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Everything we know About Great British Menu Season 20: Judges, Chefs, new Theme, & more
Great British Menu is returning for its 20th series, bringing fresh excitement to the kitchen. The show continues its mission to find the next culinary talent, with chefs across the UK competing for a spot at the final banquet. It has become one of the most beloved cooking competitions, known for its creativity and fierce rivalry.
After the dramatic finale of season 19, all eyes are on the new season, promising an even more thrilling ride. Lorna McNee, the 2018 champion, joins Tom Kerridge and Ed Gamble as a new judge. The 2025 season will celebrate UK heroes, both well-known and unsung, through inspiring dishes crafted by the contestants.
This year, Great British Menu is sure to bring surprises and fresh twists to the competition. From a revamped panel to exciting new themes, there’s plenty to look forward to. Make sure to keep an eye out for updates as more information unfolds—this season is bound to leave you hungry for more!
Release date & Where to Watch
Great British Menu returns to BBC Two and iPlayer on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at 8 pm GMT. For the first eight weeks, three one-hour episodes will air each week, followed by five episodes during the finals week.
How to Stream Great British Menu Season 20 Online from Anywhere
Great British Menu season 20 is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK. However, if you’re traveling or living in a region where it’s unavailable, geo-restrictions might block access. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution! Use a dependable VPN to stream Great British Menu 2025 from anywhere, easily bypassing these restrictions.
For the ultimate streaming experience, choose a top VPN provider that offers more than just speed. NordVPN includes features like Split Tunneling, allowing you to route some apps through the VPN while others access the internet directly, giving you better control over your connection and ensuring optimal performance. Additionally, with its advanced encryption, NordVPN ensures your privacy and data security, making it perfect for seamless, secure streaming.
What is the plot of Great British Menu 2025?
Great British Menu 2025 challenges chefs from eight regions of the UK to create dishes that celebrate historical figures from their respective areas. This season's theme, "Great Britons," encourages chefs to draw inspiration from important figures throughout history, from ancient to modern times. Each episode will also feature a guest judge with strong connections to the region or nation being judged.
In the competition, chefs from each region compete by cooking four courses based on a brief. Judges score each course out of ten, and the chef with the lowest score is eliminated. After all four dishes are cooked, two chefs remain to present their dishes, with the judges deciding the regional winner.
The eight regional winners will then compete in a cook-off during the final week, with the winner securing a spot at the Great British Menu banquet. This season will also feature a guest judge in each regional episode.
Who is Presenting Great British Menu Season 20?
Andi Oliver, the British-Antiguan chef, will return to present Great British Menu 2025. She has been hosting the show since 2020, after four years as a judge, succeeding Scottish comedian and presenter Susan Calman.
Who are the Judges on Great British Menu 2025?
In Great British Menu 2025, Tom Kerridge and Ed Gamble return as judges, alongside a new addition, Lorna McNee. McNee, who won the competition in 2018 and is now Chef Director at Cail Bruich, replaces Nisha Katona, who leaves after three years.
Lorna expressed her excitement to BBC, stating, "Winning Great British Menu back in 2018 made a huge difference to my career as a chef and was partly behind me becoming Chef Director at Cail Bruich, so I know just how much the competition means to Britain’s chefs."
Lorna further added, “Being invited to join the judges this year was a total surprise but a delight, and I’m loving the chance to help choose this year’s banquet finalists. Tom, Ed, and Andi have made me feel very welcome, and I’m also meeting some amazing guest judges every week – each of whom has been invited to help us choose the dishes representing their areas to go with this year’s theme of UK Heroes.”
The series will also feature a rotating cast of guest judges, with familiar faces like Rory Welch, Aktar Islam, and Angela Hartnett expected to return. The full lineup for the 2025 series, including debut appearances, is yet to be revealed.
Which Chefs are Competing in Great British Menu Season 20?
The North West chefs competing in Great British Menu season 20 are:
- Jack Bond, head chef/owner of Cottage in the Woods
- Eddie Shepherd, chef/owner of The Walled Gardens
- Livia Alarcon, head chef/owner of La Bistroteca
- James Hill, head chef/owner of The Oak at Curthwaite
Is There a Trailer for Great British Menu 2025?
Great British Menu Instagram handle shared a teaser for the show which teases a spectacular new season, celebrating the theme of ‘Great Britons.’ This year, chefs will craft their dishes inspired by remarkable figures from history, offering a fresh perspective on regional cuisine.
The teaser hints at intense moments in the kitchen, with chefs pushing their creative limits to produce unforgettable meals for the prestigious banquet. A thrilling ride of culinary excellence and inspiration awaits!
Episode Schedule
This is the current episode schedule:
- Season 20 Episode 1: North West England: Starters and Fish (Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025)
- Season 20 Episode 2: North West England: Mains and Dessert (Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025)
- Season 20 Episode 3: North West Judging (Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025)
What is the Theme of Great British Menu Season 20?
The theme for Great British Menu 2025 is ‘Great Britons’. Competing chefs will draw inspiration from notable figures throughout history who hail from their region. The guest judges in the regional finals and finals week will also reflect this theme.
How many Regions or Heats are There in Great British Menu 2025?
The show features chefs from eight regions, with four competing chefs from each area: Scotland, South West, North West, Wales, Central, London South/East, North East, and Northern Ireland.
Who was the Winner of Great British Menu 2024?
Kirk Haworth, chef and owner of the plant-based restaurant Plates, won the 2024 Great British Menu. He was crowned 'Champion of Champions' after impressing the judges with his sour cherry dessert, "A Taste of Unity," accompanied by a cacao gateau and Asian blossom ice cream.
Are Chefs on Great British Menu paid?
No, the chefs competing on Great British Menu are not paid to appear on the show. Instead, the restaurants they represent cover the costs, but the exposure makes it worthwhile.
Behind the Scenes
The new series is commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment & Events, with Julie Shaw serving as the Commissioning Editor. Great British Menu is filmed in the Midlands by Optomen.
Sarah Eglin, Executive Producer at Optomen, said to BBC, “We’re thrilled to celebrate the return of BBC Two’s most popular and longest-running cookery series, and especially this year. The show has become a platform for showcasing the immense culinary talent from across the UK over the years, and this 20th landmark series will be no exception.”
Eglin further added, “With Lorna McNee joining Tom Kerridge and Ed Gamble on the judging panel, we're excited to bring a fresh dynamic to the competition. Lorna’s journey is both inspiring and emblematic of what the show is all about – celebrating diversity, excellence, and the incredible stories behind Britain’s chefs. We also want to thank Nisha for her exceptional time on the programme and wish her well for the future.”
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