The much-loved culinary competition Great British Menu is back on our screens today (January 28) for its milestone 20th series, and there’s a new face on the judging panel.
Lorna McNee, a former winner of the show and one of the UK’s top chefs, will be joining culinary heavyweights Tom Kerridge, Andi Oliver, and Ed Gamble to unearth the next big talent in the British food scene.
Taking over from Nisha Katona, who has stepped down after a three-year tenure as judge, Lorna is set to bring her expertise to the table.
Hailing from Forres, Scotland, Lorna’s journey into the culinary world began at Moray College. Her career took a significant turn following a two-week stint at Gordon Ramsey’s prestigious Claridge’s restaurant in Mayfair, London.
“It felt like the first time that I had been encouraged and told I was good at something. It made me want to be better and I started to absolutely love it,” she has said about the experience.
Lorna’s ascent in the culinary world continued with her work experience at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, eventually rising to the position of sous-chef.
Her skills have not gone unnoticed; she clinched the Game Chef of the Year award in 2016 and was crowned National Scottish Chef of the Year in 2017, reports the Daily Record.
Her previous appearance on the Great British Menu came during its 14th series in 2019, where she battled it out to serve a dish at Abbey Road Studios, commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ last performance together. Lorna wowed judges with her dessert in the final week, securing her the Champion of Champions title.
After winning the competition, Lorna assumed the role of head chef at Glasgow’s Cail Bruich restaurant in August 2020, and by January 2021, they had clinched a Michelin Star, marking the first for Glasgow in 18 years.
“It was honestly such a surprise, as we’d only been properly open for three months. I’d always said to myself that I wanted to be the first woman in Scotland to win a star, so it felt amazing when they told me on the phone,” Lorna revealed.
She also expressed her excitement for her upcoming appearance on Great British Menu, stating in an announcement: “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.”
Great British Menu airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer