A chef who has recently taken the reins at a luxury Lake District hotel will appear on the BBC’s Great British Menu tonight.
Tom Westerland, who recently joined the Gilpin in Windermere with fellow head chefs Ollie Bridgwater and Aakash Ohol, is representing Wales in the popular BBC Two show.
He will represent Wales alongside Georgia Sommerin, head chef at Home in Penarth, Mark Threadgill, head chef at Portmeirion Hotel and Simmie Vedi, former head chef at Bully’s in Cardiff, as the Welsh nation’s finest chefs battle it out in the hope of securing a place in the next stage of the competition.
He last appeared on the show four years ago and got as far as the judging chamber.
This year, the experimental chef will share some innovative new dishes with his veteran judge and aiming to get through to cook for the judges – Tom Kerridge with a total of three Michelin stars, restaurateur Nisha Katona and comedian and food podcast host Ed Gamble – in this year’s competition themed around the 65th anniversary of Paddington Bear.
Tom, who is remaining tightlipped about the show’s outcome, said: “Since my last appearance on the show, my cooking style has developed and changed a lot, as has the way I tackle the challenges.
“I have found a love for cooking over fire and the fun elements of food, which you probably didn’t see as much last time I was on the show. I’m looking forward to seeing what the viewers think of my dishes.”
The Welsh heat of the competition runs from tonight until February 16.
