Great British Menu harnesses cooking talent hailing from all across the country, and yet a surprising number of its chefs have ended up finding their culinary forte in London.
This week, the BBC competition continues its search for the perfect menu, as three chefs from central England battle it out for the chance to design a course for a prestigious banquet.
Londoners who've been wowed by the work of chef Sabrina Gidda on the show will be pleased to hear that there's more chance of finding her cooking in the capital than in her native Wolverhampton.
Getting to taste her food, however, is a slightly easier for some than it is for others – Gidda currently cooks at an all-womens members’ club. From stints at well known culinary institutions to her female-focused current project, here’s everything you need to know about Sabrina Gidda.
Who is Sabrina Gidda?
Gidda is currently executive chef at the AllBright, an all-women members club in London. Her varied CV includes early roles at The Dorchester, running two gastropubs, and acting as head chef at The Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden. Gidda is also the only woman to have twice been a finalist for the prestigious Roux Scholarship. Prior to her role at the AllBright, Gidda was the head chef at Bernardi’s when the Italian restaurant opened in Marylebone in 2015.
Why is she on Great British Menu?
Wolverhampton-born Gidda will be competing in the central heat of the BBC cooking competition, attempting to win over the judges and guest chef Paul Ainsworth with her recipes. Gidda is vying for the chance to cook at a star-studded banquet celebrating British pop music, in the 50th year since the Beatles played their last ever gig.
What is The AllBright club?
The AllBright club is a women-only members club, which opened in Fitzrovia in 2018. The club was founded by travel entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow and former Hearst Magazines CEO Anna Jones. It has found its home in a five-storey townhouse on Rathbone Place, and boasts its own restaurant, cafe, bar, meeting rooms, event spaces and even an on-site beauty salon. Men are allowed into the club as guests, but only women can become members. The AllBright is set to open a second venue in May this year, located on Maddox Street in Mayfair.
What’s on the AllBright club menu?
As executive chef, Gidda is in charge of the food offering at both the AllBright’s original location in Fitzrovia and its new spot in Mayfair. The focus of the food is on ethically sourced, organic ingredients, and Gidda also works to champion female food producers and winemakers. Light and bright dishes are key to the menu, which has featured the likes of red mullet and shellfish cassoulet with sea vegetables and a John Dory dish with capers, datterino tomatoes and wild garlic.
