Virginia chef to feature on Great British Menu

A local chef is to feature on the hit cooking programme Great British Menu later tonight, BBC2 at 7.30pm.

Armagh's Eddie 'Ed' Attwell, head chef at St Kyrans hotel and restaurant is competing for a chance to cook at a 90th birthday banquet for Queen Elizabeth in this year’s GBM series.

Representing Northern Ireland, the Craigavon-native had been working at Ardtara Country House in Upperlands, Co Derry when he was selected to face up against Chris McGowan (Wine & Brine, Co Armagh) and Mark Abbott (Midsummer House, Cambridge).

Showcasing their skills in contemporary British cuisine for the lavish Palace of Westminster, they will however have to face the discerning trio of Prue Leith and Matthew Fort and Mayo-born restaurateur Oliver Peyton who will judge the competing chefs’ efforts.

This year's banquet theme is to show how British food has changed during the Queen’s reign, and those to be honoured are members of the public who have achieved or overcome extraordinary things in their daily lives.

One half of the St Kyrans' husband and wife team, Patrick Keenan describes Mr Atwell as “a wonderful professional to have around the place”, who surprisingly only told them about his GBM involvement after he had taken the job.

“We're absolutely delighted to have him here at St Kyrans. When he first came here to work with us he didn't even mention his involvement with the show. It wasn't until after that he said it was something that was coming up. He's very humble about these things, maybe more than anyone I've every met before.

“Its a great honour to have and it has been brilliant the positive attention his involvement in the programme has brought, not just to our hotel and restaurant, but to the town of Virginia and Co Cavan. We're very proud of him.”

While filming for GBM took place in London earlier this year, Mr Keenan tells The Anglo-Celt that their head chef is continuing to keep whatever the outcome was tightly under-wraps.

“We've tried to get him to tell us. We've tried, but he's giving nothing away. He's saying nothing, so I suppose we'll have to do as everyone else does and tune in to watch it.

“Myself, Helena, and the staff here just wish Ed the very best of luck and we look forward to seeing how he fares out,” Mr Keenan adds.