Great British Menu 2017 line-up announced

The 24-strong chef line-up for this year's Great British Menu competition on BBC Two has been revealed.

Chefs include previous banquet winner Tommy Banks of the Black Swan at Oldstead, North Yorkshire; last year's finalist Michael Bremner of 64 Degrees in Brighton; 2016 Welsh regional winner Phil Carmichael of Berners Tavern, London; and first timers Tom Brown of Outlaw's at the Capital, London and Ellis Barrie of the Marram Grass on Anglesey.

The show this year will celebrate 140 years of tennis tournament the Wimbledon Championships. The chefs' creations must fit the theme of ‘a Taste of Summer' which encourages them to reflect the taste, smells and colours of the season.

This year, Oliver Peyton and Matthew Fort will be joined in the judging chamber by Andi Oliver, following Prue Leith's departure from the show.

Peyton said: "The standard of food cooked in this series is insanely high, these are the best chefs in the country cooking the most amazing food you'll see on television. Sometimes I think the competition will never get any better but the chef's passion just drives the show on to new heights."

Fort added: "It amazes me that each series the standard of cooking continues to rise and this series is no exception. Wimbledon attracts the best tennis players from around the world and the standard is matched by the chefs in this series of Great British Menu."

Oliver said: "Joining the Great British Menu judging team is so exciting and for the banquet to be hosted at such an iconic British sporting event as Wimbledon is the icing on top. I have been completely overwhelmed by the unbelievable passion and dedication of the chefs on this series and I think the viewers will be too."

The veteran judges confirmed for the show include Tom Aikens, Daniel Clifford, Angela Hartnett, Nathan Outlaw, Michael O'Hare, Richard Bainbridge, Jeremy Lee, and Michael Smith.

During the final Peyton, Fort and Oliver will be joined by: Sue Barker, BBC Wimbledon host and British No.1; Tim Henman, former British No.1 who reached a career high of World No. 4; Gordon Reid, Paralympic gold medallist & first ever Men's Wheelchair Champion at Wimbledon; and Annabel Croft, former British No. 1.

Great British Menu 2017 starts on Monday 1 May at 7pm, BBC Two.

The full list of chefs participating in Great British Menu 2017:

London & South East
Selin Kiazim, Oklava, London WINNER
Tom Kemble, Bonhams restaurant, London
Mike Reid, M Restaurants, London

Friday guest judge: Leon Smith (former coach of Andy Murray and current captain of the British Davis Cup team)

South West
Tom Brown, Outlaw's at the Capital, London WINNER
Dom Chapman, the Beehive restaurant & pub, Berkshire
Andy Clatworthy, formerly at Brigstow Bar and Kitchen, Bristol. Now at 108 Restaurant, Copenhagen

Friday guest judge: Marion Regan (strawberry farmer & supplier to the Wimbledon Championships)

North West
Ellis Barrie, the Marram Grass, Isle of Anglesey WINNER
Paul Askew, the Art School, Liverpool
Tom Parker, the White Swan, Lancashire

Friday guest judge: Greg Rusedski (former British No.1 and BBC Sports Personality of the Year 1997)

North East
Tommy Banks, the Black Swan at Oldstead, North Yorkshire WINNER
Josh Overington, Le Cochon Aveugle, York
Danny Parker, House Of Tides, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Friday guest judge: Judy Murray (mother of Wimbledon Champions Andy and Jamie and founder of sport education initiative Tennis On The Road)

Scotland
Michael Bremner, 64 Degrees, Brighton WINNER
Ally McGrath, Osso, Peebles
Angela Malik, caterer for private clients, London

Friday guest judge: Gary Parsons (Wimbledon's executive chef, overseeing 49 kitchens onsite with 330 chefs)

Wales
Phil Carmichael, Berners Tavern, London WINNER
Nick Brodie, Llangoed Hall, Brecon
Paul Croasdale, Alyn Williams at the Westbury

Friday guest judge: Dan Bloxham (master of ceremonies at Wimbledon and head coach of the All England Club)

Central
Pip Lacey, Murano, London WINNER
Ryan Simpson, Orwells, Oxfordshire
Nick Deverell-Smith, The Churchill Arms, Gloucestershire

Friday guest judge: Jordanne Whiley MBE (paralympic bronze medallist and three-time Wimbledon Wheelchair Doubles Champion.)

Northern Ireland
Tommy Heaney, the Great House, South Wales WINNER
Eddie Attwell, St Kyrans County Cavan, Eire
Joery Castel, formerly at the Boathouse, now at Saphyre Restaurant, Belfast

Friday guest judge: Mansour Bahrami (known as tennis' greatest entertainer)

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