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Series 15 of ‘Great British Menu’ will air in Spring 2020 on BBC Two – and for the first time since series one, the chefs and judges will be joined by a presenter in the kitchen.
Scottish comedian Susan Calman will host the programme, with Andi Oliver, Matthew Fort and Oliver Peyton returning as judges.
The series will continue in the same format, with two mid-week hour-long episodes, followed by a 30 minute regional final each Friday where just two chefs will need to convince the judges that their dishes deserve a spot in the national finals and – if they’re impressive enough – to be served at the finale banquet.
Over the past 14 series, the roll-call of chefs that have taken part in ‘Great British Menu’ include Tom Kerridge, Marcus Wareing, Angela Hartnett, Nathan Outlaw, Richard Corrigan, Sat Bains, Mark Hix, Jason Atherton, Michael O’Hare, Glynn Purnell, Lisa Allen, Daniel Clifford, Simon Rogan, Phil Howard and Tom Aikens.
Banquets have included an Olympics dinner to mark London 2012 hosted by Sir Steve Redgrave; an event to commemorate 70 years since D-Day at St Paul’s Cathedral, attended by then Prime Minister David Cameron; a culinary feast to pay tribute to 70 years of the NHS; and a rock star-studded dinner at Abbey Road Studios to celebrate British music.
Susan said: “I’ve been a super fan of ‘Great British Menu’ for years and I can’t quite believe I’m being transported from my sofa into that famous kitchen. Imagine being able to taste some of the most incredible food from the best chefs in the country? It’s a foodie dream come true.”
Commissioning Editor Julie Shaw commented: “‘Great British Menu’ is the programme that the country’s very best chefs want to win. When viewers tune in they know they can expect to see some of the most creative and visually striking dishes on TV. We’re really excited that Susan is joining the ‘Great British Menu’ family as she brings a huge amount of knowledge, warmth and fun to the show.”
Executive Producer Sarah Eglin added: “I knew Susan was the right person for the job when she started quoting famous dishes from competitions going back many years on the series. Susan is bringing a lot of fun to the series, helping the chefs settle in a camera, getting the best out of them, and working alongside all the judges. Not surprisingly, she’s not adverse to trying the odd tasty dish prepared by some of the finest chefs in Britain.”
Susan used to be a corporate lawyer until she decided to become a comedian. Since then Susan has appeared on many BBC Radio 4 programmes – most notably ‘The News Quiz’- and has recorded two series of her own sitcom for Radio 4 and five solo series for the station.
She has made several guest appearances on television including ‘QI’, ‘HIGNFY’ and ‘Mock The Week’. She has also hosted daytime shows ‘The Boss’ and ‘Armchair Detectives’ (winning her a second Scottish Bafta) as well as the CBBC series ‘Top Class’.
In 2017 Susan made it to week ten of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and she and her dance partner Kevin Clifton went on to win the Strictly Live Tour in 2018.
