A Whitchurch restaurant owner is set to feature on popular BBC television programme Great British Menu.

Stuart Collins, chef-patron of acclaimed restaurant Docket no.33 has been confirmed as a member of the line-up for the show, set to air on Wednesday, March 24.

THE owner and chef of the High Street restaurant says his appearance on the programme next week will be a good end to a 'turbulent' year.

The renowned chef, who opened Docket no.33 in 2017, has been selected alongside some of the UK's best chefs, to star in the BBC 2 show.

Competing against fellow chefs from the 'Central' region including Liam Dillon, Shannon Johnson and returning chef Sabrina Gidda, Stuart will create his ultimate dishes in a bid to reach the finals and get them featured on the menu at this year's prestigious banquet.

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On the Great British Menu announcement, Stuart said he could not wait for the show to air.

"Following a turbulent year, it's a huge honour to have been invited to participate in the show this year against a top line up of chefs and some stiff competition," he said.

"I loved every minute of it and believe the dishes I have created reflect the lengths that we go to create the perfect dish at Docket.

"Shropshire is known to be a hub for exceptional local producers allowing us to curate contemporary British dishes with a trace of international influence from my travels and experience.

"Although we have had a truly humbling response to our 'Docket at Home' offer, now an opening date is insight for the restaurant, I'm waiting with bated breath for the show to air and can't wait to open the doors to the restaurant once again for people to experience my cooking first-hand."

After a difficult year for the industry, the return of the much-loved Great British Menu show has been eagerly anticipated.

The series will follow the same format as previous years with chefs from eight different regions of the UK participating.

A week will be dedicated to each region with four chefs cooking their dishes for a judge who will score their courses out of ten. The lowest scoring chef after the starters and main courses will leave the competition, and then another chef will leave after the remaining have been served.

The final two chefs will then cook all of their dishes for the panel of judges, who will then decide which chef has won the region.

Andi Oliver will present the show, replacing Susan Calman, who hosted last year's series.

This year, British innovation will be celebrated as 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of Sir Timothy Berners-Lee inventing the World Wide Web and Helen Sharman becoming the first British astronaut to go into space.