Great British Menu is a BBC television series in which top British chefs compete for the chance to cook one course of a four-course banquet.
Format Series one and two were presented by Jennie Bond, the former BBC Royal correspondent, whereby each week, two chefs from a region of the UK create a menu. In series three and four, both narrated by Bond but with no presenter, three chefs from a region of the UK create a menu; only the two with the best scores went through to the Friday judging. In series five and six, the fifth narrated by Bond while the sixth is narrated by Wendy Lloyd, three chefs from a region of the UK create a menu, with in kitchen judging undertaken by a past contestant chef; only the two with the best scores go through to the Friday judging.
In each series, the Friday show is when chefs present all courses of their menu to a judging panel, tasted and judged by Matthew Fort, Prue Leith, and Oliver Peyton. One chef each week goes through to the final, where the judges taste the dishes again and award them marks out of ten.
In series one and two, the three dishes that have scored the highest for each course of the finals are then shortlisted for public vote via televoting. In series three and four, the shortlisting rule was dropped, so all dishes scored by the judges are then sent to the public vote. Judges' scores represent one half of the overall score, and public vote represents the other half. The Guardian critic Karina Mantavia in May 2007 criticised the public vote system as incompatible to food that viewers could see onscreen but not taste in-person.
Starting from series five, a fourth judge, usually either a veteran chef or a guest related to a brief, is introduced, replacing public vote. Since series eight, the fourth judge addition extends to regional heats.
Up until series six, the finalists can replace only one course dish of their own menus with a newer one. They can adjust or tweak other dishes but cannot completely change them.
On 28 October 2016, it was confirmed that Prue Leith was leaving the show and would be replaced by Andi Oliver for series 12 in 2017.
On 1 October 2019, Susan Calman was announced as the new presenter for series 15. Filming took place in Stratford-upon-Avon and was completed in November 2019. The show was broadcast in spring 2020. For Christmas 2020 special series and thereafter, Andi Oliver stepped down as a judge and has replaced Calman as the presenter.
On 7 February 2021, it was announced that Rachel Khoo would be joining as a new judge when the series returns in spring 2021.
On 6 September 2021, it was announced that the whole judging panel would be changed with Matthew Fort and Oliver Payton leaving after being on the show since the beginning and Rachel Khoo after one series. The new judging panel will consist of former GBM champion Tom Kerridge, chef and restaurateur Nisha Katona, and comedian and food podcaster Ed Gamble.
On 8 November 2024, Lorna McNee was announced as a new judge when the series returns in January 2025; replacing Nisha Katona who left after series 19 ended.
On 11 December 2025, it was announced comedian Phil Wang will be joining the judging panel taking over from Ed Gamble who decided to step down at the end of series 20.
Series overview
Series 1 (2006) The birthday meal for the Queen was on 16 June 2006 and for 300 people, so each dish created had to be suitable for a summer banquet. All recipes have been published in a book by Dorling Kindersley.
Heats
RegionContestantRestaurant/Eatery (at time of competition)Result Name Location Michelin Role South West Michael Caines Gidleigh Park Devon Chef rowspan="2" Print edition: . Royal Clarence Hotel Exeter Chef John Burton Race New Angel Dartmouth, Devon Chef-proprietor Print edition: . Midlands and the East Galton Blackiston Morston Hall Norfolk Chef Antony Worrall Thompson Kew Grill London Chef-proprietor rowspan="2" Notting Grill London Chef-proprietor North Marcus Wareing Pétrus London Executive chef rowspan="2" Savoy Grill London Chef Simon Rimmer Greens Manchester Chef-proprietor Northern Ireland Richard Corrigan Lindsay House Soho, London Chef-proprietor rowspan="2" Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill London Chef-proprietor Paul Rankin Cayenne Belfast Chef Scotland Nick Nairn colspan="4" Tom Lewis Monachyle Mhor hotel Balquhidder in the Trossachs Head chef Wales Bryn Williams Orrery London Sous chef under Terrence Conran Angela Hartnett Petrus Banquette at the Connaught Hotel London Chef South East Atul Kochhar Benares London Chef-proprietor Gary Rhodes Rhodes Twenty Four London Chef Print edition: , .
