Twenty four of the finest chefs in the country including many chefs from Great British Chefs site are competing in eight regional heats for the opportunity to create a four course menu at special banquet at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate 25 years of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day.
As with previous years, the show follows the familiar format with three chefs from each region cooking a starter, fish course, main course and dessert for a veteran judge who will select two chefs to cook their menu again on Friday's show for the judges Matthew Fort, Oliver Peyton & Prue Leith. On Friday the three judges will be joined by veteran comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor to see how funny the dishes really are.
Representing the North East are Colin McGurran (who recently joined Great British Chefs site) from Winteringham Fields in North Lincolnshire, consultant chef Stephanie Moon and Charlie Lakin from The Marquis. All three chefs are veterans to the show, but it'll be the first time that laughter is part of the brief.
Colin made it through to preparing the starter at the banquet last year, so he's determined to hold onto that honour. We asked Colin about his experience:
"This year's Great British Menu experience was a lot better than last year's. I knew what to expect and how to “play the game” in regards to cooking and talking at the same time. I learnt the lesson that you must go in to the competition with a strong belief that your dishes are strong enough to go all the way. It might seem a bit cock sure or arrogant but it is essential as the opponents what nothing more, than for you to slip up and gain a psychological advantage.