AS it heads into its 21st year on the air, a new judge will be joining the Great British Menu.
BBC bosses have confirmed a familiar face will be replacing the departing judge – and additionally unveiled the show’s latest theme.
The theme of next year’s series will be British moviesCredit: BBC
Phil Wang is set to be the new judge on Great British MenuCredit: Handout
Phil will replace Ed Gamble on the cooking showCredit: BBC
Comedian Phil Wang will be taking over from on the hit BBC Two cooking competition series which is set to air in February.
“I’ve been an avid food-lover all my life, and I’m thrilled about this opportunity to taste food from the most creative and skilled chefs in the country,” Phil said in a statement.
Filming has already started in Stratford upon Avon where Phil, who is described, as “an enthusiastic eater” has joined Michelin starred chefs and Lorna McNee to judge the competition.
Phil said: “Can’t wait to put decades of practice to work and put my mouth where my mouth is.”
It won’t be Phil’s first time on , he appeared as a guest on season 16 of the Science and Invention themed series.
Outgoing judge Ed, said he was happy to pass the judging baton on to Phil whom he described as a “dear friend and frequent dining companion.”
“I can think of no better person to pass the golden spoon to… [Phil] is hilarious, great company and crucially, matches my appetite more than anyone else I’ve met,” Ed said.
“I’ll miss everyone on the team but I know they’ll forget about me as soon as they start chomping with the Wang.”
Along with announcing the new judge, BBC Two also revealed the new theme for the next series will be British movies and movie makers.
Thirty-two chefs from around the UK and Northern Ireland will deliver dishes inspired by films such as, James Bond, Wallace and Gromit, Harry Potter, The Full Monty and Notting Hill.
The chefs will be required to cook dishes which celebrate movies with a connection to their region or film makers or actors from their area.
In the finale, chefs will be tasked with cooking a banquet for the best of Britain’s film industry at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
The northern city was the perfect location for the finale as it is home to the oldest film office in Europe and is the most filmed city in the UK outside of London.
Also, St George’s Hall stood in for Gotham City Hall for Robert Pattinson’s The Batman film.
Phil is a comedian of British-Malaysian heritage and has made regular appearances on shows such as, Taskmaster, Would I Lie to You?, Have I Got News for You, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Ed was a judge on the show from 2022Credit: BBC
Phil has appeared on many TV shows, including TaskmasterCredit: UKTV/Avalon
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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