MY HEROES

Great British Menu judge Tom Kerridge on the TV chefs who have shaped the way we cook…

- REBECCA FLETCHER

GREAT BRITISH MENU TUESDAY-THURSDAY / BBC2 / TIMES VARY / COOKERY

Magnificent!’ is the verdict of judge Tom Kerridge on the current run of Great British Menu, which takes 100 years of broadcasting as its theme.

And, as you’d expect of the ebullient Michelin-starred chef, he is particularly passionate about a certain variety of telly heroes.

‘Without a doubt, TV chefs have made a huge impact on the cooking habits of the nation,’ says Tom, 48.

Here, he shares his favourite shows with TV Times…

DELIA SMITH

Family Fare (1973-75), Delia Smith’s Cookery Course (1978-79), How to Cook (1998-2002)

‘My mum was a huge Delia fan and we had all her cookbooks, but what strikes me about her TV shows is how good she was at presenting. Whatever she cooked was done in real time and thoroughly explained.

‘Her recipes always worked, and when she told you it was OK to use pre-prepared stuff like frozen mash or tinned mince, the supermarkets would sell out! Her practical, time-saving tips made our cooking lives easier.’

KEITH FLOYD

Floyd on Fish (1985), Floyd on Food (1986)

‘Before Keith, most food shows were studio-based, but Keith took cooking outside. How great was that? Cooking on a stove, in a field or on a boat… It inspired people to have a go, and because it was often chaotic, it took the pressure off getting things perfect.

‘He had a brilliant style of cooking and because he loved to chat to farmers and fishermen, he was one of the first TV chefs to make people understand where food came from.’

NIGELLA LAWSON