The BBC has announced information on the 20th series of the Great British Menu, including news that a top Scottish chef is joining the judging panel.
With the popular TV programme returning to BBC Two and iPlayer in early 2025, the show is gearing up for a landmark 20th series. With that comes a new judge, chef Lorna McNee of Cail Bruich in Glasgow.
McNee, a former Great British Menu champion, and head chef of the One Michelin Star restaurant in Glasgow’s west end, announced the news on her social media on 8 November.
She wrote: “The news is out! I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ve been given the incredible privilege of becoming the third judge on Great British Menu, alongside the hysterical @edgamblecomedy and the legendary @cheftomkerridge
“And of course we can't forget what an experience and pleasure it is to work alongside @andioliver again! It’s such an honour to be asked back. From competing in 2019, to winning in 2020, and now returning as a judge—what a journey it’s been! I feel so lucky and grateful for every step along the way.”
Lorna is from Forres in Moray and started her career as a kitchen porter before going on to work for years at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie which was, at that time, the only Two Michelin Star restaurant in Scotland.
This season’s theme on Great British Menu will be “Great Britons” and 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.
Speaking about her new role to the BBC, McNee said: "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. 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.”
Andi Oliver, who has featured on the show as host and mentor since 2017, is looking forward to the new chapter with McNee joining the team.
She said: "It is an honour and continues to be a huge privilege to mentor Britain’s top chefs through the process of competing on Great British Menu, and it's incredible to think the series is now in its 20th year.
"The competition strives to provide a platform for new chef talent from all over Britain, and we hope to do so for many years to come. In fact, this year, it’s great to see a former winner of our competition, Scotland’s formidable Lorna McNee, join us as a judge. Audiences are in for a treat.
"The chefs have come up with incredible ideas on this year’s theme. It’s so exciting to see how many of them have come up with unsung local heroes for us to celebrate.”
Tom Kerridge, Michelin starred chef and Head Judge, also expressed his excitement about working alongside McNee: "As a fellow chef, I am very pleased to see a recent champion of champions and leading Great British Menu chef mentor join myself and Ed in the judging chamber.
"Her experience and wealth of knowledge will bring huge gravitas to judging day, and no doubt give the competing chefs another butterfly in their stomach.”
