By the end of the first week of watching BBC Two's Great British Menu, we are hooked! The competition between some of the country's most talented chefs is fierce and you can see the tension building throughout the week as each regions three competing chefs aim to create the perfect dish to get them through to cook for the judges at the end of the week.
One of this year's competitors representing the Central Region is Executive Head Chef Andrew Scott, originally from Banbury, who works for the award winning Restaurant 56 at Sudbury House Hotel in Faringdon. The Central Region's heat will be aired during the week commencing 26th September and we wait anxiously to see if Andrew makes it through to cook for the judges: Prue Leith, Oliver Peyton and Matthew Fort plus one guest judge.
When asked what taking part in BBC Two's Great British Menu was like, Andrew replied: "Cooking in the Great British Menu kitchen was like being inside a pressure cooker. I enjoyed the buzz you got from being the GBM kitchen cooking in front of the cameras and thinking about family and friends watching me. You sort of ride the wave of pressure but the show takes no prisoners!"
As for Andrew's worst moment about being involved in the programme: "My worst moment was probably once a day when we had to stand in a line against the fridge and receive our score from the veteran judge. Extremely nerve racking!"
The veteran judge and judging panel have strict judging criteria. Does the chef's menu fulfil the brief of celebrating Elizabeth II's Great Britons? How does the dish taste and do the dishes demonstrate supreme culinary skill and technical expertise, as well as being original and creative? Does each plate tell a story? Does the chef's menu surpass expectations, showcasing their ingenuity and creativity in the kitchen and make a difference to the canon of British Food? Logistically can the dish be successfully produced for up to 60 guests and is the menu worthy of being served at Elizabeth II's Great Britons banquet?
The programme is aired at 7.30 pm Monday to Friday on BBC Two so don't forget to watch to see how Andrew does.
For further information about Restaurant 56 visit www.restaurant56.co.uk