Final week The three dishes that have scored the highest for each course in the finals are then put to the public vote. In the first series, it was decided that a chef could only win one course overall, therefore any chef who won the public vote for a particular course was then eliminated from any subsequent courses they had been shortlisted for. As the results for all four courses were announced on the same day, some chefs were eliminated under this rule.
Final result Starter: Richard Corrigan – Smoked salmon with Irish soda bread, woodland sorrel and cress (recipe) Fish: Bryn Williams – Pan-fried turbot with cockles and oxtail (recipe) Main: Nick Nairn – Loin of roe venison with rosti, celeriac, cabbage, carrot and game gravy Dessert: Marcus Wareing – Custard tart with Garibaldi biscuits (recipe)
Great British Christmas Menu (2006) From 11 to 15 December 2006, a special Christmas series was shown. This involved the four winning chefs creating a four course Christmas dinner that viewers could prepare at home.
Unlike the original series, only one chef was able to be crowned the winner and there was no special prize at stake (i.e. the meal would not be cooked for the Queen). The final result was decided by the judges and a viewers' vote; 30p from calls made in order to vote was donated to Children in Need.
Final result 1st – Richard Corrigan (Northern Ireland) 2nd – Marcus Wareing (England), Nick Nairn (Scotland) 4th – Bryn Williams (Wales)
Series 2 (2007) Broadcasting of series 2 started on 2 April 2007. The format was the same as before, with the winning chefs from each region from series one taking on new challengers. The final menu was cooked at the British Embassy in Paris at an Ambassadors' Dinner.
Contestants
RegionContestantRestaurant/Eatery (at time of competition)FirsttimeResult Name Location Michelin Role Midlands and the East Sat Bains Debut Galton Blackiston S1 Wales Bryn Williams S1 Matt Tebbutt Debut Scotland Jeremy Lee Debut Nick Nairn S1 Northern Ireland Richard Corrigan S1 Noel McMeel Debut South East Atul Kochhar S1 Stuart Gillies Debut South West Mark Hix Debut Michael Caines S1 North Mark Broadbent Debut Marcus Wareing S1
Final week The rule to eliminate a winning chef of one course from any subsequent courses was dropped, as highlighted by Mark Hix winning both the main course and dessert.
Final result Starter: Sat Bains – Ham, egg and peas (recipe) Fish: Richard Corrigan – Whole poached wild salmon and duck egg dressing with wheaten bread and country butter (recipe) Main: Mark Hix – Rabbit and crayfish stargazy pie Dessert: Mark Hix – Perry jelly and summer fruits with elderflower ice cream (recipe)
Series 3 (2008) Broadcasting of series 3 began on 17 March 2008. The chefs competed for the opportunity to cook a four-course dinner held in June 2008, at the restaurant at the top of the iconic "Gherkin" building in London. The host was the chef Heston Blumenthal and his guests included top chefs from around the world along with gourmets and celebrities who represent a cross section of modern Britain.
The series began with seven special programmes in which Great British Menu judge Matthew Fort travelled around the UK, selecting the two chefs who would go through to represent their region in the competition.
Heats RegionWon heatRunner-upEliminated at audition Central Glynn Purnell Sat Bains Aaron Patterson Rupert Rowley Wales Stephen Terry Angela Hartnett Chris Chown James Sommerin North Nigel Haworth Anthony Flinn Mark Broadbent Michael Wignall Scotland Tom Kitchin Matthew Gray Michael Smith Tony Singh Northern Ireland Danny Millar Noel McMeel Liz Moore Nick Price South West Chris Horridge Elisha Carter Richard Guest Chris Wicks South East Jason Atherton Atul Kochhar Adebola Adeshina Jake Watkins
Final week Starting from this series, all dishes scored by the judges in the finals are sent to public vote.
