Renowned Liverpool chef, Dave Critchley of Lu Ban, is to appear on the BBC2 cookery show Great British Menu for the second time. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool chef Dave Critchley is to make his second appearance in the BBC2 cooker show, Great British Menu, for the second time.

Dave, who is executive chef director at Lu Ban in the Baltic Triangle, is one of four chefs competing in the North West regional heat, which tests the chefs’ creative and culinary skills in the search for the perfect menu.

The weekly heats are aired across three nights and features four chefs going head-to-head in a bid to impress the judges. The North West episodes will be broadcast from Tuesday, February 8, at 8pm on BBC Two.

This is the 17th series and dishes will be themed to celebrate 100 years of great British broadcasting. It will again be hosted by Andi Oliver and features a new line-up of judges: Michelin-starred, GBM double banquet winner, Tom Kerridge; Liverpool restaurateur Nisha Katona, and comedian and food podcast presenter Ed Gamble.

Dave, who originally appeared in series 16 of the programme, said: “I am really looking forward to being involved with Great British Menu again as it was such a great experience last time.

“I’ve been given a second bite of the cherry and I intend to make the most of it. My ambition is to go one step further and to make it to the judges’ chamber.  It is a competition but it is also an amazing opportunity to showcase the Chinese culinary arts I’ve been learning these last two years.”

His North West rivals are Sam Lomas (Glebe House), Stevie Lamb (The Orangery at Rockcliffe Hall) and Caroline Martins (Blossom Street Social).