A Cumbrian chef will be appearing on the BBC series Great British Menu.
Jack Bond, head chef and co-owner of Michelin-starred and three AA rosette The Cottage in the Wood in Whinlatter, near Keswick, will compete in the latest series of the competition.
He features as one of four chefs representing the North West of England in the regional heats, which start on Tuesday January 28 at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer and will see the chefs competing for a place in finals week.
33-year-old Jack Bond, from Cumbria, is competing in his first year of Great British Menu, and alongside the other North West regional competitors will battle it out for a place in finals week.
The series will begin on January 28, with three episodes being shown that week, part of a nine-week series, covering each regional heat before finals week, and the series finale culminating in a magnificent historical banquet which will be held at Blenheim Palace.
This year’s theme is Great Britons, which will see the chefs draw inspiration from important people, who have come from their area, from ancient and modern history as they develop their menus, with the best being showcased at the banquet marking 20 years of the Great British Menu.
The programme format remains the same, with Andi Oliver returning to present the series, with a judging line-up of Michelin-starred, GBM double banquet winner, Tom Kerridge; comedian and food podcast presenter Ed Gamble; and new for this year, Scotland’s Lorna McNee, of Michelin-starred restaurant Cail Bruich, a former champion of champions on Great British Menu.
Jack said: ‘’I’ve frequently thought about putting myself forward to take part in Great British Menu, but for some reason never got round to it.
“However, that all changed when I became a dad in 2024, as well as buying The Cottage in the Wood with my wife Beth.
“Both of those momentous events gave me the impetus to put my name in the hat and push myself beyond my comfort zone.
“I’m looking forward to the experience and having the opportunity to compete alongside some very talented chefs representing the North West region.
“This year’s theme promises to be pretty interesting, and will no doubt throw up a few challenges, as we celebrate historical figures from across the region, with the added pressure of it being the 20th anniversary of Great British Menu too! So, we’ll just have to see how things go and where I end up in the competition.’’
He will competing against Carlisle chef James Hill in the heat.
James, who said he was very excited to be part of the show, added: “To be asked to star on such a renowned program was a great privilege.
“When I got the call, I could only say yes – it’s an incredible opportunity to represent the North West and share my passion for food with the nation.”
Watch Jack on Great British Menu on Tuesday January 28 at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
