comes out when I am cooking. I also change things as I go along – I probably don’t make things easy for the camera crew!
Do you feel that your previous experience in Great British Menu is an advantage?
Not at all, I think there is more pressure and I came back because I did reasonably well last year and I did a lot better than I thought I would. I went on it last year thinking ‘as long as I don’t make a tit of myself that will be fine!’ but because I reached the finals last year, there was added pressure.
What was the best part about being on Great British Menu 2018?
Just meeting a whole new calibre of chefs really - the Northern Irish heat was very tough and it was great to be in a kitchen cooking with these guys.
The banter was good – we had a laugh and they are two talented chefs and are amazing people as well.
Were there any negative parts to being on Great British Menu?
I suppose it’s the interruptions, that’s definitely the hardest part. I suppose I didn’t really make it easy for the camera crew this year as I was running about left, right and centre – I mean they have got their job to do as well! It’s got to make good TV!
How did you find the criticism and being judged?
Everyone has got a different opinion and I take it as a learning curve if someone gives me an opinion. I just take it and learn from it and see if I can make it better.
Were you more nervous about being judged by the veteran chef or the judges?
I was quite nervous about going into the kitchen with those amazing chefs. I was nervous about everyone. All you can do is to cook the best that you can.
Do you have any standout memories during your time on Great British Menu?
I think I dropped everybody in the shit at one stage… but you have to have a laugh and get on with it.
Would you take part in Great British Menu again?
Yes, it has done so much for me personally and I would like to rectify a few things.
Would you encourage your peers, colleagues and chef friends to take part in a competition like Great British Menu?
Yes! 100%! I will be honest with you – I think I am now a far better chef for doing the competition. The connections and friends make it well worth doing it. All the chefs that have helped me with my Kickstarter campaign I have met on the show. It’s thanks to me being in the competition that we are doing what we are doing (with the new restaurant).
