McNee, who was Great British Menu’s ‘Champion of Champions’ back in 2019, will take over from chef and restaurateur Nisha Katona, who is moving on from the show after serving as a judge for three years.
She will judge the cooking competition alongside fellow judges Tom Kerridge and Ed Gamble.
“Winning Great British Menu made a huge difference to my career as a chef and was partly behind me becoming chef director at Cail Bruich, so I know just how much the competition means to Britain’s chefs,” says McNee.
“Being invited to join the judges this year was a total surprise but a delight, and I’m loving the chance to help choose this year’s banquet finalists.”
Great British Menu, which sees professional chefs from across the country battle it out across a series of regional heats to cook one of four courses at a prestigious banquet, will mark its 20th series this year.
This season’s theme will be ‘Great Britons’, with chefs drawing inspiration from their choice of important people, from ancient to modern history, who’ve come from their area.
The show is presented Andi Oliver, who originally joined Great British Menu as a judge back in 2017.
“It is an honour and continues to be a huge privilege to mentor Britain’s top chefs through the process of competing on Great British Menu, and it’s incredible to think the series is now in its 20th year,” says Oliver.
“The competition strives to provide a platform for new chef talent from all over Britain, and we hope to do so for many years to come.
“In fact, this year, it’s great to see a former winner of our competition, Scotland’s formidable Lorna McNee, join us as a judge.
“Audiences are in for a treat! The chefs have come up with incredible ideas on this year’s theme. It’s so exciting to see how many of them have come up with unsung local heroes for us to celebrate.”
McNee is a protégé of the late two Michelin-starred chef Andrew Fairlie, having joined his restaurant as an apprentice back in 2008.
During her career she has made her mark on the Scottish culinary scene, collecting a host of awards and accolades including Game Chef of the Year in 2016, and Scottish Chef of the Year in 2017.
She joined Cail Bruich in 2020. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star the following year, which it continues to retain.
Great British Menu returns to BBC Two and iPlayer at 8pm on Tuesday 28 January 2025.
