The Great British Menu is back with new judges, chef Tom Kerridge, restaurateur Nisha Katona, and comedian Ed Gamble.
Host Andi Oliver tells us what’s cooking this series.
This year’s theme for the banquet is 100 Years of Broadcasting…
Yes, a lot of the chefs have been inspired by moments from their childhood where all the family were sitting around watching things like The Morecambe & Wise Show, Fawlty Towers, Dad’s Army, Blockbusters, Absolutely Fabulous – all that stuff from childhood that gives a warm, fuzzy feeling.
What do you like best about hosting the show?
It’s being involved with all the chefs. It means an awful lot to me to be able to support them, and watch them evolve.
Even some of the top chefs we have in there – who are very well known – are at their most vulnerable. Sometimes you see somebody at the beginning of the week and they’re the underdog and by the end of it, they’re smashing it!
What would be your advice to the chefs taking part?
It’s the same advice I give anybody in life – authenticity is everything. Be yourself, tell your truths, and be brave.
How do you feel about this year’s new judging panel?
They are so lovely. Tom is, of course, a god among chefs! Then there’s Nisha whose palate is quite extraordinary.
There are not many people who can discern between fenugreek, green cardamom, black cardamom, caraway and turmeric at the drop of a hat.
She’s like a palate ninja. And we’ve got Ed who loves food, understands food and is incredibly funny.
The chefs in one of the regions are all female this year – why is that representation important?
It’s massively important. Just 8% of Michelin-starred chefs are women – that’s not a high percentage.
But we’ve got a 25% representation of women in the show. We need more people training… we need to
kick those doors wide open!
We need young people from all backgrounds to feel that this is a world they can be a part of.
It sounds like you’ve had a great time making this series…
It’s a joy, a gift. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.
