Southbank to get a sight of the prize: the chance to cook at a banquet held at the Palace of Westminster, in celebration of everyday Great Britons honoured by the Queen. It has a huge impact on every one of the chefs - each is determined to do all they can to get a dish to the banquet.
From Monday through to Thursday the chefs will be cooking for the judges, Matthew Fort, Prue Leith and Oliver Peyton, with a different returning guest judge each day. Chefs will also mark their fellow chefs' dishes and the average of their scores will be added to the judges' scores. The result will be a shortlist of top dishes, or if one chef produces an outstanding dish, it could go straight onto the banquet menu.
Monday: There are some shocks and surprises on today's starter course as the chefs' opinions differ from the judges', and one chef struggles to contain his emotions as the judges deliver the result.
Tuesday: After disappointing scores in the regional heats, two of the chefs have opted to radically change their fish dishes. Once again opinions are divided and it's a surprise to see which two chefs end up at the bottom of the leader board.
Wednesday: It's a nerve-wracking day as three of the eight regional champions have decided to cook new and untested dishes, while a fourth chef is turning what was his starter into his main course. There's crushing disappointment for one chef, who, after misjudging his timings, fears he might have ruined what could be a winning main course.
Thursday: The competition is more intense than ever with the chefs dishing up some original, creative and technically difficult desserts. The superlatives are flying in the chamber as the judges are impressed again and again. Once the dessert course is over it's time for the judges to create the final banquet menu - and reveal to the chefs who'll get the chance to cook a dish at the Houses of Parliament.
Banquet (Friday)
Great British Menu's winning chefs arrive at the Palace of Westminster to cook for the Banquet of Great Britons. Welcoming them is banquet host, Lindsay Hoyle MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. It is the chefs' first time here and they are overawed by the grandeur of the Houses of Parliament, only to find out their prep time is limited as the Parliament kitchens are a busy machine.
The Banquet guests include individuals from across the UK who have been honoured for their work for charity, for their community, or for their country. They include military hero Johnson Beharry VC, head teacher Kamal Hanif OBE, charity fundraiser Lynne McNicoll OBE, Anna Kennedy who has been honoured for her work for children with autism, 18 year old Louise Greer who campaigns for riding for the disabled, RNLI volunteers, food producers and women such as Justice Williams and Zoe Jackson who have received honours for their work with young people.
Also present are GBM guest judges Grace Dent, Kevin Gould and Enam Ali and GBM veteran chef judges Michael O'Hare, Lisa Allen, Daniel Clifford and Simon Rogan.
As the expectant diners take their seats, it's time for the chefs to demonstrate just why they are among the best in the country, as they attempt to pull off four stunning courses that leave the guests overwhelmed and delighted.
Publicity contact: PT
