Great British Menu judge addresses replacing BBC star 'big shoes to fill'

The newest judge on Great British Menu has opened up on replacing a beloved star. The hit culinary competition returns to BBC Two and iPlayer from its kitchen in Stratford-upon-Avon later this month.

32 of the finest chefs from across Britain and Northern Ireland will compete in eight heats for the opportunity to create blockbuster dishes that celebrate the British movie industry, as well as connecting to their region or nation. The winning chefs will then cook a dish in the finale banquet held at St George's Hall in Liverpool, which features as Gotham City Hall in Batman.

This series, comedian Phil Wang joins lead judge Tom Kerridge and Lorna McNee in the search to find the next best in British cuisine, following the departure of Ed Gamble. Andi Oliver is also back to present the series.

A veteran judge will join the show every week to rate the dishes and choose the two chefs who will go through to cook for the Great British Menu judges and a guest judge at the end of the week.

Andi and Phil appeared on BBC's The One Show on Tuesday (February 17), where they spoke to hosts Alex Jones and Lauren Laverne about the upcoming series.

Speaking about Phil's new judging role, Lauren began: "Phil, you're the new kid on the block. Stepping into the giant shoes of Ed Gamble. It's good to have a judge who's not a chef in the mix, as well. What's it like taking on that role?"

Phil replied: "[I've got] big shoes to fill, Ed's shoes - shoes that are full of food. The team have been so nice, Andi and the other judges have been so nice. It's intimidating being a judge alongside two Michelin-star chefs, but I'm very much the voice of the people on the show... It's a jammy gig."

Andi went on to talk about the movie theme of the series, saying: "It's been quite interesting. Each year, the chefs connect to the brief in a different way. This year, there's been a lot of nostalgia. It's been very hopeful, there's a real passion [in] the way they've connected to this theme.

"It's brought up a lot of childhood memories and family stories, and beautiful things like that. We've got huge blockbuster films - James Bond movies and Batman and Full Montys - all sorts of incredible things. And then, much smaller, culty, indie films that you may not have heard of, that are really touching and beautiful. The whole range of emotion, I would say, comes through in these dishes."

The star continued: "The chefs have been incredible. The standard is extraordinary. I know I always say it, but every year, they manage to top it. Every year, I'm just amazed all over again."

Last year's starter course was notably won by Sally Abé, while the fish and main were won by Jean Delport. However, it was dessert winner Amber Francis who was ultimately declared the Champion of Champions at the banquet.

Great British Menu returns to BBC Two and iPlayer on Tuesday, February 24 at 7pm, while The One Show airs weeknights on BBC One at 7pm

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