Opotomen show, Great British Menu, has been booked for its 20th series in 2025 by BBC2.
Joining the judging panel this time will be Lorna McNee, former Great British Menu Champion and one of the UK’s “most acclaimed and decorated chefs.”
She will join Tom Kerridge and Ed Gamble in the search to find the next best in British cuisine. McNee takes over from Nisha Katona, who is moving on from the show after serving as a judge for three years.
The new season’s theme of “Great Britons” will see the chefs draw inspiration from their choice of important people, from ancient to modern history, who’ve come from their area. Each episode will also feature a guest judge, with strong connections to the region or nation being judged, who will help decide the winning chef. In Scotland, the guest judge is Ben Thomas, an RNLI volunteer and firefighter who won ‘Special Recognition’ at the 2024 Pride of Scotland awards.
Sarah Eglin, Executive Producer at Optomen, says: “We 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. 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.”
The new series is commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment & Events and the Commissioning Editor is Julie Shaw. It will air on BBC Two and iPlayer in early 2025.
Jon Creamer
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