Who is chef James Sherwin on Great British Menu 2026?

With Great British Menu 2026 now on our screens on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, we find out more about chef James Sherwin, who is competing in the Central heat.

James Sherwin is the owner and executive chef of Wild Shropshire, a terroir-led restaurant in Whitchurch known for its micro-seasonal tasting menus and strong sustainability ethos. His cooking centres on hyper-local ingredients, much of which is grown, foraged or preserved by his team.

From paediatric nurse to professional chef

James did not begin his career in the kitchen. Originally trained as a paediatric nurse, he later pivoted into the culinary world, teaching himself to cook and gradually building his experience.

An early breakthrough came when he appeared on Channel 4’s The Taste, where he cooked alongside 12 other chefs under the mentorship of French chef Ludo Lefebvre. The experience helped launch his professional culinary career and gave him valuable exposure to the pressures of cooking on television.

Opening Wild Shropshire

In March 2020, James opened Wild Shropshire at Ternhill Farmhouse in Whitchurch.

The restaurant quickly gained attention for its terroir-led approach and micro-seasonal tasting menus. Diners are not shown the menu until the end of the meal, allowing the kitchen to focus entirely on the best ingredients available on that particular day.

Much of the produce used in the kitchen is grown on-site or sourced locally, while the restaurant also operates a fermentation and preservation lab to extend the life of seasonal ingredients and minimise waste.

Sustainable farming and Michelin recognition

In 2023, James expanded the project by founding Wild Shropshire Farm, a two-acre regenerative farm located near the restaurant.

The farm grows vegetables, herbs, fruit and edible flowers for the restaurant, with the long-term goal of becoming largely self-sufficient. It also operates under regenerative farming principles designed to restore soil health, encourage pollinators and increase biodiversity.

The restaurant received a Michelin plate in 2021 and was awarded a Michelin green star in the 2025 Michelin Guide, recognising its sustainability-focused approach.

Wild Shropshire has also received international recognition for its environmental credentials. In the 360° Eat Guide 2024 it received three circles for sustainability, one of only 17 restaurants to achieve that level of recognition.