Great British Menu episode 12 2020 – Northern Ireland – Judging: Today, the two highest-scoring chefs from Northern Ireland go head to head and cook their six-course menus again. But will they take on board their veteran’s advice as they serve the panel of judges and a TV presenter turned children’s author?

The chefs need to impress the formidable judges – food writer Matthew Fort, restaurateur Oliver Peyton and broadcaster and cook Andi Oliver – as well as a guest judge – one of the successful children’s authors the banquet will celebrate. Today, they are joined by former classroom assistant, children’s TV presenter and author Cerrie Burnell, who writes children’s book with an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity – subjects she is passionate about.

Great British Menu episode 12 2020 – Northern Ireland – Judging

This week, the battle is on with the heats for Northern Ireland. Competing for the top spot are two returning chefs and two newcomers. Alex Greene is returning for another crack at the contest after being runner-up in the regional final last year. Having worked in a string of Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, he is now head chef at one-starred Deane’s Eipic in Belfast. He is hoping his classic dishes, which are big on flavour, will see him through this time around.

Shauna Froydenlund is also returning after being runner-up at the regional final two years ago. She is co-chef patron of Marcus Wareing’s restaurant Marcus at the Berkeley Hotel with her husband Mark. She is a classical chef with particular pastry expertise. Newcomer Paul Cunningham is from Newcastle in Northern Ireland, where he is head chef at Brunels. Paul prides himself on using local ingredients and is a keen forager so tries to get a wild ingredient into every dish. Leigh Ferguson from Lisburn is head chef at Clenaghans in Aghalee. Also an advocate of local Northern Irish produce, Leigh is hoping to knock out the competition with the exotic ingredients he likes to infuse his dishes with.