It seems like no time at all since we were watching the Christmas mini-series but sure enough, it's already time for a brand new full-on series of Great British Menu and we certainly aren't complaining.
So far, there hasn't been a huge amount to celebrate for foodies 2021 with the effects of the pandemic still wreaking havoc on the restaurant industry. However, an all-new series of the ultimate TV cookery show is bound to provide a spark of light to a rather cold and gloomy winter. As if a new series of Great British Menu alone wasn't exciting enough, there have also been a fair few changes when it comes to the show itself, including a well-known new judge. This means that there's a lot to look forward to when the first episode airs.
Great British Menu has now been on our screens for 15 years, with the first season having been screened in 2006, and over the years has been a springboard for some of the nation's now most succesful chefs to go on to do some amazing things. Past contestants include Jason Atherton, Nathan Outlaw and Aktar Islam to name a few, and you can be sure that some of this year's competitors will go on to become equally successful themselves. One of the things that we particularly love about Great British Menu is the fact that such a range of different chefs take part, so it's not unlikely that you'll have an experimental youngster competing against an established Michelin-starred head chef.
If you're as excited as we are about Great British Menu being back on our screens for a 16th series, you'll want to know everything about the new series, from when it starts to who the contestants are. That's why below we've answered all the questions you might have about Great British Menu 2021. Make sure to set a reminder for the first episode!
Everything you need to know about Great British Menu 2021
We're still waiting to hear about various elements of the new series of Great British Menu, but we've tried to answer some of the biggest questions you might have below, and will be regularly updating this page with the latest information.
When does Great British Menu 2021 start?
The first episode of Great British Menu will air on Wednesday 24 March at 8pm.
How many episodes will there be of Great British Menu?
Things will remain the same as in the last series, with three one-hour episodes being screened each week, for nine weeks straight.
What channel will Great British Menu be on?
Great British Menu will be broadcast on BBC Two.
What is the format of Great British Menu 2021?
The format of Great British Menu is set to be similar to previous series, with chefs from eight different regions of the UK taking part. A week will be dedicated to each region with four chefs cooking innovative dishes, based on the brief, for a veteran judge who will score each course out of ten. The lowest scoring chef after the starters and main courses will leave the competition, and then another chef will leave after all four dishes have been cooked. The remaining two chefs will then cook all four of their dishes for the panel of judges, who will then decide which competitor has won the region.
In finals week the winners of all eight regions will then cook off one last time against each other in a final bid to win a place at the prestigious Great British Menu banquet, with the judges making the final decision. Last series contestants were also asked to prepare an amuse bouche and pre-dessert for the first time, so we're interested to see whether that returns in 2021.
What is this year's brief for the Great British Menu banquet?
Series 16 of Great British Menu will be celebrating British innovation as 2021 marks 30 years since Sir Timothy Berners-Lee first made the internet widely available, as well as Helen Sharman becoming the first British astronaut to go into space. This means you can definitely expect some dishes which show plenty of technical wizardry and originality.
Who is the Great British Menu presenter?
Having been a judge for the last four regular series, before hosting the 2020 Christmas series of Great British Menu, Andi Oliver will be presenting the 16th series of the show. She replaces Susan Calman, who hosted last year's series.
Who are the Great British Menu 2021 veterans?
BBC haven't confirmed the line-up of veteran judges for the 2021 series yet, but we imagine it'll be a combination of familiar faces such as Tom Aikens, Richard Corrigan, and Michael O'Hare, with some of last year's winners. We predict that you might see two Michelin-starred chef Niall Keating making a return this year as a veteran judge, having taken his fish course to last year's banquet.
Who are the Great British Menu 2021 judges?
Matthew Fort and Oliver Peyton OBE will continue to act as judges for the regional finals, and national finals of this year's competition. However, one of the most exciting changes for the 16th series is that broadcaster and chef Rachel Khoo will be joining the panel as a brand-new judge.
Speaking about her new role on the show, Khoo said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of judge at the Great British Menu! We have some extraordinary chefs in the UK and the programme does a great job of showcasing that homegrown talent. I’m so proud to be part of the series and I can’t wait for viewers to see what’s in store.”
As usual, there will also be a fourth guest judge every week who has a direct link to the brief, so expect to see British inventors and innovators a plenty.
Who are the Great British Menu chefs this year?
The full line-up of chefs for series 16 has been announced and there are a few names you might recognise from previous years alongside a whole host of newbies. Here are the chefs taking part for each region along with the restaurants they currently own or work in:
Central Region
Sabrina Gidda - Executive Chef at The Allbright, London
Shannon Johnson - Head Chef at Hicce, London
Stuart Collins - Chef Patron at Docket No.33, Shropshire
Liam Dillon - Chef Patron at The Boat Inn, Lichfield
London & South East
Kim Ratcharoen - Senior Sous Chef at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London
Oli Marlow - Executive Chef at Aulis and Roganic
Tony Parkin - Head Chef at Tony Parkin at the Tudor Room, Surrey
Ben Murphy - Head Chef at Launceston Place, London
South West
Jude Kereama - Chef Patron at Kota, and Kota Kai, Cornwall
Elly Wentworth - Head Chef at The Angel, Dartmouth
Nick Beardshaw - Head Chef at Kerridge's Bar & Grill
Nat Tallents - Executive Chef at The Box Kitchen & Bar, Plymouth
North West
Kirk Haworth - Chef Patron at Plates, London
Dan McGeorge - Head Chef at Rothay Manor, Lake District
Dave Critchley - Executive Chef at Lu Ban, Liverpool
Ashwani Rangta - Executive Chef at GupShup, Altrincham
North East
Alex Bond - Chef Patron at Alchemilla, Nottingham
Ruth Hansom - Head Chef at The Princess of Shoreditch, London
Tom Spencely - Head Chef at Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs, London
Gareth Bartram - Head Chef at Winteringham Fields, North Lincolnshire
Scotland
Roberta Hall-McCarron - Chef Patron at The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh
Amy Elles - Chef Patron at The Harbour Café, Fife
Stuart Ralston - Chef Patron at Aizle and Noto
Scott Smith - Chef Patron at Fhior, Edinburgh
Wales
Hywel Griffith - Chef Patron at Beach House Restaurant, The Gower
Nathan Davies - Chef Patron at SY23, Aberystwyth
Ali Borer - Head Chef at Nutbourne, London
Chris Cleghorn - Head Chef at The Olive Tree, Bath
Northern Ireland
Paul Cunningham - Head Chef and Director at Brunel's, Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Gemma Austin - Co-owner and Executive Chef at Alexander's, Holywood
Phelim O'Hagan - Head Chef at Browns Bonds Hill, Londonderry
Andy Scollick - Head Chef at The Boat House, Bangor, Northern Ireland
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