The new executive chef at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa will compete in the new series of Great British Menu.

The new BBC series airs this Summer and will see Matt Worswick (27) fly the flag for Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa and its fine-dining restaurant The Lawns, as UK chefs compete to cook at a commemorative dinner to celebrate 100 years of The Women’s Institute.

Matt said:

“I still can’t believe I’ll be on Great British Menu.  Some of the UK’s best-known chefs have competed on this show and it’s an honour to follow in their footsteps, not to mention flying the flag for food in the North West.”

Liverpool born Matt, who achieved a Michelin star at just 26, has worked at some of the UK’s most high profile restaurants including Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham and The Elephant in Torquay.

The series will see Matt pitted against three other North West chefs to represent the region, before the winner competes with the other regional finalists for one of four courses at the commemorative dinner.

Speaking about this year’s brief, Matt said:

“This year’s brief really touched a chord with me as my grandma was a lifelong member of the WI.   Researching the brief, reading her old cookery books and designing my dishes has made me feel even closer to her and I hope I’ve done her and the WI proud.

“Even though it’s a competition and places in the final are coveted, there was a real sense of camaraderie in the kitchen and it was pleasure working alongside other great chefs.”

Matt kept tight-lipped about how his performance.  He said.:

“You’ll just have to watch to see what happens.”

Matt joined The Lawns in November 2014 to improve the creativity and quality of the food at the 3AA rosette restaurant and his new menus have received wide acclaim.  He describes his style of food as bold, masculine and with European influences.  Dishes include venison with bolognese and granola and halibut with salt milk crumble and smoked almonds.

Matt will compete against North West chefs Mark Ellis and Eve Townson.