Head chefs from Harrogate’s Rudding Park and Ripon’s Grantley Hall will compete tonight in the latest series of the BBC cooking competition, Great British Menu.
The 19th series starts at 8pm on BBC Two, with the north-east and Yorkshire being the first in the series to take part.
Adam Degg has been head chef at Rudding Park’s Horto restaurant since 2022 and Samira Effa, has been head chef at Grantley Hall’s Asian-inspired bar and restaurant EightyEight for two years.
This is Ms Effa’s third time competing on the BBC TV show, having previously taken part in the 2019 and 2020 series.
Ms Effa said:
“The fact that I’ve been asked back again is really humbling.
“The show has a fantastic following with viewers from not just the chef world, but further afield and I love to see it ignite excitement in food for so many people. It really demonstrates that food can bring people together in that shared enjoyment of an experience.”
Simon Crannage, executive chef at Grantley Hall, said Ms Effa would be “flying the flag for Yorkshire”, adding:
“I’m sure it will come across on your screens, but Samira champions Yorkshire produce wherever she can in her cooking, with so many fantastic ingredients coming out of the Yorkshire region to use.”
Samira Effa in her kitchen at EightyEight, Grantley Hall
It will be Mr Degg’s first appearance on the show tonight.
He began his culinary journey aged 16 and has worked in award-winning kitchens throughout his career.
He was recently awarded Michelin green star recognition for sustainable practices for drawing inspiration from the kitchen gardens at the luxury hotel.
Mr Degg commented:
“Great British Menu is without doubt, the single most exciting and terrifying experience of my career to date! Having said that, it’s so important to push yourself out of your comfort zone and I thrived on the challenge.”
The Great British Menu showcases the best of British cuisine and sees top chefs from across the UK create mouthwatering dishes.
The series theme is celebrating the Olympics and Paralympics and is presented by TV chef Andi Oliver alongside regular judges Tom Kerridge, Nisha Katona and Ed Gamble.
Tonight’s contestants on Great British Menu.
Tonight will see the two chefs battle it out against each other and Cal Byerley, chef Patron of Pine, East Wallhouses, and Scott John-Hodgson head chef for Solstice, Newcastle for a place in finals week and the chance to devise an Olympic-themed banquet.
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