Who is Richard Bainbridge? Great British Menu 2017 veteran judge and owner of Benedicts restaurant
THE Great British Menu is in full swing – with the experienced veteran judges overseeing the ultimate battle of the pans.
As the competition heats up, here’s everything you need to know about guest judge Richard Bainbridge…
Who is Richard Bainbridge?
Richard Bainbridge is the owner and culinary mastermind behind celebrated Norwich restaurant Benedicts.
He started working in kitchens at the age of 16 working his way up the ranks at The Waterside Inn with the Roux brothers progressing from commis chef to junior sous.
He has also previously worked as head chef at Michelin starred Morston Hall before launching his own eatery.
The modern British restaurant has gained many accolades including being named in The Sunday Times's top 100 restaurants 2017.
Richard also has a regular column for the Eastern Daily Press where he discusses all things food.
Has Richard been on Great British Menu before?
He has previously entered the Great British Menu as a contestant on four separate occasions.
He failed to reach the national finals on the first three attempts, but in series 10 he managed to get to the banquet cooking the starter and dessert in the final meal.
Speaking to the he said: “Being asked back to Great British Menu is like a dream come true, I’m super excited, I get to be part of a show I love without all the hard work.
“Every time I entered the show, I’d say ‘one day I’ll be a judge on here’ and slowly but surely I’ve managed to get there. I can’t believe it."
When is Great British Menu on?
The series continues on weeknights at 7.30pm on BBC Two.
Missed an episode? You can catch up on all the action on BBC’s iPlayer.
Season 12 of the Great British Menu started on May 2 and runs for 45 episodes – the theme this year is 140 Years of Wimbledon.
What happens on Great British Menu?
Professional chefs compete to create a dish fit for a banquet to celebrate a different occasion – this year it’s Wimbledon’s 140th birthday.
24 professionals show off their culinary skills in the hopes of being chosen to cook one course for the four course banquet.
One chef each week goes through to the final, where the judges taste the dishes again and award them marks out of ten.
The three dishes that have scored the highest for each course are then put to the public vote.