The BBC’s Great British Menu is back on our screens showcasing some of the most exciting chefs in the country competing for their chance to cook at a culinary feast marking 70 years of the NHS.
Briefed with the task of creating “celebratory and heartfelt dishes in tribute to the heroic staff of the NHS,” we thought we’d take a look at some of our favourite dishes so far.
Wales
Bryan Hamm of the 0 Rosette ‘Wedi’u piclo Selsig’ in Bangor created a dish that judge Oliver Peyton described as “a real punch in the guts.”
‘Triage my Sausage’ is a tribute to the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition. Hamm cooked a selection of bangers, put them on a single plate and allowed the judges, starting with the most hungry, to take turns eating from it. Peynton was sadly left to lick up nothing but wiener juice.
London and South East
Susan Bisto of Two Michelin starred ‘This Isn’t For You’ in Mayfair took a massive step away from her more traditional cooking techniques to wow the judges with her dish ‘Enema of the Skate’.
Each judge was given a rectal bulb syringe (see below) filled with a cocktail of skate, brown butter and liquid treatment used to relieve severe constipation. After administering the solution the judges evacuated their bowels into metal bowls and ate the mixture, “it’s a lot like a chowder,” remarked Andi Oliver.
Scotland
Kevin McAllister from ‘Get Oot Ma Hoos’ in Glasgow’s trendy East End wowed the judges with his dish dedicated to MRSA.
‘Mince Radish Sardine Almond’ were the first foodstuffs Kev could think of that started with the corresponding letters of the popular hospital infection. “It really is very clever,” said judge Matthew Fort as the drip to feed the mousse was inserted into his hand.
We’re sure you’re as excited as we are to see what the rest of the series has in store.
Foodie Boys 