Great British Menu 2022 crowns Champion of Champions

The Ritz head chef Spencer Metzger has been named Great British Menu Champion of Champions 2022.

The chef, 29, received the accolade after getting both his fish course and main course to the banquet, which celebrated 100 years of British broadcasting.

His fish course, ‘Be careful what you fish for’, was based on Sherlock Holmes while his main course, ‘First impressions’, took its inspiration from Pride and Prejudice.

‘Be careful what you fish for' was comprised of brill, smoked beurre blanc, dulse, finger lime, chives, marinated grapes and sea vegetables and was served with a recyclable cardboard magnifying glass around the plate that contained a hidden message revealed under UV light.

For his main course the hall was set to resemble that of an 1800’s style banquet as the chef served a dish featuring partridge, pommes de terre sarladaisies and poached pear.

Commenting on Metzger’s main course, judge Tom Kerridge said: “This is one of the best dishes I have eaten, anywhere in the world, it is outstanding. I would travel through continents and countries to eat that dish again, it was absolutely stunning.”

Metzger, from Chigwell in Essex, entered the kitchen at the Ritz aged just 15 on a work experience placement. He joined the brigade there as an apprentice shortly afterwards, and has climbed up the ranks, taking in stints at L'Enclume in Cumbria and Frantzén in Stockholm.

The chef won the Roux Scholarship in 2019 and was has been awarded The Caterer’s Acorn Award, celebrating the industry’s brightest talents under 30.