Chefs on the fourth series of The Great British Menu will start sharpening their knives on BBC2 tonight. Having previously cooked banquets for Her Maj; the British Ambassador to France and for Heston Blumenthal, the winners of this series’ heats are charged with cooking up a feast for soldiers returning from Afghanistan.
Tom Kitchin, winner of last year’s Scottish heat and chef patron at Edinburgh’s Michelin-starred Kitchin, is battling it out with Alan Murchison who cooks at L’Ortolan in Shinfield Berkshire.
As was the case previously, Matt Fort, Prue Leith and Oliver Peyton are the judges tasked with pushing the chefs’ food around their plates and grimacing. Matt Fort always seems as though he is enjoying himself whatever is put in front of him while Mr Peyton usually looks as though he has just got a whiff of something unpleasant when the dishes are uncovered. Prue Leith is the really terrifying one. If a chef’s creation doesn’t meet with her approval then she gives the impression that she just might send the offending pan rattler off to the naughty step.
Sticking with the subject of reality TV cooking shows, The Restaurant is looking for volunteers who reckon they have what it takes to gain Raymond Blanc’s backing and the opportunity to open their own place. There is more info on how to apply here but be warned: all applicants who make it through the initial screening stages will be interviewed by a psychologist.