ChuckleVision, The Last of the Summer Wine and Monty Python - what to expect on GBM from Yorkshire and the North East
For the last few weeks, fans of fine dining, dining out, dinner, tea and just downright eating have been gathering in front of the TV up and down the country to tune in to the new series of Great British Menu.
The much loved BBC Two cookery show has been wowing audiences for 17 series, with chefs competing for a place at a special banquet celebrating different parts of British culture. Last year the banquet was held to celebrate British innovation, and for 2022 the show is back to honour 100 years of British broadcasting.
Liz’s menu sees her paying tribute to classic British comedies like The Last of the Summer Wine and Monty Python’s Flying Circus
So far we have seen chefs from the Central region, North West, Wales, London and the South East go head to head. This week, four chefs from Scotland cook for mentor chef Richard Corrigan and next week the competition moves to the North East and Yorkshire.
Four of our region's most talented chefs have been selected to represent the North East and Yorkshire on the show which is presented by Andi Oliver and also has a new lineup of judges. Chef Tom Kerridge heads up the panel, with restaurateur Nisha Katona and comedian and food podcast presenter Ed Gamble.
Who is representing the North East and Yorkshire on Great British Menu?
Liz Cottam, the chef, owner and founder of three of Leeds’ most prestigious restaurants HOME, CORA (Boston Spa) and The Owl will be taking part in the show.
Liz says, “I'm so, so excited to be representing Yorkshire and the North East in this series. The brief is easily one of the best they've ever done - celebrating 100 years of British Broadcasting. With so many iconic shows set and created in our region, I had loads of inspiration.”
Liz has had a busy couple of years - opening two new restaurants and relocating a third. CORA in Boston Spa was recognised in the Michelin Guide for 2022 and HOME, which upped sticks to Brewery Wharf in the middle of November 2021, will be celebrating its fifth year in operation in August.
On the inspiration behind her dishes on Great British Menu, Liz says, “With so many iconic shows set and created in our region I had loads of inspiration. The ones that I eventually chose all have some special significance to me. It was a really engaging and emotional process to establish a personal connection with a collection of TV moments that meant something to me and creatively bring that to life through food.”
Liz’s menu sees her paying tribute to classic British comedies like The Last of the Summer Wine and Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Another chef vying to impress the judges and represent the region with their carefully curated six-course menu is Luke French, Chef Director and co-owner of JÖRO restaurant in Sheffield - the city’s first-ever Michelin Bib venue.
Luke launched JÖRO together with his wife and business director, Stacey in 2016 and draws inspiration from “ancient cooking principles” as well as cuisines from Japan to Norway.
Luke says, “It’s an honour to be representing for the North East and Yorkshire on a show I’ve watched since I began cooking as a young chef, so I’m buzzing to now be cooking on the show myself."
Other chefs representing the region include Mark Aisthorpe of the Bulls Head in Holymoorside on the outskirts of the Peak District. He will be cooking dishes inspired by the television series Heartbeat and ChuckleVision.
The fourth competitor, Bobby Geetha has worked around the world in kitchens at Noma, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons before settling down in Yorkshire to develop menus for Fleur Cafe, Casa Peri Peri and Fine Indian Dining.
One chef will be eliminated at the end of the first and second episode leaving the two chefs with the highest scores to cook their entire menu for the judges in the final episode of the week. The winner will then go on to represent the region in the final, with hopes of taking a dish to the banquet.
Watch all four chefs cooking to represent the North East and Yorkshire region from Tuesday 8 March at 8pm on BBC Two.
Header image: Great British Menu
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