Popular television series Great British Menu returned for its 18th series last month (January 31), airing on BBC Two.
The programme challenges the country's finest chefs, putting their culinary skills to the test, with this week visiting the South West and featuring a Bristol chef who's been making waves in the industry from a young age.
Considered a "determined newcomer" and hailed by Great British Chefs as "one to watch", Amber Francis grew up in rural surroundings near Bristol. She says her love for cooking started at a very young age when "started cooking a lot at home".
READ MORE: Banned: Laura Whitmore’s TikTok and Instagram posts for alcoholic drinks
By the age of 16, she was already honing her skills at two highly acclaimed Michelin-starred eateries, The Hand and Flowers to Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, where she gained practical experience whilst still in school.
Amber then ventured to The Ritz, where she apprenticed, eventually taking on her first role as a commis and honing her pastry skills for a full year.
She achieved distinction from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts upon completing her Specialised Chef Scholarship and was recognised as the highest performer in the Craft Guild of Chefs' Graduate Awards. Furthermore, she was a finalist in the National Chef of the Year 2017 competition.
Amber is eager to continue her recent success in the GBM kitchen, having won the coveted Young Chef of the Year 2022 award at the British Restaurant Awards.
She is eager to showcase her unique seasonal British cooking style in the competition and her GBM menu is inspired by iconic British animations, Thomas the Tank Engine, and The Wombles.
In 2018, Amber began her work with renowned chef Robin Gill, starting at The Dairy in Clapham and later at Bermondsey Larder in 2020 before moving on to Brawn in Shoreditch in 2021. Most recently, Amber was appointed as Head Chef at The Zebra Riding Club, located in the grounds of Hertfordshire's Birch Community.
A driven individual, Amber is also a Mental Health Champion for Kelly's Cause charity and a Young Chef Ambassador for the Craft Guild of Chefs. Additionally, she has gained valuable experience at three Michelin-starred Californian restaurants, Benu and The French Laundry.
In the programme, Amber says she hopes that her classically-trained French style of cooking is enough to compete with fellow Great British Menu competitors Andy - a fellow first timer who "cooks on fire" - and Nick and Charlotte, who have both previously tried their luck.
READ NEXT
- Martin Lewis urges grandparents to claim 'little known' credit that could rake in thousands
- Bristol Come Dine With Me contestants clash at Adam's football feast
- Doctor Who: Anita Dobson and Millie Gibson spotted on set in Bristol
- Carol Vorderman says she is 'world's happiest scruff' as she does makeup in service station loo
- Piers Morgan slammed for 'unkind' Madonna remark
