Chef Tom Kerridge has candidly reflected on the wild and alcohol-fueled atmosphere that surrounded his early days competing on the BBC’s Great British Menu. Now a judge on the show since 2022, Kerridge’s journey has spanned more than a decade—from competing with fierce determination to mentoring emerging chefs.
The 52-year-old chef first appeared on the programme as a contestant in 2010 and 2011, triumphing in the main course category both years and earning the privilege to present his dishes at the prestigious banquet. His success on the show helped to boost his profile as the owner of The Hand & Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, solidifying his status as one of Britain’s best-known television chefs.
In recent years, Kerridge has undergone significant personal transformations, including substantial weight loss and giving up alcohol, topics he has openly discussed. Despite the changes, he admits that during his early Great British Menu days, alcohol was a major part of his off-camera life. Speaking on the Hungry podcast, he revealed, “I was cooking as hard and as good as I could… but when we weren’t filming and had wrapped for the day, I’d be on it, I’d be getting battered and then get back in that kitchen.”
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Describing the behind-the-scenes environment at the time, Kerridge said it was “full-on energy [and] alcohol-fueled chaos.” While one competitor brought a pillow for comfort, Kerridge quipped that he “took 24 cans of Stella in the boot” of his car. Regardless of the off-camera antics, his culinary skill was unequivocal, winning with a slow-cooked Aylesbury duck and later delivering a victorious hog roast at the People’s Banquet.
Reflecting on the competition’s significance, Kerridge emphasized pride in representing pubs: “Although we have a Michelin star, we are still a pub. It’s great to prove that it’s not just the posh restaurants that can cook good food.” He described the experience as “an amazing experience, an emotional rollercoaster but the best three weeks of my life,” according to the Morning Advertiser.
After retiring from competing, Kerridge returned to the show in 2012 as a mentor, offering guidance to aspiring chefs navigating the intense competition. Speaking to Buckinghamshire Live, he remarked, “I’ve been involved with the show in some respect now for 12/13 years and I know how much it means, not just to the chefs that compete, but also the British food scene in general.” He praised the programme’s impact, highlighting how it showcases culinary talent across the UK’s nations and regions.
Tonight, Kerridge will rejoin fellow judges Lorna McNee and Phil Wang, alongside screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce, to choose the winner representing north-east England and Yorkshire. Great British Menu airs on BBC Two at 6:30 pm.