Great British Menu - North East Heat

Last week was the North East heat at Great British Menu 2011 and I was excited to see a very innovative and creative chef in Stephanie Moon. I was really hoping that she was going through but it was her rival who took the heat home. When cooking for the judges, the voting was 2-1 in favour of Andrew Pern who will go through to the finals. The judges felt Andrew’s menu embraced the concept of sharing food better and was more visually appealing – however Stephanie was commended for her innovative cooking and presentation.

His menu was Salmagundi (a sharing plate of local produce), Sea Fish Soup, main course was a “deconstructed suckling pig” – a complex dish with consisting of miniature pork pies, black pudding scotch eggs, sticky ribs and a loin stuffed with lemon and herbs and dessert was a celebration of Yorkshire Rhubarb.

Nevertheless, if you haven't seen the dessert show - watch it below. Stephanie's Yorkshire Mess is delightful.

Great British Menu is back

From now on for a few weeks I will be clued to the telly from 6:30 until 7:00 - no phone will be answered and not a bit of work will be done for these precious 30 minutes. This year's theme is 'Street Party' with ingredients having to be sourced as locally as possible.

Yesterday's show started with the North East region and chefs Andrew Pern, Stephanie Moon and Tim Bilton created their starter - potted venison with watercress and crisp fennel salad, 'Salmagundi' of North County produce and sticky pigeon breast, forager's relish, hedgerow and beetroot crisps. The Salmagundi (a plate of local produce with a homemade egg mayonnaise) looked like a painting, but I think it is the sticky pigeon breast that Stephanie Moon cooked is my favourite - although she cooked it very pink (don't know many people who would be brave enough to eat the meat like that).

I have had the plan a few years back to cook every year's winning menu - so far I have cooked one of them. Really need to get my skaters on to catch up.... but for the next few weeks - don't expect too much from me as I am watching some amazing chefs celebrating the best of local produce (although it's British - I love it that they celebrate their producers).

Tonight is Fish Night and I can hardly wait to see what these talented chefs are coming up with.