+ Final rankings of series 3 (2005) Chef Region Starter Fish Main Dessert Pre-voterank Finalrank Pre-voterank Finalrank Pre-voterank Finalrank Pre-voterank Finalrank Chris Horridge South West 1st 7th 3rd 2nd Danny Millar Northern Ireland 4th 5th 5th (tie) 5th Glynn Purnell Central 5th 6th 4th 1st Jason Atherton South East 2nd (tie) 3rd (tie) 1st 7th Nigel Haworth North 6th 1st (tie) 5th (tie) 4th Stephen Terry Wales 7th 1st (tie) 2nd 3rd Tom Kitchin Scotland 2nd (tie) 3rd (tie) 7th 6th
Final result Starter: Jason Atherton – Bacon, lettuce and tomato with croque monsieur () Fish: Stephen Terry – Organic salmon and smoked salmon with crab fritters and cockle 'popcorn' () Main: Jason Atherton – Dexter beef fillet, ox cheek, smoked potato puree and marrow bone (recipe) Dessert: Glynn Purnell – Strawberries with tarragon and black pepper honeycomb with burnt English cream surprise (recipe)
Series 4 (2009) Series 4 began on 30 March 2009 and revolved around cooking a meal for British service personnel (sailors/marines/soldiers/airmen and women) returning from the War in Afghanistan. A chef from a previous series came back in this series to act as a mentor, giving the two chefs from their region guidance and advice. They were in the kitchen and acted as an unofficial fourth judge.
The North region was split this time into two groups: North-East and North-West.
Heats RegionWon heatRunner-upMentor Central Glynn Purnell Daniel Clifford Sat Bains Scotland Tom Kitchin Alan Murchison Jeremy Lee North East Kenny Atkinson Ian Matfin Marcus Wareing Northern Ireland Danny Millar Clare Smyth Richard Corrigan South West Shaun Rankin Nathan Outlaw Mark Hix Wales James Sommerin Stephen Terry Bryn Williams North West Nigel Haworth Aiden Byrne Marcus Wareing South East Tristan Welch Mark Sargeant Jason Atherton
Final week Rankings were based on judges' scores and then public votes. + Final rankings of series 4 (2009) Chef Region Starter Fish Main Dessert Pre-voterank Finalrank Pre-voterank Finalrank Pre-voterank Finalrank Pre-voterank Finalrank Danny Millar Northern Ireland 5th 4th 3rd 7th Glynn Purnell Central 7th 1st 7th 6th James Sommerin Wales 1st 8th 8th 5th Kenny Atkinson North East 2nd 3rd 5th 4th Nigel Haworth North West 3rd 2nd 1st 8th Shaun Rankin South West 8th 6th 6th 1st Tom Kitchin Scotland 6th 5th 2nd 3rd Tristan Welch South East 4th 7th 4th 2nd
Final result Starter: Kenny Atkinson – Salad of Aberdeen Angus beef, carrots, horseradish and Shetland Black potatoes (recipe) Fish: Glynn Purnell – Masala spiced monkfish with red lentils, pickled carrots and coconut (recipe) Main: Nigel Haworth – Lonk lamb Lancashire hotpot, pickled red cabbage, carrots and leeks (Northcote | Luxury Hotel and Michelin Star Restaurant in Lancashire) Dessert: Shaun Rankin – Treacle tart with Jersey clotted cream and raspberry ripple coulis (recipe)
Series 5 (2010) Series 5 began on 6 April 2010 with a double episode. In this series, the participating chefs were challenged to find food producers they had not previously used, basing their search around a National Trust property in their region, with the aim to source as many of their ingredients as possible from the property itself or the surrounding area. The banquet was for producers of British food and The Prince of Wales was the guest of honour.
Heats